DR. BHUPENDRA CHAUDHARY
Associate Professor
319, School of Life Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi-110067
INDIA
Email: bhupendra@mail.jnu.ac.in
bhupendra@jnu.ac.in
Plant Evolutionary Genetics & Genomics
Our research investigates the genomics, and genetic engineering of crop plants for improved field traits and resistance to stress conditions. We are specifically interested in the evolutionary genetics of cotton fiber development which encompasses molecular and genome evolution, phylogenetics, and functional characterization of key gene families evolved under cotton domestication using transgenic technologies. We aim to analyse the temporal transcriptomes of wild and domesticated cotton species to identify novel targeted genes especially hormone signaling genes and cell-wall modifying genes; and characterize their molecular interactions with other signalling proteins and receptor kinases during cotton fiber development. Our research group also aims to analyse in vivo functions of Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) through target-mimicry based expression diminution of microRNA167 gene family by generating transgenic stocks for i) enhanced fiber elongation in cotton; and ii) improved silique elongation and drought tolerance in Indian mustard. Altered plant hormonal activities in root-to-shoot communication are being utilized in the development of transgenic mustard with enlarged root system and increased drought tolerance without having negative side effects on the aerial organs. Our goal is to apply these findings to sustainable agricultural practices that benefit society.
AWARDS/ FELLOWSHIPS/ RECOGNITIONS
1. Associateship for Specialized Training of Young Scientist in Niche Areas of Biotechnology: 2005-06; Awarded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India Award No.BT/IN/BTOA/Niche/2006 Availed during 26th Jan. 2007 - 30th Aug. 2008, Iowa State University USA
2. Expert Member, Scientific Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) and Foods (2023-2026), FSSAI, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India
M.Sc. Courses:
LS 403 Genetics
LS 508 Biodiversity & Evolution
LS 406 A Life Sciences Practical-I
LS 568 Plant Biotechnology
LS 580 Research Design, Ethics and Scientific Publishing
Ph.D. Courses:
LS 684 Crop Genetics
CURRENT MEMBERS
Ms. Meghna Pathak
Research Scholar (JRF)
School of Life Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi-110067
LAB ALUMNI
Dr. Aniruddhabhai Khuma,
Ph.D. Degree awarded: 2024
Thesis Title: Development of drought tolerant transgenic Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. cv Varuna) through root-specific reduction of cytokinin
Dr. Dhananjay K. Pandey
Degree awarded: 2018
Thesis Title: Functional Characterization of Proflin Gene family in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. Coker 310FR)
Dr. Sakshi Arora,
Ph.D. Degree awarded: 2021
Thesis Title: Target-mimicry based diminution of miR167 gene family in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. Coker 310FR)
Dr. Shashank K. Yadav,
Ph.D. Degree awarded: 2022
Thesis Title: Functional validation of ABA (Abscisic acid) receptor(s) in rice
1. Pandey, D.K. & Chaudhary, B. (2024). Ectopic overexpression of domestication-driven cytoskeletal profilin (GhPRF1) gene improves flowering and trichome development in cotton (Gossypium). J. Plant Growth Regulation https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-024-11329-4
2. Khuman, A., Yadav, V. & Chaudhary, B. (2024). Evolutionary dynamics of cytoskeletal profilin proteins in Brassica juncea L. discovers their roles in silique development and stress resilience. Int. J. Biological Macromolecules 266 :131247
3. Arora, S., Singh, A.K. and Chaudhary, B. (2023). Coordination of floral and fiber development in cotton (Gossypium) by hormone- and flavonoid-signalling associated regulatory miRNAs. Plant Molecular Biology DOI: 10.1007/s11103-023-01341-9.
4. Khuman, A., Kumar, V., and Chaudhary, B. (2022). Evolutionary expansion and expression dynamics of cytokinin-catabolizing CKX gene family in the modern amphidiploid mustard (Brassica sp.). 3 Biotech 12 (9):233. doi: 10.1007/s13205-022-03294-0
5. Pandey, D.K., Kumar, V. and Chaudhary, B. (2022). Concomitant expression evolution of cell wall cytoskeletal geneic triad(s) controls floral organ shape and fiber emergence in cotton (Gossypium). Frontiers in Plant Science doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.900521
6. Pandey, D.K., Chaudhary, B. (2021). Transcriptional loss of domestication-driven cytoskeletal GhPRF1 gene causes defective floral and fiber development in cotton (Gossypium). Plant Molecular Biology 107(6):519-532 (highlighted on Journal’s cover page)
7. Arora, S., and Chaudhary, B. (2021). Global expression dynamics and miRNA evolution profile govern foral/fber architecture in the modern cotton (Gossypium). Planta 254:62
8.Pandey D.K. and Chaudhary, B. (2020). Evolution of functional diversity among actin-binding profilin genes in land plants. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 8:588689
9. Pandey, D. K. and Chaudhary, B. (2016) Domestication-driven Gossypium profilin 1 (GhPRF1) gene transduces early flowering phenotype in tobacco by spatial alteration of apical/floral-meristem related gene expression. BMC Plant Biology 16: 1-21
10. Chaudhary,B., Flagel, L., Stupar M. R., Udall, J.A., Verma, N., Springer, N.M. and Wendel, J.F. (2009). Reciprocal silencing, transcriptional bias and functional divergence of homoeologs in polyploid cotton (Gossypium). Genetics 182:503-517
11. Chaudhary, B., Hovav, R., Rapp, R., Verma, N., Udall, J.A. and Wendel, J.F. (2008). Global analysis of gene expression in cotton fibers from wild and domesticated Gossypium barbadense. Evolution and Development 10(5) :567-582
12. Hovav, R., Udall, J. A., Chaudhary, B., Rapp,R., Flagel, L. and Wendel, J.F. (2008). Partitioned expression of duplicated genes during development and evolution of a single cell in a polyploid plant. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105:6191-6195
13. Hovav, R., Udall, J. A., Chaudhary, B., Hovav, E., Flagel, L., Hu, G. and Wendel, J. F. (2008). The evolution of spinable cotton fiber entailed natural selection for prolonged development and a novel metabolism. PLoS Genetics 7:e25
14. Chaudhary B., Kumar S., Prasad K.V.S.K., Oinam G.S., Burma P.K. and Pental D. (2003). Slow desiccation leads to high frequency shoot recovery from transformed somatic embryos of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 310 FR). Plant Cell Reports 21: 955-960
PATENTS (FILED)
1. Chaudhary, B., and Arora S. (2022) Method of Phenotypic Regulation of Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Development In Cotton. India Patent Application No. 202211026119, 5th May 2022
2. Chaudhary, B., Arora S. and Pandey, D. K. (2018) Method of plant phenotype alteration via target-mimicry based diminution of miRNA167. India Patent Application No. 201811032478 A, 30 August 2018 (Page-33427; Date of Publication- 07/09/2018; https://search.ipindia.gov.in/IPOJournal/Journal/Patent).
3. Chaudhary, B. and Pandey, D. K. (2017) Bioengineering of Cotton for Increased Floral Inception and Fiber Initiation. India Patent Application No. 201711026325 A, 04 August 2017 (Page- 25580; Date of Publication- 04/08/2017; https://search.ipindia.gov.in/IPOJournal/Journal/Patent).
4. Chaudhary, B. and Pandey, D. K. (2017) Method for enhanced tetrahydrofolate production by deregulation of allosteric inhibition of dihydroneopterin aldolase (DHNA). India Patent Application No.201711000033 A, 05 January 2017 (Page-610; Date of Publication- 13/01/2017; https://search.ipindia.gov.in/IPOJournal/Journal/Patent).
5. Chaudhary, B. and Pandey, D. K. (2016) Methods of Producing Early Flowering and Enhanced Agronomic Traits in Plants. India Patent Application No.201611036458 A, 28 October 2016 (Page-71959; Date of Publication- 28/10/2016; https://search.ipindia.gov.in/IPOJournal/Journal/Patent)
SANCTIONED EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH GRANTS (As PI)
Ongoing Projects:
1. DBT sponsored research project titled “Elucidating Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) targeted SMALL AUXIN-UP RNAs (SAURs)-dependent Auxin Signalling Network during Cotton Fiber Development” (2024-2027)
2. SERB sponsored research project titled “Target mimicry-based diminution of microRNA167 genes’ expression targeting Auxin Response Factors (ARFs)’ for enhanced silique development in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.)” (2024-2027)
Completed Projects:
1. CSIR sponsored research project titled “Development of Pure Lines of Indian Cotton Cultivar(s) for the Trait of In Vitro Regeneration” (2018-2021)
2. SERB-DST sponsored research project titled “Root-Specific Reduction of Cytokinin for Enhanced Root Growth and Drought Tolerance in oilseed mustard (Brassica juncea L. cv. Varuna)” (2017-2020)
3. DBT sponsored research project titled “Target Mimicry-Based Silencing of microRNA167 Gene Family Targeting Auxin Response Factors (ARFs)’ Gene Expression During Cotton Fiber Development” (2015-2018)
4. CSIR sponsored research project titled “Introgression of Regeneration Character into Elite Indian Cotton Cultivars” (2012-2016)
5. DBT sponsored research project titled “Spatiotemporal Manipulation of Profilin Gene Family in Cotton Fiber Cells for Increased Yield and Quality” (2012-2015)
6. DST sponsored research project on “Genetics of In vitro regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Coker 310)” under Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientist. (2010-2013)
7. CSIR sponsored research project titled “Assessment of genetic diversity at inter- and intra-specific levels of the genus Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) through micro- morphological characters and molecular markers”. (2007-2010)
Laboratory Videos/ Pictures/(selected )
