Itika Sharma

Ph.D. thesis submitted entitled 'Functional genomics approach for understanding the apple-Alternaria pathosystem'.

CSIR-UGC NET and GATE qualified.

University Silver medalist and recipient of the Infosys Prize for Excellence.

• Plant Pathology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
• Molecular biology
• Microbiology
• Fruit Crop Diseases
• Disease Management in Horticultural Crops
• Fungal Pathogens of Fruit Trees
• Transcriptomics and Gene Expression Analysis

During my Ph.D., I conducted a comprehensive molecular and pathological study on Alternaria leaf blotch disease in apple, focusing on the interaction between Alternaria alternata and susceptible apple cultivars of Jammu and Kashmir. I isolated and characterized Alternaria species using morphological and molecular markers (ITS, endoPG, and Alt a 1), confirming the predominance of A. alternata. Pathogenicity assays identified isolate CD14 as the most virulent strain. Using dual RNA-seq, I analyzed host-pathogen transcriptomes at different infection stages, revealing key defense pathways (PTI, ETI, MAPK, and phenylpropanoid) and fungal virulence genes (CAZymes, effectors, and mycotoxin biosynthesis). The study provided the first transcriptomic insight into the apple–A. alternata pathosystem in India, identifying potential molecular targets for breeding disease-resistant apple varieties and sustainable disease management strategies.

• Fieldwork experience
• Microbial techniques
• DNA/RNA extraction and quantification
• PCR and qRT-PCR
• cDNAsynthesis and confirmation
• Next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation
• Aseptic techniques and microbial preservation
• Experience with apple and other horticultural crops
• Gel electrophoresis
• Pathogenicity assays
• Data collection, organization and analysis
• MS office
• Documentation and reporting
• Qualitative research
• Research planning
• Quantitative research
• Writing and editing
• Friendly, positive attitude
• Teamwork and collaboration

• Sharma, I., Raina, A., Dhar, M.K., and Kaul, S. (2025). Comprehensive characterization and pathogenicity assessment of Alternaria species causing leaf blotch in apple. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 136, 102592 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102592
• Raina, A., Kaul, S., Sharma, I., Khataia, K., and Dhar, M.K. (2025). First Report of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot on Juglans regia in India. Plant Disease, 11. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-24-2479-PDN
• Sharma, I., Raina, A., Choudhary, M., Kaul, S., and Dhar, M.K. (2023) Fungal endophyte bioinoculants as a green alternative towards sustainable agriculture. Heliyon, 9(9), e19487 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19487
• Sharma, I., Choudhary, M., Kaul, S., Agrawal, D.C., and Dhar, M.K. (2023). Potential of medicinal mushrooms in human health and welfare: an overview. mushrooms with therapeutic potentials: recent advances in research and development. In: Agrawal, D.C., Dhanasekaran, M. (eds) Mushrooms with Therapeutic Potentials. Springer, Singapore, 253-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-9550-7_9
• Choudhary, M., Sharma, I., Agrawal, D.C., Dhar, M.K., and Kaul, S. (2021) Neurotoxic potential of alkaloids from Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium L.): a commonly used Indian folk medicinal herb. In: Agrawal, D.C., Dhanasekaran, M. (eds) Medicinal Herbs and Fungi neurotoxicity vs. neuroprotection. Springer, Singapore, 391-420.

• Presented a paper entitled ‘Characterization of pathogen causing leaf blotch in apple’ at International conference on ‘‘Emerging trends in biosciences and chemical technology’’ organized by School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, J&K-India from 14th February to 15th February, 2025.
• Attended ‘Hands-on bioinformatics workshop on plant and microbial genomics’ organized by School of Biotechnology in collaboration with HRDC, and CITESM, University of Jammu, Jammu, from 23rdJanuary 2023 to 30th January, 2023.
• Presented a paper at International conference on “Interface between agriculture, food, chemical and biological sciences” organized by Department of food Science and technology, University of Kashmir Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India 190006 from 27th to 29th July, 2022 in collaboration with Association of Food Scientists and Technologists of India.
• Attended online webinar on ‘Next generation sequencing for deciphering Host-pathogen interactions’ on 4th and 5th February, 2021.
• Attended International virtual conference on ‘Plant specialized metabolism and metabolic engineering (PSMME-2020) organised by CSIR- Central institute of medicinal and aromatic plants from 14th-16th October, 2020.
• Attended National webinar Prof. A. Abraham Endowment Lecture- 2020 ‘From Cytogenetics to Genomics- the journey so far’ organized by Kerala Academy of Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram in association with Department of Botany, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, on October 28th, 2020.
• Attended International webinar on “Covid-19 and Beyond: Future prospects in Biotechnology” organized by Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences on July 08-09, 2020.
• Attended National Level webinar on "Frontiers in Mycoherbicide research, recent developments, future perspectives and Commercialization" on Monday 6th July 2020.
• Attended National Level webinar on "Current use of DNA sequence data in fungal taxonomy impact and future perspectives" on Monday 6th July 2020.
• Attended AWSAR Webinar on popular science writing on 25th June 2020.
• Attended National Level webinar on "Fungal endophytes: Structural and Functional Diversity" on Wednesday 24th June 2020.
• Attended Webinar on “How to access Taylor & Francis journals” on 19th May 2020.
• Attended a national event on the theme ‘‘Science and Technology’ for a sustainable future’’ organized by the University of Jammu on 20th December to 22nd December 2019.
• Presented a paper at International conference on ‘‘Applied Biology & First Annual Convention of Society of Biologists’’ held at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, J&K-India from 4th to 6thNovember, 2019.
• Presented a paper and won 3rd prize at 6th J&K Women Science Congress from 26thto 28th February, 2019 on the theme ‘‘Research and Women in Science, Technology & Opportunities’’ in collaboration with J&K State Science Technology & Innovation Council, Department of Science & Technology.

English, Hindi