Professor

Head Dept. of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics

Email: rajinder.chauhan@juit.ac.in  
Office: Deptt. BT & BI at JUIT
Phone: 91-1792-239231
Lab: Genomic Technologies
Lab phone: 91-1792-239239

Education
Ph.D. (HP Agriculture University; 1991)
Post Doctoral Fellowship (University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA 1997-2003) (Texas A&M University, College Station, TX)

Current Research Interests:
My lab. is engaged in research projects aimed at gene discovery and comparative genomics in microbes and plants. I am interested in identification of genes involved in the biosynthesis of medicinally and nutritionally important metabolites of Himalayan bioresourcres by using a combination of genomics approaches. I have chosen Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum) as a model plant system because it has several advantages such as small genome size, short generation time, self pollinated, and above all possesses multiple traits of importance to farmers, academia and industry. Tartary buckwheat is the richest source of rutin with up to 12% (dry matter basis) in the inflorescences and leaves.  Rutin belongs to an important group of plant secondary metabolites called bioflavonoids. Rutin is important medicinally because it strengthens capillaries and, therefore, helps people suffering from arteriosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries) or high blood pressure, in addition to its nutritional value. I am also interested in developing cell/tissue culture technologies for the production of secondary metabolites from medicinal & aromatic plants indigenous to Hamalayas. Metagenomics of extremophiles is of interest to us for discovering novel genes and metabolites of industrial importance.

more...

Brief Introduction :

Biography

Professor at JUIT (2006); Ph.D. HPAU, Palampur (1991); Assistant & Associate Professor at HPAU, Palampur (1992 to 2006); Jawahar Lal Nehru Academic Award for Outstanding Post Graduate Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (Agricultural Biotechnology) of the ICAR (1992); Pran Vohra Award of the Indian Science Congress Association (1995-96); DBT Overseas Associateship in USA (1997); DST BOYSCAST Fellowship in USA (1998); Visiting Scientist at University of Wisconsin, Madison (Nov. 1997 to Oct. 1998) Visiting Scientist at Texas A&M University (April 1998 to July 1998); Researcher at UW, Madison (Nov. 1999 to June 2001); Assistant Scientist at UW Madison (June 2001 to Dec. 2003).

National Awards and Honors

1. Jawahar Lal Nehru Academic Award for Outstanding Post Graduate Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (Biotechnology) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research for the year 1992

2. Pran Vohra Award in Agricultural Sciences (Biotechnology) of the Indian Science Congress Association for the year 1995-96.
 

National Scholarships and Fellowships

1. Overseas Longterm Associateship of the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India for the year 1997 availed at UW, Madison, USA.

