Devinder Sandhu, Ph.D.

Education

Ph.D., Agronomy - Univ. of Nebraska - Lincoln (2000)
M.S., Plant Breeding - Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India (1995)
B.A., Agriculture - Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India (1993)

Courses

Bio 130 - Introduction to Plant Biology​

Bio 210 - Genetics

Bio 310 - Plant Genetics

Bio 399- Independent Study in Plant Genetics

Bio 490 - Seminar in Plant Genetics

Links

My Faculty Home Page​

Professional Affiliations

• Genetics Society of America (GSA)
  
• Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)

Research Interests

Molecular Characterization of Rps4

The project is aimed at molecular characterization of Rps4, a locus providing resistance against Phytophthora sojae. We have developed the genetic and physical maps for Rps4 region. This region is very unstable and we have discovered several rearrangements at the NBSRps4/6 region. We have also identified a noble Rps gene from one of the mutant plants. Most importantly deletion of NSBRps4/6 sequences result in loss of Rps4 function suggesting that Rps4 is present in the deleted region. Most likely NBSRps4/6 is the Rps4 gene. Alternatively, they are very closely associated.

Broad-spectrum resistance in soybean

By manipulating the expression of a single key regulatory or signal transduction gene for disease resistance we should be able to enhance resistance against many pathogens in a single attempt. Ten candidates including are being evaluated in this investigation for the possible broad-spectrum disease resistance in soybean . Next step will be to over-express these genes to investigate if any of these candidate genes can confer broad-spectrum resistance against soybean pathogens in transgenic soybean plants.

Nonhost resitance

Objective of the project is to identify novel Arabidopsis nonhost resistance genes that confer resistance against P. sojae. Then manipulate the expression of these genes in soybean to generate durable and broad-spectrum resistance. We have generated EMS mutant population consisting of about 4000 plants. Progeny from these mutant plants is being screened for defect in nonhost resistance against P. sojae.​

Honors and Awards

2009	Nomination for UWSP University Scholar Award.
2009	Excellence In Scholarship, Department of Biology, UWSP
2008	Faculty Diversity Research Award, IRE UW System
2000	Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Student Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2000	Milton E. Mohr Award for Academic Excellence in Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1999	Milton E. Mohr Award for Academic Excellence in Biotechnology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1995	Overall Best Graduate Student of the Faculty of Agriculture, Punjab Agricultural University.
1993-95	Merit Fellowship, Punjab Agricultural University

Grants

2009	Pending- NSF-Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development. Gill, KS, Sandhu D, Dhugga, K, Johal, An alternate dwarfing system to improve seedling emergence, abiotic stress tolerance, root characteristics and nutrient uptake in wheat and other cereals.
2008	USDA. Bamberg, J.B., Harvey, M.J., Jansky, S., Sandhu, D., Barta, T. Genetic improvement of potato for tuber calcium uptake.
2008	Faculty Diversity Research Grant, UWsys. Sandhu, D. Molecular characterization of two temperature sensitive male sterile mutant genes in soybean.
2007	American Science and Technology Corp. Singsaas, E., Sharkey, T. Sandhu, D. Industrial production of the bio-rubber precursor isoprene.

Select Publications

2009	Pending- NSF-Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Development. Gill, KS, Sandhu D, Dhugga, K, Johal, An alternate dwarfing system to improve seedling emergence, abiotic stress tolerance, root characteristics and nutrient uptake in wheat and other cereals.
2008	USDA. Bamberg, J.B., Harvey, M.J., Jansky, S., Sandhu, D., Barta, T. Genetic improvement of potato for tuber calcium uptake.
2008	Faculty Diversity Research Grant, UWsys. Sandhu, D. Molecular characterization of two temperature sensitive male sterile mutant genes in soybean.
2007	American Science and Technology Corp. Singsaas, E., Sharkey, T. Sandhu, D. Industrial production of the bio-rubber precursor isoprene.

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