I am a postdoctoral researcher in molecular biology and biotechnology from India, hailing from the sultry city of Mumbai, also known as the "city that never sleeps".
I work with Dr Navot Galpaz, from the Northern R&D division of MIGAL, which deals with pressing agricultural issues. In collaboration with Dr. Martin Goldway's laboratory in MIGAL, we are investigating solutions to a critical problem that affects one of the world's favourite fruits - the humble banana. The rapid spread of a highly pathogenic "killer" fungus Fusarium oxysporum Tropical Race 4, has threatened worldwide banana production, as there currently exist no sustainable remedies to this disease. Grand naine, the popular cultivated banana we eat, is genetically sterile and so cannot be used in breeding programs to raise resistant offspring. Thus the only viable solution is genetic engineering of the plant to introduce resistance.
This is where we step in to address this humongous challenge using a combination of bioinformatics, RNA-sequencing, molecular biology and genetic transformation to coax this fascinating plant into revealing its secret interactions with the pathogen.
I completed my Ph.D. in biotechnology from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai, India, where I explored the function of microRNAs in iron and copper homeostasis of the banana plant. This was under the aegis of the Indo-Australian biofortification project and funded by DBT, Govt. of India.
Apart from wrestling with banana tissue culture, I decompress by painting, singing and enjoying the myriad opportunities for travel that Israel offers!
I have been working on the banana right from my Ph.D. days and I must say, it is one very stubborn plant. There are several edible (seedless) cultivars of this fruit. Imagine being a genetic dead-end and managing to survive so long!
Hence, when I heard of the TR4-banana project from a former colleague, I was excited to explore more about this plant and applied to be a part of this project, for which I would carry out my research work at MIGAL. I joined MIGAL - Northern R&D in 2021 and have been sucked into this roller-coaster research ride ever since, together with my ever patient, wonderful mentor and my great postdoc colleagues.
The fact that MIGAL is situated in the almost paradise-like environs of the Upper Galilee is an added bonus!
This institute is a great integrator of people- I have been exposed to great science in an informal and welcoming environment, which makes it a pleasure to work here. I have had freedom to reach out to other researchers for guidance in learning new techniques and thus discovered new ways to approach my research problem. Also, there is much encouragement received from senior researchers. I have grown both personally and professionally in this place.