Download Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India

AISWARYA GIRIJA
Plant molecular biology lab, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology
Trivandrum, India 695014
M OB: +918547607852 E-M AIL: [email protected] S KYPE ID: aiswarya20121
PROFILE:
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Highly motivated research candidate with demonstrated research experience in plant molecular
biology and with strong interpersonal skills.
Experimental techniques: Site-directed mutation, Heterologous expression, Protein purification
and enzymatic assay, RadioTLC, qPCR, Confocal microscopy, Surface Plasmon resonance
(SPR).
Experience in Metabolomics analysis, Activity assays (anti-microbial/anti-fungal).
Understand and use range of molecular biology techniques to utilize the gene technology in
genetic engineering of micro-organism and plants.
Experience in cloning and over expression of foreign genes in bacteria and plant cells.
Skilled in plant tissue culture and over expression studies both transient and stable in Tobacco
and Arabidopsis.
Additional experience in bioinformatics including sequence analysis.
EDUCATION
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Ph.D Applied Science (Biotechnology) August 2016 (expected).
PhD title: Molecular and functional characterization of Type III Polyketide synthase from
Phyllanthus emblica.
M. Sc Industrial Biotechnology, 2010, Bharathiar University.
Dissertation: Agrobacterium mediated gene transformation, Effect of media strength on
micropropagation and transformation efficiency in Zingiber officinale Rosc.
PG Diploma in Life Sciences, 2010, Bharathiar University.
B. Sc Botany and Biotechnology, 2007, Kerala University.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
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Plant secondary metabolism and its regulation during abiotic/biotic stress
Discovery of novel bioactive natural products from plants
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Kerala, India
Ph.D candidate, (2010-present)
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Identification of type III Polyketide synthase from Indian gooseberry: Identified a type III
polyketide synthase (EoPKS) involved in the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds from Indian
gooseberry. The isolated EoPKS was then expressed in E.coli and recombinant protein was
purified. The functional activity of EoPKS was characterized by in vitro assay and the products
were identified by LC-ESI/MS.
Site directed mutagenesis and metabolic changes of PKS in Arabidopsis: Explained the role of
phenylalanine in EoPKS by generating mutants with single amino acid substitution. The mutants
were then functionally characterized and this contributed a multifunctional EoPKS with flavonoid
and alkaloid synthesizing activity.
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth, UK
Newton-Bhabha visiting fellow, June-December 2015
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Performed metabolic profiling of Indian gooseberry in parallel with antioxidant and cytotoxicity
assays in an attempt to make an evaluation of its application in phytotherapy.
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Explored the metabolic changes in Arabidopsis over expressing EoPKS. This contributed to the
understanding of mutants in polyketide pathway. This study can be used in metabolic engineering
strategies to overcome rate-limiting enzymatic steps which will help in crop improvement and also
in development of nutraceuticals.
PUBLICATIONS
1. Aiswarya G, Mallika V, Soniya EV (2016) Functional and ectopic expression of type III polyketide
synthase mutants from Emblica officinalis. Plant cell reports (under review).
2. Mallika V, Aiswarya G, Soniya EV (2016) Type III Polyketide synthase repertoire in
Zingiberaceae: Computational insights in to the sequence, structure and evolution. Development
Genes and Evolution 226(4):269-285
3. Aiswarya G, Mallika V, Lovely jael P and Soniya EV (2016) Nitric oxide as a bioactive molecule
in in chalcone synthase gene modulation and in the regulation of jasmonic acid mediated defense
signaling in ginger. Plant cell tissue and organ culture (under review)
4. Aiswarya G, Mallika V, Soniya EV (2014) Functional characterization and kinetic studies of
Chalcone synthase from Emblica officinalis Gaertn. Journal of Proteins and Proteomics special
issue on Proteomics: from Discovery to function 5 (3) 147. ISSN: 0975-8151
5. Mallika V, Aiswarya G , Soniya EV (2014) Insights in to the protein – small molecule interaction
of Quinolone synthase from Aegle marmelos Corr. Journal of Proteins and Proteomics special
issue on Proteomics: from Discovery to function 5(3) 148. ISSN: 0975-8151
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS & PRESENTATIONS
1. Mallika V, Aiswarya G, Sivakumar KC and EV Soniya (Best poster) "Structural analysis of
chalcone synthase proteins from selected members of Zingiberaceae: An in silico approach" in
the International conferences on Advances in Biological Sciences (ICABS 2012), held at Kannur,
Kerala, March 15-17, 2012.
2. Aiswarya G and EV Soniya (Best paper) “Type III Polyketide synthase gene from Emblica
officinalis with potential in secondary metabolite synthesis” in the International seminar Botanica
2012, Kerala, September 7-8, 2012.
3. Aiswarya G, Mallika V and EV Soniya “In silico analysis and Homology modeling of Chalcone
Synthase, a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids from Emblica officinalis
Gaertn” in International Conference on Advances in Plant Sciences 2012 held at Thailand,
November 14-18, 2012.
4. Aiswarya G, Lovely Jael and EV Soniya “Nitric oxide is involved in the acclimation of Type III
Polyketide synthase gene in Zingiber officinale to wound stress” in Legacy of Nitric Oxide 2013
held at Trivandrum, November 5-6, 2013.
5. Mallika V, Aiswarya G and EV Soniya “In silico characterization and molecular evolutionary
analysis of Type III polyketide synthases from Zingiberaceae” Plant Genomics Congress Asia
held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. February 24-25, 2014.
6. Aiswarya G, Mallika V and EV Soniya “Functional characterization and kinetic studies of
Chalcone synthase from Phyllanthus emblica.” in 6th Meeting and International Proteomics
Conference held at IIT Bombay, India December 6-11, 2014.
7. Aiswarya G, Mallika V and EV Soniya (Paper presentation) “Transformation of chalcone
synthase to acridone synthase with single aminoacid substitution” in 28th Kerala Science
Congress held at Calicut University, Kerala January 28-30. 2016.
AWARDS & MEMBERSHIP
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Third Rank holder for Graduation in Kerala University, Kerala
First Rank and Gold medalist for Post graduation in Bharathiar University, Tamil nadu,
Qualified CSIR-NET for lectureship in December 2009
INSPIRE fellowship for Ph.D program 2010.
Newton –Bhabha Ph.D fellowship (June 2015) for six months internship in IBERS, Aberystwyth
UK.
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Selected among Top 20 Teams from India for ABLE-BEST 2013 contest for innovative
technology.
Awarded Best Paper Award for oral presentation entitled “Type III Polyketide synthase gene from
Emblica officinalis with potential in secondary metabolite synthesis” in the International seminar
Botanica 2012, Kerala
Member of International Plant Proteomics Organization (INPPO)
WORK STYLE
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Willing to perform basic tasks and move on to complex problems.
Able to learn new techniques and adapt to new environment quickly.
Strong independent work style and excellent teamwork skills.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Confidently present information and research findings in writing and in person.
Well-organized and passionate.
REFEREES
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Dr. Soniya E.V, Scientist EII, Plant Molecular Biology Lab, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for
Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. [email protected]
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Prof. Luis A J Mur, Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth
University, UK. [email protected]
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Dr. Merlin Franco F, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies Institute of Asian Studies
Universiti Brunei Darussalam Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam.
[email protected]
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