Completed Projects (as PI):

To understand the mystery of agarwood formation, its aroma components and the host pathogen interaction relationship inolved in agawood formation using OMICS approach

To explore citrus resources of Northeast India using molecular tools

To understand the effect of dietary antioxidants on ROS generated during Type 2 diabetics

To study the change in fluorescent properties of different synthesized molecules under in vitro conditions

Peer reviewed journal publications

1. Effect of Anthropogenic Activities on Patterns of Genetic Diversity in Symplocos racemosa Roxb. From Western Ghats, India. S. Banu, R. M. Bhagwat, M. D. Lagu, N. Y. Kadoo, B. G. Kulkarni and V. S. Gupta. International Journal of Biodiversity (2014), Article ID 296891, 10 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014.
2. .A review on the widespread therapeutic application of the tradiotional Herb Drymaria cordata. K Kashyap, P. Sarkar, M.C. Kalita, S. Banu. International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences (2014) 5(1): 696 – 705.
3. Symplocos laurina: an unexplored important medicinal plant of Shola forest system. S. Banu, K. Kashyap. International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (2013), 3 (3): 366- 374.
4. .Evaluation of genetic variability in Symplocos laurina Wall. from two biodiversity hotspots of India. R.M. Bhagwat, S. Banu, B.B. Dholakia, N. Y. Kadoo, M. D. Lagu, V.S. Gupta, Plant Systematics and Evolution (2014), 1-9. doi 10.1007/s00606-014-1046-4.
5. .Study on distribution of Pro12Ala SNP of PPAR gamma 2 gene in randomly sampled diabetic population from Guwahati city. N. Majumdar, A. Bhowmick, P. Sarkar, R. Doley, I. Kalita, S. Medhi, S. Banu. Italian Journal of Medicine (2014) 9(2): 1567-162 doi: 10.4081/itjm.2014.447.
6. Analysis of genetic variability in Aquilaria malaccensis from Bramhaputra valley, Assam, India using ISSR markers. S. Banu, D. Baruah, R. M. Bhagwat, P. Sarkar, A. Bhowmick, N. Y. Kadoo. Flora (2015) 217: 24- 32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2015.09.007.
7. .Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals pollution in soils of Guwahati city, Assam, India. M. Das, D. K. Patel, A. K. Sarma, B. K. Baruah, S. Banu, J. Kotoky. Current Science (2016) 110 (12): 2285-2292. doi: 10.18520/cs/v110/i12/2280-2285.
8. .2-Hydroxyacetophenone and ethylenediamine condensed Schiff base: Fluorescent sensor for Al3+ and PO4 3-, biological cell imaging and INHIBIT logic gate. D. K. Das, J. Kumar, A Bhowmick, P.K. Bhattacharyya, S. Banu.  Inorganica Chimica Acta (2017) 462: 167-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ica.2017.03.003.
9. .Enhanced biodegradation of anthracene by Bacillus cereus strain JMG-01 isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soils. M. Das, A. Bhattacharya, S. Banu, J. Kotoky. Soil and Sediment Contamination (2017) 26 (5): 510-525. doi: 10.1080/15320383.2017.135711.
10. Therapeutic Targets of Type 2 Diabetes: an Overview. A Bhowmick and S. Banu MOJ Drug Design Development and Therapy (2017) 1(3):60-64. doi: 10.15406/mojddt.2017.01.00011.
11. .Condensation product of 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde and 2-aminophenol: Selective fluorescent sensor for Al3+ ion and fabrication of paper strip sensor for Al3+ ion. S. Sarma, A. Bhowmik, M. J. Sarma, S. Banu, P. Phukan, D. K. Das. Inorganica Chimica Acta (2018) 469:202–208.
12. Silver nanoparticle modified Pt  electrode as voltammetric and electrochemical impedance sensor for hydrogen peroxide in live biological cells. K. Deka, J. Kumar, A. Bhowmick, S. Banu, D. K. Das. Indian Journal of Chemistry, 57A (2018) 485-489.
13. Comparative analysis of different dietary antioxidants on oxidative stress pathway genes in L6 myotubes under oxidative stress.  P. Sarkar, A. Bhowmick, S. Banu. Cytotechnology (2018) 70 (4) 1177–1192. doi: 10.1007/s10616-018-0209-5) 
14. Effects of Resveratrol and Mangiferin on PPARγ and FALDH gene expressions in adipose tissue of streptozotocin nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. P. Sarkar, A. Bhowmick, M.C. Kalita, S. Banu. Journal of Dietary Supplements (2019) 16 (6) 659-675. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2018.1472714.
15. Study of polyembryony and development of molecular markers for identification of zygotic and nucellar seedlings in Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco). K. Kashyap, S. Banu, M.N. Shrivastava, N. Ramchiary. International Journal of Environmental Agriculture and Biotechnology (2018), 3(2), 363-372.
16. Characterizing ethylene pathway genes during the development, ripening, and postharvest response in Citrus reticulata Blanco fruit pulp. K. Kashyap and S. Banu. Turkish Journal of Botany (2019) 43: 173-184. doi:10.3906/bot-1711-45. 
