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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: 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 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 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) 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 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. 1 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 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. 2 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 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 Dr. Soniya E.V, Scientist EII, Plant Molecular Biology Lab, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. [email protected] Prof. Luis A J Mur, Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, UK. [email protected] Dr. Merlin Franco F, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies Institute of Asian Studies Universiti Brunei Darussalam Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong, Brunei Darussalam. [email protected] 3