Name: Narendra Tuteja

My Area of Interest: Functional Genomics, Abiotic Stress Tolerance

My Favourite Quote:

I am a:Senior Scientist at International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi

Short Profile:
Narendra Tuteja, Ph.D., D.Sc., FNA, FNASc.
Senior Scientist, ICGEB, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi - 110067
EDUCATION:

1975 B.Sc., (Chemistry, Botany & Zoology), University of Lucknow, India
1977 M.Sc. (Biochemistry), University of Lucknow, India
1982 Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, India
(Thesis title: “Biochemical & immunochemical alterations in Leucocytic malignancies)
2008 D.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, India
(Thesis title: DNA helicases: the long unwinding road)

EMPLOYMENTS:

1995-Present: Senior Scientist at ICGEB, New Delhi (isolated the first plant DNA helicase &
discovered novel role of helicases and G-proteins in abiotic stress tolerance in plant).
1988 to 1995: Asso. Scientist at ICGEB, Italy (isolated the first human DNA helicase)
1986 to 1988: PDF at UCLA, Los Angeles (cloned cGMP-PDE from retina of eyes).
1983 to 1986: Visiting Scientist at NIH, Maryland, USA (cloned cytochrome P450)

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION:

Dr. Tuteja’s Group is working on cloning, characterization and modulation of expression of stress-induced genes of follwing pathways: 1. Calcium signaling, 2. G-protein signaling, 3. Protein translation initiation and 4. DNA/RNA metabolism. Dr. Tuteja has made major contributions in isolating novel DNA/RNA helicases and several components of calcium and G-proteins signaling pathways. He has presented the first direct evidence for a novel role of a pea DNA helicase in salinity stress tolerance and pea heterotrimeri c G-proteins in salinity and heat stress tolerance. Dr. Tuteja has reported the first direct evidence in plant that PLC functions as an effector for Gá subunit of G-proteins. He has also discovered novel substrate (pea CBL) for pea CIPK. He has developed the salinity tolerant tobacco & rice plants without affecting yield. Overall, Dr. Tuteja’s research uncovers two new pathways to plant abiotic stress tolerance. His results are an important success and indicate the potential for improving crop production at sub-optimal conditions.

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS/ACHEIVEMENTS/AWARDS:

2003: FNASc. (Elected Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad).
2007: FNA (Elected Fellow of Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi).
2007: Editorial Advisory Board: Arch. Biochem. Biophys (ABB).
2007: Editorial Advisory Board: Plant Physiol. Biochem. (PPB).
2008: Editorial Advisory Board: The Open Plant Science Journal.
2000: Advisory Board: Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board, New Delhi.
2007: Expert Member of SAC: Institute of Life Science, Bhubneswar.
2008: Expert Member of SAC: Rajiv Gandhi Biotechnology Centre, Nagpur.
Total Publications: 117; Patents: 3; Thesis Supervised: 10
Dr. TUTEJA BECAME THE FIRST INDIAN SCIENTIST FROM INDIA TO HAVE PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING PAPERS:
i. The first paper in Nature Genetics 13, 11-12, 1996. (Cover Image Article)
ii. The first paper in Track II system of PNAS, USA 102, 509-514, 2005.
iii. Publish four research papers in Plant J [out of a total of only 8 papers published from India].

Question and Answers :

What are your future goals? Where do you see your research going?:
To develop stress tolerant crop plants.
Our research has been successful in model plant.

Technologies seem to changing faster than ever, how do you adapt to that? What are the current technologies you are using?:
According to need, scientists have to adopt the changing technologies. We can also modify the existing technologies for our better point of view.
Currently we are using almost all the technologies related to cloning of the genes; expression, purification and characterization of the gene encoded protein; immunolocalyzation through confocal microscopy; functional validation of the gene through transgenic approaches; developmemt of stress tolerant plants; translational research etc.

In the broader picture, where do you see the application for your cutting-edge research?:
Development of stress tolerant crops will have their biotechnological applications.Through this approach the crop production will increase even in the stress conditions.

Fast forward to 2020. What’s your vision of Genomics in 2020?:
Function(s) of almost all the genes will be clear.