CEMB Centre of Excellence in
Molecular Biology University of the Punjab
Plant Biotechnology Lab team photo at CEMB

Research at CEMB

Plant Biotechnology

The lab applies CRISPR/Cas genome editing and transgenic crop biotechnology to protect cotton and other crops from insects, weeds and viruses, and to develop plant-based edible vaccines.

Laboratory overview

From biological discovery to practical solutions.

Research combines genome editing, transgenic crop biotechnology and molecular plant pathology to improve crop protection and traits, with a long-running focus on cotton, Pakistan’s economically vital fibre crop, alongside emerging work in edible vaccine development.

Genome editing (CRISPR/Cas)Transgenic crop protectionPlant-based edible vaccines

Inside the laboratory

Plant biotechnology
in motion.

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing 01
Diagram of multiplexed CRISPR Cas9 genome editing lowering viral load in cotton, from linear cassette transformation through PCR confirmation to Sanger sequencing analysis
Multiplexed Cas9 editing lowers viral load in cotton.
Edible vaccine development 02
Diagram of plant-based edible vaccine development, from transgenic maize expressing viral proteins through feeding trials to toxicity analysis in a mouse model
Plant-based edible vaccine development and toxicity evaluation in a mouse model.

Research programme

What the lab works on

The programme spans discovery, laboratory validation and the development of tools and formulations for real-world use.

  1. 01

    Crop protection biotechnology

    Improving key crop traits by controlling damage caused by biotic stresses such as insects, weeds and viruses.

  2. 02

    Cotton fibre improvement

    Transgenic approaches used to improve cotton fibre length, strength and micronaire value.

  3. 03

    Plant-based edible vaccines

    Expression of immunogenic proteins against poultry diseases, including Newcastle disease and avian influenza, in plants.

  4. 04

    Genome editing for stress resistance

    CRISPR-based genome editing explored to control biotic and abiotic stresses and identify new crop traits.

Funding

Research grants

Ongoing

  • Ongoing
    Development of Verticillium wilt and abiotic stress-resistant cottonCollaborative project with Azerbaijan · Islamic Development Bank · 2022–2025 · $150,000
  • Ongoing
    Development of climate-smart cotton by editing Arginase (GhArg) genesLCF, HEC · 2022–2024 · Rs 3.8 million
  • Ongoing
    Development of climate-resilient, drought- and heat-resistant cotton via Cpf1 multiplex editingNSLP, funded by PSF · 2023–2026 · Rs 6.0 million
  • Ongoing
    Regulating the NAD salvage pathway in cotton for drought stress toleranceCollaborative project with LUMS · NRPU, HEC · 2022–2025 · Rs 9.5 million
  • Ongoing
    Enhancement of omega-3 fatty acids in maizeNRPU, HEC · 2022–2025 · Rs 3.7 million
  • Ongoing
    Improving the cosmetic impact of Aloe vera on human skin through genetic modification with the human serum albumin genePunjab Higher Education Commission · 2021–2023 · Rs 5.0 million

Completed

  • Completed
    Control of cotton insects through a modified combination of Bt and plant lectinNRPU, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan · 2018–2021 · Rs 2.45 million
  • Completed
    International Equipment Subsidy GrantHumboldt Foundation · 2018–2019 · €14,900
  • Completed
    An alternative approach to combat pink bollworm infestation in cottonNRPU, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan · 2018–2021 · Rs 4.59 million
  • Completed
    Cas9-mediated gene engineering of the Solanum tuberosum VInv gene to reduce tuber sweetening during long-term storageHEC · 2019–2022 · Rs 9.7 million
  • Completed
    Laboratory bioassays of maize stem borer to determine Bt protein efficacyPioneer Seed Corporation, USA · 2014–2016 · $50,000
  • Completed
    Transformation of gene constructs and engineered germplasm resistant to cotton leaf curl disease and its insect vectorPak-US ICARDA Project · 2011–2017 · $65,043
  • Completed
    Development of transgenic cotton with multiple genes resistant to cotton leaf curl virusPunjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB Project #426) · 2011–2017 · Rs 5.281 million
  • Completed
    Genetic improvement of cotton for herbicide and bollworm tolerancePunjab Agriculture Research Board · 2010–2017 · Rs 14.58 million
  • Completed
    Development and commercialisation of cotton leaf curl virus-resistant, glyphosate-resistant transgenic cotton hybridsPunjab Agriculture Research Board · 2012–2016 · Rs 13.17 million
  • Completed
    Novel approach to generate wide-spectrum resistance to cotton begomovirusesPunjab Agriculture Research Board · 2014–2015 · Rs 1.10 million

Achievements

Notable outcomes

  • Developed double and triple gene cotton lines against insects and weeds
  • Developed next-generation Bt and sucking-insect-resistant cotton lines
  • Developed five-gene cotton lines
  • Characterised cotton epicuticular wax in defence against Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD) at the molecular and biochemical level
  • Developed an alternative way to control insects through methanol production on cotton leaf surfaces
  • Developed transgenic cotton lines with improved fibre length, strength and micronaire value through fibre-related gene and transcription factor expression
  • Improved staple length and micronaire value of Desi cotton to 26.2 and 5.6 respectively
  • Implemented a novel plant-based approach for producing an edible vaccine against Newcastle disease virus in poultry
  • Bioengineered the flavonoid pathway in cotton
  • Established and applied CRISPR Cas9, Cas12, Cas13 and RNAi approaches against cotton and potato viruses
  • Achieved CRISPR Cas9-mediated genome editing of the potato vacuolar invertase gene to enhance shelf life
  • Combined fusion-protein expression in cotton to combat insect pests
  • Improved drought tolerance in cotton through transcription-factor expression

Intellectual property

Patents

  • Novel transgenic approach to decrease the cost of cotton production in PakistanPatent #142243 · Granted 2016 (IPO Pakistan)
  • Novel plant-based biotechnological approach for production of an edible vaccine against NDV of poultryApplication #328/18 · In revision (IPO Pakistan)
  • Development of chewing- and sucking-insect-resistant cotton through a modified combination of Bt and plant lectin genesApplication #54/2021 · Submitted (IPO Pakistan)
  • CRISPR-based genome editing approach to combat insect pests and virusesApplication #222/2022 · Submitted (IPO Pakistan)
  • CRISPR-based genome editing approach to reduce vacuolar invertase during cold storage of potatoApplication #221/2022 · Submitted (IPO Pakistan)
  • Plant-based edible vaccine against Avian Influenza Virus (H9N2)Application #223/2022 · Submitted (IPO Pakistan)

Research group

Meet the team

Contact the Director, group lead or a co-investigator directly, or reach a doctoral researcher by email.

Doctoral researchers

  • Sahar Sadaqat
  • Muhammad Awais
  • Muhammad Saad Bhutta
  • Huda Rehman Mir
  • Sidra Qayyum
  • Sehar Zulfiqar
  • Sania Naeem
  • Samran Sardar
  • Noreen Iftikhar
  • Pashma Nawaz
  • Narmeen Tariq Zaman

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