Position: Junior Research Fellow
PI: Balakumaran Chandrasekar
Department: Bioscience and Bioengineering
Advertisement No.: IITJ/RD/R/SRP/S/ANRF/BKC/20260072/2026/157 Adv Date: 29-07-2026
Project Title: Deciphering the Glycobiology of a Susceptibility-Associated Beta-1,3/1,6 Glucan in Macrophomina phaseolina and Preventing Their Release via Genome Editing of an Apoplastic Glycosidase in Soybean to Enhance Resistance to Charcoal Rot
Consolidated Compensation: Rs.37000 (Upto)
Essential Qualifications/Experiance: First class Master's Degree in any branch of Life Sciences or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Technology or Medicine from a recognized University or equivalent with UGC-NET JRF/GATE qualification. The selection process through National level exams conducted through conducted by central government departments and their agencies and Institutions such as DBT, DST, DAE, DOS, DRDO, MoE, ICAR, ICMR, IIT, IISC, IISER, NISER, etc.,
Desirable Qualifications/Experiance: Experience with molecular biology techniques, fungal genetics, heterologous protein expression and purification and enzymatic assays is an advantage. The experience with molecular biology ( gene cloning, PCR analysis) together with fungal genetics such as knocking out /knocking down and overexpression of genes in fungal pathogens is an advantage. The experience with analytical techniques such GC MS/MS and mass spectrometry analysis. Protein biochemistry experience such as protein purification from heterologous systems, SDS-PAGE analysis and enzymatic assays is also an added advantage. Also, welcome applicants with experience in plant-pathogen interactions, overexpression studies in plants.
Job Specialization: Fungal Genetics, Protein Biochemistry, Plant Molecular Biology, Plant-pathogen interactions, Analytical techniques
Age Limit: 32 Tenure (in months):
Project Info: Beta-glucans are the abundant and structurally diverse polysaccharides that dominate the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix of plant fungal pathogens. Macrophomina phaseolina, a fungal pathogen that causes charcoal root rot (CR) or dry root disease in several crop plants, including soybean with a severe yield constraint. We have established a glycan analytical platform and have structurally characterized the EPS matrix produced by M. phaseolina.
This analysis revealed that the beta-1,3/ -1,6 glucans are abundant in the EPS matrix of M. phaseolina and acts as a susceptibility factor. The project aims to investigate the glycobiology of a susceptibility-associated beta-1,3/1,6 Glucan in the EPS matrix of Macrophomina phaseolina to improve resistance in soybean against this pathogen. The main objective is to functionally characterize the candidate biosynthetic genes involved in the synthesis of MP-Glucan in M. phaseolina and its degradation by plant glycosyl hydrolases. The project combines the expertise such as Fungal and Plant Genetics, Glycomics (Mass Spectrometry) and protein biochemistry. Job Info: The Junior Research Fellow (JRF) will investigate on the functional characterization on candidate biosynthetic glycosyl transferase gene that are involved in production of a novel beta-1,3/1,6 Glucan in Macrophomina phaseolina and its degradation by plant glycosyl hydrolases. The project will involve fungal genetics (knocking out/knocking down of candidate glycosyl transferase genes), overexpression analysis ( in planta), protein biochemistry (Affinity-based protein purification and enzymatic assays), fungal cell wall characterization (GC-MS/MS), expression analysis (RT-qPCR) and cell biology (confocal imaging).
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