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Dr. Sundip Kumar
Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering

Dr. Sundip Kumar

Professor (BOYSCAST Fellow)
  • QualificationPh.D. (Ag. Botany — Cytogenetics)
  • SpecialisationMolecular Cytogenetics; Molecular Breeding & Genomics; Wheat Biofortification; Mutation Breeding
  • Emailsundipkumarbmbgbpuatacin, maliksundipgmailcom
    sundipkumargbpuat-cbshacin
  • Contact+91-8265819046

Research Areas / Areas of Interest

  •  Molecular Breeding and Genomics-Assisted Crop Improvement
  •  Wheat Biofortification and Nutritional Genomics
  •  Mutation Breeding and Genetic Resource Development
  •  Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS), QTL Mapping and Molecular Marker Development

Academic Qualifications

DegreeYearSubjectUniversity / InstitutionStatus / Marks
B. Sc.1988AgricultureMeerut University, Meerut
M. Sc.1990Agricultural BotanyMeerut University, Meerut
M. Phil.1992Ag. Botany (Cytogenetics)C.C.S. University, Meerut
Ph. D.1996Ag. Botany (Cytogenetics)C.C.S. University, MeerutAwarded
BOYSCAST Fellowship2004-2005Molecular Cytogenetics and Molecular BiologyTechnical Training, Wheat Genetic Resource Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, U.S.ACompleted

Positions Held

PositionInstituteFromToPay Scale
LecturerCh. Chootu Ram P. G. College, Muzaffarnagar, UP1/5/20025/5/2003Rs. 8000-13500
Assistant ProfessorGBPUA&T, Pantnagar, U.K.5/5/200308/08/06Rs. 8000-13500
Associate ProfessorGBPUA&T, Pantnagar, U.K.08/08/0608/08/2012Rs. 37000-67000 (AGP 9000)
ProfessorGBPUA&T, Pantnagar, U.K.08/08/2012continueRs. 37000-67000 (AGP 10000)

Awards & Recognitions

AwardAwarding AgencyYear
Merit ScholarshipCh. Charan Singh University, Meerut1992
Yong ScientistDepartment of Science & Technology, Govt. of India1997
Yong ScientistDepartment of Science & Technology, Govt. of India2000
BOYSCAST FellowDepartment of Science & Technology, Govt. of India2004

Research Projects (as Principal Investigator)

ProjectFunding Agency / Ref.DurationOutlay (Rs.)Status
1. A Study of Translocations and Trisomics in Lentil (Lens culinaris Med.)DST Govt. of India, New Delhi Ref. No.: HR/SY/B-11/963.5 years3,50,000Completed
2. Isolation, characterization and physical mapping of repetitive DNA families from lentil (Lens culinaris Med.)DST Govt. of India, New DelhiRef. No.: SR/FTP/LS245/20003 years12,00,000Completed
3. Molecular characterization of interspecific hybrid of sugarcane using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH)DBT Govt. of India Ref. No. BT/PR4955/NB/51/048/20043 years43,81,000Completed
4. Isolation and Characterization of Species Specific Repetitive DNA Families from Saccharum spontaneum and Saccharum officinarum and their use in characterization of individual chromosomes of corresponding species.DBT, Govt. of India Ref. No. BT/PR12009/NDB/51/199/20093 years34,23,000Completed
5. Application of modern molecular biology tools for sugarcane improvementDirectorate of Sugar, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Govt. of India, Ref. No. 6-9/2006-R&D/SDF/290, dated 26-8-20105 years1,04,08,000Completed
6. Biofortification of wheat for micronutrients through conventional and molecular approaches-Phase-IIDBT, Ref. BT/AGR/Wheat/PH-II/2010, Dated 22/03/20125 years75,60,000Completed
7. High resolution QTL mapping for iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), grain protein, phytate content and their introgression in high yielding wheat cultivarsBT/Nabi-Flagship/2018, dated 18/03/20193 years69245480 3508000 (Pantnagar component)Completed
8. Biofortification of hill adapted cropIndianBarnyard Millet‘Echinochloafrumentacea’ (Himalayan Jhangora) for nutritional and healthcare through computational and NGS approachesDES, GBPUAT, Pantnagar6 months252000Completed

