Current research Area

• In vitro conservation of rare and endangered medicinal and aromatic plant species; Large –scale production of plant cells in liquid culture for the production of valuable metabolites and recombinant proteins used as biopharmaceuticals; Development of regenerative protocol for selected plants for their genetic transformation; Production of plants in sterile conditions for the reduction of disease transmission; Commercial production of selected plant species in demand, Development of multiple shoots and induction of callus in Tree species of immense use in pharmaceutical industries
• Evaluation of commercially important medicinal and aromatic plants under temperate and sub tropical conditions and their genetic modifications through breeding and agro techniques for the development of elite varieties
• Molecular characterization of the germplasm of aromatic and medicinal plants (Withania somnifera, Ocimum sps., Mentha sps., Andrographis paniculata, Chlorophytum sps. Cymbopogon sps. etc.) Molecular cloning and functional validation of five full length gene clones viz. squalene synthase, squalene epoxidase, cycloartenol synthase, cytochrome p450 reductase, DWF1 gene in Withania somnifera; geraniol 10 hydroxalase, cytochrome p450 in Picrorrhiza kurroa andACC synthase inPelargonium graveolens. Transcriptome analysis on the basis of tissue specific EST generation in Withania somnifera/Picrorrhiza kurroa. Proteomic approach for the identification of tissue specific proteins in Withania somnifera
• Source and sink relation with respect to essential oil production in Cymbopogon sps.and the role of growth regulators in the induction of dormancy and sprouting of saffron (Crocus sativus)

