Dr. Prabhakaran Soundararajan (Ph.D)
Staff Scientist III,National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR)
Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, P.O.Box 10531
New Delhi 110067
Phone: 91-11-26735120
Email: prabhu@nipgr.ac.in
Guest Editor-Special issues
| Applied and Advanced Research in Plant Bioinformatics |
| A special issue of "International Journal of Molecular Sciences", Impact Factor: 5.924. This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Informatics". Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2022. |
| Silicon, a "Quasi-Essential" Element's Role in Plant Physiology and Development |
| A special issue of "Frontiers in Plant Science", Impact Factor: 5.753. This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Nutrition". Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2022. |
Patent
Doubled haploid (DH) lines of Brassica rapa for higher glucosinolate contents selected based on metabolites and genome assisted selection. DH016: 10-2020-0130239_BrYSP_DH016 and DH-43: 10-2020-0130237_BrYSP_DH043 (co-person along with Dr. Jung Sun Kim and team, RDA, Jeonju, South Korea) under Korean Patent Law and Seed Industry Law.
Fellowships and Grants
| Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science, SERB (Jan 2024 - Jan 2027) |
| Start-Up Research Grant, SERB, Govt. of India (Dec 2022-Dec 2024). |
| Research Associate Fellowship Program (July 2017-August 2021): National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RDA, Ministry of Agriculture, South Korea. |
| Travel grant from BK21 plus fellowship to present poster in “Global Summit on Plant Science” conference, (2015), San Antonio, USA. |
| Master’s and Ph.D studies were supported by scholarship from Brain Korea 21 (BK21) and BK21 plus program, respectively. |
Book chapters
| Shilpha, J., Manivannan, A., Soundararajan, P., Jeong, B.R. (2023). Heat Stress Mitigation by Silicon Nutrition in Plants: A Comprehensive Overview. In Benefits of Silicon in the Nutrition of Plants. Springer, Cham. |
| Park YG, Park YH, Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2020) Exploiting the Genetic Diversity of Ornamentals. In Achieving sustainable cultivation of ornamental plants. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited, UK, pp. 1-47. |
| Park YG#, Abinaya M#, Prabhakaran S#, Jeong BR (2019) Plant Growth Regulation. In Stress Physiology of Woody Plants. CRC press, US, pp. 69-92. (#Equal first author) |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Jeong BR (2019) Different Antioxidant Defense Systems in Halophytes and Glycophytes to Overcome Salinity Stress. In Sabkha Ecosystems. Volume VI: Asia/Pacific. Springer Nature, Switzerland, pp. 335-347. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Jeong BR (2017) Role of Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling in Seed Germination: An Overview. In Revisiting the Role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Plants. Wiley Publications, UK, pp. 291-306. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2017) Role of reactive oxygen species signaling in cell proliferation and differentiation: An overview. In Revisiting the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants. Wiley Publications, UK, pp: 319-330. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Jeong BR (2016) Regulatory Mechanisms by Silicon to Overcome the Salinity-Induced Imbalance of Essential Nutrient Elements. In Silicon in Plants: Advances and Future Prospects. Taylor and Francis Groups, CRC Press, FL, USA, pp. 47-66. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2016) Silicon-Mediated Modulations of Genes and Secondary Metabolites in Plants: A Comprehensive Overview. In Silicon in Plants: Advances and Future Prospects. Taylor and Francis Groups, CRC Press, FL, USA, pp. 153-174. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Jeong BR (2016) Signaling Patterns of Reactive Oxygen Species and Phytohormones during Transition Period of Quiescent Seeds into Metabolically Active Organisms. In New Challenges in Seed Biology - Basic and Translational Research Driving Seed Technology. InTech Open, Croatia, European Union, pp. 75-96. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2015) Light Quality-Mediated Enhancement of Medicinal Plant Production in Hydroponic System Under Controlled Environment. In Controlled Environment Agriculture-Production Specialty Crops Providing Human Health Benefits through Hydroponics. Nova Science publishers, NY, USA, pp. 63-88. |
Profile
Research Interest
Evolutionary Developmental (Evo-Devo) Genetics
Polyploidization is recognized as the major driving force in the plant evolution. All angiosperms experienced at least one whole genome duplication (WGD) event in their evolutionary history. Brassica has undergone additional whole genome triplication (WGT) after divergence from Arabidopsis lineage. Recent genome studies showed that translocated Proto-Calepine Karyotype (tPCK, n=7) was a diploid ancestor of three subgenomes in Brassica. Genomic rearrangements, chromosome shuffling, and hybridization between diploids contribute for Brassica speciation. WGT provided multiple gene copies. Further biased genes retention or preferential genes enrichment and subgenome dominance between the homoeologous genes enhanced the functional gene evolution and lead to the diverse morphotypes such as heading, non-heading, leafy, inflorescences, stem, tuber, and oilseeds. Domestication and artificial selection are also major factors involved in the morphological diversification. Our team is working to shed light on the rationale behind the evolutionary developmental genetics on Brassica species attributed for diversification, crop domestication, and adaptation.