Research Contribution

Research contributions have advanced the integration of cytogenetics, molecular genetics, genomics, mutation breeding, and conventional breeding to address major challenges in wheat improvement and genetic enhancement. Major contributions include the elucidation of the genetic architecture of grain iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and protein accumulation through quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and multi-locus genome-wide association studies conducted across diverse environments, providing valuable genomic resources for biofortification. The development and comprehensive characterization of a large EMS-induced wheat mutant population has generated novel genetic variability for agronomic and nutritional traits, serving as an important resource for functional genomics and precision breeding. Significant advances have also been made in understanding the anatomical, biochemical, and genetic basis of lodging tolerance, leading to the identification of genomic regions and candidate genes associated with stem strength and crop resilience. Through chromosome engineering and wide hybridization with Aegilops species, valuable alleles for enhanced grain micronutrients, disease resistance, and grain quality have been successfully introgressed into bread wheat, while fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)-based cytogenetic investigations have contributed to a deeper understanding of chromosome organization, genome evolution, and alien chromosome introgression. Collectively, these research contributions have generated valuable genetic resources, molecular markers, and genomics-enabled breeding strategies that advance the development of nutritionally enriched, high-yielding, and climate-resilient crop varieties, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural production and global food and nutritional security.

Selected Research Publications

  1. Ronak Majid, Jajati Keshari Nayak, Sofora Jan, Sadaf Salam, Amir Nazir, Mohd, Anwar Khan, Neeraj Pal, Raju Ratan Yadav, Santvana Tyagi, Pooja Joshi, Narendra, Singh Dhaka, Vinay Kumar Singh, Parvaze Ahmad Sofi, Sundip Kumar, Manish K., Vishwakarma, Pradeep Bhati, Uttam Kumar, Rajeev Kumar Varshney & Reyazul Rouf Mir (2026) Dissecting culm strength in wheat: anatomical, biochemical, and genetic insights into lodging tolerance. Scientific Reports: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-57468-4
  2. Akash Gaurav, Rakhi Singh, Vikas Kumar Singh, Satish Kumar, Raju Ratan Yadav, Shoeb Ahmed, Jajati Keshari Nayak, Anjali Verma, Rahul Kumar, Satinder Kaur, Joy K. Roy, Sundip Kumar, Bhudeva Singh Tyagi, Harindra Singh Balyan, Pushpendra Kumar Gupta, Shailendra Sharma (2026) Multi-locus GWAS to unravel the genetic architecture of grain iron, zinc and protein contents in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes evaluated over multiple locations and years. BMC Plant Biology: 26:1056. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-08788-0
  3. Sharat Prabhakaran, Rashmi Chauhan, Dinesh Chandra Joshi, Sundip Kumar, Jajati Keshari Nayak, Rahul Chandora, J. P. Jaiswal, Dinesh Pandey (2026) Deciphering the genetic determinants of calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc accumulation in grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) through a multi environment GWAS approach. BMC Genomics (2026) 27:287. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-12595-0.
  4. Joshi, P., Yadav, R. R., Nayak, J. K., Tyagi, S., Roy, S. S., Pant, A., & Kumar, S. (2025). Assessment of calcium accumulation in the wheat aleurone layer reveals phenotypic variation across two distinct environmental conditions. Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology, 28(8), 1533-1538. (NAAS Rating 5.30)