17. An Improved Cost-Effective Method of RNA Extraction from Aquilaria malaccensis. Md R. Islam and S. Banu. Acta Scientific Agriculture (2019) 3 (2): 30-38.
18. Modulatory effect of baicalein on gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. P. Sarkar, K. Nath, S. Banu. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2019) 55:e18201. 1-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902019000118201.
19. Determination of individual type 2 diabetes risk profile in the north eastern Indian population and its association with anthropometric parameters. P. Sarkar, A. Bhowmick, M.P. Baruah, S.  Bhattacharjee, P. Subhadra, S. Banu. Indian Journal of Medical Research (2019) 150: 390-398. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_888_17.
20. Characterizing the Nutrient Composition, Physiological Maturity, and Effect of Cold Storage in Khasi Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)”. K. Kashyap, D. Kashyap, M. N. Shrivastava, N. Ramchiary, S. Banu. International Journal of Fruit Science (2019), 1-21.doi: 10.1080/15538362.2019.1666334.
21. Gene expression analysis associated with agarwood formation in Aquilaria malaccensis. Md. R. Islam, B.S. Bhau, S. Banu, Plant Physiology Reports (2020) 25, 304–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-020-00505-9.
22. Association of SLC30A8, CDKAL1, HHEX & TCF7L2 gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes in the population of North East India. A. Bhowmick, P. Sarkar, M. P. Baruah, S. Bhattacharjee, P. Subhadra, S. Banu. Cytology and Genetics (2020) 54 (2), 165-172
23. An overview of basic molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 and current COVID-19 prevention strategies. A. Das, R. Ahmed, S. Akhtar, K. Begum, S. Banu (2021) Gene Reports, 101122. doi: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101122. 
24. Assessment of genetic variability amongst cultivated populations of Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) detected by ISSR. K. Kashyap, R.M. Bhagwat, S. Banu, Plant Genetic Resources (2021) 19 (2), 122-132.  doi:10.1017/S1479262121000162.
25. Genome-wide detection and classification of terpene synthase genes in Aquilaria agallochum. A. Das, K. Begum, S. Akhtar, R. Ahmed, R. Kulkarni, S. Banu Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants (2021)27 (8), 1711-1729. doi: 10.1007/s12298-021-01040-z. 
26. In-house Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection of SARS-CoV2 with increased Sensitivity. M.J. Kalita, K. Dutta, G. Hazarika, R. Dutta, S. Kalita, P.P. Das, M.P. Sarma, S. Banu, M.G. Idris, A.J. Talukdar, S. Dutta, A. Sharma, S. Medhi (2021) Scientific Reports 11 (1), 17878. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97502-1
27. Transcript profiling leads to biomarker identification for agarwood resin-loaded Aquilaria malaccensis. M. Islam, S. Banu (2021), Trees 35 (6), 2119-2132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02180-1.
28. Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria and Fungi Associated with Agarwood Fermentation. M. Islam, C. Chakraborty, S. Banu (2022), Current Microbiology 79 (10), 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s00284-022-02999-y.
29. Genome-wide investigation of Cytochrome P450 superfamily of Aquilaria agallocha: Association with terpenoids and phenylpropanoids biosynthesis. A. Das, K. Begum, S. Akhtar, R. Ahmed, P. Tamuli, R Kulkarni, S. Banu (2023). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 234, 123758. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123758.
30. Delineating the degree of genetic divergence within Assam lemon (Citrus limon ‘Assam lemon’) accessions in Assam, India. R. Ahmed, S. Akhtar, A. Das, K. Begum, K. Kashyap, S. Banu (2023). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-023-01606-8 highlighted by Nature India doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d44151-023-00075-3 on 18^th June 2023 and Identified as Nature India’s top 10 for 2023 on 21^st December 2023.
31. Genome-wide analysis of respiratory burst oxidase homolog (Rboh) genes in Aquilaria species and insight into ROS-mediated metabolites biosynthesis and resin deposition. K. Begum, A. Das, R. Ahmed, S. Akhtar, R. Kulkarni, S. Banu (2024). Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1326080. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1326080
32. Evaluation of morphological traits, biochemical parameters and seeding availability pattern among Citrus limon ‘Assam lemon’ accessions across Assam. S. Akhtar, R. Ahmed, K. Begum, A. Das, S. Saikia, R. Amin Laskar, S. Banu (2024). Scientific Reports 14, 3886. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54392-3.

