Plant RNAi Biology

PLANT BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY / Biotic and Abiotic Stress

Research Interests

microRNA, plant virus interactions, abiotic stress, cross-talk, plant protection

Description of Research

The Group is interested in understanding miRNA mediated gene silencing mechanisms operative in plants and apply this knowledge toward sustainable crop improvement and protection. The miRNAs are small molecules that play an important role in regulating plant growth, development and adaptation towards stresses, by switching off gene expression. This study gains importance in the era of global climate change, as crop productivity is being adversely impacted by rise in temperature, accompanied by increase in soil salinity, decline in fresh water and high incidence of virus infection.

We have explored the natural variation in miRNA expression among indigenous rice varieties and established strong correlations between specific miRNA profiles and their adaptive responses to abiotic stresses. The studies further reveal that specific miRNA regulatory nodes act as integrative hubs of environmental signals, for coordinating plant responses to diverse stresses. Several of these nodes are evolutionarily conserved across plant species and exhibit genetically determined, dynamic variations that depend on the degree, duration, and nature of stress.

We have established an excellent model for dissecting molecular interactions between viruses and their plant hosts. This work has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms by which viruses can harness innate plant defense pathways to enhance crop protection against diverse environmental challenges.

Extending our research towards translational outcomes, my team has demonstrated proof-of-concept for miRNA-mediated crop improvement. The overexpression of specific miRNAs in rice resulted in high-yielding lines with sustained performance under stress. In addition, my group has leveraged artificial miRNA approaches to engineer resistance against plant viruses, further underscoring the versatility of RNA-based strategies for enhancing crop resilience and protection. Our current efforts focus on developing and testing non-transgenic delivery approaches to facilitate safe and effective field implementation.

Recent Publications