Shashank Sagar Saini

My vision is to develop a research laboratory as a global hub for understanding plant metabolic adaptation to environmental stresses, with translational outputs that contribute to climate-resilient agriculturally important crops. We will expand our research on heavy metal-resistant plant species and halophytic plants, including Salicornia to map hub genes and transcription factors involved in ROS detoxification pathways using integrated metabolomics and CRISPR-Cas mediated gene editing technologies. Building upon my established expertise in specialized metabolism, their complex biosynthetic networks and their regulatory mechanisms, we will generate comprehensive transcriptomics and metabolomics datasets. These datasets will enable us to identify novel genes responsible for the biosynthesis of important specialized metabolites, these obtained datasets will be made publicly available to advance open science development. Candidate genes with specific molecular functions will be systematically identified, and elucidated biosynthetic pathways will serve as the foundation for experimental validation using synthetic biology approaches. The culmination of these diverse methodological approaches will result in biotechnological applications, including the development of SMART cell-based tissue culture techniques for the sustainable production of pharmacologically and agriculturally important metabolites. A central component of our vision involves bridging the gap between omics data generation and applied agricultural technology solutions through initiating comprehensive interdisciplinary training programs. By combining expertise in heterologous expression systems (yeast and E. coli) with advanced bioinformatics skills (RNA-seq analysis and LC/GC-MS data interpretation), ensuring that students and researchers are equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Furthermore, our lab outcome will generate high-impact studies on hub genes/metabolites in ROS scavenging which will be published (Q1 journals, e.g., Plant Cell, Nature Plants).