  5. Yadav, R. R., Nayak, J. K., Tyagi, S., Joshi, P., Pal, N., Shah, I., ... & Kumar, S. (2025). QTL discovery for grain iron and zinc content in wheat: Pathway to biofortification. Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding (The), 85(1), 26-34. (NAAS Rating 6.13)
  6. Kumar, N., Nayak, J. K., Pal, N., Tyagi, S., Yadav, R. R., Joshi, P., ... & Kumar, S. (2025). Development and characterization of an EMS-mutagenized population of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for agronomic trait variation and increased micronutrients content. Cereal Research Communications, 53(1), 469-481. (NAAS Rating 7.60)
  7. Kumar, U., Panigrahi, S., Goswami, R., Singh, Y., Balyan, P., Kapoor, P., ... & Mir, R. R. (2025). Enhancing wheat β-glucan content through precision crossbreeding: development and evaluation of biofortified lines with improved nutritional and agronomic traits. Frontiers in genetics, 16, 1532956. (NAAS Rating 8.80)
  8. Pal, N., Nayak, J. K., Yadav, R. R., Tyagi, S., Joshi, P., & Kumar, S. (2024). Potential Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 Mediated Genome-Editing Approaches in Improvements of Cereals. In Omics and System Biology Approaches for Delivering Better Cereals (pp. 111-132). CRC Press.
  9. Duhan, N., Panigrahi, S., Pal, N., Saini, D. K., Balyan, P., Singh, Y., ... & Kumar, U. (2024). Identification and expression analysis of genomic regions associated with the traits contributing to lodging tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). European journal of agronomy, 154, 127073. (NAAS Rating 11.20)
  10. Nayak, J. K., Chauhan, R., Kumar, S., & Prabhakaran, S. (2023). Whispers of nourishment: Unveiling the role of non-coding RNA in plant nutrient availability. In Noncoding RNA-The Dark Matter of the Genome. IntechOpen.
  11. Nayak, J. K., Yadav, R. R., Tyagi, S., Joshi, P., & Kumar, S. (2023) Estimation of Genetic variability and Frequency Distribution of EMS Mutant derived F2 Population of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for Varied Agronomic Traits.
  12. Ajjarapu, S.M., Tiwari, A., Taj, G., Singh, D.B., Singh, S. and Kumar, S., 2021. Simulation studies, 3D QSAR and molecular docking on a point mutation of protein kinase B with flavonoids targeting ovarian Cancer. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 22(1), pp.1-23.(I.F. 2.8)
  13. Pal, N., Mavi, A.K., Kumar, S., Kumar, U., Joshi, M.D. and Saluja, R., 2021. Current updates on adaptive immune response by B cell and T cell stimulation and therapeutic strategies for novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. Heliyon, 7(4), p.e06894.(NAAS Rating 10.00)
  14. Gupta, Binni& Tiwari, Apoorv& Taj, Gohar & Pal, Neeraj & Malik, Rashmi & Kumar, Sundip. (2022). In-silico Molecular Modelling and Docking Studies on Kinase Inhibitors as Potential Anti-Cancer Target in HER2-associated Breast Cancer. Letters in Organic Chemistry. 19. 10.2174/1570178619666220929114935. (NAAS Rating 6.80)
  15. Girimal, D.G., Kumar, D., Shahi, B.N., Ghosh, A.K. and Sundip, K., 2020. Studies on fortnightly test day milk yields and non-genetic factors affecting this part milk yields in Sahiwal and crossbred cattle. Pantnagar Journal of Research, 18(2), pp.48-51.(NAAS Rating 4.86)
  16. Tiwari VK, Rawat N, Neelam K, Kumar S, Randhawa GS, Dhaliwal HS (2010). Random chromosome elimination in synthetic Triticum-Aegilops amphiploids leads to development of a stable partial amphiploid with high grain micro- and macronutrient content and powdery mildew resistance. Genome 53 (12): 1053–1065. (NAAS Rating 9.10)
  17. Verma SK, Kumar S, Sheikh I, Malik S, Mathpal P, Chugh V, Kumar S, Prasad R, Dhaliwal HS (2016). Transfer of useful variability of high grain iron and zinc from Aegilops kotschyi into wheat through seed irradiation approach. International Journal of Radiation Biology available on http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/ 09553002.2016.1135263.(NAAS Rating 8.60)
  18. Sharma SK, Mehra P, Kumari J, Kumar S, Kumaria S, Tandon P, Rao SR (2012) Physical localization and probable transcriptional activity of 18S–5.8S–26S rRNA gene loci in some Asiatic Cymbidiums (Orchidaceae) from north-east India. Gene 499 362–366 doi:10.1016/j.gene.2012.03.007. (NAAS Rating 9.50)
  19. Sheikh I, Sharma P, Verma SK, Kumar S, Malik S, Mathpal P, Dhaliwal HS (2016). Characterization of interspecific hybrids of Triticum aestivum x Aegilops sp. without 5B chromosome for induced homoeologous pairing. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 25(1), 117-120. (NAAS Rating 7.90)
  20. Kumar S, Friebe B, Gill BS (2010) Fate of Aegilops speltoides-Derived, Repetitive DNA Sequences in Diploid Aegilops Species, Wheat- Aegilops Amphiploids and Derived Chromosome Addition Lines. Cytogenet Genome Res DOI: 10.1159/000314552(NAAS Rating 7.70)
  21. Singh J, Sheikh I, Sharma P, Kumar S, Verma SK, Kumar R, Mathpal P, Kumar S, Vyas P, Dhaliwal HS (2016) Transfer of HMW glutenin subunits from Aegilops kotschyito wheat through radiation hybridization. Journal of Food Science and Technology DOI: 10.1007/s13197-016-2333-6. (NAAS Rating 9.10)
  22. Kumar S, Friebe B, Gill BS (2014) Physical localization of rRNA genes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and analysis of spacer length varients (slvs) genes in some species of Sesbania. Plant Systematics and Evolution 300 (8): 1793-1802. (NAAS Rating 7.90)
  23. Kumar U, Mathpal P, Malik S, Kumar N, Kumar S, ChughV, ..& Kumar, S. (2015). Evaluation of iron and zinc in grain and grain fractions of hexaploid wheat and its related species for possible utilization in wheat biofortification. Plant Genetic Resources, 1-11. Doi: 10.1017/S147926211500012X. (NAAS Rating 7.10)
  24. Kumar S, Kumar N, Balyan HS, Gupta PK (2003). 1BL.1RS translocation in some Indian bread wheat genotypes and strategies for its use in future wheat breeding. Caryologia 56:23-30. (NAAS Rating 8.10)
  25. Kumar S, Balyan HS, Ramesh B, Singh SP Gupta PK (2001) A study of nucleolar organizers in lentil using FISH and spore quartet analysis. Cytologia 66: 247-252. (NAAS Rating 7.00)
  26. Gupta PK, Kumar S, Tyagi BS, Sharma SK (1999) Chromosome interchanges in lentil (Lens culinaris L) Cytologia 64: 387-394. (NAAS Rating 7.00)
  27. Gupta PK, Sharma S, Kumar S, Balyan HS, Beharav A, Nevo E (2004). Adaptive ribosomal DNA polymorphism in wild barley at a mosaic microsite, NeweYa’ar in Israel. Plant Sci. 166: 1555-1563. (NAAS Rating 11.20)
  28. Sharma S, Gupta PK, Kumar S, Balyan HS, Beharav A, Nevo E (2004) Interlocus homogenization of ribosomal DNA repeat units in barley. Current Science 86:384-386.(NAAS Rating 7.00)
  29. Devi EL, Verma SS, Kumar S, Singh NK (2015) Genetic variability studies for yield and contributing traits under two plant densities and molecular diversity analysis in maiz (Zea mays L). Maydica 60.4 – M37. (NAAS Rating 6.60)
  30. Sharma M, Shahi BN, Kumar D, Kumar S, Barwal RS (2018) Assessing genetic variability in udaipuri goat using microsatellite markers. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 88: 620-622. (NAAS Rating 6.40)
  31. Ganie ZA, Kumar D, Kumar S, Shahi BN, Ghosh AK (2017) Genetic diversity analysis of chaugarkha goat using microsatellite markers. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 87: 122-124. (NAAS Rating 6.40)

Books & Book Chapters

  1. Kumar U, Priyanka, Kumar S (2016) Genetic improvement of sugarcane through conventional and molecular approaches. In Molecular Breeding for Sustainable Crop Improvement (eds) Rajpal VR, Rao SR and Raina SN. Springer International Publishing Switzerland. pp 325-342.
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