2. BOYSCAST Fellowship of the Deptt. of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India for the year 1998.
 

List of Publications/Presentations in National & International COnferences

1. Sharma A. & RS Chauhan. 2008. Identification of candidate gene-based markers (SNPs and SSRs) in the zinc and iron transporter sequences of maize (Zea mays L.). Current Science 95: 1051-59  
2. Hemant Gautam & RS Chauhan. 2008. Development of a cost-effective micropropagation technology for an endangered   medicinal herb (Picrorhiza kurroa) of north–western Himalayas. International Conference on “Novel approaches for food and Health Security in high altitudes, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, DRDO, Leh-Ladakh, Sept. 7-11, 2008.
3. Hemant Gautam & RS Chauhan. 2008. Callus induction and regeneration from different explants of a medicinla herb (Picrorhiza kurroa) for utilization in cell line selection. International Conference on “Novel approaches for food and Health Security in high altitudes, Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, DRDO, Leh-Ladakh, Sept. 7-11, 2008.
4. Gupta N., Sharma S.K., Rana J.C. and Chauhan R.S. 2008. Comparative Genomics towards Understanding Molecular Biology of Rutin Biosynthesis in a Nutraceutical Food Crop, Fagopyrum tataricum”
5. Anwar Tamanna & RS Chauhan. 2008. Comparative Genomics of Genes Encoding Halotolerance in Halophilic Organisms. International Conference on Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ICMBB 2008 19-21Oct.), Banasthali University, Rajasthan, India
6. Sharma A., P. Sood and RS Chauhan.2008. Development of Candidate Gene Markers in Jatropha through Comparative Genomics' International Conference on Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ICMBB 2008), Oct. 19-21, 2008, Banasthali University, Rajasthan, India.
7. Syal, S., Chauhan, R.S., Medury, Y. 2007. Market Driven Interventions for Combating Climate Change.” International convention on corporate response to climate change. Palampur, H.P.
8. Sharma A. SR Thakur & RS Chauhan. 2006. Development of molecular markers from zinc and iron transporters of maize. “International Conference on Bioinformatics, IIT, Delhi, Dec. 18-20, 2006.
9. Chauhan RS. 2006. Bioinformatics approach toward identification of candidate genes for zinc and iron transporters in maize. Current Science 89: 443-447.
10. Rathour R., VS Gaur, RP Kaushik and RS Chauhan. 2005. Oryza rifipogon: a possible source of novel resistance specificities against rice blast
11. Magnaporthe grisea). Current Science 89: 1-4.Chauhan RS. 2005. Genomics of plant disease resistance loci: current insights and future implications. Proc. 2nd Global Conference on “Plant Health: Global Health” Maharana Pratap University of Agricutire & technology, Udaipur, Nov. 25-29, 2005.
12. Rathour R., BM Singh, TR Sharma and RS Chauhan. 2004. Population structure of Magnaporthe grisea from North-Western Himalayas and its implications for blast resistance breeding of rice. J. Phytopathology 152: 304-312.
13. Chauhan RS, T Durfee, J Holt, F Blattner and SA Leong. 2003. Exceptional haplotype divergence at a rice blast resistance locus, Pi-CO39(t) flanked by clusters of Serpin genes. Plant & Animal Genome XI, Jan. 10-15, San Diego, California, USA.
14. Leong, S.A., Chauhan, RS, Durfee, T., Blattner, F., Holt, J. 2003. Rice blast resistance locus Pi-CO39(t) is flanked by clusters of serpin genes. 11th International Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. University of Wisconsin, Madison . Abstract p. 67
15. Sharma TR, RS Chauhan, MK Rana, V Sagar,  R Paul, R Rathour, P Plaha, JC Gupta and BM Singh.  2003. RAPD analysis and field evaluation of doubled haploids of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Indian Phytopathology 56:72-74
16. Chauhan RS, ML Farman, H Zhang and SA Leong. 2002. Genetic and Physical Mapping of a blast resistance locus Pi-CO39(t) that corresponds to the avirulence gene, AVR1CO39  of Magnaporthe grisea. Mol Genet. Genomics 267: 603-612.
17. Sharma TR, RS Chauhan, BM Singh, R Paul, V Sagar and R Rathour. 2002. RAPD and pathotype analyses of Magnaporthe grisea population from North-Western Himalayan Region of India. J. Phytopathology 150:649-656.
18. Chauhan RS, ML. Farman, J. Hirt, Durfee T,  Ronald P, Zhang HB, Blattner F and SA Leong. 2001. Genomics of blast resistance in rice line CO39 corresponding to avirulence locus AVR1-CO39 of Magnaporthe grisea. Plant & Animal Genome IX, Jan. 13-17, San Diego, California, USA.
