Research Area 2. “Carbohydrates and their interactions influencing plant cells”
Projects in Research Area 2 “Carbohydrates and their interactions influencing plant cells” center around plant strengthening chitosans pioneered by Moerschbacher. Both his and the Appa Rao group currently target enzymatic production of chitosan oligomers with fully defined architecture to elucidate their molecular structure-function relationships, and cellular modes of action. Characterisation of the chitosan modifying enzymes and their optimization through protein engineering rely on bioinformatic 3D modeling and substrate docking performed by Lalitha and the current MCGS post-doctoral researcher Singh, as well as on the development of novel substrates by Balamurugan and novel inhibitors by Ramu Sridhar. Here also, nano-formulations of chitosans by Goycoolea can support the projects by developing smart nanoparticles with plant strengthening and antimicrobial activities as described above. A new project explores plant strengthening activities of the algal polysaccharide ulvan (Moerschbacher), and chitosan-ulvan nanoparticles will be explored for their potentially synergistic activities. Hensel will analyse the developmental activities of seed arabinogalactan proteins.
Projects in research area 2.
| Prof. Dr. Moerschbacher (Germany) |
Enzymatic Production, Fingerprinting Analysis, Molecular Recognition, and Biological Activities of Chitosans with Non-Random Patterns of Acetylation more... |
| Prof. Dr. Siva Kumar (India) |
Projects to be supervised by Prof. Siva Kumar can be designed in the area of protein biochemistry, glycobiology, with special emphasis on plant lectins towards understanding their physiological significance. more... |
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Prof. Dr. Giri |
The project envisages the biotechnological production of glycoconjugates from lichens and their semi-synthetic alteration. The programme will aim at developing lead bioactive molecules for health care. |
| Dr. Ulaganathan (India) |
Genome analysis for understudying the role of sugars and sugar transporters in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of crop plants more... |
| Prof. Dr. K. Seshagirirao (India) |
PhD/Research projects can be designed in the area of glyco-biology/science, with special emphasis on lectins, plant gums and carbohydrates. The possible doctoral and post-doctoral research projects in the area of glyco-biology/science... more... |
