Joshi CV

Dr. Vijay Joshi

Curriculum vitae

Address:

Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7609
Phone: 919.513.0509
Fax: 919.515.2505
Cell: 919.434.3386
Email: viju17@hotmail.com, vjjoshi@unity.ncsu.edu

Present position:

100% Research
Currently working as a Post Doctoral Fellow/ Visiting Scientist at Department of Horticultural Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC on a project to produce Transgenic Cucumber Plants for nematode resistance with Dr. Todd Wehner, Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences,
TobRB7 is a gene that is expressed in the developing vascular tissue of the root of tobacco plants (Yamamoto et al., 1991). The RB7 protein is a member of the aquaporin family that functions as a water channel regulator in plant cells. At North Carolina State University, Drs. Conkling and Opperman have isolated a nematode-inducible promoter Æ0.3-TobRB7 in tobacco (Opperman et al., 1994). The TobRB7 Æ0.3 promoter was chosen because it activates a gene only when there are nematode-induced giant cells. The system works in giant cells of transgenic Arabidopsis, tomato, and cotton roots, and of both roots and tubers of transgenic potato infected by Meloidogyne species. In addition, the Æ0.3 promoter is induced by all species and races of Meloidogyne (Opperman et al. 1994), including M. incognita, M. arenaria, M. javanica, and M. hapla (the major species parasitizing cucumbers). Since the technique is available at NC State and effective in different species, we have applied this technique for nematode resistance in cucumber. Transformation with antisense construct of the CucRB7 expressed under Nematode Responsive Element (Æ0.3 ) will enable us to produce transgenic cucumber plants that have non-functioning water channels. The system can be used to destroy water channel function only in the giant cells of the root that feed the invading nematodes.
The research work mainly includes:
- Isolation of the cucumber TobRB7 homologue (CucRB7)
- Development of systems for plant selection and regeneration in cucumber
- Characterization of a nematode-inducible promoter in cucumber
- Construction of genetic cassettes for transformation with sense and antisense CucRB7 under delta 0.3 promoter
- Development of systems for cucumber transformation using Agrobacterium (LBA 4404 and EHA 105) with dhfr screening.
- Transgenic Nematode Resistance in Tobacco
- Evaluation of transgenic cucumber plants for nematode resistance
Working simultaenously on 'Mapping of the root knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) resistance gene Mj in Cucumber using AFLP markers'. This work is progressing excellent at Forest Biotech Lab, Centennial Campus with Dr. David O'Malley. The objective of this research is to use molecular markers to tag and clone the mj gene in cucumber for natural resistance to Meloidogyne javanica nematodes.

Educational Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) 1999. Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding. M. P. K. V. Rahuri, India.
Thesis Title 'Genetics of disease resistance to downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola (Sacc.) Schroter), it's biochemical basis and transgressive segregation in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.).
Master of Science (M.Sc.) 1995. Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding. College of Agriculture, Pune, India.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Agriculture. 1993. College of Agriculture, Pune, India.

Research and Work Experience

Currently working as a Post Doctoral Fellow/ Visiting Scientist at Department of Horticultural Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC on a project to produce Transgenic Cucumber Plants for nematode resistance under Dr. Todd Wehner, Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences.
Working simultaenously on 'Mapping of the root knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) resistance gene Mj in Cucumber using AFLP markers'. This work is progressing excellent at Forest Biotech Lab, Centennial Campus with Dr. David O'Malley.
Worked as a Research Associate (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, New Delhi) at Plant Molecular Biology Unit, Division of Biochemical Sciences, National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune India under the project 'Development of Transgenics in cotton, rice, mung bean and tomato against biotic stresses' sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. With specific aspect of 'Identification and Characterization of Defense Proteinase Inhibitors Effective Against Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) Gut Proteinases' with Dr. Vidya Gupta and Dr. Ranjekar P. K., Division of Biochemical Sciences, NCL, Pune, India.
Worked as Research Assistant under the ICAR sponsored project 'Genetic studies in embryo rescued backcross progenies of hexaploied tomato-peruvianum somatic hybrids for crop improvement' with broad objectives like screening for virus resistance (Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus and Leaf Curl Virus) under in vivo and in vitro conditions, development of diploid plants from tetraploid somatic hybrid through anther culture, interspecific crosses through embryo rescue, genetic study of marker gene (pigmented anthercone) etc.
Worked as Research Associate under the project (Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Crop, Department of Agriculture, New Delhi), entitled Promotion of research and development efforts on hybrids in selected Rabi Sorghumí at M.P.K.V., Rahuri.

Professional skills:

Computing: FORTRAN, MS Word, Excel network management, MAPMAKER
Languages: English, Marathi, Hindi

Honors and awards:

State Government Open Merit Scholarship during four years of Graduate Program.
Late Dr. P. C. Patil award for standing first at the University in the subject Agricultural Economics by the hands of Minister of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra, India at B.Sc.
Senior Research Fellowship by ASPEE (A division of American Springs and Pressing Works) Agriculture Research and Education Foundation Bombay for Ph.D. research work (kindly returned).
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, New Delhi for Ph.D. Research works.
Selected for the award of Research Associate by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India, New Delhi at National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune.