The ever-changing climate poses a significant challenge as it presents distress to the growth and development of plants. Therefore, there is a need for plants to develop adaptation strategies. Ample evidence in recent past projected chloroplasts as sensors for environmental cues, priming the plant response to deal with the adversities.

Taking this into account, We are interested to understand:

(i) How plants sense and manage environmental perturbations such as high light, temperature, and photoinhibitory stresses, with an emphasis on the role of chloroplast in this process.

(ii) Impact of stresses on chloroplast protein homeostasis directly affecting photosynthetic machinery, to engineer stress-resilient photosynthetic apparatus.

For our research, we are investigating Arabidopsis thaliana and High Altitude Extremophytes of the Himalayas, employing forward and reverse genetics, genetic engineering, cell biology, and multi-omics.

Honors and Awards

1. Ramalingaswamy Re-entry fellowship 2019-20 by Department of Biotechnology, GOI in March 2020.

2. President’s International Fellowship Initiative (PIFI) Postdoctoral fellowship by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Dec 2018 for two years; 2019-2020). 

3. Received a research grant as an International Young Scientist from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in August 2018, for two years; 2019-2020. 

4. Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship by University Grants Commission (UGC), GOI in June 2015.

5. Received International Travel Grant from SERB, DST under Young Scientist category to attend international conference Proteomic Forum 2013 in Germany in March 2013.

6. Senior Research Fellowship by CSIR, GOI in Jan 2012.

7. Qualified CSIR/UGC NET LS in Life sciences twice in June 2006 and Dec 2008. 

8. Qualified Radiological Safety Officer (level 1) exam at AERB, BARC, INDIA in April 2007.

9. University Gold Medalist in Post-graduation (in 2006).  

Scientific editorial roles 

•  Review Editor in Frontiers in Plant Science for Plant Abiotic Stress & Plant Physiology Sections.

•  Review Editor in Frontiers in Genetics for Plant Genomics Section.

•  Academic Editor in PlosOne.

Research/review articles

29. Medina-Puche L, Kim C, Lozano-Duran, and Dogra V* (2021). Protocol for evaluating protein relocalization from the plasma membrane to chloroplasts. STAR Protocols (Cell Press), 182(5):  1109-1124.e25 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100816

28. Jun F, Li B, Chen L-j, Dogra V, Luo S, Wang P, Hwang I, Li H-m and Kim C (2021). TIC236 gain-of-function mutations unveil the link between plastid division and plastid protein import. bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.25.441383

27. Li M, Lee KP, Liu T, Dogra V, Duan j, Li M, XIng W and Kim C (2021). Immune regulators SIB1 and LSD1 antagonistically regulates phANGs via GLK transcription factors. bioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.22.393603 

26. Swarnkar MK, Kumar P, Dogra V and Kumar S* (2021). Prickle morphogenesis is coupled with secondary metabolite accumulation and governed by canonical MBW transcriptional complex. Plant Direct 5(6): e00325 https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.325

25. Kumar A, Guleria S, Ghosh D, Dogra V* and Kumar S (2021). Managing reactive oxygen species- Some learnings from high altitude extremophytes. Environmental and Experimental Botany  189: 104525 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2021.104525

24. Medina-Puche L, Tan H, Dogra V, Wu M, Rosas-Diaz T, Wang L, Ding X, Zhang D, Fu X, Kim C, and Lozano-Duran R (2020). A defense pathway linking plasma membrane and chloroplasts and co-opted by pathogens. Cell https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.07.020 F1000 recommended article (https://f1000.com/prime/736895225) (https://facultyopinions.com/prime/738540339)

23. Wang F, Jun F, Guan K, Luo, S, Dogra V, Li B, Ma D, Zhao X, Lee KP, Sun P, Xin J, Liu T, Xing W and Kim C (2020). The Arabidopsis CRUMPLED LEAF protein, a homolog of the cyanobacterial billin lyase, retains the phycocyanobilin binding pocket for a yet unknown function. Plant Journal https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.14974 

22. Li B, Jun F, Singh RM, Lv S, Zi H, Liu R, Dogra V* and  Kim C (2020). FATTY ACID DESATURASE 5 is Required to Induce Autoimmune Response in Gigantic Chloroplast Mutants of Arabidopsis. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00016 [*Co-corresponding author]  

21. Lee KP, Liu K, Kim EY, Medina-Puche L, Dong H, Duan J, Li M, Dogra V, Li Y, Lv R, Li Z, Lozano-Duran R and Kim C (2020). PLANT NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE A and Its Putative Receptor PNP-R2 Antagonize Salicylic Acid-mediated Signaling and Cell Death. Plant Cell https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.20.00018

20. Li Z^#, Dogra V^#, Lee KP, Li R, Li M, Li M, and Kim C (2020). N-terminal acetylation stabilizes SIB1 involved in salicylic acid-primed cell death. Plant Physiology 183(1):258-370 [#Equal contribution] https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.01417

19. Dogra V and Kim, C (2020). Singlet Oxygen Metabolism: from Genesis to Signaling. Frontiers in Plant Science 10:1640 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01640

18. Dogra V and Kim, C (2019). Chloroplast protein homeostasis is coupled with retrograde signaling. Plant Signaling & Behavior 14:11 https://doi.org/10.1080/15592324.2019.1656037

17. Dogra V^#, Li M^#, Singh S^#, Li M, and Kim C (2019). Oxidative post-translational modification of EXECUTER1 is required for singlet oxygen sensing in plastids. Nature Communications 10:2834 [^#Equal contribution] https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10760-6 F1000 recommended article (https://f1000.com/prime/736073952)

