CURRICULUM VITAE
Name
: Dr. Kawar Prashant Govindrao
Date of birth
: January25, 1977
Sex
: Male
Nationality
: Indian
Address
: Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering Div.,
Vasantdada Sugar Institute,
Manjari (Bk), Tal. – Haveli, Dist. Pune – 412307
Maharashtra State, INDIA
Phone
: +91-020-26902234 (O) +91-9657223507 (M)
Fax
: +91-020-26902244
E-mail
: pkawar@gmail.com, pg.kawar@vsisugar.com
I] RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS:
Phytoplasma Genomics
I]
Phytoplasma-associated grassy shoot disease is one of the major threats in sugarcane cultivation. A rapid
method for enrichment and isolation of Sugarcane Grassy Shoot (SCGS) phytoplasma from the infected plants
was developed by using differential filtration approach. This technique offers 100-fold enrichment of
phytoplasma particles and 148-fold increase in sensitivity for their detection.
Ii]
Arbitrarily Primed-PCR technique was used for identifying 70 SCGS phytoplasma-specific gene fragments (TDFs)
and developed an efficient and species-specific detection tools for SCGS phytoplasma having 13% more
efficiency than the universal 16SrDNA detection system.
Iii]
The partial genome sequence of SCGS phytoplasma, the first Asiatic strain from ‘Ca. P. oryzae’ group has been
deciphered by genomic-SSH approach. The 83 SCGS fragments represented 50,692 nucleotides, corresponding to
~60% of the SCGS chromosome, comprising 425 predicted ORFs. Initial comparative genome analysis revealed
that it contains 67 rRNAs, 13 tRNAs, four RNaseP and 341 predicted functional ORFs of which 48% ORFs not
showing significant match, are potential SCGS-specific genes and are being analyzed further towards deciphering
the molecular basis of virulence.
Iv]
SSH technique was implemented for studying the mechanisms through which sugarcane perceives and responds
to phytoplasma infection. Genes potentially involved in cell rescue, defense, ageing and apoptosis were highly
represented (13.1%) in our forward SSH library. Among them transcriptional regulatory mechanisms associated
SoMYB18 gene belonging to R2R3-MYB protein family playing important role in the regulation of secondary
metabolism, cellular morphogenesis, cell cycle signal transduction, SCGS infection and other environmental
factors was isolated from the S. officinarum hybrid and is being analysed thoroughly at expression and protein
interaction level.
Abiotic Stress Genomics:
I]
Sugarcane represents an important renewable source among biofuel crops with high capability to assimilate
carbon among the C4 plants. Limited availability of fresh water render this crop uneconomical, warranting the
necessity for the development of varieties with higher water use efficiency and tolerant to water deficiency
stress. PCR based cDNA suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique was applied to construct forward
subtracted library for differentially expressed genes under stress. Dot blot selected 158 clones showing elevated
response were sequenced, of which 62% resembled similarity with known functional genes, 12% with
hypothetical proteins of plant origin, while 26% represented new unknown sequences. Further ScMYBAS1 a
stress inducible alternatively spliced MYB gene from sugarcane was isolated and characterized having significant
role in signaling multiple biological processes.
Ii]
Sugarcane a glycophyte, major industrial crop used for the production of approximately 60% of the world's
sugar, ethanol and a low-carbon emission fuel, confined to tropical and subtropical irrigated regions, where
salinity is an ever-increasing problem that adversely affects the productivity of sugar and cane yield. In an
attempt to understand the molecular basis of salt-stress response in sugarcane, physio-biochemical assays and
gene expression studies under high salt supply regimes were attempted by initiated. The comparative transcript
responses to salt stress were monitored by ribotyping of both treated and untreated sugarcane plants at
germination stage. Amongst 335 differentially expressed TDFs, 156 up- and 85 down-regulated were sequenced
and functionally annotated. In another attempt through cDNA-SSH approach 189 clones on sequencing showed
homology with salt-inducible candidates from plant species and were further confirmed by sqRT-PCR.
Iii]
To enhance the insight of the response to the changing environments and the role of MYB genes in the control of
plant-specific processes, isolation and analysis of MYB genes from the sugarcane and its wild relative species was
considered of pivotal importance. Further we have isolated eleven full length MYB transcription factor genes
from S. officinarum, S. spontaenum, Erianthus sp., Narenga sp., Schlerostachya sp. and two multiple stress
inducible promoters from S. officinarum and Erianthus sp. Their further studies are in progress and will of
immense use in development of transgenics for biotic and abiotic tolerance.
