| |
Prof. S. Srivastava:
Genetic analysis of metal resistance from soil Bacteria isolated from contaminated sites, identification of genes and underlying mechanisms. CSIR July 1989 Dec 92.
Genetic mapping in Pisum sativum, identified certain isozyme markers and mapped some loci in relation to known genes. - CSIR January 1992 March 1995.
Metal accumulating bacterial strains were identified, the process of bioaccumulation was optimized, conditions of metal biorecovery were standardized. - DBT January 1993 June 1997.
Based on above study, microbial strains as metal bioindicators were developed.
Some fungal strains were analysed for metal resistance and metal removal.
In both bacteria and fungi, genes responsible for some ion homeostasis (Zn and Cu) and resistance have been identified, some useful mutants have isolated, and some genes already cloned.
Use of industrially - generated biomass in metal accumulation, recovery, and environmental bioremediation has been proposed and various parameters are being standardized. - MoEF April 2000-.
Bacteriocin production in some environmental isolates of lactobacilli is being standardized with an objective to use them as biopreservative. - CSIR Jan 2002-.
Prof. D. Pental:
The long-term major objective of the group is to increase the productivity and to improve quality of Indian mustard Brassica juncea through transgenic approach and marker assisted breeding. To improve the productivity through hybrid seed production, the lab is actively engaged in development of male sterile and restorer lines by transgenic approach. Barnase (male sterile) and barstar (restorer) lines have been developed which are now being utilized in the B. juncea breeding programme at CGMCP (Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants), University of Delhi South Campus.
Fatty acid desaturase-2 (FAD-2) gene isolated from Brassica campestris has been incorporated into B. juncea in antisense orientation through transgenic approach to increase oleic and decrease the linoleoic and linolenic acid fraction from the seed oil. Preliminary evaluation of first generaition transgenic plants indicate increase of oleic and upto 73-76% in the low erucic acid B. juncea lines. Work is in progress to stabilize the expression of antisense FAD-2 gene through development of homozygous lines. In order to undertake marker assisted breeding in an effective manner, a linkage map with 1029 AFLP and RFLP markers has been constructed in B. juncea. Research activities are underway to tag the genes responsible for erucic acid and glucosinolates. The molecular map developed in the lab is being utilized for dissection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) pertaining to yield and yield components.
Prof. A. K. Pradhan:
Combiners with high heterosis for yield and synchrony in flowering have been identified in B. napus and B. Juncea.
CMS and restorer lines for ‘tour’ cytoplasmic male sterility has been developed in B. napus for hybrid seed production and the hybrids are now being tested in multi-location trials.
Barnase-barstar system of male sterility developed in the lab is being employed in B. juncea for hybrid seed production.
Stable CMS line in cauliflower (B. oleracea) corrected for chlorosis has been developed through somatic cell hybridization by using ‘oxy’ cytoplasm.
Doubled haploid technique has been successfully employed in our breeding programme for development of ‘canola’ quality B. juncea.
A high-density molecular map has been developed in B. juncea by use of 996 AFLP and 33 RFLP markers and being further saturated with more number of AFLP and RFLP markers.
Use of DNA markers for whole genome selection to increase the efficiency of backcross breeding for development of ‘canola’ quality B. juncea.
Dr. M.V. Rajam:
Co-inventor of an entirely new method for the control of fungal plant infections through the selective inhibition of fungal polyamine biosynthesis.
For the first time, developed high efficiency stable genetic transformation of the green alga - Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by Agrobacterium.
Developed an efficient Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated genetic transformation for indica rice, eggplant and tomato.
Developed indica rice transgenics tolerant to abiotic stresses (salinity and drought) through pathway engineering of polyamines and mannitol as well as rice tungro virus (the later work is being done in collaboration with Dr. Indranil Dasgupta of our campus).
Developed eggplant and tobacco transgenics tolerant to abiotic stresses (salinity, drought and chilling) using polyamine biosynthesis genes.
Developed eggplant transgenics resistant to fungal and bacterial diseases using chitinase, glucanase and thaumatin genes.
Developed efficient plant regeneration protocols for several genotypes of rice, eggplant and also for tomato (cv. Pusa Ruby).
Elucidated the role of polyamines in plant growth and development, especially the in vitro plant regeneration in rice and eggplant. Regeneration in several genotypes of rice and eggplant was studied and polyamines were identified as 'biomarkers' for regeneration ability, and the regeneration was improved by modulation of polyamine metabolism.
Developed a simple method for restoration of plant regeneration in long-term callus cultures of indica rice by modulation of polyamines metabolism.
Dr. B.K. Thelma:
Dr. B. K. Thelam is an established investigator and she has undertaken a large number of research projects ranging from basic cytogenetics to applied genetics in the areas of animal and Human Genetics.
Dr. Thelma’s research efforts in the last few years are pertaining to the molecular genetics of some of the human brain disorders. This includes: neurodevelopment (fragile X syndrome), neurodegenerative (Parkinson’s disease) and neuropsychiatric (schizophrenia) disorders. Her work in these areas utilizing linkage and association strategies along with high throughput SNP typing of candidate genes have contributed significantly to the knowledge/ to the successful identification of genetic factors underlying these complex disorders in the Indian population. Establishing linkage/association of the SNPs within 10kb of RGS4 gene (whose expression is different in the schizophrenia brains) with schizophrenia among Indians; Identification of the susceptibility genotype(s) of DRD3 gene in Tardive Dyskinesia, a movement disorder with major pharmacogenetic implications; Generating SNP databases for some genes for the Indian population; and Ongoing high throughput SNP typing in candidate genes in some of the human disorders, their correlation with drug response, again with major pharmacogenetic implications are some of the highlights of ongoing work in her laboratory at the University of Delhi South Campus.
Besides establishing a good human genetics research programme with emphasis on genetics of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders (Diagnostics as well as basic work), she has also established DNA diagnosis for Fragile-X syndrome, which is the most frequent inherited mental retardation (one of the two centers in Delhi, supported by DBT); she has established collaboration between the University department and a large number of hospitals (including AIIMS, G.B. Pant, Dr. R.M.L., Sitaram Bhartia, Sir Ganga Ram, at New Delhi; NIMHANS and their hospitals at Bangalore; Jaslok and other hospitals in Bombay) and also several International research collaborations.
Dr. P. K. Burma:
The laboratory has been involved in designing promoters for stable transgene expression. In this regard we have tested methods of making novel promoters which could escape transgene silencing. We have come up with the strategy of making such promoters by placing cis-elements involved in transcription factor binding in a novel DNA context. |
|
|
Department has well equipped laboratories for M.Sc. Programme
Research interest of the Department are in the area of heavy metal resistance in soil bacteria, fungi and microbial strain improvement for the production of some useful biomolecules, biochemical genetics of bacteria and fungi; plant transformation, somatic hybridization, DNA marker technology for construction of linkage maps, gene tagging and QTLs mapping in Brassica species, development of transgenic rice, cotton Brassica species and vegetables resistant to diseases, pests and
environmental stresses, genetic engineering of polyamine and carbohydrate metabolism for stress tolerance and for studying plant development in vitro, plant tissue culture; gene promoter design for higher expression in transgenic plants; molecular biology and functional significance of repetitive DNA; Molecular genetics of human neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders X-linked such as mental retardation, Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease.
Extensive research funding have been received by different faculty members from national and international agencies as well as industry.
Research facilities of high standard are available.
Department has received support under SAP (DRS) Programme. |
|
|