• Dhar, N.; Rana, S .; Razdan, S.; Bhat, W.W.; Hussain, A.; Dhar , R. S. ; Vaishnavi , S..; Dar, A.H. ; Vishwakarma, R.; Lattoo, Surrinder K. Cloning and functional characterization of  three Branch Point Oxidosqualene cyclases from Withania somnifera Dunal. J. Plant Biol , (2014) ,published online April 25,
• Dhar , N.; Rana, S; Bhat, W.W.; Razdan, S.; Pandith,  A.; Khan, S.;  Dutt, P.;  Dhar, R. S. .; Vaishnavi, S.; Vishwakarma, Ram .; Lattoo , Surrinder K. Dynamics of withanolide biosynthesis in relation to temporal expression pattern of metabolic genes in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: a comparative study in two morpho-chemovariants. Mol. Biol. Rep. (2013) ,DOI 10.1007/s11033-013-2820-z
• Bhat, W.W.; Dhar, N.; Razdan, S.; Rana, S.; Mehra, R.; Nargotra, A.; Dhar, R. S. ; Ashraf, N.; Vishwakarma, R.; Lattoo , K. Molecular Characterization of UGT94F2 and UGT86C4, Two Glycosyltransferases from Picrorhiza kurrooa: Comparative Structural Insight and Evaluation of Substrate Recognition. PLOS One, (2013) , 8, pp. 1-18.
• Razdan, S.; Bhat, W.W.; Rana, S.; Dhar, N.;  Lattoo, S. K. .; Dhar, R.S. ; Vishwakarma, R.A.  Molecular characterization and promoter analysis of Squalene epoxidase gene from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Mol Biol Rep., (2013) ,  40: 905 – 916.
• Rana, S.; Dhar , N; Bhat , W.W. .; Razdan , S.; Khan , S.; Dhar, R.S. .; Dutt, P.; Lattoo , S. K. A 12-deoxywithastramonolide-rich somaclonal variant in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal—molecular cytogenetic analysis and significance as a chemotypic resource. In-Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Plant, (2013) ,DOI 10.1007/s11627-012-9458-8
• Rana, S.; Lattoo, S. K. ; Dhar, N.; Razdan, S.; Bhat, W.,W.; Dhar, R. S. ; Vishwakarma, R. NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductase: Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of Two Paralogs from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal  PLOS One , (2013) , 8: pp 1-16
• Dhar, R.S. ; Gupta, S. B. ; Singh, P. P. ; Razdan, S.; Bhat, W. W.; Rana, s.; Lattoo, Surrinder K. ; Khan, S. Identification and characterization of protein composition in Withania somnifera – an Indian ginseng. Plant Biochem. Biotechnol. (2012),21: 77-87. DOI 10.1007/s13562-011-0083-0
• Bhat, W.W. ; Lattoo, S. K. ; Razdan, S.; Dhar, N.; Rana, S. Dhar, R.S. ; Khan, S.; Vishwakarma, R .Molecular cloning, bacterial expression and promoter analysis of squalene synthase from Withania somnifera (L.) Gene, (2012),499: 25–36, DOI: 10.1016/J.
• Bhat, W. W. ; Lattoo, S.K. ; Rana, S.; Razdan, S.; Dhar, N.; Dhar , Rekha S. ; Vishwakarma, R. An efficient plant regeneration via direct organogenesis and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of  Picrorhiza kurrooa – an endangered medicinal herb of alpine Himalayas. In Vitro Cel Dev. Biol.—Plant. , (2012) ,48:  295-303
• Kumar, J. ; Verma, V. ; Goyal, A. ; Shahi, A. K. ; Dhar, R. S. ; Sangwan, R. S. ; Qazi, G. N. Genetic diversity analysis in Cymbopogon species using DNA markers. Plant Omics J, (2009) , 2:20-29
• Dhar, Rekha S. ; Lattoo, Surrinder K. ; Kumar, Arun.; Qazi, G. N. Use of ISSR and RAPD markers to facilitate molecular characterization of Withania germplasm-a repository of pharamaceutically active metabolites. J Plant Biology , (2008),107-113
• Lattoo, S. K. ; Dhar, R. S. ; Khan, S.; Bomotra, Shishupal .; Bhan, M. K. ; Dhar, Autar K. ; Gupta, K.K. ; Comparative analysis of genetic diversity using molecular and morphometric markers in Andrographis panicualata (Burm. f.Nees). Genetic Resour crop Evol., (2008), 55: 33-43
• Lattoo, S. K. ; Dhar, R.S. ; Khan, S.; Bamotra, S.; Dhar, A. K. Temporal sexual maturation and incremental staminal movement encourages mixed mating in Withania somnifera–insurance for reproductive success. Curr. Sci.(2007),92: 1390-1399
• Dhar, R. S. ; Verma, V.; Suri, K.A. ; Sangwan, R. S. ; Satti, N. K. ; Kumar, A.; Tuli, R.; Qazi, G. N. Phytochemical and genetic analysis in selected chemotypes of Withania somnifera. Phytochemistry , (2006)  ,67 : 2269-2276
• Lattoo, S.K. ; Bamotra, S. ; Dhar, R. Sapru.; Khan, S. ; Dhar, A.KRapid plant regeneration and analysis of genetic fidelity of in vitro derived plants of Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker – an endangered medicinal herb. Plant Cell Rep., (2006), 25(6): 499-506
• Surrinder, K. Lattoo.; Dhar, R. Sapru.; Dhar, A. K. ; Sharma, P. R. ; Agarwal , S.G. Dynamics of essential oil biosynthesis in relation to inflorescence and glandular ontogeny in Salvia sclarea. Flavour Fragg. J., (2006), 21: 817-821
• Dhar, S.R.; Dhar,A.K. Clipping effect on morphological characters and total non structural carbohydrates in Cymbopogon jwarancusa .J.Plant Biol. (2001), 28: 319-322
• Dhar,A.K.; Dhar S.R . Culinary and Potherbs of Jammu and Kashmir. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, (2000), 7: 7-1
• Lattoo ,S.; Dhar, S.R.; Dhar A. K. Temporal variation in saffron (Crocus sativus L.). J. Spices and Aromatic Crops,(1997), 6: 57
• Dhar, Sapru R.; Dhar A. K. Ontogenetic variation in leaf length, oil and herbage yield in five genotypes of Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Indian Perf. (1997), 41: 85-90
• Dhar ,A. K.; Dhar ,Sapru R.; Rekha, K.; Lattoo S. Cymbopogon jwarancusa strains as a commercial source of piperitone Indian Perf. (1997),. 41: 51-52
• Dhar ,S. R; Dhar, A. K. Ontogenetic variation in the essential oil concentration and its constituents in the five genotypes of Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Shultz. J. Essential Oil Researchv(1997),9: 433-439
• Dhar, A. K.; Dhar, Sapru R.; Rekha, K.; Koul S. Studies on saffron (Crocus sativus L) in Kashmir –VII. Effect of gamma radiations. Indian Perf. (1997), 41: 9-13
• Dhar, Sapru R.; Dhar, A. K. Ontogenetic variation in the level of carbohydrates in the five genotypes of Cymbopogon jwarancusa. Med. & Aromatic Plant Science. (1997),19: 688-694
• Dhar, Sapru R.; Dhar ,A. K. Available carbohydrate fractions in stem bases and leaves of camel grass Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Shultz. in relation to ontogenetic development. Indian J. Plant Physiology. (1996), 1: 251-254
• Dhar, A. K.; Dhar ,Sapru R.; Rekha, K.; Koul S. Effect of spacing and nitrogen levels on herb and oil yield, oil concentration and composition in three selections of Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Shultz. J. Spices and Aromatic Crops, (1996), 5: 120-126
• Dhar, Sapru R.; Dhar ,A. K.; Verwendung, zytogenetik und variation von Cymbopogon-asten. (Ite use, cytogenetics and variation of the Cymbopogon species.) Parfumerie and Kosmetik, (1996), 77:190-197
• Dhar ,A K.; Sapru, R.; Lattoo ,S. ; Koul S. Changes in oil concentration and its constituents of Cymbopogon jwarancusa following foliar application of Indian Perf  , (1993),37: 303-310
• Dhar, A. K.; Sapru, R. Studies on saffron in Kashmir -III. In vitro production of corms and shoot like structures.  Indian J. Genet. (1993),53: 193-196
• Dhar, A. K.; Sapru; R. Scope for essential oil industry in PAFAI  J. , (1989),1 1:19-22
• Dhar ,A. K.; Sapru R.; Rekha K. Studies on saffron in Kashmir – I Variation in natural population and its cytological behaviour. Crop improv.,(1988), 15:48-52
• Dhar, A. K.; Sapru R.; Koul, S. Studies on the growing of Crambe abyssnica Hochst, in Kashmir. J. Oil Seeds Res, . (1988), 5: 110-113
• Dhar ,A. K.; Sapru , R. Potential of rose industry in Kashmir. PAFAI (1986), 8: 13- 15
• Dhar, A. K., Rekha, K.; Sapru ,R.; Lattoo S. Natural variation and association in yield components of Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Shultz. Indian Perf. ,(1986), 30: 228-233
• Dhar ,A. K.;Lattoo S.; Sapru, R.. Genetic variability and correlation among some quantitative traits in Cymbopogon. Crop improve,(1985),12:111-114

• Lattoo, S. K. .; Dhar, R. S.; Qazi, G. N.; Dhar, A.K.; Purohit, P.; Raina, R. K. Methods and composition for in vitro germination and prepagation of Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle United State .(Patent 6, 905, 876; June 14, 2005. pp. 1-24)
• Lattoo, S. K.; Qazi,G. N.; Dhar,R. S.; Dhar,A. K.; Purohit, P.;Raina,R. K. Media compositions for faster growth of Polygonatum cirrhifolium Royle. (PCT patent, PCT/IN2001/000200, Publication No. WO/2003/041492: 13.06.2003. South Africa ZA2004/3703, July 7, 2005.India 1N 225714, November 21, 2008)

• Lattoo,S. K.; Dhar,Rekha S. ; Khan,Shabnam.; Bomotra,Shishupal .; Bhan,Mharaj K.; Dhar,Autar K.; Gupta,K. K. Molecular and morphometric diversity in relation to breeding system in Andrographis panicualata. In “Plant Tissue Culture, molecular markers and their role in crop productivity” (eds. Ashwani Kumar and N.S.Shekhawat). Publishers IK International Publishing House New Delhi (2008), pp. 434-449
• Scientific contributor towards book published in 2009 entitled “ Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) A model Indian Medicinal Plantunder NMITLI  programme of CSIR
• Dhar,Rekha S.; Malvia,Nupur. Identification of Subcellular, Structural,and Metabolic Changes Through NMR. In “ Phenomics in Crop Plants: Trends, Options and Limitations (eds. Jitendra Kumar, Aditya Pratap and Shiv Kumar). Publishers Springer New Delhi Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London (2015), pp. 195-205

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