Connecting Science and Technology for a brighter tomorrow


Name : Dr. C. Chikkaputtaiah
Designation : Senior Scientist & SERB-DST Ramanujan Fellow
Qualification : PhD (Dr. rer.nat.) (Molecular Genetics), University of Cologne, Germany
Postdoc Fellow (PD1) in Plant Molecular Biology, UCC Cork & NUI Galway, Ireland
Postdoc Fellow (PD2) in Biotechnology, USB, Czech Republic & Uni. Verona, Italy
Contact Details : Phone: +91 376 2372951 Ext. 2332
Email id : channakeshav@neist.res.in

Research Interest
  • My research group interested in understanding the role of the DEAD-Box RNA helicase genes in regulating molecular mechanism of multiple abiotic stress responses in model plant system Arabidopsis thaliana using a range of molecular genetics, cell biology and functional genomics approaches.
  • My group is establishing multiplex-CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cpf1 genome editing systems for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in tomato (S. lycopersicum L.) and rice (Oryza sativa) crop models.
  • PS: Ambitious researches (preferably with their own Fellowship or seeking Fellowship) who are willing to join my research group as N-PDF/ Nehru Postdoc/ Research Associate/ SRF are encouraged to contact me with your updated CV and summary of research interest.
Projects(On-going)
  • DEAD-Box RNA helicases and abiotic stress tolerance (Arabidopsis thaliana). Ramanujan Fellowship Research Grant. SERB-DST, Govt. of India. PI
  • CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and multi-stress crop tolerance (Solanum lycopersicum). Early Career Research Grant. SERB-DST, Govt. of India. PI
  • CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 genome editing and biotic crop stress (Oryza sativa). Focused Basic Research Grant. CSIR. PI
  • Novel carbohydrases and metagenomics (bacteria). DBT, Govt. of India. Co-PI
  • In situ bioremediation and functional genomics (bacteria). Oil India Limited. Co-PI
Selected SCI Publications (*Corresponding Author; #Equal Contribution)
  • Baruah I, Baruah G, Sahu J, Singha DL, Deka Boruah HP, Velmurugan N, Chikkaputtaiah C* (2020). Transient sub-cellular localization and in vivo protein-protein interaction study of multiple abiotic stress responsive AteIF4A-III and AtALY4 proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter. Springer Publishers. DOI: 10.1007/s11105-020-01219-w.
  • Saikia B, Singh S, Debbarma J, N. Velmurugan N, Dekaboruah HP, Arunkumar KP, Chikkaputtaiah C* (2020). Multigene CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of hybrid proline rich proteins (HyPRPs) for sustainable multi-stress tolerance in crops: The review of a promising approach. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. Springer Nature Publishers. DOI: 10.1007/s12298-020-00782-6.
  • Deka D, Sonowal S, Chikkaputtaiah C, Velmurugan N (2020). Exploring omics approaches: towards understanding the essence of stress phenomena in diatoms and haptophytes. Handbook of Algal Science, Technology and Medicine. ELSEVIER Publishers. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818305-2.00011-5.
  • Debbarma J, Sarki N.Y, Saikia B, Deka Boruah H.P, Singha D*, Chikkaputtaiah C* (2019). Ethylene response factor (ERF) family proteins in abiotic stresses and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing of ERFs for multiple abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants. Molecular Biotechnology. Springer Nature Publishers. 61(2): 153-172.
  • Das V, Chikkaputtaiah C, Pal M (2019). Aptamer-conjugated functionalized nano-biomaterials for diagnostic and drug targeting application. Functional Polysaccharides for Biomedical Applications. Elsevier Publishers. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-102555-0.00014-5.
  • Kumar S, Gowda P.H.R, Saikia B, Debbarma J, Velmurugan N, Chikkaputtaiah C* (2018). Screening of tomato genotypes for identification of resistant lines and DNA marker against bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum). Australasian Plant Pathology. Springer Publishers. 47: 365-374. DOI: 10.1007/s13313-018-0567-7.
  • Marwein R, Debbarma J, Sarki N.Y, Baruah I, Saikia B, Deka Boruah H.P, Velmurugan N and Chikkaputtaiah C* (2019). Genetic engineering/Genome editing approaches to modulate signaling processes in abiotic stress tolerance. Plant Signalling Molecules. ELSEVIER Publishers. pp 63-82. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-816451-8-00004-6.
  • Sehgal A, Goswami K, Pal M, Chikkaputtaiah C, Chetia P, Deka Boruah HP (2019). Morpho-taxonomic, genetic, and biochemical characterization of freshwater microalgae as potential biodiesel feedstock. 3 Biotech. Springer Publishers. 9(137): 1-17. DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1664-1.
  • Sonowal S, Chikkaputtaiah C, Velmurugan N (2019). Role of flow cytometry for the improvement of bioprocessing of oleaginous microorganisms. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. Wiley Online Library. 94: 1712-1726. DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5914.
  • V. Das, S. Bhattacharya, C. Chikkaputtaiah, M. Pal (2019). The basics of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT): A study from structure, dynamics and functional perspective. Journal of Cellular Physiology. Wiley Online Library. 234: 14535-14555. DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28160.
  • Parasar NR, Chikkaputtaiah C, Lal M (2018). Metabolomic study of chemo-preventive phytochemicals and their therapeutic prospects. Anticancer Plants: Mechanisms and Molecular Interactions. Springer Publishers. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-8417-1_8.
  • Chikkaputtaiah C*, Debbarma J, Baruah I, Havlickova L, Deka Boruah H.P, Curn V (2017). Molecular genetics and functional genomics of abiotic stress responsive genes in oilseed rape (B. napus L): a review of recent advances and future. Plant Biotechnology Reports. Springer Publishers. 11(6): 365-384. DOI: 10.1007/s11816-017-0458-3.
  • Dutta S, Munda S, Chikkaputtaiah C and Lal M (2017). Assessment of selection criteria for developmentof high yielding genoptypes using variability parameters in lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosus L. Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants. Taylor & Francis Publishers. ISSN: 0972-060X. DOI: 10.1080/0972060X.2017.1421104.
  • Keshavaiah C, Havlickova L, Jelinkova I and Curn V (2014). Differential expression analysis of genes involved in abiotic stress in oilseed rape. Uroda. Crop Science Publishers. v. LXII, no. 12, p. 167-170. ISSN 0139-6013.
  • McKeown P#, Keshavaiah C#, Port A, Tuteja R, Chatterjee M, Varshney R and Spillane C (2012). Harnessing Genomics to Improve Nutritional Content and Bioavailability of Plant-derived Foods’ In: P.S. Panesar and S.S. Marwaha (Eds). Biotechnology in Agriculture and Food Processing: Opportunities and Challenges. Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 9781439888360.
  • O’ Connell MJ, Doyle AM, Juenger TE, Donoghue M, Keshavaiah C, Tuteja R and Spillane C (2012). In Arabidopsis thaliana codon volatility scores reflects GC3 composition rather than selective pressures. BMC Research Notes. BoiMed Central. 5(1): 359-368. DOI: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-359.
  • Donoghue M#, Keshavaiah C#, Swamidatta S and Charles Spillane (2011). Evolutionary origins of Brassicaceae specific genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. BMC Evolutionary Biology. BoiMed Central. 11: 47-58. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-47.
  • Shahriari M, Richter K, Keshavaiah C, Sabovljevic A, Huelskamp M and Schellmann S (2011). The Arabidopsis ESCRT protein-protein interaction network. Plant Molecular Biology. Springer Publishers. 76(1-2): 85-96. DOI: 10.1007/s11103-011-9770-4.
  • Shahriari M, Keshavaiah C, Scheuring D, Pimpl P, Huelskamp M and Schellmann S (2010). The AAA-type ATPase AtSKD1contributes to vacuolar maintenance in Arabidopsis thaliana. The Plant Journal. Wiley Online Library 64(1): 71-85. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-313X.2010.04310.x.
  • Spitzer C, Schellmann S, Sabovljevic A, Shahriari M, Keshavaiah C, Bechtold N, Mueller S, Hanish FG and Huelskamp M (2006). The Arabidopsis elch mutant reveals functions of an ESCRT component in cytokinesis (2006). Development. The Company of Biologists. 133(23): 4679-4689. DOI: 10.1242/dev.02654.
Awards and Fellowships
  • Ramanujan Fellowship: SERB-DST, Govt. of India (2015-2020)
  • Early Career Research Award: SERB-DST, Govt. of India (2017-2020)
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), UCC and NUIG, Ireland (2009-2012)
  • SFI-TIDA Entrepreneurship & Career Development Award: SFI, Dublin, Ireland (2011)
  • International PhD Fellowship: International Graduate School in Genetics and Functional Genomics (IGS-GFG), University of Cologne, Germany (2004-2008)
  • Joint CSIR-UGC Junior Research Fellowship: CSIR New Delhi, India (2003)
  • Institute of Agricultural Technologists (IAT) Fellowship: Bangalore, India (2002)
  • Swarnambha Gurusiddappa Memorial Fellowship: UAS Bangalore, India (1998)
Lab Members(Current)
  • Dr. Dhanawantari L. Singha:SERB-National Postdoc Fellow (2019-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 and spikelet (yield) traits in Oryza sativa Japonica
  • Dr. Sanjay Singh: Research Associate (2019-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 and biotic stress tolerance (Oryza sativa)
  • Indrani Baruah: Project Fellow and AcSIR PhD student (2016-present)
    Research Area: DEAD-box RNA helicases and abiotic stress (Arabidopsis thaliana)
  • Johni Debbarma: CSIR-JRF and AcSIR PhD student (2016-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9 and biotic stress tolerance (Solanum lycopersicum)
  • Banashree Saikia: Project Fellow and AcSIR PhD student (2017-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9 and multi-stress tolerance (Solanum lycopersicum)
  • Riwandahun Marwein: UGC-JRF and AcSIR PhD student (2017-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 and biotic stress tolerance (Oryza sativa)
  • Yogita N Sarki: UGC-JRF and AcSIR PhD student(2018-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 and biotic stress tolerance (Oryza sativa)
  • Gabriella Mawlong: Project Fellow (2019-present)
    Research Area: CRISPR-Cas9/Cpf1 and biotic stress tolerance (Oryza sativa)
  • Metying Enling: MSc (Agri.) dissertation (2016-2017)
    Research Area: DEAD-box RNA helicases and abiotic stress (Arabidopsis thaliana)
  • Pranami Goswami: MSc dissertation (2016-2017)
    Research Area: Gateway virtual cloning of DEAD-box genes (Arabidopsis thaliana)