Research Experience
I have experience with basic and applied research in agriculture with an emphasis on pathogenic and beneficial plant-microbe interactions. During the course of my academic career, I had an opportunity to accumulate both basic and advanced molecular biology techniques.
With High-Throughput Gene Expression Assays:
¤ Currently I am working as a post doctoral research associate in BIO5 Institute, Tucson, AZ. My project involves development of high-throughput plant cell wall degrading gene expression array to screen chemicals that can improve efficiency of cellulosic bio-energy generation procedures. This technology can also applied in various aspects of disease diagnosis including cancer, pesticide screening and in other aspects of improving the agriculture productivity.
Molecular Microbiology :
¤ My Ph. D dissertation focused on colonization aspects of Pseudomonas Chlororaphis strain 30-84, a bacterial biological control agent effective against take-all disease of wheat caused by the fungal pathogen (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici) . The primary mechanism of disease control is the production of phenazine antibiotics. One of the main issues concerning use of biological control agents in the field is their inconsistent performance. One hypothesis for low performance is its reduced colonization. My thesis is focused on studying the molecular basis for colonization and persistence by P. chlororaphis in the rhizosphere as a means for improving its efficacy in the field. Interestingly, the results from my research support novel roles of phenazine antibiotics in biofilm formation by P. chlororaphis. These results indicate that bacterial secondary metabolites can have multiple roles for the producing organism.
¤ Pursuing my Masters in Plant Pathology, I assisted my Advisor in different field experiments in an IPM project for managing potato wilt caused by Sclerotium rolfsii using the fungal biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum integrated with other cultural practices.
¤ I worked in Dr. Christina Kennedy`s lab to determine if a levan sucrase gene lsdA is involved in the micro-colony formation of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, a beneficial nitrogen fixing bacteria of sugar-cane.
Plant Disease Management:
¤ I have extensive work experience with serological methods for the identification plant pathogenic viruses. During 2000-2002, I worked on sunflower necrosis disease (SND) caused by Tobacco Streak Ilarvirus, at the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) Regional station in Hyderabad, India. This virus is serologically related to tospoviruses like Peanut Bud Necrosis Virus (PBNV). I analyzed number of field sunflower and weed host samples in the disease-affected areas of Southern India using ELISA to identify the SND virus and to measure SND incidence and severity.
¤ As part of my graduate lab rotations, I was involved in the generation of an insertion mutant strain library of the important rice-blast pathogen, Magnaporthe grisea. This project was focused on the generation of mutants to understand the genes involved in pathogenesis.
Ornamental Plant Pathology:
¤ I carried out extensive surveys measuring epidemiological aspects including disease incidence and disease severity of Jasmine Chlorotic Ring Spot Virus (JCRSV). I also conducted green house and field oriented studies in developing ecologically-friendly strategies for the management of JCRSV using different plant extracts. I carried out partial characterization of JCRSV by using electron microscopy, ELISA, ISEM, microtomy, transmission studies and host- range studies. My results characterized JCRSV as a probable member of Carla virus group, present for the first time in North Karnataka, India.
Teaching Experience:
Laboratory courses: Principles of Microbiology (VSC 285L); Microbial Genetics Laboratory (PLP 428/528L). Teaching 285L laboratory involved two major projects one with identification of unknown bacteria and second with identification of unknown viruses using various staining and biochemical methods. Teaching PLP 428 /528 L involved training the students with molecular microbial techniques. I was instrumental in the development of a new one-step mutant cloning strategy for plasposon mutagenesis of P. chlororaphis, and further inclusion of the same in 428/528L as a regular exercise in laboratory. I was also a lead TA responsible for the entire 428/528 L laboratory class.
Class lectures: Taught quorum sensing lecture in Dr.Leland Pierson`s Microbial Genetics class involving both undergraduate and graduate students, Oomycetes lecture in Dr. Barry Pryor`s Advanced Mycology class for graduate students.