BHABATOSH MITTRA
Reader
M.Sc. -1983 (Sambalpur University);
Ph.D. - 1997 (Delhi University)
Microbiology & Immunology
Post-Doctoral experience: Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi
Teaching / Research experience:
8 years experiences in the CEMDE, School of Environmental Studies,
Delhi University.
Publications: 12 (International
11, National 1)
Research summary:
Plant immune system with a complex set of genes involved in recognition,
signal transduction and activation of defense responses. Plant
also possess a pathogen non-specific broad-spectrum resistance.
However, plant genetic and cellular mechanisms involved in host
response to plant pathogen are poorly understood. The present
research aimed at the elucidation of the molecular control of
wheat plant defense responses to Fusarium oxysporum, a plant pathogen,
their interaction with other defense and stress response pathways.
A protein of an apparent molecular mass of 51kDa was identified
and observed to be over-expresses in wheat which offered resistance
to Fusarium infection. The induction of this high molecular weight
Cadmium Stress Associated Protein (CSAP) and it's specific localization
by antibody probe in wheat tissue is new. The over-expression
of this 51kDa CSAP by a mild dose of cadmium pre-exposure to wheat
seeds subsequently offered resistance against Fusarium infection.
This mode of resistance developed by an abiotic stress causing
agent against pathogen infection is novel.
Elected life member: Biochemical Society (London), Association
of Microbiologists of India (AMI), Biotechnologcal Society of
India.
Selected papers
1. A. K. Parida, A. Mittra, A. B. Das, T. K. Das and P. Mohanty.
(2005) High salinity reduces the content of a highly abundant
23kda soluble protein of the mangrove B. Parviflora.-Planta221:
135-140.
2. B. Mittra., P. Ghosh., S. L. Henry., T. K. Das., J. Mishra.,
S. Ghosh., C. R. Babu and P. Mohanty. (2004) Novel mode of resistance
to Fusarium infection by a low dose-pre exposure of cadmium in
wheat- Plant Physiol. and Biochem. 42: 781 -787.
3. S. Sinharoy, B. Mittra, S, Sharma, T. K. Das and C. R. Babu.
(2002). Detection of root mucilage using an anti-fucose antibody.
Annals of Botany 89: 293-299.
4. A. K. Parida, A. B. Das, B. Mittra. (2004). Effects of salt
on growth, ion accumulation, photosynthesis and leaf anatomy of
the mangrove, Bruguiera parviflora. Trees, 18: 167-174.
5. A. K. Parida, A. B. Das, and B. Mittra. (2004) NaCl stress
induced alterations in protein profile and protease activity in
a non-secretor mangrove Bruguiera parviflora under hydroponic
culture conditions. Z. Naturforsch . 59c 408-414.
