Group Leader:

Dr. Muhammad Saeed

Principal Scientist

Team Members:

• Dr. Muhammad Asif Qadri  (SS)
• Dr. Rob Briddon                           (Foreign Faculty)
• Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq       (Foreign Faculty) 
• Mr. Iftikhar Ali,                          (Research Associate)
• PhD students:                             (5)
• M Phil students:                        (1)

The Molecular Analysis, Bioassays & Biosafety Group is involved in following activities:

1.      Molecular analysis of transgenic crops/Bt cotton

The transgenic Bt cotton lines developed at NIBGE are being characterized for transgene copy number, integration event characterization, and real-time PCR. Similarly, molecular analysis of other transgenic crops which have potential for commercialization would be carried out.    

2.      Establishment of Biosafety Infrastructure

Biosafety assessment of genetically modified crops (GMCs) is in progress. NIBGE has developed some important GMCs (cotton, wheat, sugarcane, potato) with better tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Biosafety data of these GMCs is highly important and valuable for their commercial release.

3.      Expression of single-stranded (ss) DNA-binding proteins and synthetic pathogen derived genes for developing transgenic resistance against cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD)

This is project of three PhD students. Two potential ssDNA-binding proteins, G5 and VirE2 and two synthetic pathogen derived genes, Rep₁₃₀ and coat protein (CP) of Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBV) have selected for resistance development against CLCuBV. Ms Sumera Yousaf has generated transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants with VirE2 and Rep₁₃₀ & currently carrying out molecular analysis and resistance assays. Mr Ghulam Rasool has transformed N. benthamiana with G5 and CP & currently carrying out molecular analysis and resistance assays.

4.      Understanding of molecular basis of resistance/tolerance against the Burewala CLCuD

 This is project of a PhD student, Mr Rahim Ullah. Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) has been modified for the expression of reporter Gene like GFP. This reporter construct will be co-inoculated along with the components of the CLCuBV to study the resistance/tolerance mechanism.

5.      Transcript analysis of Cotton leaf curl Multan & Cotton leaf Burewala virus and their cognate betasatellites

This is project of a PhD student, Mr Fazle Akber. Circular reverse transcriptase PCR reaction and RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends techniques are being used for transcript analysis.

Research support:

The research work is supported by grants by following funding agencies:

• Higher Education Commission