Personal profile
Additional information
Are you excited by the potential of ancient grains like pearl millet, or intrigued by its modern relevance in health and nutrition? I’m always open to collaborative ideas, feel free to reach out if you're interested in working together on functional food traits, genetic diversity, or stress resilience in pearl millet.
Beyond that, I have a strong interest in plant abiotic stress biology, particularly the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive carbonyl species (RCS) homeostasis under extreme environmental conditions. Whether you’re working on similar mechanisms or just curious to exchange ideas, I’d be glad to connect and discuss potential collaborations or research directions.
Research interests
My research aims to unravel the molecular and physiological mechanisms that govern plant responses to abiotic stresses, particularly salinity, drought, and oxidative stress. During my PhD, I focused on the cloning and functional characterization of aquaporin-like genes from the extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata, highlighting their potential in engineering stress-resilient crops. I employ an integrative approach combining transcriptomics (RNA-seq, microarrays), metabolomics, advanced microscopy, and functional genomics including gene cloning, promoter analysis, and genome editing to dissect the regulatory networks underpinning stress adaptation. My recent research has revealed novel insights into the molecular regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive carbonyl species (RCS) homeostasis in edible halophytes (Salicornia and Sarcocornia) under UV-C-induced oxidative stress. Additionally, I have contributed to the functional analysis of key sulfur metabolism enzymes that play a role in drought stress resilience in Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato. Currently, at Aberystwyth University, I am investigating natural genetic variation in flavonoid biosynthesis in pearl millet germplasm to improve both functional food properties and terminal drought stress tolerance.
Profile
I am a plant molecular physiologist specializing in abiotic stress tolerance, plant-environment interactions, and halophyte biology. Currently, I am working at Aberystwyth University as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, where my research focuses on exploring natural genetic variation in flavonoid biosynthesis within pearl millet germplasm to enhance functional food attributes and improve tolerance to terminal drought stress. My research integrates gene function analysis, plant transformation, and omics-based approaches to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying stress resilience. By linking fundamental discoveries to applied outcomes, my work supports the development of climate-resilient crops for sustainable agriculture. Throughout my career, I have contributed to leading research programs in India and Israel and continue to maintain active collaborations in the UK and beyond.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 13 Climate Action
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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AAO2 impairment enhances aldehyde detoxification by AAO3 in Arabidopsis leaves exposed to UV-C or Rose-Bengal
Nurbekova, Z., Srivastava, S., Nja, Z. D., Khatri, K., Patel, J., Choudhary, B., Turečková, V., Strand, M., Zdunek-Zastocka, E., Omarov, R., Standing, D. & Sagi, M., 31 Oct 2024, In: Plant Journal. 120, 1, p. 272-288 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus)52 Downloads (Pure) -
Differential Physio-Biochemical and Metabolic Responses of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Multiple Abiotic Stress Conditions
Patel, J., Khandwal, D., Choudhary, B., Ardeshana, D., Jha, R. K., Tanna, B., Yadav, S., Mishra, A., Varshney, R. K. & Siddique, K. H. M., 08 Jan 2022, In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23, 2, 23 p., 660.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile67 Citations (Scopus)2 Downloads (Pure) -
Plant aquaporins alleviate drought tolerance in plants by modulating cellular biochemistry, root-architecture, and photosynthesis
Patel, J. & Mishra, A., 27 May 2021, In: Physiologia Plantarum. 172, 2, p. 1030-1044 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
76 Citations (Scopus) -
Introgression of a novel cold and drought regulatory-protein encoding CORA-like gene, SbCDR, induced osmotic tolerance in transgenic tobacco
Jha, R. K., Patel, J., Patel, M. K., Mishra, A. & Jha, B., 30 Jun 2021, In: Physiologia Plantarum. 172, 2, p. 1170-1188 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
25 Citations (Scopus) -
A type 2 metallothionein (SbMT-2) gene cloned from Salicornia brachiata confers enhanced Zn stress-tolerance in transgenic tobacco by transporting Zn2+ and maintaining photosynthesis efficacy
Patel, M. K., Pandey, S., Patel, J. & Mishra, A., 23 Aug 2021, In: Environmental and Experimental Botany. 191, 9 p., 104626.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
File19 Citations (Scopus)1 Downloads (Pure) -
Nutrient Composition, Physicobiochemical Analyses, Oxidative Stability and Antinutritional Assessment of Abundant Tropical Seaweeds from the Arabian Sea
Choudhary, B., Khandwal, D., Gupta, N. K., Patel, J. & Mishra, A., 13 Jun 2023, In: Plants. 12, 12, 27 p., 2302.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile41 Citations (Scopus)36 Downloads (Pure) -
Identification and Functional Analysis of cis-Regulatory Elements in Salicornia brachiata SbPIP2 Promoter Under Abiotic Stress
Patel, J., Khatri, K., Choudhary, B., Gupta, N. K. & Mishra, A., 30 Nov 2025, In: Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 44, 11, p. 6617-6629 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Pearl Millet: The Ancient Superfood for Modern Health
Patel, J. & Yadav, R., 2025, Afro-Asian Spectrum, p. 41-44 4 p.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
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Physicochemical, radical–scavenging, and anti-proliferative analyses of enzyme-assisted extracted polysaccharides unravel the potential of tropical green seaweeds
Choudhary, B., Patel, J. & Mishra, A., 01 Apr 2025, In: Algal Research. 87, 14 p., 103973.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
File7 Citations (SciVal) -
UV-C-induced reactive carbonyl species are better detoxified in the halophytic plants Salicornia brachiata and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum than in the halophytic Sarcocornia fruticosa plants
Patel, J., Khatri, K., Sisay, T. A., Nja, Z. D., Choudhary, B., Nurbekova, Z., Mishra, A., Sikron, N., Standing, D., Mudgal, A., Mudgal, V. & Sagi, M., 27 May 2025, In: Plant Journal. 122, 4, 14 p., e70239.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Citations (Scopus)2 Downloads (Pure) -
Modulation of physio-biochemical and photosynthesis parameters by overexpressing SbPIP2 gene improved abiotic stress tolerance of transgenic tobacco
Patel, J., Khatri, K., Khandwal, D., Gupta, N. K., Choudhary, B., Hapani, D., Koshiya, J., Syed, S. N., Phillips, D. W., Jones, H. D. & Mishra, A., 10 Jun 2024, In: Physiologia Plantarum. 176, 3, 21 p., e14384.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Citations (Scopus)34 Downloads (Pure)
Press/Media
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Drought resistant cereal research ‘vital’ as world population rises
20 Mar 2024
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media coverage
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CSIR - Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute Reports Findings in Chemicals and Chemistry (Modulation of physio-biochemical and photosynthesis parameters by overexpressing SbPIP2 gene improved abiotic stress tolerance of ...)
21 Jun 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Aberystwyth University: Drought Resistant Cereal Research 'Vital' as World Population Rises - New Research Fellow
21 Mar 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage