Research Projects

Climate change and anthropogenic factors pose threats to agriculture, leading to concerns about food security and hunger in many regions. Millets, such as Panicum miliaceum L. (Proso millet), are stress-resistant plants that provide ample carbohydrates and protein. This study aims to elucidate the role of HSPs and selenium transporters in alleviating salt stress under exogenously selenium application. The study will evaluate the comparative behavior/expression of HSPs, Se transporters, and their regulation under stress conditions. To cross-verify the roles of Se and Se transporters in the regulation of HSPs and salt stress alleviation, specific inhibitors will be used to inhibit Se transporters. The main objectives of the study include transcriptomic analysis using next generation sequencing (NGS) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of HSPs and selenium transporters in responses to salt stress/selenium application in proso millet. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) will be used for analysis of DEGs of interest and their validation. Inhibition of selenium transporters will be used to check its effect on HSPs, selenium content, and selenium transporter genes. The evaluation of the comparative behavior/expression of HSPs, Se transporters, and their regulation under stress conditions will help unravel the mechanism of Se uptake, its transport, and molecular cross talk between Se and HSPs in alleviating salt stress. Understanding their role in alleviating salt stress and their function under exogenously applied stress alleviator selenium would be beneficial for crop improvements.