Awards and Honors
| Scientific Excellence (2019): Korea Tamil Sangam (KTS) awards – 2019, South Korea. |
| Young Pioneer Researcher award (2016): Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| Young Pioneer Researcher award (2015): Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| Outstanding oral presentation award (2015): Annual Spring Conference of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, South Korea. |
| Best oral presentation award (2015): Brain Korea 21 plus graduate program, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| Outstanding oral presentation award (2014): Annual Autumn Conference of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, South Korea. |
| Second prize in oral presentation competition (2014): College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| Outstanding poster award (2012): Annual Autumn Conference of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, South Korea. |
| Second prize in oral presentation competition (2012): College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| Second prize in oral presentation competition (2011): College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
Books
| Gayacharan, Parida SK, Singh AK, Chattopadhyay D, Joshi DC, Katna G (2024) Rice Bean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi) Potential Pulses: Genetic and Genomic Resources. CABI Publisher, pp. 100-115. DOI:10.1079/9781800624658.0006. |
| Basu U, Parida SK (2023) CLAVATA signaling pathway receptors modulate developmental traits and stress responses in crops. In: Upadhyay SK, Shumayla (eds), Plant Receptor-Like Kinases. Elsevier B.V., pp 371-392.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-90594-7.00004-1. |
| Jha UC, Nayyar H, Parida SK, Siddique KHM (2022) Horse gram, an underutilized climate-resilientlegume: Breeding and genomic approach for improving future genetic gain. Developing Climate Resilient Grain and Forage Legumes. 167-178. |
| Daware A, Parida SK, Tyagi AK (2020) Integrated genomic strategies for cereal genetic enhancement: combining QTL and association mapping. Cereal Genomics 2072:15-25. |
| Tripathi S, Singh RK, Parida SK, Chaturvedi SK, Gaur PM, Kumar S, Dikshit HK, Mishra GP, Singh A (2022) Biofortification of Chickpea. Biofortification of Staple Crops, Springer Singapore, pp 335-344 doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-3280-8_13. |
| Mohanty JK, Parida SK (2022) Small RNA-omics: Decoding the regulatory networks associated with horticultural traits. Omics in Horticultural Crops doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-89905-5.00001-X. |
| Jha UC, Bohra A, Nayyar H, Rani A, Devi P, Saabale PR, Parida SK (2019) Breeding and Genomics Approaches for Improving Productivity Gains in Chickpea Under Changing Climate. In: Kole C. (eds) Genomic Designing of Climate-Smart Pulse Crops. Springer, Cham, pp-135-164. |
| Jha UC, Barh D, Parida SK, Jha R, Singh NP (2016) Whole-genome resequencing: current status and future prospects in genomics-assisted crop improvement. Applied Molecular Biotechnology: The Next Generation of Genetic Engineering, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Inc, 209-234. |
| Das S, Parida SK (2015) Synergistic plant genomics and molecular breeding approaches for ensuring food security. In Genomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics in Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Second Edition (eds Bagchi D, Swaroop A, Bagchi M), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK. DOI: 10.1002/9781118930458.ch14. |
| Parida SK, Mohapatra T (2010) Whole genome sequencing. In: Kole C, Abbott AG (Eds) Principles and Practices of Plant Genomics, Vol 3, Advanced Genomics, Science Publishers, Inc, New Hampshire and Edenbridge Ltd, British Isles, pp 120-174. |
Research Articles
| Prabhakaran S, AT Vivek, Gokul B.S, Bhavya S, Kanchan B.M.S, Shailesh K, Abinaya M,Pangenome-wide identification, evolutionary analysis, and characterization of WOX gene family among Brassica Triangle of U's genomes. Plant Gene, 42, 2025, 100497.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plgene.2025.100497. |
| Soundararajan P, Singh P, Letro A, Singh G and Manivannan A (2025) Transcriptome-wide identification and expression analysis of expansin genes in big and small leaf-morphotypes of Adhatoda vasica. Plant Physiology Reports (In Press). |
| Gokul Babu S, Harssitha Baskar, Geethanjali Subramaniam, Prabhakaran Soundararajan. (2024). Genome-wide Identification, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Clavata3 Insensitive Receptor Kinases (CIKs) on Developmental Tissues and Under Temperature Stress Conditions in Brassica oleracea. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology. (In press). |
| Won SY#, Prabhakaran S#, Irulappan V, Kim JS (2023) In-Silico, Evolutionary, and Functional Analysis of CHUP1 and its Related Proteins in Bienertia sinuspersici-a comparative study across C3, C4, CAM, and SCC4 Model Plants. PeerJ (Accepted) (# Equal first author). |
| Wei, H, Kong S, Jayaraman V, Selvaraj D, Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M (2023) Mentha arvensis and Mentha * piperita-Vital Herbs with Myriads of Pharmaceutical Benefits. Horticulturae 9:224. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S*, Jeong BR (2023) Silicon: A "Quasi-Essential" Element's Role in Plant Physiology and Development. Frontiers in Plant Science. 14:1-2 |
| Agarwal Y, Shukla B, Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S* (2022) Paradigm and Framework of WUS-CLV Feedback Loop in Stem Cell Niche for SAM Maintenance and Cell Identity Transition. Agronomy 12:3132 |
| Chakraborty S, Prabhakaran S, and Kumar S (2022) Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression profiling of 14-3-3 genes in legumes. Plant Biotechnol Rep 16, 579-597 (2022). |
| Prabhakaran S, Park SG, Won SY, Moon MS, Park HW, Ku KM, Kim JS (2021) Influence of Genotype on High Glucosinolate Synthesis Lines of Brassica rapa. International Journal of Molecular Science. 22: 7301. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Park YG, Jeong BR (2021) Physiology and Proteomic Insights into Red and Blue Light Mediated Enhancement of In Vitro Growth in Scrophularia kakudensis – a Potential Medicinal Plant. Frontiers in Plant Science. 11: 607007. |
| Prabhakaran S, Won SY, Park DS, Lee YH, Kim JS (2019) Comparative Analysis of the YABBY Gene Family of Bienertia sinuspersici, a Single-Cell C4 Plant. Plants. 8: 536. |
| Liu B#, Prabhakaran S#, Abinaya M (2019) Mechanisms of Silicon-Mediated Amelioration of Salt Stress in Plants. Plants. (#Equal first author) 8: 307. |
| Prabhakaran S, Won SY, Kim JS (2019) Insight on Rosaceae Family with Genome Sequencing and Functional Genomics Perspective. BioMed Research International. 7519687. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Ko CH, Park JE, Jeong BR (2019) Evaluation of Relative Toxicity Caused by Deicing Agents on Photosynthesis, Redox Homeostasis, and the Osmoregulatory System in Creeper-type Plants. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 60:175-186. |
| Ren X, Ya L, Jeong HK, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2019) Temperature Affects Morphology, Physiology, and Biochemistry of Plug Seedlings of Astragalus membranaceus. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum. 41:9. |
| Prabhakaran S, Kim JS (2018) Anti-carcinogenic Glucosinolates in Cruciferous Vegetables and their Antagonistics Effects on Prevention of Cancers. Molecules. 23:2983. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Ko CH, Jeong BR (2018) Silicon Enhanced Redox Homeostasis and Protein Expression to Mitigate the Salinity Stress in Rosa hybrida ‘Rock Fire’. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 37:16-34. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Park YG, Jeong BR (2017) Assessment of the Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationship of Dianthus caryophyllus germplasm using ISSR and RAPD Molecular Marker. Acta Horticulturae. 1185:191-196. |
| Park YG, Sowbiya M, Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Jeong BR (2017) Light Quality During Night Interruption Affects Morphogenesis and Flowering in Geranium. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 58:212-217. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Ko CH, Jeong BR (2017) Leaf Physiological and Proteomic Analysis to Elucidate Silicon Induced Adaptive Response under Salt Stress in Rosa hybrida 'Rock Fire', International Journal of Molecular Science. 18: 8. |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Cho YS, Jeong BR (2017) Exogenous Supplementation of Silicon Improved the Recovery of Hyperhydric Shoots in Dianthus caryophyllus L. by Stabilizing the Physiology and Protein Expression. Frontiers in Plant Science. 8:1-17. |
| Abinaya M#, Prabhakaran S#, Sowbiya M, Ko CH, Jeong BR (2016) Silicon Mitigates Salinity Stress by Regulating the Physiology, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities, and Protein Expression in Capsicum annuum ‘Bugwang’. BioMed Research International. 3076357 (#Equal first author). |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Park YG, Wei H, Kim SH, Jeong BR (2016) Blue and Red Light Emitting Diodes Improve the Growth and Physiology of In Vitro Grown Carnation ‘Purple Beauty’ and ‘Green Beauty’. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 58:12-20. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Yoo Gyeong Park YG, Jeong BR (2016) Chemical Elicitor-Induced Modulation of Antioxidant Metabolism and Enhancement of Secondary Metabolite Accumulation in Cell Suspension Cultures of Scrophularia kakudensis Franch. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 17:399. |
