Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Dr. K.K. Sabu
Qualification: PhD (Botany) from University of Kerala (2002), Postdoc (Biotechnology) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (2005).
Specialization : Functional genomics of wild genotypes of cardamom; analysis of genetic diversity and estimation of phylogenetic relationships in wild plant species.
Personal Biography
Expertise in the field of plant genetics and genomics since 1993. Research interests include response of plants against environmental changes, bioprospecting and analysis of natural variations in plant genetic resources. Micro-RNA and transcriptome analysis were conducted in several plants to understand genes regulating plant metabolism, yield and stress response. Completed 9 research projects funded by various funding agencies in India and BGCI, UK. Published around 50 research articles and several book chapters. Editor in Chief of Plant Science Today journal. Produced 10 PhDs and guided 2 post-docs and more than 70 UG and PG dissertation programmes.
Projects & Selected Publications
Projects
- 2023-2026: Cardamom for rainforest conservation. Principal Investigator. Date of sanction: 22.12.2022 (3 years). Rs. 12,12,200. Kerala Forest Development Fund (KFDF), Forest Department, Govt of Kerala.
- 2023-2024: Building a Biorepository of Western Ghats Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Principal Co-Investigator. Date of sanction: 01.04.2023 (1 year). $2250, ie. ~Rs. 1,84,800. BGCI GGI Gardens Award Programme.
- 2018-2022: Population structure and genetic variability analysis of Cullenia exarillata populations in Western Ghats. SERB, Dept of Science & Technology, Govt of India.
- 2018-2021: Exploration of Banana Biodiversity and its Biotechnological Research in Nagaland. Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India.
- 2018-2021: Analysis of genetic diversity, development of sex linked SCAR markers and marker-assisted selection of Asian Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer L., Arecaceae). Dept of Biotechnology, Govt of India.
Publications
- Gouri Priya Ranjith, Jisha Satheesan, K K Sabu. (2023). Unraveling microRNA mediated gene regulation in Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. by high-throughput sequencing based small-RNA profiling. Tropical Plant Biology – IF: 1.9; Springer. https://10.1007/s12042-023-09342-0
- Reshmi Nair R J, Lakshmi S, Suja K P and K K Sabu. (2023). Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Research Journal of Biotechnology 18(5): 1-7. Published on 13 April 2023. https://doi.org/10.25303/1805rjbt01007
- Soorya S, Swapna TS, Sabu KK. (2022). A short review on the identification of ABCDE genes in monocot plants. Journal of Tropical Life Science 12(3): 423 – 433. https://doi.org/10.11594/jtls.12.03.15 Published: 2022 Oct 12
- Jisha S, Aiswarya S, Gouri PR, Manikantan K & Sabu KK. (2022). Impact of mannitol and poly ethylene glycol 6000 induced water deficit on plant biomass and major secondary metabolites in Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. in vitro. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology Vol. 60, March 2022, pp. 184-191. http://nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/59289
- Mathavaraj, S., Sabu, K. K. (2021). Genetic diversity and structure revealed by genomic microsatellite markers in Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., a plant with medicinal potential. Molecular Biology Reports 48:7387–7396. Published online: 30 October 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06748-5
PhD students
Work : Analysis of changes in gene expression and identification of differentially expressed miRNAs in cardamom cultivated in high and low altitude areas
Work: Phytochemical profiling and biological activities of different Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) genotypes of Kerala
Work: Development of molecular markers for sex determination in palmyra palm
Work: Comparative transcriptome profiling in cardamom along an altitudinal gradient through RNA-seq analysis
Population structure and genetic variability analysis of Cullenia exarillata populations in Western Ghats
In vitro studies on an endangered medicinal herb Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. for conservation, consistent production and metabolic profiling of a high value bioactive compound Curculigoside
Project Fellows
Work: Evaluation of stress tolerance in small cardamom
Work: Evaluation of cardamom varieties under varying shade conditions
Building a Biorepository of Western Ghats Medicinal and Aromatic Plants