Recognizing Plant Direct author Shivani Bhatia

Shivani Bhatia, first author of A cellular expression map of epidermal and subepidermal cell layer‐enriched transcription factor genes integrated with the regulatory network in Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem

Current Position:  Looking for a suitable position

Education:  Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology and Developmental Genetics from Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India

Non-scientific Interests:  Travelling, Dancing and Cooking

Brief Bio:  After finishing my Master’s degree, I joined Dr. Ram Yadav’s lab in 2012, as a Ph.D. student. I worked on understanding the role of Transcription Factors (TFs) that were enriched in the different layers of Shoot Apical Meristem (SAM) in Arabidopsis thaliana. To investigate the role of these TFs, firstly I generated promoter: reporter constructs and transformed them in Planta. The transgenic lines were then screened under fluorescent and confocal microscope to understand their expression patterns in the SAM. Secondly, I carried out a high throughput yeast-one-hybrid screen to unravel the Protein-DNA interactions happening in the SAM. I checked a total of 16,023 interactions and concluded a Gene Regulatory Network consisting of 165 interactions between TF promoters and their protein partners. The interactions concluded in yeast were then validated in Planta using qRT-PCR. A total of 6 activators and 13 repressors were identified by Real Time PCR. Lastly, I also characterized in detail the T-DNA lines of TFs of interest.

For my future ventures, I have great interest in Molecular Biology and Microscopy work. I feel really thrilled by the fact that tiny little details can be captured so beautifully using the microscope. I hope to become a microscopy expert someday.