The goal has been to analyse plant genomes to facilitate breeders with new tools for improving plant production and nutrition. Several innovative concepts, methods, and analyses were tailored to the experimental objectives and implemented (several for the first time in the country). Pioneering work has been done in generating high throughput genomic resources (SSRs, SNPs, ESTs, linkage maps, QTLs, whole genome and transcriptome sequences) in legumes such as chickpea, lentil, and minor pulses that were used to study genome structure and evolution, molecular diversity, variety identification, high-resolution genome mapping, gene mapping, and trait association analysis. Significant contributions include the cracking of the whole genome sequence of Chickpea, Black gram and Cowpea.
Using integrated genomic techniques such as whole genome resequencing-based QTL-Seq and Genome Wide Association mapping study (GWAS), novel QTLs and markers tightly related with seed protein content in chickpea have been identified for application in marker assisted breeding. Similarly, integrated transcriptomics and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to identify QTLs and candidate genes responsible for seed size, weight, and Fe content in chickpea and lentil, as well as rust resistance in lentils. In minor pulses, high quality chromosome level genome assemblies have been generated for Vigna mungo (black gram) and V. unguiculata (cow pea) alongwith tissue-specific deep transcriptomes for creating the ‘gene expression atlas’.

Work is also focussed on dissecting chickpea’s two hallmark traits: (i) seed traits for increased yield and nutrition and (ii) nodulation traits for increased nitrogen fixation. Reverse genetics techniques were used to comprehend the complex gene-regulatory networks that control seed storage protein (SSP) synthesis in chickpea wherein the novel role of Ca-miR164e- CaNAC100 module as well as that of CaREN1 and its interacting protein partners in regulating seed storage protein synthesis in chickpea was established. Furthermore, with the aim of enhancing the nitrogen fixation efficiency by increasing the nodule numbers, several genes and miRNAs have been characterized to get insights into the regulation of early nodulation events in chickpea.
Currently the group envisages comprehending the complex genetic and molecular basis of key nutritional traits in the important legumes i.e.lentil and chickpea. Utilizing the expertise of genomics and plant transformation, it is proposed to identify and functionally validate through transgenesis and gene editing techniques, the novel genes/loci associated with seed protein content, carotenoid, seed iron and zinc content as well as traits pertaining to yield, heat and salinity stress in order to address the global demand of nutrient enriched crop varieties.