Dr. B. Usha

PDF: University of Bielefeld, Germany; University of Kentucky, USA

Associate Professor
Area: Genetic Engineering and Gene Expression
Affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Kattankulathur Campus, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Campus
Email: ushab@srmist.edu.in

Courses

• Developmental Genetics
• Plant physiology
• Plant systematics
• Reproductive Genetics
• Plant Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering
• Molecular Biology
• Molecular Techniques
• Recombinant DNA Technology
• Research Methodology
• Genetic Counselling
• Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory
• Molecular Biology Laboratory
• Molecular Techniques Laboratory
• Recombinant DNA Technology Laboratory
• Cytogenetics Laboratory.

Guideship:

• Ph.D. Students:3 (completed), 2 (Ongoing)
• M. Tech Students: 10
• B. Tech Students: 21

Research Interests

• Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Plant Molecular Biology

Selected Publications

• K. Rekha, R. Mohan, and B. Usha*. Effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis RR4 on the root exudation of organic acids in rice plants. (2020). Journal of crop improvement, 34 (4), 571-586.
• Abiramavalli M and Usha B*. Characterization of Sucrose transporter gene family in Nicotiana tabacum (2020). Journal of Environmental Biology, 41, 803-811.
• Janani Dakshina Moorthy, Pritesh R Jain, Thilagavathi Ramamoorthy, Rajapriya Ayyappan and B. Usha*. Association of GWAS identified INSR variants (rs2059807 & rs1799817) with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Indian Women. (2020). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 144, 663-670.
• Janani Dakshina Moorthy, Gopalakrishnan Poornima and B. Usha*. In silico characterization of structural and functional impact of the deleterious SNPs on FSHR gene. (2019). Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 56, 492-499
• K. Rekha, R. Mohan, Ramesh Thangam and B. Usha*. Impact of Pseudomonas putida RRF3 on the root transcriptome of rice plants: Insights into defense response, secondary metabolism and root exudation. (2019). Journal of Biosciences, August, 44, 1-13.
• P. Vintoh, K. Subramani, R.K. Natarajan, S.V. Subaiya, S. Mahesh, B. Usha and I. Sellamuthu. Screening of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum. (2019). Journal of Environmental Biology, March, 40, 235-239.
• Nisha S Keeran, Usha Balasundaram, Ganesan Govindan and Ajay Parida. Book Chapter 18, Transgenic plant technology for remediation of toxic metal and metalloids, Edited by M. N. V. Prasad, Elsevier, 2019
• K. Rekha, R. Mohan, K Ilango, Rex Arunraj, B. Usha*. Transcriptome profiling of rice roots in early response to Bacillus subtilis (RR4) colonization. (2018). Botany, 96, 749–765.
• R. Vidya Bharathi, S. Swetha, S. Neerajaa, M. J. Varsha Madhavica, Janani Dakshina Moorthy, S.N. Rekha, Ramya Sundaram, B. Usha* An Epidemiological survey: Effect of Predisposing Factors for PCOS in Indian Urban and Rural Population. (2017). Middle East Fertility Society Journal, 22; 313–316
• K. Rekha, B. Baskar, S. Srinath and B. Usha*. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria Bacillus subtilis RR4 isolated from rice rhizosphere induces malic acid biosynthesis in rice roots. (2017). Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 64, 20-27
• J. P. Chitra, P. Rameshthangam and B. Usha. Green synthesized nickel nanoparticles for targeted detection and killing of S. typhimurium. (2017). Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, 21; 58-69.
• Srinath S, Swati P, Ramu Shanmugam, Sarada D, Baskar B* and Usha B*. Enantioselective reduction of aryl and hetero aryl methyl ketones using plant cell suspension cultures of Vigna radiata. (2017), Biocatalysis and Biotransformation, 35 (3), 223-229
• T. Durgesh, K. Rekha, J. Megala and B. Usha B*. Antioxidant and anticancer properties of Catharanthus pusillus. (2015) International journal of advanced chemical sciences and applications, 3, 48-50.
• B. Usha*, Devivasha B and Ajay Parida. Diverse expression of sucrose transporter genes in Zea mays. (2015). Journal of Genetics, 94(1):151-154.
• B. Usha, Nisha. S. Keeran, K. Kavitha, M. Harikrishnan and Ajay Parida. Molecular analysis of a cDNA encoding type III metallothionein and its possible role in heavy metal accumulation in the mangrove associate, Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka. (2011). Biologia Plantarum, 55, 119-124.
• Kavitha K, B. Usha, Gayatri Venkataraman, Suja George, and Ajay Parida. Molecular and functional characterization of a chloroplastic MDAR gene from Avicennia marina. (2010). International Journal of Plant Science, 171, 457-465.
• B. Usha, Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay Parida. Heavy metal and abiotic stress inducible metallothionein isoforms from Prosopis juliflora (SW) D.C. show differences in binding to heavy metals in vitro. (2009). Molecular Genetics and Genomics, 281, 99-108.
• Suja George, B. Usha and Ajay Parida. Isolation and characterization of an atypical LEA protein coding cDNA and its promoter from drought-tolerant plant Prosopis juliflora.(2009). Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 157, 244-253.
• B. Usha, S. R. Prashanth and Ajay Parida. Differential expression of two metallothionein encoding genes during heavy metal stress in the mangrove species Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. (2007). Current Science, 93, 1215-1218.

Papers/posters Presented

• Oral presentation, International conference on Women’s reproductive health: A step towards improving quality of life. ICMR, National Institue for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India.( 20-23 Feburary 2020)
• Usha B* and Janani Dakshina Moorthy. An Epidemiological survey: Effect of Predisposing Factors for PCOS in Indian Urban and Rural Population, International conference “PCOS-Unravelling the Enigma” Jointly organized by the PCOS Society (India) and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (International), Bangalore, India, June 2017
• Durgesh T, Rekha K and Usha B*. Medicinal properties of Catharanthus pusillus and Catharanthus roseus: A comparison. Indian Genetics Congress, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM University, India, 2015.
• Durgesh T, Rekha K and Usha B*. Antioxidant and anticancer properties of Catharanthus pusillus. Indian Youth Science Congress, Guntur, AndhraPradesh, India, 2015.
• Usha. B*, Gayatri Venkataraman and Ajay Parida. A nucleo-cytoplasm co-localized type 2 metallothionein from Prosopis juliflora confers heavy metal tolerance to transgenic tobacco, American Society of Plant Biologists, Plant Biology 2008, Merida, MEXICO. June 26 - July 1, 2008.
• Usha. B*, Gayatri Venkataraman, Rajalakshmi and Ajay Parida. Characterization of type 2 metallothionein from Prosopis juliflora and overexpression in tobacco plants. International conference, "Agriculture biotechnology for the global public good", Chennai, INDIA, October, 2006.

Journal Reviewer- Springer

• Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Springer (IF 0.77)
• Molecular Biology Reports, Springer (IF 1.889)
• Plant Cell Reports, Springer (IF 2.989)
• Plant Growth Regulation, Springer (IF 2.081)

Work in Progress

• Genotyping for polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Phytochemical characterization of Caesalpinina bonducella
• Characterization of sucrose transporter genes from Nicotiana tabacum

Academic Experiences

• Assistant Professor, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, India (June 2011 - February 2018).
• Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA (January 2010-December 2010)
• Post Doctoral Research Associate, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany (August 2009 to December 2009)