19. Chauhan RS, T Durfee, ML Farman, P Ronald, HB Zhang, F Blattner and SA Leong. 2001. Comparative genome analysis of the Pi-CO39(t) locus in haplotypes of indica and japonica rice. 10th International Congress on Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions, july 10-17, UW Madison, USA.
20. Chauhan RS, ML Farman, J Hirt, P Ronald, H Zhang and SA Leong.2000. Genetic analysis and fine mapping of a locus for blast resistance in rice line, CO39, and construction of its BAC library. Plant & Animal Genome VIII, Jan. 9-12, San Diego, California, USA.
21. Sharma TR, BM Singh,NR Sharma and RS Chauhan (2000) Identification of  high podophyllotoxin producing biotypes of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle from North-Western Himalaya. J Plant Biochem. Biotech. 9: 49-51
22. Sharma TR, RS Chauhan, BM Singh, R Paul, V Sagar, NR Sharma M Rana and Y Mahajan.  2000. Molecular characterization of genetic variability in Pyricularia grisea using RAPD markers. Proc.  Intern. Conf.  Integrated Plant Disease Management for Sustainable Agriculture,  Malhotra Pubilishing House. New Delhi. 162-163.
23. Leong SA, RS Chauhan, ML Farman, Y Tosa, S Mayama, Y Eto, H Nakayashi, P Ronald, HB Zhang and  NS Punekar.1999. Genetics and Biology of the Magnaporthe grisea AVR1-CO39- Rice Pi-CO39(t)  interaction. XVI International Botanical Congress, August 1-7, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
24. Chauhan RS, TR Sharma, RK Chahota and BM Singh. 1999. In vitro cormlet production from micropropagated shoots of saffron (Crocus sativus L). Indian Perfumer. 43:150-155.
25. 6. Chauhan RS, BM Singh and RK Develash. 1997. Efect of toxic compounds of Exerohilum turcicum on chlorophyll content, callus growth and cell viability of susceptible and resistant inbred lines of maize. J. Phytopathology 145: 435-440
26. Singh BM, RS Chauhan, TR Sharma, R. Paul, V. Sagar and M Rana (1996) Molecular characterization of variabilioty in the rice blast pathogen and use of anther culture to develop blast resistant germplasm. 5th National Rice Biotechnology Meeting, Nov. 13-16, IARI, New Delhi.
27. Chauhan RS, BM Singh, RK Chahota and R Develash (1996) Generation of indica rice regenerants for resistance to leaf and neck blast. Rice Biotech. Quart.  26: 28-29.
28. Chauhan RS and BM Singh (1996) Resistance to Karnal bunt in Hordeum chilense and its amphiploids with Triticum  species.  Euphytica 96: 327-331
29. Sharma KD, BM Singh and RS Chauhan (1995) An improved medium for in vitro grain development from detached wheat spikelets. Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture 42:227-231.
30. Chauhan RS and BM Singh (1995) Induction of somaclonal varianats from different explants of bread wheat for resistance to Karnal bunt.  Proc. Ind. Natl. Sci. Acad. 61B: 479-786
31. Chauhan RS and Singh BM (1995) Variation for some morphological traits and leaf rust reaction among regenerants of bread wheat cv. Sonalika. Cereal Res. Commun. 23: 109-116
32. Chauhan RS and BM Singh (1995) High frequency callusing and regeneration from immature embryos of blast resistant indica rice cultivars. Rice Biotech. Quart. 10: 23.
33. Chauhan RS, AK Sood and BM Singh (1995) Evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines for resistance to specific virulences of hill-bunt fungi (Tilletia foetida and T. caries). Ind. J. agri. Sci. 65:539-542
34. Sharma TR, BM Singh and RS Chauhan (1994) Production of disease free encapsulated buds of Zingiber officinale Rosc. Plant Cell Rep. 13: 300-302
35. Chauhan RS and BM Singh (1994) Karnal bunt resistance in wheat-barley addition lines. Plant Breeding 112 : 252-255.
36. Chauhan RS, AK Sood and BM Singh (1994) Relative aggressiveness of new virulences of Tilletia foetida and T. caries on wheat cultivars. Indian Phytopath. 47: 232-235.

Book Articles

1. Gupta N., Sharma S.K., Rana J.C. and Chauhan R.S. 2008 Development of Genome Resources and Understanding Molecular Biology of Rutin Biosynthesis in a Nutraceutical Food Crop (Buckwheat) of High Altitudes. 1st ed. Delhi, Satish Serial Publishing House. 2009, xiv, 323-334.
2. Chauhan RS, R. Rathour and Singh BM. 2005. Significant Achievements: Host Plant Resistance Against Pathogens. (In “One Hundred Years of Plant Pathology in India” edit. Chahal SS, Khetrapal RK and Thind TS) pp. 329-348. 
3. Chauhan RS and Leong SA. 2002. Genomics of Disease Resistance Loci in Cereals.  Recent Research Developments in Genetics 2: 1-29.

Externally Funded R&D Projects

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