Forage grass genomics and breeding and Population genetics - mainly involved in cold acclimation studies by utilizing NGS technologies like RNAseq, Genotyping-by-sequencing.

As part of Varclim project (Understanding the genetic and physiological basis for adaption of Norwegian perennial forage crops to future climates), I am involved in two work pages. In WP4 (Physiology and Molecualr basis for hardening and dehardening during cold acclimation), I was involved in freeze testing and gene expression studies. We use RNA seq. technology for detecting novel genes and markers. In WP5, I am involved in establishing marker-trait associations by investigating allele frequency changes of markers resulting in natural selection in the field. In this we have conducted LD studies by SNP genotyping using Mass Array technology and estimated allele frequency, linkage disequilibrium and population structure. Further we will do GBS, RAD seq. for studying allele frequency changes and detecting novel markers for breeding in Lolium, Timothy and Red clover.

I did my Doctorate (2006-2010) in the Department of Molecular biology and Biochemistry in National Center of plant gene research (NCPGR), National key laboratory of crop genetic Improvement at Huazhong Agricultural University, China with Molecular Genetics as one of the specialization. I have conducted a series of field and greenhouse experiments at HZAU experimental fields and in growth chambers by planting rice RIL population across two years in four different seasons to identify the agronomical traits like heading date, Grain yield, SPP, TGW QTLs and evaluate the temperature effects on rice flowering. A serious of experiments conducted in 4 growth chambers for examine the diurnal expression of NILs at different temperature and photo-period points by Real time PCR. I have performed Molecular breeding in developing Back cross populations like BC2F2 ans BC3F2 generations. Mean while i have developed a genetic map for the population and identified new QTLs. Further fine mapping is under process.Coming to Molecular Biology work I handled the Yeast one hybrid assay and EMSA experiments. Apart from this I have publications in reputed SCI journals like Theoretical and Applied Genetics (TAG), BMC genetics, Euphytica and Computational Biology and Chemistry.