Poorwa Kamal Badola: Plant Physiology First Author

Poorwa Kamal Badola, co-first author of “MicroRNA858a, its encoded peptide, and phytosulfokine regulate Arabidopsis growth and development”

Current Position: Senior Research Fellow (SRF)

Education: Ph.D. in Science (2021): CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India

Non-scientific interests: Travelling, reading books

Brief bio:  I have completed my Ph.D. from CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India, a renowned plant research institute. I was always curious and had a lot of interest in exploring the role of small molecules in regulating plant physiology and their optimal growth. My Ph.D. work aimed to identify the downstream potential molecular components involved in miR858-dependent plant growth and development. The identified molecule, PSK4 (a pentapeptide), has been functionally characterized through several approaches such as over-expression, genome-editing using the CRISPR/Cas9 and exogenous peptide assays. My study provided a better understanding and the molecular and biological significance of the identified molecule in regulating miRNA-dependent growth and the expression of the identified molecule to balance the expression of genes finely. I have recently defended my Ph.D. viva and am currently looking for a post-doctoral position.