The major themes in our lab are:
1. Plant defence responses - involves characterization and analysis of plant metabolites using analytical tools, understanding their regulation, spatiotemporal distribution patterns and effect on insect herbivores.
2. Tri-trophic interactions - involves working with insect models, characterizing plant indirect defences and their role in modulating behaviour, physiology and immune responses of insect herbivores and their natural enemies, the parasitoid wasps.
1. Plant defence responses - involves characterization and analysis of plant metabolites using analytical tools, understanding their regulation, spatiotemporal distribution patterns and effect on insect herbivores.
2. Tri-trophic interactions - involves working with insect models, characterizing plant indirect defences and their role in modulating behaviour, physiology and immune responses of insect herbivores and their natural enemies, the parasitoid wasps.
Recent Work highlights from the lab
Plant Volatiles Modulate Cellular Immunity of Insects
Plants release specific blend of volatiles upon herbivore damage to attract parasitoid wasps, natural enemies of herbivorous insects. However, we observed that parasitism rate is never 100%. Hence, we asked if insect larvae can escape natural enemies by enhancing their immunity? Is there any connection between plant volatiles and insect immunity? Our results indicate that specific plant volatiles can up-regulate innate immune responses of Spodoptera litura, a common herbivore that results in better survival against parasitoids and pathogen. Our findings highlight the importance of volatiles in boosting immunity of insects. (Ghosh & Venkatesan, J Chem Ecol 2019). |
Characterisation of Unique Cyclic Peptides from Indian Medicinal Plant
Clitoria ternatea, also known as shankhapushpi is widely used in Indian traditional medicine to boost memory. This plant contains several unique cyclic peptides that are implicated in its activity. Cyclotides are highly stable, are capable of stabilising existing drugs, and can act as antibiotics, antiviral, and anticancer drugs.We report transcriptome and proteome data of this plant to identify these peptides. The study also attempts to identify key enzymes important for the synthesis of these cyclic peptides (Kalmankar et al 2020, Scientific Reports). These cyclic peptides have excellent applications in pharmaceutical and agriculture fields. |
https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/this-flowering-plant-may-hold-treatment-for-alzheimers-996848.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/plant-extract-may-tackle-alzheimers-ncbs/articleshow/83480729.cms
https://news.ncbs.res.in/research/tackling-cognition-ornamental-plant
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/how-cotton-leaf-worm-responds-to-the-defence-mechanisms-of-plants/article29867523.ece
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/plant-extract-may-tackle-alzheimers-ncbs/articleshow/83480729.cms
https://news.ncbs.res.in/research/tackling-cognition-ornamental-plant
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/how-cotton-leaf-worm-responds-to-the-defence-mechanisms-of-plants/article29867523.ece