Funded Projects

• Principal Investigator, “Microarray analysis of the plant growth promoting bacteria induced gene expression in rice roots”. SERB, DST, Govt. of India (2013-2016) (17.7 Lakhs)
• Co-Investigator, “Complete genome sequencing and transcripts analysis of major edible oil seed crops from India”. Rapid Grant for Young Investigators, DBT, Govt. of India (2013-2016) (35.5 Lakhs).
• Mentor, “Using Whole Exome sequencing (WES) to screen and identify genetic variants associated with PCOS in Indian population”. Women Scientist Scheme, WOS-A, DST, Govt of India, (2018-2020) ( 19.1 Lakhs).
• Principal Investigator, “ Whole Exome Sequencing of five members of a second family to screen genetic variants associated with PCOS, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (2.5 Lakhs)

Community Services

• Founder, PCOS Foundation, India. www.pcosfoundation.in Email: pcosfoundation.in@gmail.com
• Community services: Awareness Program on “Genes that play us” conducted at SRM Institute of Science and Technology. (August 18, 2015)
• Survey conducted to study the prevalence of PCOS among young women in TamilNadu under different population (Urban and Rural) (May 2015- February 2016)
• Awareness on “Polycystic ovarian syndrome” conducted at Sridevi arts and science college, Ponneri, (February 1, 2016), St. Joseph’s College (10.8.2017), Anna Adarsh College for Women, Valliammal college for women, SBOA Matriculation school, Serra International Play School (March 8, 2018 on Women’s Day)
• PCOS Camp, Ohm Fertility Clinic, Perambur (30.9.2018)
• Awareness on “Polycystic ovarian syndrome” conducted at Sridevi Arts and Science College, Ponneri (17.9.2019).
• PCOS Management Program for PCOS patients by Yoga & personalized Diet (July –October, 2020)

Workshops /Seminars/Conferences

• Hands on training workshop in “Advanced Molecular Biological Techniques Including Microarray and Real Time PCR in Oncology, Cancer Institute, Chennai, India (April 5- 15, 2006).
• Molecular Phylogeny workshop, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM University, India (July 18&19, 2014)
• 3rd International plant phenotyping symposium, Organized by MSSRF, Chennai, India (17-19 February 2014).
• Indian Genetics Congress, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM University, India (March 4-6, 2015)
• International conference on Science, Technology and public policy for achieving zero hunger challenge. Organized by MSSRF, Chennai, India (7-9 August, 2015).
• Indian science congress association Chennai chapter in association with SRM University is organizing "Regional Conference on Science and Technology for National Development”, SRM University, Chennai (9-11 December 2016).
• Survey conducted to study the prevalence of PCOS among young women in TamilNadu under different population (Urban and Rural) (May 2015- February 2016)
• Awareness workshop conducted at Sridevi arts and science college, Ponneri, Tamil Nadu, on “Polycystic ovarian syndrome” ( February 1, 2016).
• Workshop co-organized by NASI, BCIL and Biotech Park on "Creation and Nurturing Women Tech-Entrepreneurs”, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India (27-28th Feb, 2017).
• International conference “PCOS-Unravelling the Enigma” Jointly organized by the PCOS Society (India) and Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (International), Bangalore, India (17&18th June, 2017)
• Indian Plant Science Congress, Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM IST, Chennai, India (Jan 23-25, 2019)
• One day workshop, High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography, ISISM, SRMIST, Chennai, India (Jan 22, 2019)
• Oral presentation, International conference on Women’s reproductive health: A step towards improving quality of life. ICMR, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, India.( 20-23 February 2020)

Achievements and Awards

• Junior and Senior Research Fellowships from Dept of Biotechnology, India, 2005 to 2008.
• Overseas (Mexico, 2008) Travel Award from Indian Organizations
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Delhi
  • Sir Dorabji Tata trust, Mumbai
  • Centre for Cooperation in Science & Technology among Developing Societies, Chennai
• VSRP (Visiting Student's Research Program) Fellowship, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai. (May-July, 2003)

Memberships

• PCOS Society, India (Life member)
• Indian Science Congress (Life member)
• Indian Society for Human Genetics (Life member)