Name: Dr. Kavya Bakka Designation: Assistant Professor Phone: 04366-277230 Email:kavyabakka@cutn.ac.in
Biographic Sketch:
Dr. Kavya has finished her Ph. D from University of Cologne, Germany; during this tenure she was awarded with "Young Scientist Award" by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research for German State of North Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Dr. Kavya did her Post Doctoral training at Central University of Tamilnadu after securing the prestigious SERB-NPDF grant. Dr. Kavya did her second Post Doctoral (Researcher) training from Uppsala University, Sweden sponsored by the distinguished SciLifeLab consortium. She joined Central University of Tamilnadu as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and is currently working in the field of mitochondrial biology. Dr. Kavya Bakka thoroughly enjoys her teaching profession and is always looking forward to exploring and experiencing different approaches to scientific pedagogy. Recently, Dr. Kavya Bakka had the opportunity to coordinate a NASI-CUTN Science and Society program which has ignited a new passion for outreach activities.
Research Highlights :
The main focus of my laboratory is to understand the role of mitochondrial localizing stress mitigating proteins. We are studying the molecular properties of ROS quenching proteins using reverse genetics approaches. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is powerful model organism that can be used to study the genetic and molecular interactions of ROS quenching proteins through heterologous expression.
In parallel, we are also working on isolating novel PGPR strains 1) To study the signaling mechanisms underlying the symbiosis between the plant and PGPR. 2) To generate a novel plant probiotic consortium for supporting sustainable agriculture in salty soils.
Recent Publications :
Challabathula D, Analin B, Mohanan A, Bakka K. (2022) Differential modulation of photosynthesis, ROS and antioxidant enzyme activities in stress-sensitive and-tolerant rice cultivars during salinity and drought upon restriction of COX and AOX pathways of mitochondrial oxidative electron transport. Journal of Plant Physiology, 268, 153583.
Analin B, Mohanan A, Bakka K, Challabathula D. (2020) Cytochrome oxidase and alternative oxidase pathways of mitochondrial electron transport chain are important for the photosynthetic performance of pea plants under salinity stress conditions. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 154,248-259.
Knig T, Trder SE, Bakka K, Korwitz A, Richter-Dennerlein R, Lampe PA, Patron M, Mhlmeister M, Guerrero-Castillo S, Brandt U, Decker T, Lauria I, Paggio A, Rizzuto R, Rugarli EI, De Stefani D, Langer T. (2015) Regulation of MCU-dependent mitochondrial calcium influx by the m-AAA protease associated with neurodegeneration. Molecular Cell, 64: 148-162