| Sowbiya M, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2016) Proteomic and Antioxidant Analysis Elucidates the Underlying Mechanism of Tolerance to Hyperhydricity Stress in In Vitro Shoot Cultures of Dianthus caryophyllus. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 35:667-679. |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Arum LS, Chung Ho Ko CH, Sowbiya M, Jeong BR (2015) Silicon-Mediated Enhancement of Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Zinnia elegans ‘Dreamland Yellow’ grown under Salinity Stress. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 56:721-731 |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Park YG, Jeong BR (2015) In Vitro Propagation, Phytochemical Analysis, and Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging Property of Scrophularia kakudensis Franch Tissue Extracts. BioMed Research International. 480564 |
| Abinaya M, Sonali J, Prabhakaran S, Ko CH, Jeong BR (2015) Antioxidant enzymes metabolism and cellular differentiation during the developmental stages of somatic embryogenesis in Torillis japonica (Houtt.) DC. Plant Omics Journal. 8:461-471 |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Park YG, Sowbiya M, Jeong BR (2015) Silicon Alleviates Salt stress by Modulating Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Tula’. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 56:233-259 |
| Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Park YG, Ko CH, Jeong BR (2014) Shoot Organogenesis and Somatic Embryogenesis in Rehmannia glutinosa Libosh. An Important Medicinal Plant. International Journal of Advanced Research. 2:957-967 |
| Sowbiya M, Ko CH, Prabhakaran S, Abinaya M, Park YG, Jeong BR (2014) Proteomic Study Related to Vascular Connections in Watermelon Scions Grafted onto Bottle-Gourd Rootstock under Different Light Intensities. PLoS One. 10:e0120899 |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Halimah N, Ko CH, Jeong BR (2014) Blue LED Light Enhances Growth, Phytochemical Contents, and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities of Rehmannia glutinosa Cultured In Vitro. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 56:105-113 |
| Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Park YG, Sakkiah S, Jeong BR (2014) Binding Mode Investigation of Polyphenols from Scrophularia Targeting Human Aldose Reductase Using Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Journal of Chemistry. 434256 |
| Sowbiya M, Park YG, Abinaya M, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2014) Physiological and Proteomic Analysis in Chloroplasts of Solanum lycopersicum L. under Silicon Efficiency and Salinity Stress. 15:21803-21824. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. |
| Sowbiya M, Jeong BR, Kim TW, Lee JH, Prabhakaran S (2014) Transcriptional and physiological changes in relation to Fe uptake under conditions of Fe-deficiency and Cd-toxicity in roots of Vigna radiata L. Journal of Plant Research. 127:731-742 |
| Iyyakkannu S, Son MS, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2014) Effect of Silicon on Growth and Temperature Stress Tolerance of Nephrolepis exaltata 'Corditas'. Horticultural Science and Technology. 32:142-148 |
| Prabhakaran S, Iyyakkannu S, Sonali J, Jeong BR (2014) Influence of Silicon Supplementation on the Growth and Tolerance to High Temperature in Salvia splendens. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 55:271-279. |
| Iyyakkannu S, Son MS, Prabhakaran S, Jeong BR (2013) Growth of Chrysanthemum Cultivars as Affected by Silicon Source and Application Method. Horticultural Science and Technology. 31:544-551. |
| Prabhakaran S, Iyyakkannu S, Jo EH, Jeong BR (2013) Silicon Promotes Shoot Proliferation and Shoot Growth of Salvia splendens ‘Hot Jazz’ under Salt Stress. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology. 54:311-318. |
| Prabhakaran S, Sugunadevi S, Iyyakkannu S, Lee KW, Jeong BR (2011) Macromolecular Docking Simulation to Identify Binding Site of FGB1 for Antifungal Compounds. Bulletin of Korean Chemical Society. 32:3675-3681. |
| Prabhakaran S, Srividya V, Bharathi N, Jayakanthan M, Manikanda Boopathi N (2009) Use of Computational and Structural Bioinformatics Strategies on Controlling Fusarium Wilt in Cotton. Online Journal of Bioinformatics. 10:180-190. |
Group Members
| Mr. Gokul Babu | Ph.D student |
| Ms. Awele Letro | Ph.D student |
| Ms. Priya | Ph.D student |
| Mr. Sambit | Ph.D student |
| Dr. Kanchan | RA-I |
| Ms. Mamta | JRF |
Academic
| Ph.D (Major: Applied Life Science) (2012 – 2016): Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| MS (Major: Applied Life Science) (2010 – 2012): Gyeongsang National University, South Korea. |
| B. Tech (Major: Bioinformatics) (2006 – 2010): TamilNadu Agricultural University, India. |
Career
| Staff Scientist III (August 2021 - Present): National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, India |
| Research Associate (July 2017 - August 2021): Genomics Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration (RDA), Jeonju, South Korea |
| Senior Researcher (Sep 2016 - June 2017): Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea |