M Ganesan

Assistant Professor

B.Sc. (Botany), 1996 – 1999, MK University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

M.Sc. (Botany), 1999 – 2001, MK University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Ph.D. (Botany), 2002- 2008, Department of Plant Science, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India.

Title : In vitro culture, selection and Agrobacterium tumefaciens - mediated chitinase  gene (chi II) transfer studies in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) for improved fungal disease tolerance.

Post Doctoral Experience 1:  Plant Genetic Engineering, 2008 - 2011, Faculty of Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea.

Title : Development of transgenic turfgrasses by using Phytochrome genes.

Post Doctoral Experience 2 : JSPS Fellow, Plant Genetic Engineering, 2011 - 2013, Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.

Title : Characterization of cotton STOP1 system against acid soil conditions for molecular breeding.

I have completed both UG and PG Botany from Madurai Kamaraj University and I have done my PhD in Botany from Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirrappli, Tamil Nadu. I have developed fungal disease tolerant genetically modified cotton plants by transforming rice chitinase gene. After my graduation, I worked in Jeju National University, South Korea for 3 years and 6 months as post doctoral research scientist in the field of genetic engineering of turfgrass varieties by using phytochrome and bar genes. Later, I worked as a JSPS-Post Doctoral Fellow in Gifu University, Gifu, Japan in the field of Cotton Molecular Biology. During my career, I visited different countries related to academic and research programs. My experience to date covers various plant biology and plant molecular biological techniques, which will be useful to teach and train young students.

  Major Research

* Development of transgenic plants for enhanced resistance against different abiotic and biotic stress factors. 

* Development of transgenic grass plants with Phytochrome genes.

* Development of low lignin-grass plants for biofuel production

* Characterization of low pH and arsenic toxicity in azolla plants.

Administrative Experience

Coordinator, School of Biotechnology, 1-05-2019 to 4-11-2020.

1. Plant Molecular Biology: Gene cloning, Vector contruction for Overexpression and RNAi mediated downregulation, Plant genetic transformation methods,

2. Plant Biotechnology: Plant Cell and Tissue and Organ Culture, Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis.

3. Phytoremediation and Biomass engineering. 

Other Experience / awards / achievements

1.     Awarded visiting Professorship to visit Department of Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea for two months (19-08-2013 to 18-10-2013). 

2.     Received Young Scientist financial support to participate International workshop on "Risk Analysis: Role of Science in GMO Decision-making" (30th June – 4th July 2014) at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy.

3.     Visiting Professorship to visit Department of Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea for two months (June 2015 to August 2015)

4.     Visiting Professorship to visit Department of Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea for two months (June 2016 to August 2016)

5.     Visiting Professorship to visit Department of Biotechnology, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea for two months (June 2017 to August 2017).

6.     JSPS-BRIDGE fellwship to work at Department of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.

Presently, my research group is working to enhance the biomass production and phytoremediation properties.

Ph.D awarded

1.      Dr.ATREYEE KUNDU 

Title : Development of transgenic Cotton Plants for improved acid soil tolerance.

Duration : May’ 2015 to June 2019.

2.      Dr. SUBHARTHI DAS

Title : Acid soil tolerance studies in Mungbean.

Duration : May 2015 to October 2023

Registered PhD students.

1.  Ms. Karishma Agarwal,

Title : AMT1 transgenic rice plants.

Duration : April 2018 to March 2023.

2. Mr. Satyaki Biswas,

Title : Arsenic toxicity studies in Azolla plants

Duration : Dec 2019 to Nov 2023

3. Mr. Palden Tamang

Title : Transgenic Kans development.

Duration : Dec 2022 to Nov 2025

4. Ms. Anuradha Mahato

Title : Transgenic Al tolerant rice plants

Duration : April 2023 to March 2026.

5. Ms. Tamanna Bachhawat

Title : Transgenic peanut plants

Duration : Jan 2024 to Dec 2027.

M.Sc. Dissertation Students

Past Students

44. Manali Bhattacharya

43. Dipshika Saha

42.  Ms. Tamanna Sumaiya (2024),

41.  Ms. Trisha Baidya (2024),

40.  SK MD Abu Raihan (2023),

39.  Ms.Rianita Mondal (2023)

38.  Ms.Tamanna Bachhawat (2022)

37.  Ms. Dichen Lama (2021)

36.  Ms. Roshmi Ghosh (2021)

35.  Ms. Diksha Trivedi (2021)

34.  Ms. Pragnya Biswas (2021)

33.  Ms. Ritu Chatterjee (2020)

32.  Ms. Ishita Sarkar (2020)

31.  Mr. Palden Tamang (2020)

30.  Mr. Anupam Roy (2019)

29.  Mr. Tsheten Sherpa (2019)

28.  Ms. Russa Das (2018)

27.  Ms. Riddhi Pal (2018)

26. Ms. Anamika Roy (2017)

25.   Mr. Souraji Bayen (2017)

24.   Ms. Riya Maitra (2017)

23.   Ms. Sheta Haldar (2017)

22.   Ms. Soma Bose (2017)

21.   Ms. Brodothi Das (2017)

20.  Ms. Madhurima Chatterjee (2016)

19.   Mr. Sankalan Dey (2016)

18.   Ms. Trishna Saha (2016)

17.   Ms. Saranya Tripathi (2016)

16.   Ms. Tanima Mondal (2016)

15.   Mr. Raktim Battacharya (2016)

14.   Mr. Arindham Bhattacharya (2015)

13.  Prerana Maheswari

12.  Ms.Sraboni Saha

11.   Mr. Anupriya Biswas (2015)

10.   Ms.Shubaji Roy (2015)

9.   Mr. Sourav Basu (2014)

8.   Ms. Keya Ganguly (2014)

7.   Ms. Shilpi Sinha (2014)

6.   Ms. Annesa Kar Chowdury (2014)

5.   Ms. Sreetama Bose (2013)

4.   Mr, Subharthi Das (2013)

3.   Ms. Shreya Basu (2013)

2.   Ms. Aparajitha Barai (2013)

1.   Ms. Ria Bari (2013)

Academic Memberships

a. International Society for Root Research

b. Swamy Botanical Club, India (Life Member)

c. Indian Science Congress Association, India (Life Member)

d. The Asian Federation of Biotechnology

e. Asian Phytopathological Society

30. Agarwal K, M Ganesan (2024) Azolla pinnata redefines its importance in rice fields as it alleviates aluminum toxicity and low pH stress. J App Biol Biotech. 2024. Online First. http://doi.org/10.7324/JABB.2024.200238

29. Biswas S and M. Ganesan (2024) Evaluation of arsenic phytoremediation potential in Azolla filiculoides Lam. plants under low pH stress conditions, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 214, 2024 :108956. DOI : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2024.108956.

28. Chaffai R, Ganesan M and Cherif A (2024) Plant responses to abiotic stress and the role of transcription factors, regulatory RNAs, and signaling pathways. The underlying mechanisms that regulate long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Springer, Singapore, 1 - 514. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3 (Book).

a. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Abiotic Stress in Plants: Challenges and Strategies for Enhancing Plant Growth and Development. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. pp 1–30 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_1

b. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Plant Response and Tolerance to Environmental Stresses. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. pp 31–47 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_2

c. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Regulatory Mechanisms in Plant Response to Cold Stress. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_3. pp 49–59

d. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Global Drought Threat: Impact on Food Security. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_4 pp 61–82

e. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Mechanisms of Plant Response to Heat Stress: Recent Insights. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_5  pp 83–105

f. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Homeostasis and Resistance in Plants. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_6  pp 107–135

g. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Plant Adaptations and Molecular Responses to Salt Stress. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_7  pp 137–176

h. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Biotechnological Advances in Crop Improvement for Abiotic Stress Tolerance. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_8  pp 177–193

i. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Nanoparticles for Sustainable Agriculture and Abiotic Stress Resistance. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_9  pp 195–208

j. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Signaling Pathways in Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_10  pp 209–247

k. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Plant Hormones and Their Regulatory Roles in Abiotic Stress Response. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_11  pp 249–274

l. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Gene Expression Regulation in Plant Abiotic Stress Response. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_12 pp 275–302

m. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Transcriptional Regulation of Gene Expression in Plant Abiotic Stress Response. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_13  pp 303–343

n. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Cellular Response and Molecular Functions in Plants Under Abiotic Stress. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_14  pp 345–399

o. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Exploring Plant Transcription Factor Databases and Regulatory Networks. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_15  pp 401–416

p. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Noncoding RNA Regulation in Plant Responses to Abiotic Stress. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_16 pp 417–455

q. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi (PGPF) for Alleviating Abiotic Stress in Plants. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_17 pp 457–496

r. Chaffai, R., Ganesan, M., Cherif, A. (2024). Plant–Microbe Interactions for Enhanced Plant Growth and Stress Resilience. In: Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress: From Signaling Pathways and Microbiomes to Molecular Mechanisms. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-0672-3_18  pp 497–514

27. Biswas, S., Ganesan, M. Current perspectives of ACR3 (arsenite efflux system) toward the reduction of arsenic accumulation in plants. J. Crop Sci. Biotechnol., (27) 313–329 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12892-023-00231-2. IF : 1.8

26. Kundu A and Ganesan M (2023) Low pH stress activates several genes for lateral root formation and detoxification of Aluminum ions in cotton plants, Plant Stress, 100188, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stress.2023.100188. IF : 6.8

25. Das, S. and Ganesan, M (2022) Aluminum induced malate transporter (ALMT1) is regulating the Aluminum stress tolerance responses of mungbean seedlings. Plant Gene, 32,100388. IF : 2.2

24. Misra S and Ganesan M (2021) The impact of inducible promoters in transgenic plant production and crop improvement. Plant Gene, 27, 100300. IF:2.2

23. Kundu A, Ganesan M (2020) GhMATE1 expression regulates Aluminum tolerance of cotton and overexpression of GhMATE1 enhances acid soil tolerance of Arabidopsis.Current Plant Biology, 24:100160.  IF:5.4

22. Kundu A, Das S, Basu S, Kobayashi Y, Kobayashi Y, Hiroyuki K, Ganesan M (2019) GhSTOP1, a C2H2 type zinc finger transcription factor is essential for Aluminum and proton stress tolerance and lateral root initiation in cotton. Plant Biology, 21 (1), 35-44. IF: 4.2

21. Ganesan M, Lee HY, Kim JI, Song PS (2017) Development of transgenic crops based on photo-biotechnology, Plant, Cell and Environment, 40, 2469–2486. IF:6.0

20. Gururani MA, Ganesan M, Song IJ, Han Y, Kim JI, Lee HY, Song PS, (2016)  Transgenic Turfgrasses Expressing Hyperactive Ser599Ala Phytochrome A Mutant Exhibit Abiotic Stress Tolerance. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 35:11-21, IF:3.9

19. Gururani MA, Ganesan M, and Song PS (2015) Photo-biotechnology as a tool to improve agronomic traits in crops. Biotechnology Advances, 33: 53-63, IF:17

18. Gururani MA, Venkatesh J, Ganesan M, Strasser RJ, Song IJ, Han Y, Kim JI, Lee HY, Song PS,  In vivo assessment of cold tolerance through chlorophyll-a fluorescence in transgenic zoysiagrass plants expressing mutant phytochrome A (2015) Plos One, 10(5): e0127200, IF :2.9

17. Kobayashi Y, Ohyama Y, Kobayashi Y, Ito H, Iuchi S, Fujita M, Zhao CR, Tanveer T, Ganesan M, Kobayashi M, and Koyama H (2014) STOP2 activates transcription of several genes for Al- and low pH-tolerance that are regulated by STOP1 in Arabidopsis, Molecular Plant, 7(2): 311-322. IF:17.5

16. In-Ja Song, Tae-Woong Bae, Ganesan M, Jeong-Il Kim, Hyo-Yeon Lee and Pill-Soon Song (2013) Transgenic Herbicide-Resistant Turfgrasses In: Herbicides; Editors A Price and J Kelton, Intech Publications, USA, pp 377 – 396.

15. Ganesan M, Han YJ, Bae TW, Hwang OJ, Chandrasekkhar T, Shin AY, Goh CH, Nishiguchi S, Song IJ, Lee HY, Kim JI, and Pill-Soon Song (2012) Overexpression of phytochrome A and its hyperactive mutant improves shade tolerance and turf quality in creeping bentgrass and zoysiagrass. Planta, 236:1135–1151. IF:3.6

14. Zhang JY, Bae TW, Boo KH, Sun HJ, Song IJ, Pham CH, Ganesan M, Yang DH, Kang HG, Ko SM, Riu KZ, Lim PO, and HY Lee (2011) Ginsenoside production and morphological characterization of wild ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyar) mutant lines induced by g-irradiation (60Co) of adventitious roots.  J. Ginseng Research, 35 (3): 283- 293. IF:7.2

13. Song IJ, Ganesan M, Kang EJ, Sun HJ, Bae TW, Lim PO, Song PS, and Lee HY (2010) A simple and reproducible regeneration protocol for Zoysia japonica based on callus cultures. Horticulture, Environment and Biotechnology, 51(3):222-225. IF: 2.5

12.  Ganesan M, Bhanumathi P, Ganesh Kumari K, Lakshmi Prabha A, Pill-Soon Song and Jayabalan N (2009) Transgenic Indian Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Harboring Rice Chitinase Gene (Chi II) Confers Resistance to Two Fungal Pathogens. American J. Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 5 (2): 63-74. IF:1.03

11.  Kumari KG, Ganesan M and N. Jayabalan (2008) Somatic organogenesis and plant regeneration in Ricinus communis. Biologia Plantarum, 52 (1) : 17-25. IF:0.8

10.  Ganesan M, Chandrasekar R, Ranjitha Kumari BD and Jayabalan N (2007) Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) through suspension culture. Biologia Plantarum, 51 (3) : 414-420. IF:0.8

9. Jayabalan N, Ganesan M (2007) Transformation of Indian cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) by using rice chitinase gene (Chi II) for enhanced resistance to fungal pathogens. Proc. Of the International Conference on Integration of Science & Technology for Sustainable Development, Bangkok, Thailand. 1 : 163 -172.

8.  Ganesan M and Jayabalan N (2006) Isolation of disease tolerant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. SVPR 2) plants by screening somatic embryos with fungal culture filtrate. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 87 : 273 - 284. IF:3

7.  Ganesan, M. and N. Jayabalan (2006). Influence of cytokinins, auxins and polyamines on in vitro mass multiplication of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. SVPR2). Indian J. Experimental Biology, 44 : 506-513. IF:0.7

6.  Ganesan M and Jayabalan N (2005). In vitro plant regeneration from the callus of shoot tips in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. SVPR 2). Iranian J. Biotechnology, 3 (3) : 144 - 151. IF:1.5

5.  Ganesan M and Jayabalan N (2005). Carbon source dependent somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in cotton cv SVPR2. Indian J. Experimental Biology, 43 : 921 – 925. IF:0.7

4.  Bhanumathi P, Ganesan M and Jayabalan N (2005). A simple and improved protocol for direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). J. Agricultural Technology, 1: 327 – 344.

3.  Ganesan M, Bhanumathi P and Jayabalan N (2005). Mutagenic effect of sodium azide on somatic embryo regeneration and root growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. SVPR2). J. Agricultural Technology, 1 : 365 – 380.

2.  Ganesan M and Jayabalan N (2004). Haemoglobin enhances somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration. Agricell Report, 43 (5) : 36.

1.  Ganesan M and Jayabalan N (2004). Evaluation of Haemoglobin for improved somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv SVPR 2).  Plant Cell Reports, 23 : 181 – 187. IF :5.3