Profile
Plant Breeder, Transformation Scientist and Educator
Dr. Abdul Munim Farooq is a plant breeder and molecular biologist who has developed genetically modified commercial crops with local resources in Pakistan. His research focuses on plant transformation for biotic and abiotic stresses — insect and herbicide tolerance, drought and heat stress — combining biotechnological tools with transgenic crop development and characterisation.
He developed 16 maize inbred lines and, for the first time in Pakistan, established Agrobacterium-mediated transformation technology in local maize lines, producing transgenic maize resistant to insects, herbicide, frost, heat and drought, including two high-yielding transgenic Maize F1 hybrids. Patents on maize and sugarcane are in process.
He began his research career developing inbred lines and F1 hybrids in chilies and tomato, including 24 tomato inbred lines and haploid/diploid lines via anther culture. He is a team member for GMO testing, DNA fingerprinting and CEMB agriculture commercialisation, and has supervised numerous BSc(Hons), MS, MPhil and PhD students.
Selected contributions
Science translated into capability
First maize transformation in Pakistan
Established Agrobacterium-mediated transformation technology in local maize lines for the first time in the country.
Stress-resistant maize hybrids
Developed transgenic maize resistant to insect, herbicide, frost, heat and drought stress, including two high-yielding F1 hybrids.
Tomato breeding
Developed 24 tomato inbred lines and haploid/diploid lines via anther culture.
GMO testing & commercialisation
Team member for GMO testing, DNA fingerprinting and CEMB agriculture commercialisation.