
PhD Scholar
Translation mechanisms contributing to plant development and drought stress adaptation
Drought stress tolerance is multigenic in nature. Protein synthesis is affected under drought stress, which, in turn, influences cellular metabolic activities required for optimum functioning.
Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. However, ribosome biogenesis is a highly orchestrated mechanism involving many proteins for the translation activity of cells. We want to unravel how translational mechanisms regulate the adaptation abilities of plants under changing environmental conditions.
Areas of interest
Protein translational mechanisms in plants.
Extra-ribosomal functions of ribosomal proteins.
Ribosome biogenesis factors in plant growth and development.
Regulatory proteins of ribosome biogenesis.
Drought stress adaptation of plants.
My research focuses on understanding the basis of plant adaptation to drought to improve the productivity of our crops. Under stress conditions, the acquired tolerant traits play a crucial role as a measure of cellular level tolerance. Emphasis is on Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing mechanisms, ribosome biogenesis and their assembly factors.
Functional characterisation of the genes involved in these mechanisms and exploring their extra-ribosomal functions and relevance in growth, development and abiotic stress tolerance. Further, we want to unravel how translational regulation contributes to acclimation processes in changing climatic conditions.
Identifying the relevant cis-elements on ribosomal RNA genes and ribosomal proteins encoding gene promoters and transcription factors involved in their expression and regulation of translational activity has phenomenal significance.
We are also working on developing strategies to improve resistance against bacterial leaf blight disease in rice-causing pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae. We use functional and chemical genomic approaches to improve plant health.
Patents Granted
1. Pro-transpirants to increase crop productivity
Babitha KC, Veena HM and Ramu S Vemanna (07 February 2022)
Indian Patent Application No. 202211006352, Patent no. 550300, Granted date: 13/09/2024
The present invention emphasis is to develop combination that increases the transpiration and increases the yield in plants, even in the stressful conditions that induces stress in plants. We developed a formulation/ combination that keeps the stomata open and enhances transpiration. The formulations inhibit the function of transporter, was effective on rice, wheat, cowpea and mungbean (Greengram) to enhance yield.
2. RNP complex for crop protection against bacterial diseases.
Pal G, Bajaj A, Bhattacharjee S, Vemanna RS (07 March 2023), Indian patent application number – 202311015285, Patent No. 560014, granted date 12.02.2025.
The present invention provides a nanopolymer-RNP complex to deliver RNP complex. Particularly, the invention provides a nanopolymer-RNP complex targeting Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae (Xoo) bacterial hrpX and hrpG genes that protects from bacterial blight disease on rice and Rolstonia solanacearum (RS) hrpX and hrpG in potato that protects from bacterial wilt, and Psuedomonas syringae pv tomato (DC3000) (PSt) HopP1 protecting from bacterial speck on Arabidopsis.
3.Selectable marker system
154/CHE/2012, Ramu S.V, Babitha K.C, Nataraja N Karaba, Udayakumar M,. Indian patent, Granted in 2022.
Patents Filed
1, A Pro-Transpirants Class Combination
Ramu S Vemanna, PA, Vanitha, NV, Preethi (23 August 2021)
Indian Patent Application No. 202111038068
The invention relates to field of agrochemical composition improving plant productivity. The objective of the invention is to develop combination of agrochemicals that enhances transpiration and increases the yield in plants under drought conditions. Under drought, the productivity of crops reduces due to the accumulation of Abscisic acid (ABA). The present invention discloses a pro-transpirants class combination for downregulating the transcription factor which reduces accumulation of ABA in rice, enhances transpiration and increasing yield of plants.
2. Synthetic and natural molecules for crop protection against plant diseases caused by bacteria, and nematode and virus.
Garima Pal, Ramu S Vemanna, 202411062781, date August 20 2024.
The invention, in general, relates to the field of plant protection against broad spectrum
of diseases. More particularly, the present invention relates to Synthetic and natural
molecules for crop protection against plant diseases caused by bacteria, nematode and
virus and method thereof.
3. Transgene-free, Inplanta-mediated delivery of RNPs to edit genes in plants
Shankar M, Bajaj A, Sneh lata Pareekh, Vemanna RS. 202511006944 dated 2025/01/29
Method of editing the genes without any vector. Delivery of gene editing tools through nanoparticles for systemic spread of gene editing tools. Tissue culture-independent embryonal axes delivery of Cas9-gRNA complexes develops transgenes free gene-edited plants.
4.Patent file No. 2646/CHE/2014, “An expression construct and its use for increasing abiotic stress tolerance in a plant cell”, Ramu S.V, Babitha K.C, Sheela. H.S, Prasad, T.G, Tuteja N, Udayakumar M,. Indian patent
5.Patent file No. 4195/CHE/2014, Herbicide tolerant multigene construct, Ramu S.V, Amaranatha, Reddy V, Udayakumar M,. Indian Patent
Thapliyal, G., Vemanna, R.S., Pawar, P.M, Barthwal, S, Meena K.R, Pandey, S, Bhandari M.S. (2020) First record of off-season flowering in Populus deltoides from India: paradigm of climate change indicator. International Journal of Biometeorology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01915-y
Regional Centre for Biotechnology
NCR Biotech Science Cluster
3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurgaon Expressway
P.O. Box No. 3, Faridabad - 121 001
Haryana (NCR Delhi), India