Thimmaraju Rudrappa, Ph.D. e-mail: University of Delaware Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Delaware Biotechnology Institute 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711 Education Postdoctoral Research Associate (2005-till date): Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE-19711, USA. PhD in Biotechnology (2005): Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, University of Mysore, Mysore, India.

Post graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (2001): Pondicherry University, India.

Master of Science (Agri) in Plant Biotechnology: First rank, Institute of Agri-Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India (1999, Cumulative Grade Point Average 9.20/10.0; First Rank).

Bachelor of Science (Agri): College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, India (1997, Cumulative Grade Point Average 9.15/10.0; Second Rank).

Professional Experience

CSIR-Research Fellow (September 2001 –15th Nov 2005): under the guidance of Dr. N. Bhagyalakshmi, Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, India for Ph. D. degree on the topic entitled “Genetically transformed (hairy root) root cultures of red beet (Beta vulgaris) for the production of food color and peroxidase enzyme”.

Research Associate (14-10-2000 to 19-9-2001) in the project “Germplasm collection, Establish ment of elite tree garden, DNA finger- printing and assessment of genetic diversity through RAPD of Garcinia - an endangered medicinal plant”. At Institute of Agri Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.

Senior Research Fellow (17-12-1999 to 13-10-2000) in the project “Development of transgenic cotton for Insect resistance”, at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.

M Sc. Thesis “Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA based fingerprinting and assessment of genetic diversity in Sorghum”, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.

Awards and Honours

• S. J, Jindal Trust Fellowship for undergraduate studies at UAS, Dharwad, India.
• Univ. of Agril. Sciences Merit Scholarship for studying M Sc. degree.
• Univ. of Agril. Sciences - Gold Medal for obtaining 1st rank in Masters Degree.
• Underwent training on DNA Fingerprinting of cotton hybrids at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, India from 5th Oct 1998 to 16th Oct 1998.
• Junior Research fellowship of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, after qualifying a national level competitive examination conducted by CSIR-India.
• Selected for participation in the Technology Entrepreneurship Programme sponsored by HRD-group CSIR India conducted at National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) Pune, by the faculty from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore between 30th January 2005 and 25th February 2005.

Current Research

My current research work is focused on investigating different aspects of plant-plant and plant microbe interactions in the rhizosphere viz., (1) to study the role of root exudates in the plant and beneficial rhizobacterial interaction. To address this issue we use the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas florescence model systems. This study also involves the study of chemical SOS signaling by plants through root exudates in response to aerial infection by pathogenic organisms to attract beneficial microorganisms. (2) Interaction of plant root system with pathogenic organism Pseudomonas syringae and opportunistic pathogens such as P. aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis is another important area on which my research is focused. (3) Elucidating the root exudation mediated mechanisms responsible for the invasive success of Phragmitis australis.

Selected Publications

1. Thimmaraju Rudrappa, William J. Quinn, Nicola R. Stanley-Wall and Harsh P. Bais (2007) A degradation product of the salicylic acid pathway triggers oxidative stress resulting in down-regulation of Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation on Arabidopsis thaliana roots. Planta 226:283-97.

2. Thimmaraju Rudrappa and Harsh P. Bais (2007) Arabidopsis thaliana root surface chemistry regulates in planta biofilm formation of Bacillus subtilis. Plant Signaling & Behavior 2:5, e1-e1.

3. Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N and Ravishankar GA (2006). Elicitation of peroxidase activity in genetically transformed root cultures of Beta vulgaris L. Electronic Journal of Biotechnology 9: 512-521.

4. Venkatachalam L, Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N and Sreedhar RV (2006). Direct shoot and cormlet regeneration from leaf explants of Silk Banana (AAB). In Vitro Cell and Developmental Biology-Plant 42: 262-269.

5. Savitha BC, Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N and Ravishankar GA (2006). Different biotic and abiotic elicitors influence betalain production in hairy root cultures of Beta vulgaris in shake-flask and bioreactor. Process Biochemistry 41: 50-60.

6. Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N, Narayan MS and Ravishankar GA (2005). In vitro culture of Pandanus amaryllifolius and enhancement of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, the major flavoring compound of aromatic rice by precursor feeding of L-proline. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 85: 2527-2534.

7. Bhagyalakshmi N, Thimmaraju R, Venkatachalam L, Chidambara murthy KN and Sreedhar RV (2005). Nutraceutical applications of garlic and the intervention of biotechnology. CRC-Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 45: 607–621.

8. Thimmaraju R, Vinod Kumar, Bhagyalakshmi N and Ravishankar GA (2005). Peroxidase production from hairy root cultures of red beet (Beta vulgaris). Electronic Journal of Biotechnology 8: 185-196.

9. Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N and Ravishankar GA (2004). In situ and ex situ adsorption and recovery of betalaines from hairy root cultures of Beta vulgaris. Biotechnology Progress 20: 777-785.

10. Bhagyalakshmi N, Thimmaraju R and Narayan MS (2004). Various hexoses and di-hexoses differently influence growth, morphology and pigment synthesis in transformed root cultures of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.). Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 78: 183 -195.

Patents Granted

1. Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N, Suresh B, and. Ravishankar GA. (2002). An improved process for the in situ extraction of betalaines from Beta valgaris hairy root cultures in a bubble column reactor (Australian patent No. AU2002247924).

2. Thimmaraju R, Bhagyalakshmi N, Narayan MS and Ravishankar GA (2003). A culture medium formulation for producing callusy shoots cultures of Pandanus amaryllifolius capable of producing high levels of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline responsible for aroma of scented rice varieties (US patent No. 400308).

3. Thimmaraju R, and Bhagyalakshmi N (2004). An improved medium formulation for clonal propagation of Pandanus amaryllifolius (US patent No. 2004191908).