Our lab is seeking the characterization and comparing the different plant genomes to better understand the genetic processes linking the adaptation under abiotic stresses. The research would lead to explore and answer the questions that why can some plants tolerate highly saline soils, or survive severe drought conditions, or grow at extreme low or high temperature? The answer to question has the significance because of the data arising from the genome sequencing of different plant genomes. The complete or partial sequences of different plant genomes help-out to learn that abiotic stress sensitive species comprise some genes that are associated with stress tolerant mechanism in other species. Curiosity is to understand what is missing in sensitive species. So we research to rationale that why Desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) has the potential to survive under severe abiotic stresses as compared to the American Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). We are also curious to know how a cactus Agave sisalana can survive in desert under severe drought or extreme temperature? May be-CAM mechanism to retain water-use-efficiency but how does it work to prevent against ROS, extreme temperatures, high salinity or UV. Moreover how the epicuticular wax layer on plant surfaces consisting of very-long-chain fatty-acids interplay with insect attack and transmission of cotton leaf curl virus to cotton. Hence genomes from wild relatives of crop species may be explored for their unique genetic features that can be harnessed to improve the crop plants through genetic engineering

Consumption of fossil fuels result in decline in resources along with increase in CO₂ in environment ultimately results in Global warming. Consequently, the rapidly increasing global warming is adversely affecting the climate including shortage of water. To combat this situation, it is need of the time that some environment friendly fuels should be produced from plants that require less water/input for propagation. Agave sisalana is ideal source of biomass production and considered important as bioenergy crop that require less water for its propagation and also absorb CO₂ from environment.

Hence enlisting the main goals of our lab are: Discovery of novel genes in plant species under abiotic stresses. 2) Characterization of genes expressing under abiotic stresses in different plant species. 3) Application of bioinformatics tools for in-silico analyses of abiotic stress tolerant genes in plants. 4) Genetic transformation of drought, heat, salt stress tolerant genes in cotton. 5) Analyses of lignin pathway in plant biomass for environment friendly biofuel production. 6) Analyses of wax biosynthesis pathway in plants to tolerate insect infestation. 7) Studying Micro-RNA profile of plant species for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance

Genomic applications explore the novel genomes allowing the discovery and understanding the physiological, biochemical and metabolic pathways. Understanding these pathways or processes will lead to develop crops for sustainable agriculture and to conserve agricultural resources in the present scenario of climate change and increasing demand of food and energy for rapidly growing population. But-an understanding of abiotic stress adaptation mechanism doesn’t mean to grow cotton in sea or rice in Cholistan dessert. Targeting agriculture in extreme temperatures or drought conditions, or highly salt affected environments doesn’t make any sense. Plants always produce low yield in such scenarios. Our aim from understanding the crop tolerance mechanisms and transforming genes into crop plants lead us to reach at protection level that make sense to normal crop production. The purpose is to grow plants that tolerate short-term drought in arid or semi-arid regions, early season low or high temperature or adequate salinity in salt range area with maximum produce.