CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing

Dr. Anjanabha Bhattacharya is a well experienced research scientist working with Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Private Limited (Mahyco). His areas of expertise include CRISPR/Cas genome editing, crop transformation, double haploids, tissue culture and crop improvement through mutagenesis. He obtained his PhD from University of Nottingham, England and undertook post doctoral training from University of Georgia, Tifton, USA. He has published over 38 research papers, reviews, book chapters and has two granted patents. He is currently a key investigator for BIRAC, Govt of India, funded genome editing project on rice. Dr. Bhattacharya is an elected member (Fellow) of the prestigious Plant Tissue Culture Association of India (PTCA-I), Est 1979. He has also reviewed several international grant applications. He has presented his work in several prestigious National and International conferences.Dr. Vilas Parkhi is a seasoned plant biotechnologist, who has exposure to various fields of plant biotechnology research on the platform of academic and industrial set up. He is an alumni of International Rice Research Institute, Philippines; Texas A & M University, TX, USA and Pune University, India.  He has published 18 research papers and a book chapter in the peered reviewed journals. During his 19 years of research career has explored diverse area of plant biotechnology from tissue culture, plant DNA fingerprinting, transgenic crop development for traits like drought, disease, insect tolerance and RNAi-mediated virus tolerance and Gene editing in various crops species. During his research career, he played diverse role of a bench worker to research manager and project coordinator at Indian and International organizations. As a project coordinator and key investigator he has obtained funding from govt agencies (BIRAC, Govt of India) for high risk research projects on rice and tomato. He has also reviewed research proposalsfor BIG Grant Research Scheme of BIRAC, Govt of India. In addition, he is member on Board of studied of Biochemistry at Gondavana University, Gadchirocli, Maharashtra. Currently, he is engaged in research area of genome editing of crops and transgenic trait development at Mahyco Pvt Ltd, Jalna India. Dr. Bharat Char is the Chief Science Officer (CSO) at Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Private Limited (Mahyco). He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California Medical School, Los Angeles, and undertook postdoctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley, in plant molecular genetics. He joined Mahyco in 1999 and his responsibilities include oversight of the biotechnology research programs at the company, which comprise groups focused on genomics, plant transformation, gene discovery, microbiology, virology, diagnostics and regulatory sciences. He has served as a member of the International Seed Federation Working Group on GM Vegetables.

• Introduction to genome editing techniques: Implication in modern agriculture.- Application of bioinformatics tools in CRISPR/Cas.- CRISPR and food security: Application in cereal crops.- Improvement of floriculture crops using CRISPR/Cas and genome editing techniques.- Engineering crop plant resistance against abiotic stresses: CRISPR/Cas application and challenges.- Vegetable crop improvement using CRISPR/Cas.- Use of CRISPR/Cas in climate smart/resilient agriculture.- Intellectual Property Landscape on CRISPR/Cas.