II) EDUCATION
2010
Ph.D. in Biotechnology, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
“Sugarcane grassy shoot phytoplasma genome survey by suppression subtractive hybridization approach
with high specificity”
2001
Master in Biotechnology, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU), Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
“Identification of molecular markers linked to wheat seed quality” National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune,
Maharashtra, India.
1999
Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences, Marathwada Agricultural University (MAU), Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.
III) PUBLICATIONS
2010
Prabu GR, Kawar PG*, Pagariya MC, Theertha Prasad D, (2010) Identification of water-deficit stress upregulated genes in sugarcane. Plant Molecular Biology Reporter, [Online DOI 10.1007/s11105-010-0230-0].
2010
Kawar PG*, Pagariya MC, Patel SR, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, (2010) An overview of partial genome sequence
of First Asiatic phytoplasma strain (SCGS)-Indian Isolate. Asian Journal of Plant Pathology, (Online ISSN 18191541)
2010
Kawar PG*, Pagariya MC, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, (2010) Identification and Isolation of SCGS Phytoplasmaspecific Fragments by Riboprofiling and Development of Specific Diagnostic Tool@. Journal of Plant
Biochemistry and Biotechnology 19(2) 185-194 Online ISSN:0974-1275).
2009
Kawar PG, Devarumath RM,* Nerkar YS, (2009) Use of RAPD markers for assessment of genetic diversity in
sugarcane cultivars. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, 8: 67-71.
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG*, Theertha Prasad D, (2008) Differential filtration approach for isolation and enrichment of
Sugarcane Grassy Shoot (SCGS) phytoplasma. Sugar Tech, 10(3): 274- 277.
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG*, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, (2008) First report of a phytoplasma and virus pathogens
associated with sugarcane grassy shoot disease in India. Sugarcane International, 26(5); 14-16.
2008
Tawar PN, Sawant RA, Dalvi SG, Nikam AA, Kawar PG, Devarumath RM*, (2008) An assessment of somaclonal
variation in micropropagated plants of sugarcane by RAPD markers. Sugar Tech, 10(2):124-127.
2008
Doule RB, Kawar PG, Nerkar YS, Devarumath RM, (2008) Field Performance of promising somaclonal variants
and RAPD analysis to assess genetic variation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Indian Journal of Genetics and
Plant Breeding 2008, 68(3) 301-306.
2007
Devarumath RM*, Doule RB, Kawar PG,. Naikebawane SB, Nerkar YS, (2007) Field performance and RAPD
analysis to evaluate genetic fidelity of tissue culture raised plants vis-à-vis conventional sets derived plants of
sugarcane. Sugar Tech, 9(1): 17–22.
2010
Pagariya, M. C., Harikrishnan M., Kulkarni P.A., Devarumath R.M., Kawar P.G.* Physio-biochemical analysis and
transcript profiling of Saccharum officinarum L. submitted to salt stress Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2010 [In
Review].
2010
Prabu GR, Kawar PG*, Kulkarni PA, Pagariya MC, Theertha Prasad D, (2010)Molecular cloning and
characterization of an inducible alternatively spliced MYB gene, ScMybAS1 from sugarcane (Saccharum
officinarum L.) Plant Cell Reports, [In review].
2010
Kawar PG*, Prabu GR, Pagariya MC, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, (2010) Sugarcane grassy shoot phytoplasma
genome analysis by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization. Molecular Plant Pathology, [In review].
2010
Kawar PG*, Prabu GR, Pagariya MC, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, (2010) Analysis of sugarcane genes
differentially expressed in response to phytoplasma infection. Plant Physiology, [In review].
2010
Kawar PG*, Kulkarni PA, Pagariya MC, Prabu GR, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, (2010) Molecular cloning and
characterization of an Phytoplasma infection inducible MYB gene, SoMyb18 from sugarcane (Saccharum
officinarum L.) International Journal of Biotechnology, [In review].
IV) TEACHING AND SCIENTIFIC POSITIONS
2008-09
Course coordinator of M.Sc. Environmental biotechnology subject, Vasantdada Sugar Institute Pune,
Maharashtra, India.
2005
Working as a Scientist (PMB), Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering Division at Vasantdada Sugar Institute,
Manjari (Bk.), Pune, India, Group Leader: Plant genomics.
