Rustgi Lab

Molecular Plant Breeding Lab at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center

Our Lab

Established in 2016, the Rustgi Lab is a molecular plant breeding lab located at the Clemson Unversity Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, South Carolina. The lab's research has four primary areas of focus: development of nutritionally enhanced, allergen-free, or non-immunogenic crops, increasing genetic diversity in cotton germplasm and identification of cotton genotypes with annual growth habits, development of a novel eco-friendly pesticide to control sugarcane aphid, and breeding for recurrent flowering in rose and peach. If you are interested in learning more about our lab or interested in potentially becoming a member please click the link below.

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Recent Publications

Heterologous expression of the TaPI-PLC1-2B gene enhanced drought and salt tolerance in transgenic rice seedlings - Heredity

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Progress in genetic studies of traits related to the nutritional value of wheatWorldwide, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) serves about 20% of the human calorie needs and 40% of protein needs. Hence, it is imperative to pay attention…

Plant biomacromolecule delivery methods in the 21st centuryThe 21st century witnessed a boom in plant genomics and gene characterization studies through RNA interference and site-directed mutagenesis. Specifically, the last 15 years marked a rapid increase in discovering and implementing different genome editing techniques. Methods to deliver gene editing reagents have also attempted to keep pace with the discovery and implementation of gene editing tools in plants. As a result, various transient/stable, quick/lengthy, expensive (requiring specialized equipment)/inexpensive, and versatile/specific (species, developmental stage, or tissue) methods were developed. A brief account of these methods with emphasis on recent developments is provided in this review article. Additionally, the strengths and limitations of each method are listed to allow the reader to select the most appropriate method for their specific studies. Finally, a perspective for future developments and needs in this research area is presented.

Lab News and Events

Clemson, USDA scientists research to help boost cotton productionClemson University and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists want to develop improved breeding tools to help boost U.S. cotton production.

The Rustgi Lab is happy to announce that Dr. Sachin Rustgi has been awarded the See Fellow Award of the Society of Extension Education, Agra, India
Congratulations to our very own Tariq Alam for receiving the Interdisciplinary Research Fellowship for 2023-24
We are proud to announce that Zack Jones has been awarded the Wade Stackhouse Fellowship for the 2023-24 year, congratulations!
Congratulations to the newest doctoral graduate of the Rustgi Lab Dr. Salman Naveed!!! (Disertation: Breeding Cotton for Determinate Growth Habit: Increasing Cotton Fiber Yield by Remobilization of End-Of-Season Perennial Reserves)
Catch members of the Rustgi Lab presenting at the 2023 Society of Invitro Biology Meeting in Norfolk, VA from June 10th-14th
Come out and see Zack Jones' poster "Development of atoxigenic non-reversible Aspergillus strains to manage pre- and postharvest aflatoxin contamination in peanuts" at the 5th Annual AgBio CRISPR Congress in San Diego, CA, on February 15th, 2023
Attending the American Society of Agronomy's Southern Regional Branch meeting? Check out Salman Naveed's poster titled "Breeding Cotton for Determinate Growth Habit: Remobilizing Perennial Reserves for Increased Yield and Reduced Regrowth" on February 4th, 2023

Rustgi Lab

Our Lab

Recent Publications

Lab News and Events

Rustgi Lab | Clemson Pee Dee REC, 2200 Pocket Road, Florence, SC 29506