For Citation: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=hjxyTGEAAAAJ&hl=en 

Book chapters:

1. Book chapter entitled “Molecular elucidation of the history and evolution of montane plants of India” published in the book “Diversity analysis: a molecular approach” by The Rapinat Herbarium, St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirapalli, India (2009) Sofia Banu, Meena D. Lagu and Vidya S. Gupta, pp 103-122.
2. Book Chapter entitled “Emerging tool in medical diagnostics: Liquid Biopsy” by Sofia Banu published in the book “Emerging Trends in Science and Technology” by Purbayaon Publications, Guwahati, India (2017), pp 26-36. ISBN 978-81-92955-63-6.
3. Book Chapter entitled “Popular traditional fermented fishes from North-east India” by Karishma Kashyap and Sofia Banu published in the book “Fermented Foods and Beverages” by Avishkar Publishers, Jaipur, India (2017), pp 1-27. ISBN 978-81-7910-547-4.
4. Book Chapter entitled “Improvement of cereals and Pulses using Transgenic Technology” by Ananya Bhowmick and Sofia Banu published in the book “Diseases of Cereals and Pulses Management Practices” by Avishkar Publishers, Jaipur, India (2019), pp 1-27. ISBN 978-81-941164-4-8.
5. Book Chapter entitled “CRISPR/Cas in Improvement of Food Crops for Feeding the World into the Future” by Suraiya Akhtar, Raja Ahmed, Khaleda Begum, Ankur Das, and Sofia Banu published in the book “Advanced Crop Improvement, Volume 2, Case Studies of Economically Important Crops” by Springer Nature Switzerland AG (2023), pp 529-566. ISBN 978-3-031-26668-3.
6. Book Chapter entitled “Management of Citrus diseases using Transgenic Technology” by Ankur Das, Khaleda Begum, Raja Ahmed, Suraiya Akhtar and Sofia Banu published in the book “Diseases of fruits and vegetables Integrated Management Practices by EBH Publishers, Guwahati, India (2023), pp 82-103, ISBN 978-93-92038-87-7.

Popular Science Articles:

1. “Renewed interest in Natural products: contributing factors and new technologies” Sofia Banu, Newsletter of North East India Research Forum N. E. Quest; April 2012, Volume 6, Issue 1, 53-62.
2. “Citrus fruits some facts” Sofia Banu and Karishma Kashyap, Assam Tribune, 25^th April 2014.
3. “Superspice” Purabi Sarkar and Sofia Banu, Assam Tribune, 3^rd  November 2014.
4. “Resveratrol: The Elixir of youth” Sofia Banu and Purabi Sarkar, Assam Tribune 2^nd October 2014.
5. “Stem cells: Possibilities ahead” Sofia Banu and Kankana Kashyap, Assam Tribune 25^th December 2015
6. “Stem cells: Possibilities ahead-II” Sofia Banu and Kankana Kashyap, Assam Tribune 1^st January 2016.
7. “Antioxidants and diabetics” Sofia Banu, Horizon, page no 2, Assam Tribune 6^th January 2017.
8. “Antioxidants and diabetics II” Sofia Banu, Horizon, page no 2, Assam Tribune 13^th January 2017.
9. “GMO in the medicine sector” Sofia Banu and Karishma Kashyap, Horizon, page no 2, Assam Tribune 3^rd March 2017.
10. “A growing enterprise” Sofia Banu and Preetama Sarma The Assam Tribune Sunday reading  8^th December 2019.
11. “AIDS: where we stand today?” Sofia Banu and Rofiqul Islam, Horizon, page no 1, Assam Tribune 2^nd December 2022.
12. “A Tangy Treasure” Sofia Banu, Sunday Reading, page no 1, Assam Tribune 21^st April 2024.

