Scientist III
Ph.D: Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
- 91-11-26741612,14,17 Ext. - 120
- prabhu@nipgr.ac.in
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.
Career
2021 - Present
Staff Scientist III: National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, India
2017-2021
Research Associate: Genomics Division, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration (RDA), Jeonju, South Korea
2016-2017
Senior Researcher: Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, South Korea
Academic
2012 - 2016
Ph.D (Major: Applied Life Science): Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
2010-2012
MS (Major: Applied Life Science) : Gyeongsang National University, South Korea.
2006-2010
B. Tech (Major: Bioinformatics) : TamilNadu Agricultural University, India
Awards & Honors
2019
Scientific Excellence : Korea Tamil Sangam (KTS) awards – 2019, South Korea.
2016
Young Pioneer Researcher award: Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
2015
Young Pioneer Researcher award: Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
2015
Outstanding oral presentation award: Annual Spring Conference of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, South Korea
2015
Best oral presentation award: Brain Korea 21 plus graduate program, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
2014
Outstanding oral presentation award: Annual Autumn Conference of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, South Korea
2014
Second prize in oral presentation competition : College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
2012
Outstanding poster award: Annual Autumn Conference of the Korean Society for Horticultural Science, South Korea
2012
Second prize in oral presentation competition : College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
2011
Second prize in oral presentation competition : College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
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
Current 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
Research Associate
Ms. Mamta
JRF
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
Book Chapter
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
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
Guest Editor-Special issues
Applied and Advanced Research in Plant Bioinformatics
Silicon, a “Quasi-Essential” Element’s Role in Plant Physiology and Development