Research Projects

The project aims to investigate the Withania somnifera leaf spot disease to dissect the molecular mechanisms during the disease establishment. First, we will artificially inoculate the resistant and susceptible cultivars with a virulent strain of A. alternata to collect the samples at various time points, including the control samples. I will perform the dual RNA sequencing to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by differentiating the host and pathogen transcripts. Next, the identified DEGs, especially MYB, bZIP, and SWEET genes, will be selected and will be validated in planta upon A. Alternata infection by RT-qPCR to confirm the up/down regulation. Then, I will integrate the available W. somnifera whole genome sequencing data and GWAS data to identify the susceptible genes and negative regulators based on the natural mutations resulting in the loss of function and correlate with the DEGS and their network. Finally, will validate the susceptible genes and negative regulators upon A. alternata infection. Identified potential candidate genes will provide a novel resistance source to the deadliest leaf spot disease to develop broad-spectrum resistance.