Understanding molecular regulation of low phosphate adaptations:
My lab’s focus is on identifying novel genes and understanding their roles in cellular signaling in response to phosphorus (P) limitation. Plants activate a diverse set of responses to face P scarcity and consequently alter physiological, biochemical, and developmental processes. We employ modern genomics tools such as metabolomics, phenomics, transgenesis, and gene editing to pinpoint candidate genes to improve plant performance in a low-P input system.

Current Research:
Beyond Photosynthesis: The Chloroplast’s Adaptations help plants thrive in phosphate scarcity
Plants have the incredible ability to produce their own food, thanks to chloroplasts. These organelles also help plants thrive in environments with low phosphate levels. One of the most impressive ways chloroplasts do this is by using galactolipids, which are lipids that don’t require phosphate. Phosphate is a crucial nutrient for many cellular processes, including photosynthesis. However, many soils and environments have suboptimal phosphate levels, leading to poor plant growth and reduced crop yields. Chloroplastic membranes, thylakoid/envelope, are the most abundant cellular membranes in plants. Galactolipids constitute most of the glycerolipids in chloroplast membranes, accounting for over 80% of total lipids. When phosphate levels are low, plants further break down phospholipids and increase the production of galactolipids. This process, called membrane lipid remodeling, enables plant cells to maintain their structural integrity and function even when phosphate is limited. Understanding and manipulating this intriguing display of cellular P reutilization is our strategy for generating environment-resilient crops. We are targeting several enzymes in this pathway, including GDPDs and DGDGs, to understand their roles in rice using biochemical, molecular biology, transgenesis, and genome-editing approaches.
Gene-editing for exploring the role of P-related genes and creating novel gene variants
CRISPR/Cas9 and new emerging gene-editing tools have revolutionized the field of genomics. No other method has given such control over changes in gene function in plants. We are utilizing gene editing in rice to knock out genes, create new alleles, and alter transcriptional regulation of phosphate transport and signaling genes. We have used sgRNA and multiplexing strategies in manipulating different genes involved in P-related signaling. Some of the successful stories from our lab include the characterization of the rice citrate transporter, OsCT1, for its role in Pi uptake and metal distribution; demonstration of marker-free gene-edited lines carrying only an SNP in the MGD3 synthase gene, OsMGD3, a phospholipid remodeling gene in rice, and revealing a novel role for the rice PAP3b gene in phosphate homeostasis. We have also been able to raise gene-edited lines using the DNA-free Ribo-Nucleo Protein (RNP) system in rice. The lab is interested in testing new tools to precisely edit rice genes to improve plant responses to challenging environments.
Looking underground: Understanding roots for future agriculture
Roots, often neglected by plant researchers, have the potential for crop production in future challenging environments. Plants with efficient roots adapted to the local environment can sustain crop yield in soils with minimum water and fertilizer inputs.  Our focus is on identifying the root traits that enable plants to tolerate soil mineral deficiencies. Research has shown that root hairs, which are responsible for half of total phosphate uptake, are highly responsive to low-phosphorus conditions. We have studied this response in rice and chickpeas using cutting-edge techniques such as high-throughput root phenotyping, gene editing, GWAS, and transcriptomics. This research has the potential to improve our understanding of root responses to abiotic stresses, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
 

1. Verma L, Pandey M, Bhatia C, Mehra M, Singh B, Giri J* (2025). Phosphate deficiency inducible OsGDPD5 affects root growth by regulating sugar-auxin crosstalk. The Plant Journal 121(3):e17249. *Corresponding author
2. Singh, A.P., Bhatia, C., Singh, E., Singh, A.K., Fatima, U., Senthil-Kumar, M. and Giri, J*. (2025), Dual localization of JA receptor, CaCOI2, explains JA perception dynamics in chickpea. The Plant Journal 124:e70606. *Corresponding author
3. Maurya, K., Mani, B., Singh, B., Sirohi, U., Jaskolowski, A., Sharma, S., Tatiparthi, H.V., Mangrauthia, S.K., Pandey, R., Poirier, Y., Giri, J*. (2025), Editing cis-elements of OsPHO1;2 improved phosphate transport and yield in rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal 23(9):3864–3878 *Corresponding author
4. Mani B, Maurya K, Verma L, Gupta P, Kohli PS, Gupta G, Jaskolowski A, Poirier Y, Giri J*. (2026). Rice phosphate transporter reduces the low phosphate response through jasmonate signaling. Plant & Cell Physiology. 2026 May 23:pcag070. *Corresponding author
5. Pazhamala L, Pandey M, Deveshwar P, Ghatak A, Weckwerth W, Chaturvedi P, Giri J* (2026). Network-based multiomics and transgenic validation reveal that OsPHR3 modulates phosphate-carbon metabolic trade-offs during rice seed development. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 231:110981. *Corresponding author
6. Pandey M, Verma L, Kohli PS, Singh B, Abhijith KB, Giri J* (2025) A lipid synthase maintains metabolic flux for jasmonate synthesis to regulate root growth and phosphate homeostasis. Plant Physiology 197(2):kiae453. *Corresponding author
7. Kohli PS, Donde R, Sirohi U, Singh B, Anantha MS, Bhadana VP, Sundaram RM, Mangrauthia SK, Giri J*, (2025) Physiological and genetic basis of superior phosphate uptake and utilization efficiency in the rice landrace Wazuhophek. Journal of Experimental Botany 76 (20):6145–6165. *Corresponding author
8. Panchal P, Bhatia C, Chen Y, Meenakshi, Bhadouria J, Verma L, Maurya K, Miller AJ, Giri J (2023) A citrate efflux transporter important for manganese distribution and phosphorus uptake in rice. The Plant Journal 116 (6):1748–1765 *corresponding author
9. Bhadouria J, Mehra P, Verma L, Pazhamala LT, Rumi R, Panchal P, Sinha AK, Giri J (2023) Root-expressed rice PAP3b enhances secreted APase activity and helps utilize organic phosphate. Plant & Cell Physiology 64(5):501–518 *corresponding author
10. Verma L, Bhadouria J, Bhunia RK, Singh S, Panchal P, Bhatia C, Eastmond PJ, Giri J* (2022) Monogalactosyl Diacylglycerol Synthase 3 affects phosphate utilization and acquisition in rice. Journal of Experimental Botany 73(14):5033-5051. *corresponding author