Research

The Chromatin Informatics Lab is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of genome organization, epigenetics, and gene regulation through cutting-edge computational and omics approaches:

1]  Role of higher-order chromatin organization in seed biology.

Seeds constitute a significant part of our diet; however, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying seed biology remains limited, thereby affecting the foundation of seed yield in agriculture. Thus, investigating the molecular mechanisms that regulate seed development presents an exciting research avenue with immense relevance for enhancing agricultural productivity. To comprehensively comprehend seed biology, I am keen on exploring epigenetic approaches to identify enhancers elements using techniques such as Chromosome Conformation Capture (3C) based methods, ChIP-Seq, BS-Seq, RNA-Seq and Computational data analysis. These methods can help identify enhancer-like elements that govern the expression of genes associated with seed vigour.

2] Dissecting cell heterogeneity in the context of the epigenomics landscape

Multicellular organisms harbor nearly identical genomes, yet distinct cells within these organisms perform specialized functions primarily due to their diverse epigenomes. Consequently, characterizing individual cell genomes holds immense significance, considering each cell encounters diverse physiological, environmental, and developmental cues. Analysing epigenomic and transcriptomic data from diverse single-cell and developmental stages using advanced bioinformatics tool could serve as a valuable resource for comprehending gene function at the single-cell level. This approach could potentially address pivotal biological questions that traditional technologies relying on complex multicellular tissues cannot adequately answer.

3] Regulatory Landscape of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Plants 

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression in plants, influencing development, stress responses, and epigenetic modifications. We are interested to explores the diverse mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate chromatin dynamics, transcriptional regulation. By integrating transcriptomics, functional genomics, and computational approaches, this study aims to decipher the roles of lncRNAs in plant growth, adaptation, and crop improvement.

4] Decoding Mangrove Adaptation through Integrated Omics

Omics-based techniques offer a powerful and systematic approach to understanding the complex and unique biology of mangroves, particularly their adaptation to harsh intertidal environments. We are interested to perform Genomic studies to reveal genes related to salt exclusion, water transport, and lignification, while transcriptomics uncovers dynamic gene expression patterns, including stress-responsive transcription factors and tissue-specific regulatory networks. Integrated multi-omics enables systems-level insights into regulatory networks and adaptive traits, informing conservation, restoration, and stress-resilient crop development.