Prof. Asish Nandi, School of Life Sciences, JNU, New Delhi

Dr. Nirala Ramchiary, School of Life Sciences, JNU, New Delhi

Dr. Narendra Y Kadoo, CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

Dr. Mahesh Kulkarni, CSIR -National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

Dr. Ram Kulkarni, Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, Symbiosis International University, Pune

Dr. Anajalika Roy, Visva Bharati University,Santiniketan, West Bengal

Prof. Madhumita Barooah, Dept of Agriculture Biotechnology, AAU, Jorhat

Dr. Phatik Tamuli, Dept of Botany, Darrang College, Tezpur, 

Dr. Bimal Debnath, Dept. of Forestry and Biodiversity, Tripura University, Agartala

Dr. V. Mohan, Dept of Diabetology, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai

Dr. Radha Venkatesan, Dept of Genetics, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai

Dr. Dhanasekaran Bodhini, Dept of Genetics, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, Chennai

Dr. Manash Pratim Baruah, Dept of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Excelcare Hospital, Guwahati

 B.Tech

• Plant Biotechnology
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Genetic Engineering
• Protein Engineering
• Metabolomics
• Instrumentation

M. Tech

• Molecular Farming
• Plant Cell Technology

Ph.D. Course Work

• Applied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
• Plant Biotechnology and Natural Product Chemistry

Ph. D Scholars

• Ms Khaleda Begum: Research Interest: Changes in the Sesquiterpenoid genes during agarwood formation
• Mr Raja Ahmed: Research Interest: To study the molecular and biochemical variation in Assam lemon (Citrus limon)
• Mr Ankur Das: Research Interest: Molecular characterization of key enzymes involved in sesquiterpenoids biosynthesis and deciphering role of microbes in agarwood induction
• Ms Suraiya Akhtar: Research Interest: Understanding seeding patterns, metabolite distribution and antioxidant potency of Citrus limon ‘Assam lemon’
• Mrs Kangkana Thakur: Research Interest: Characterization of indigenous rice cultivars of Assam and genetics of important traits associated with yield and quality
• Mrs. Manjisa Choudhary: Research Interest: Proteome and cytokine characterization in HLA-B27 associated anterior uvetitis patients for potential biomarker identification

Past Ph. D Scholars

• Dr. Karishma Kashyap: Molecular and biochemical insight into Khasi mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco), fruit development and ripening: understanding the factors associated with fruit development, currently employed as Clinical Literature Review Specialist, Clinical R&D, Alcon, Bengaluru
• Dr. Momita Das: Study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and isolation characterization of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria from some polluted sites of Guwahati city, currently employed at Biotech Kishen Hub, Technology Incubation Center, Bodoland University 
• Dr. Ananya Bhowmick: Type 2 diabetes: assessment of ROS scavenging with dietary antioxidants by performing biochemical assays and molecular analysis of the genes implicated and tracking down prevalent Diabetic SNPs in North-East Indian population, currently employed as Senior Regulatory Medical Writer, MMS Holdings, Bengaluru
• Dr.  Purabi Sarkar: Intervention of antioxidants in Insulin signalling and oxidative stresses in Type 2 diabetes using molecular approach, currently employed as Clinical Trial Manager& In-charge of GNRC AHM Unit, Research & Analytics Department, GNRC Hospitals, Dispur
• Dr. Rofiqul Islam: Deciphering molecular changes related to agarwood formation and characterizing microbes involved in agarwood processing, currently employed as Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT Guwahati