2004
Worked as a Senior Research Fellow in the project entitled “Isolation of plant genes and promoter for
developing transgenic against insect resistance” at National Research Center on Plant Biotechnology, Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
2002
Worked as a Senior Research Fellow in the Indo-Swiss project entitled “Development of transgenic Check pea
for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance” at National Research Center on Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural
Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
2001-02
Assistant Professor (Adhoc) Danteshwari College of Horticulture, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, India.
V) FELLOWSHIPS AND TRAININGS
2009
Attended workshop on “Management of IPR in Biotechnology” organized by Biotech consortium India limited,
sponsored by department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Pune.
2005
Attended the International Conference on “Plant Genomics and Biotechnology: Challenges & Opportunities”
organized by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, India,
2003
Attended and participated in Deliberations of Three-Day Global Summit on Knowledge
Millennium-III: The
Business of Biotechnology of ASSOCHAM, New Delhi.
2004
Awarded ARS-NET (National Eligibility Test) eligibility for lectureship in Agricultural Universities by ASRB-ICAR,
Agricultural Research Service Board- Indian Council of Agricultural Research, India.
2002
Attended national seminar on “Intellectual Property Rights” sponsored by Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India,
conducted by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune.
2000
Participated training program on “DNA marker technology” held at IGAU, Raipur, India.
1994-99
Awarded National Merit Scholarship for B.Sc. (Agri.) studies by Higher Secondary Board, Aurangabad, India.
1992-94
Awarded National Merit Scholarship for higher secondary school studies by Secondary School Board,
Aurangabad, India.
VI) CONGRESS/CONFERENCES
2010
L: Kaw ar F: Pras
Pagariya MC, Kulkarnai PA, Prabu GR, Devarumath RM, Kawar P.G.
Transcriptomic
identification of candidate genes involved in sugarcane responses to salt stress based on cDNA - SSH analysis.
Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) XVIII Conference, San Diego, California, USA, 09-13 January 2010, p04.
2008
Kawar PG
L: Kaw ar F: Pras
, Prabu GR
L: Prabu F: Gajjer
,
L: Harikrishnan F:
Dixit GB,
L: Dixit F: Ghansh
Theertha Prasad D. Isolation of expressed DNA fragments from the uncultured sugarcane grassy shoot
phytoplasma associated with sugarcane grassy shoot (SCGS) disease by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain
reaction (AP-PCR). IX Plant pathology and VI Molecular biology, Cali, Colombia, South America, 23-27 June 2008.
2008
Harikrishnan M
L: Harikrishnan F:
, Prabu GR
L: Prabu F: Gajjer
, Kawar PG,
L: Kaw ar F: Pras
Theertha
Prasad D, AP-PCR technique for identification of salt inducible genes from germinating seedlings of sugarcane,
Saccharum officinarum L., Plant and Animal Genomes XVI Conference, 12-16 January 2008, San Diego, USA. p13.
2008
Prabu GR
L: Prabu F: Gajjer
, Kawar PG, Harikrishnan M
L: Harikrishnan F:
, Dixit GB
L: Kaw ar F: Pras
and
Theertha Prasad D, Identification of water-deficit stress induced genes at tillering stage using ESTs from
sugarcane subtractive cDNA library. Plant and Animal Genomes XVI Conference, 12-16 January 2008, San Diego,
USA, p12.
2006
Krishnamurthi M, Shanmugha SK, Shini S, Rajeswari S, Kawar PG, Introgression of Erianthus for the development
of commercial sugarcane cultivars. Proceedings of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, (26):
p142.
2003
Neeraj Kumar, Kumar PA, Kawar PG, Mohan J, Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation of pigeon pea
(Cajanus cajan L. mill sp.) using cotyledonary node and apical shoot explants. Indian Biotechnological Society of
India, Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology, New Delhi, India.
2004
Kawar PG, Srivastava D, and Anand Kumar P, Insecticidal efficacy of transgenic tobacco expressing Bt-Cry2Aa.
Third Pulse Network Meeting, Bose Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
2002
Verulkar SB, Khillare A, Kawar PG, Dudhare MS,Srivastava MN, Katiyar SK, Identification of stable QTLs for yield
and other related traits under water stress environment. Eighth National Rice Biotechnology Network,
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.
VII) RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ongoing projects:
2009-12
‘Induced mutagenesis: Selection for salinity tolerance and molecular characterization of tolerant lines in
sugarcane’ sanctioned by BRNS, BARC, Mumbai, Maharashtra India Project Cost Rs.17,21,400/- Co-Principal
Investigator
2007-10
‘Isolation of salt responsible genes from sugarcane by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH)’ Financed by
VSI, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Project Cost Rs.18,00,000/- Principal Investigator (submitted to Sugar
Development Fund, New Delhi for funding)
2006-09
‘Isolation of genes expressed differentially in sugarcane during water stress condition’ Financed by VSI, Pune,
Maharashtra, India. Project Cost Rs.20,00,000/- Principal Investigator (submitted to Sugar Development Fund,
New Delhi for funding)
2005-08
‘Sugarcane grassy shoot phytoplasma (SCGS) genome analysis by SSH’ financed by VSI, Pune, Maharashtra,
India. Project Cost Rs.16,00,000/- Principal Investigator
Anticipated projects:
2010
‘Sugarcane Improvement: Conventional breeding and biotechnological approaches’
submitted to Sugar
Development Fund, Ministry of food , Consumer affairs and Public Distribution, Govt. of India, New Delhi, India.
Project Cost Rs. 2,83,39,000/- Co-Principal Investigator
2010
‘Development of transplastomic sugarcane plants with improved stress tolerance’ submitted to Department of
Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi Project cost: Rs.
36,24,400/- Co-Principal Investigator
VIII) GENBANK SUBMITIONS
Full-length gene/promoter sequences:
2010
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Theertha Prasad D Multiple stress inducible promoter from Saccharum hybrid Co 740
Accession number: HM136778
2009
Vaidya V, Kawar P, Prasad DT, Bacillus subtilis sacB gene (FTFs) complete CDs for levansucrase from strain BB3
Accession number: FN599519
2008
Kawar PG, Prabu GR, Dixit GB
L: Dixit F: Ghansh
and Theertha Prasad D Saccharum hybrid cultivar CoC 671
MYB transcription factor (MYB18) pseudogene, complete sequence. Accession numbers: GE324990
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG,
L: Dixit F: Ghansh
Theertha Prasad D Saccharum hybrid cultivar Co740 MYB transcription
factor (MYBAS1, ScMYBAS1-2, ScMYBAS1-3) pseudogene, complete sequence. Accession numbers: HM136780
HM136781 HM136782
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Saccharum hybrid cultivar Co 86032 MYB transcription factor (MYB6) pseudogene,
complete sequence. Accession numbers: FJ560977 and FJ560978
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Saccharum hybrid cultivar Co 86032 MYB transcription factor (MYB21) pseudogene,
complete sequence. Accession number: FJ560979
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Saccharum hybrid cultivar Co 86032 MYB transcription factor (MYB23) pseudogene,
complete sequence. Accession number: FJ560980
2004
Mukesh M, Koundal KR, Kansal R, Dash PK, Kawar PG, Singh AK, Qureshi IA, Cajanus cajan clone pMMB2
protease inhibitor gene, complete CDS. Accession number: AY771782
ESTs/Genomic fragments:
2010
Pagariya MC, Harikrishnan M, Kulkarni PA, Devarumath RM, Kawar PG, Physio-biochemical analysis and
transcript profiling of Saccharum officinarum L. submitted to salt stress Submitted 4 ESTs; Accession numbers:
HO112149 to HO112153.
2010
Kawar PG, Pagariya MC, Prabu GR, Kulkarni PA, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, Response of sugarcane genes to
Sugarcane Grassy Shoot Phytoplasma infection. Submitted 65 ESTs; Accession numbers: GW316416 to
GW316480
2010
Kawar PG, Prabu GR, Pagariya MC, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, Identification and isolation of SCGS
phytoplasma gene specific fragments by ribotyping. Submitted 04 SCGS ESTs; Accession numbers: GW316412
to GW316415
2010
Kawar PG, Pagariya MC, Prabu GR, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, Sugarcane Grassy Shoot phytoplasma genome
analysis by SSH approach Submitted 17 sugarcane genomic fragments; Accession numbers: GS887677 to
GS887693
2009
Pagariya MC, Kulkarni PA, Prabu GR, Devarumath RM, Kawar PG, Sugarcane genes expressed in response to salt
stress. Submitted 51 ESTs; Accession numbers: GT982643 to GT982693
2009
Kawar PG, Pagariya MC, Prabu GR, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, Sugarcane Grassy Shoot Phytoplasma genome
analysis by SSH approach. Submitted 83 SCGS genomic fragments; Accession numbers: GS635186 to GS635265
and GS883114 to GS883116.
2008
Kawar PG, Prabu GR, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, Response of sugarcane genes to Sugarcane Grassy Shoot
phytoplasma infection. Submitted 148 ESTs; Accession numbers: GE324835to GE325039
2008
Kawar PG, Prabu GR, Pagariya MC, Dixit GB, Theertha Prasad D, Response of sugarcane genes to Sugarcane
Grassy Shoot phytoplasma infection. Submitted 45 ESTs; Accession numbers: GE325040 to GE325084
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Theertha Prasad D, Isolation and analysis of water-deficit stress induced genes in
sugarcane by SSH technique. Submitted 210 ESTs; Accession numbers: FE840458 to FE840583, FF682664 to
FF682696, ES697502to ES697552.
2008
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Theertha Prasad D, Isolation and analysis of salinity stress induced genes in sugarcane by
AP-PCR technique. Submitted 63 ESTs; Accession numbers: HO112149 to HO112153
2007
Kawar PG, Prabu GR, Theertha Prasad D, Saccharum officinarum sucrose synthase (sus2) gene, partial
sequence, Accession number: AM592524.
2007
Kawar PG, Prabu GR Theertha Prasad D. Saccharum officinarum transposons-hopscotch like, partial sequence
Accession numbers: AM592516, AM592517 and AM592518
2007
Kawar PG, Prabu GR, Theertha Prasad D, Saccharum officinarum transposons-opie like, partial sequence.
Accession numbers: AM592519 and AM592520
2007
Kawar PG, Prabu GR Theertha Prasad D, Saccharum officinarum transposons-tekay like, partial sequence.
Accession numbers: AM592521 and AM592522
2006
Prabu GR, Kawar PG, Nerkar YS, Sugarcane grassy shoot phytoplasma partial 16S rRNA gene. Accession
numbers: AM403156 and AM403157
2005
Kawar PG, Koundel KR, Kansal R, Das PK, Vyas D, Anandhan S, Phaseolus vulgaris partial lec1 gene for lectin
precursor. Accession number: AJ920065
2004
Mukesh M, Koundal KR, Kansal R, Dash PK, Kawar PG, Singh AK, Qureshi IA, Cajanus cajan clone pPUMU2 seedspecific promoter-like sequence. Accession number: AY771784
IX) MEMBERSHIP OF ACADEMIC AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS
2008-10
Member of Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi, India.
2007-10
Member of International Society of Suagr cane Technologists Congress (ISSCT), Mexico.
X) NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REFREES
Prof. V.S. Ghole
Professor and Head Environmental Science,
Research Coordinator,
Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Division
Vasantdada Sugar Institute,
Manjari (Bk.)412 307,
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Email : gholevs@yahoo.com
Tel : +9120 26902343/46
Fax :+91-20-26902244
Dr. D. Theertha Prasad
Professor and University Head,
Center for Plant Biotechnology,
University of Agricultural Sciences,
GKVK,
Bangalore 560 065, Karnataka, India.
E mail : dtprasadd@gmail.com
Tel
: +91 80 23330153 (Extn.359)
Fax : +91 80 23330277
Dr. G. B. Dixit
Prof. K. R. Koundal
Joint Director (Research),
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI),
Pusa Campus,
New Delhi 110 012, India
Email: kirparam@rediffmail.com, jd_research@iari.res.in
Tel : +91 11 25733378
Professor and Head,
Deaprtment of Botany, Shivaji University,
Kolhapur 416 004, Maharastra, India
Email : g_b_dixit@yahoo.co.in
Tel : +91 231 2609155
Fax
: +91 231 2691533
Dr. (Mrs.) Vidya S. Gupta
Scientist G,
Plant Molecular Biology Unit,
Division of Biochemical Sciences,
National Chemical Laboratory,
Pune 411 008, Maharashtra, India.
Email : vs.gupta@ncl.res.in
Tel : +91 20 25902245
Fax :+91 20 25902648
Fax : +91 11 25733378
Dr. S. B. Verulkar,
Associate Professor,
Department of Biotechnology,
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University,
Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
Email: sbverulkar@yahoo.com
Tel : +91 771 2443857
Fax : +91 771 2442131