Presently, as an Associate Professor at King Abdulaziz University,Jeddah, KSA, I am working in the fields of plant ecophysiology and molecular biology. Currently, there is a growing demand for thicker walled and rapidly growing bamboo from the industry due to its mechanical strength, high durability and uninterrupted as well as sustainable supply. Hence, we intend to study the molecular basis behind the rapid growth and development of thick walled culms in the Bamboo. Using the Proteomics, our main focus is to better understand the growth characteristics and physical properties of bamboo by identifying the novel proteins associated with the production of thick wall in rapidly growing culms of bamboo. This could open new avenues to produce and develop the economically valuable as well as ecologically sustainable bamboo cultivars.
Simultaneously, I am also involved in identifying and studying the gaharu synthesis enzymes in pathogen-induced Aquilaria for the production of high-impact compounds using proteomic tools. Gaharu from different Aquilaria species has its own set of extraordinary active fragrance and pharmaceutical compounds, making gaharu interesting to the related industries as source material for new biological compounds. Due to the complex structural makeup of the compounds, they are not amenable to chemical synthesis. The only supply comes from natural Aquilaria, which number is currently dwindling, thus the need to develop new production strategies. Gaharu formation is caused by stress followed by a complex series of biochemical changes that are coordinated by the enzymes in the secondary metabolite pathway. Although the upstream end of the pathway is relatively well-understood, not much is known about the downstream enzymes, especially the sesquiterpene synthases, which are most significant in relation to gaharu of high quality. In this study, we will generate a new dataset of proteins expressed in various Aquilaria species via proteomics. Enzymes controlling sesquiterpene synthesis will be identified from bioinformatics analysis. The production of individual compounds from precursor molecules will be feasible by expressing novel genes encoding for sesquiterpene synthases in microbial expression system. These compounds will be extracted and their identity determined using GC-MS or LC-MS detection system. This work will be the first on protein profiling in Aquilaria spp. and it will generate new knowledge and useful resources for future genomic studies. We believe our findings will produce a database of novel enzymes for use in the synthesis of unique fragrance compounds of gaharu origin.
During my graduation, I have been also worked in the fields of plant ecophysiology and molecular biology. The title of my Ph.D. thesis was “Proteomics and nanobiotechnological approach for the improvement of nitrogen use efficiency in rice”. The main focus of my graduate research was to select rice genotypes with differential nitrogen use efficiency potential. Distinct genotypes were selected on the basis of their differential response to biochemical and genomic studies for further protein profile study. Proteomics technique was used in the identification of one or more proteins/enzymes that play a crucial role in metabolic flux control, so that it could stimulate metabolic engineering efforts by manipulating them in transgenic plants for better productivity and quality of agricultural products. We have developed FRET-based genetically encoded glutamine binding nano-biosensor (physiological sensing system) for the real time sensing of N demand. This research work helped me to develop skills in molecular markers and functional genomics, which can be further leveraged to make contributions in the field of plant science.
Funded Research Projects (Ongoing)
Simultaneously, I am also involved in identifying and studying the gaharu synthesis enzymes in pathogen-induced Aquilaria for the production of high-impact compounds using proteomic tools. Gaharu from different Aquilaria species has its own set of extraordinary active fragrance and pharmaceutical compounds, making gaharu interesting to the related industries as source material for new biological compounds. Due to the complex structural makeup of the compounds, they are not amenable to chemical synthesis. The only supply comes from natural Aquilaria, which number is currently dwindling, thus the need to develop new production strategies. Gaharu formation is caused by stress followed by a complex series of biochemical changes that are coordinated by the enzymes in the secondary metabolite pathway. Although the upstream end of the pathway is relatively well-understood, not much is known about the downstream enzymes, especially the sesquiterpene synthases, which are most significant in relation to gaharu of high quality. In this study, we will generate a new dataset of proteins expressed in various Aquilaria species via proteomics. Enzymes controlling sesquiterpene synthesis will be identified from bioinformatics analysis. The production of individual compounds from precursor molecules will be feasible by expressing novel genes encoding for sesquiterpene synthases in microbial expression system. These compounds will be extracted and their identity determined using GC-MS or LC-MS detection system. This work will be the first on protein profiling in Aquilaria spp. and it will generate new knowledge and useful resources for future genomic studies. We believe our findings will produce a database of novel enzymes for use in the synthesis of unique fragrance compounds of gaharu origin.
During my graduation, I have been also worked in the fields of plant ecophysiology and molecular biology. The title of my Ph.D. thesis was “Proteomics and nanobiotechnological approach for the improvement of nitrogen use efficiency in rice”. The main focus of my graduate research was to select rice genotypes with differential nitrogen use efficiency potential. Distinct genotypes were selected on the basis of their differential response to biochemical and genomic studies for further protein profile study. Proteomics technique was used in the identification of one or more proteins/enzymes that play a crucial role in metabolic flux control, so that it could stimulate metabolic engineering efforts by manipulating them in transgenic plants for better productivity and quality of agricultural products. We have developed FRET-based genetically encoded glutamine binding nano-biosensor (physiological sensing system) for the real time sensing of N demand. This research work helped me to develop skills in molecular markers and functional genomics, which can be further leveraged to make contributions in the field of plant science.
Funded Research Projects (Ongoing)
- Principle Investigator (PI), Putra Grant, UPM-Malaysia (2014-2015) No. UPM/700-1/2/Geran Putra. ‘Mapping the proteome of thick-walled and rapidly growing bamboo for the development of thick walled bamboo plantlets.’ (118,000 RM)
- Co-Researcher, eSciencefund (MOSTI), Malaysia. (2014-2016) No. UPM0008249 “Proteomic identification of Gaharu of Gaharu synthesis enzymes in pathogen-induced Aquilaria for the prodcution of high-impact compounds”. (340,000 RM)
- Researcher, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia. (2015-2017) “Flood occurrence reduction measures by runoff prediction based on land use scenario analysis using SCS-CN method and GIS for Kelantan River Basin ”. (100,000 RM)- [on going]
- Co-Researcher, Putra Grant, UPM-Malaysia (2014-2016) ‘Development of Mangrove Quality Index (MQI): benchmarking mangrove health for Peninsular Malaysia.’ (470,000 RM)
- Co-Researcher, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia. (2015-2017) “Assessment of tree species diversity and their chemical constituents across intertidal zones at different locations of mangrove ecosystem in Peninsular Malaysia ”. (RM 137,000)
- Co-Researcher, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) Project on Mangroves of Malaysia. 2016-2017) ” Determination of key factors causing lower mangrove productivity at Matang “ (RM 90,000)