1. Biotech Policy: Participated in a State government supported Consultative meeting of experts for formulation of State Biotech Policy held on 24^th November 2012, Hotel Gateway Grandeur, Guwahati.
2. Resource person in DBT sponsored Workshop on “Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques” held from 19^th to 25^th November 2012 at Institutional Biotech Hub, Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University.
3. Resource person in Workshop cum Symposia on “Basic Molecular Biology Techniques and Natural Product Based Drug Discovery” held from 11^th to 14^th February 2015 at Institutional Biotech Hub, Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University.
4. Invited lecture on “Agarwood: addressing the molecular challenges with molecular approach” in the International Symposium on Plant Biotechnology for Crop Improvement, 20^th to 21^st January, 2017, organized by IIT Guwahati.
5. Resource person in Department of Health Research Sponsored “Training Programme in Molecular Biology/Molecular diagnostics” held from 17^th to 24^th December 2018, Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, Guwahati.
6. Invited lecture on “Aquilaria malaccensis: trapping the intricacies that lead to agarwood production” in the International Conference on Plant Science, Feb 4^th to 6^th 2019, organized by Botanical Society of Assam, in association with Department of Botany, Gauhati University and PCRF, Calcutta University at Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati.
7. Invited lecture on “Agarwood, an outcome of plant pathogen interaction: exploring the unexplored” in the National workshop on Frontiers in Plant Biology, 13^th November 2019  DBT Program Support Center at IIT Guwahati, Guwahati.
8. Invited Lecture on “Dietary antioxidants and diabetes” in the Fourth International Conference on Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases (INCD-2019), September 23^th - 25^th 2019 Organized by Society for Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases in association with IIT Guwahati, held at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, Assam, India.
9. Invited Talk on “Career prospects of students of Biosciences” on 13^th February 2020 in Department of Zoology, J.B. College, Jorhat.
10. Invited Lecture on “Khasi mandarin: a molecular insight” in the Assam Botany Congress (ABC - 02) and International Conference on Plant Science, 3^rd - 5^th  December, 2021, Organized by   Botanical society of Assam and Cachar College in association with Gauhati University, Assam University, Cotton University, DRL, ASBB and ASTEC, Guwahati.
11. Invited Talk on “Agarwood: deciphering the processes involved using OMICS approach” in Second national seminar on Agarwood cum tree growers mela for agarwood farmers held on 24^th - 25^th March 2022 at Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam
12. Invited Talk on “Agarwood oil Analysis by Modern Technologies” in “Skill development Training on Agarwood Cultivation and Artificial Inoculation” held on 24^th - 26^th July 2022 at ICFRE Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat, Assam
13. Invited Talk on “Plant-pathogen interaction in agarwood formation: Understanding the processes using transcriptomics and bioinformatics” in the national conference Women Scientists in plant health management and sustainable development goals” 22^th -23^rd December, 2023, Organized by  Indian Phytopathological Society and Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam.
14. Invited Talk on “Agarwood: what needs to be explored?” in DBT-Funded Faculty Improvement Program (Virtual Mode) on Bio-Based Technology for Green Application held on 10^th March 2024 by DBT-IBT Hub, Nanda Nath Saikia College, Titabar, Jorhat, Assam
15. Invited talk on “Exploring the link between two biodiversity hotspot Western Ghats and Northeastern Himalayas using molecular tools” in Faculty Improvement program on “Climate change, biodiversity and Role of Biotechnology” held om 20^th March 2024 (Hybrid mode) at DBT-NER Institutional Biotech Hub, Dergaon, Kaml Dowerah College,Dergaon, Assam
16. Invited talk on “Assam Lemons - Biodiversity case study” in the Workshop on “Understanding the Role and Function of Biodiversity Management Committee in the context of the Biological Diversity Act” organized by department of Zoology, NEHU, Shillong, Indo-German Bilateral Co-operation Project “Protection and Sustainable Mangement of Aquatic resources in the North Eastern Himalayan Region of India (NERAQ) implemented by Ministry of Enviroment, Forest and Climate  Change and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbelt (giz) held from 8^th -10^th April 2024, ICSSR NERC Guest House, NEHU, Shillong, Meghalaya.

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Membership:
Life member of Assam Science Society 
Life Member of Endocrine Society of Assam
Life member of Association of Microbiologists of India
Life member of Indian Phytopathological Society

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Other Activities:
Founding member and Former secretary of talks (year 2008) of NCLTEC, a forum promoting entrepreneurship at National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.
Former member of Gauhati University Science forum, Gauhati University, Guwahati.
Former member of Biological Science Forum, JB College, Jorhat.
Joint Secretary of Gauhati University Teachers Association session 2024-2025

https://dnn24.com/sofia-banu-warns-of-possible-dilution-of-assams-unique-lemon-genetic-traits/

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Covered in Assam Tribune 28^th May 2024 Page no. 5

 

As a contribution to Society and contribution to small scale industry and agarwood planters of Assam and society, we have carried out artificial induction using biological inoculum formulated in our laboratory. The inoculum has been produced using Scientific tools including molecular identification of microbe consortium. Three plantations have been inoculated using these inoculums, the plantation are located in Depota, Mission Chariali, Tezpur and  Mariani, Jorhat and Murphuloni, Golaghat.

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Some fun moments