16. Duan J^#, Lee KP^#, Dogra V^#, Zhang S, Liu K, Caceres-Moreno C, Lv S, Xing W, Kato Y, Sakamoto W, Liu R, Macho AP and Kim C (2019). Impaired PSII proteostasis promotes retrograde signaling via salicylic acid. Plant Physiology 180(4):2182-2197. [^#Equal contribution] https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.19.00483 F1000 recommended article (https://f1000.com/prime/735907626)  

15. Dogra V^#, Duan J^#, Lee KP, and Kim C (2019). Impaired PSII proteostasis triggers an UPR-like response in the var2 mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana. Journal of Experimental Botany 70(12):3075-3088 [^#Equal contribution] https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erz151

14. Lv R, Li Z, Li M, Dogra V, Lv S, Liu R, Lee KP, and Kim C (2018).  Uncoupled expression of photosynthesis-associated genes: its contribution to lesion-mimicking cell death. Plant Cell 31 (1): 210-230 https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.18.00813

13. Dogra V, Rochaix, J-D, and Kim C (2018). Singlet oxygen-triggered chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signaling pathways: an emerging perspective. Plant Cell and Environment 41(8):1727-1738 https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13332

12. Dogra V, Duan J, Lee KP, Lv S, Liu R, and Kim C (2017). Proteolysis of EXECUTER1 is essential in mediating singlet oxygen-triggered retrograde signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. Frontiers in Plant Science 29;8:1145 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01145

11. Wang L, Kim C, Xu X, Piskurewicz U, Dogra V, Singh S, Mahler H, and Apel K (2016). singlet oxygen- and ECECUTER1-mediated signaling is initiated in grana margins and depends on the protease FtsH2. PNAS USA 113(26): E3792-800 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1603562113

10. Dogra V, Sharma R, and Sreenivasulu Y (2016). Xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases/hydrolase (XET/H) gene is expressed during the seed germination in Podophyllum hexandrum: a high altitude Himalayan plant. Planta 244:505-515 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-016-2520-8

9. Kaushal R, Sharma N, and Dogra V (2016). Molecular characterization of Glycosyl hydrolases of Trichoderma harzianum WF5 - a potential strain isolated from decaying wood and their application in bioconversion of poplar wood to ethanol under separate hydrolysis and fermentation. Biomass and Bioenergy 85: 243-251 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2015.12.010 

8. Dogra V, Bagler G, and Sreenivasulu Y (2015). Re-analysis of protein data reveals the germination pathway and up accumulation mechanism of cell wall hydrolases during the radical protrusion step of seed germination in Podophyllum hexandrum- a high altitude plant. Frontiers in Plant Science 6:874 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2015.00874

7.  Kaushal R, Sharma N, and Dogra V (2015). Optimization of the production and molecular characterization of cellulase-free xylanase from an alkalophillic Bacillus subtilis SD8 isolated from paper mill effluent. Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology 51(5): 551-559 https://doi.org/10.1134/S0003683815050117

6. Kaur D^#, Dogra V^#, Thapa P, Sood A, Bhattacharya A, and Sreenivasulu Y (2015). In vitro flowering associated protein changes in Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. Proteomics 15:1291-1306 [^#Equal contribution] https://doi.org/10.1002/pmic.201400049

5. Dogra V and Sreenivasulu Y (2015). Cloning and functional characterization of β-1, 3-glucanase gene from Podophyllum hexandrum - A high altitude Himalayan plant. Gene 554(1):25-31 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2014.10.012

4. Shafi A, Dogra V, Gill T, Ahuja PS, and Sreenivasulu Y (2014). Simultaneous Over-Expression of PaSOD and RaAPX in Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana Confers Cold Stress Tolerance through Increase in Vascular Lignifications. PLOS One 9(10): e110302 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0110302

3. Deswal R, Gupta R, Dogra V, Singh R, et al. (2014). Plant Proteomics in India and Nepal: Current Status and Challenges Ahead. Physiology and Molecular Biology of the Plants 19(4): 461-477 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-013-0198-y

2. Dogra V, Ahuja PS, and Sreenivasulu Y (2013). Change in protein content during seed germination of a high altitude plant Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. Journal of Proteomics 78: 26-38 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jprot.2012.10.025

1. Gill T, Dogra V, Sreenivasulu Y, Kumar S, and Ahuja PS (2012). Protein dynamics in Arabidopsis seeds over-expressing Potentilla superoxide dismutase during germination under copper stress. Journal of Plant Research 125(1):165-172  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-011-0421-2

Book chapters

1. Sarkar A, Islam MT, Zargar SM, Dogra V, et al. (2014). Proteomics potential and contribution towards sustainable agriculture. In: Agroecology, Ecosystems, and Sustainability. Ed: N. Benkeblia. CRC Press 1 edition (November 28, 2014) (ISBN-13: 978-1466565548) 

Conference Presentations

Oral Presentations

1. Dogra V, Li M, Singh S, Li M, and Kim C (2019). Singlet oxygen: from genesis to retrograde signaling. In 4th National Arabidopsis Meeting 2019 (NAM2019), held in NISER, Bhubaneswar, India (December 29-31, 2019). (Invited plenary speaker)

2. Dogra V, Li M, Singh S, Li M, and Kim C (2019). Singlet oxygen: from oxidative damage to retrograde signaling. In A Symposium Celebrating Barry Osmond: Reflections in a Flash held in Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, Australia (September 12-13, 2019). (Invited plenary speaker)

3. Dogra V, Duan J, Lee KP, Zhang S, Liu K, and Kim C (2019). Impaired PSII proteostasis promotes retrograde signaling via salicylic acid. In International Symposium for Plant Photobiology 2019 (ISPP2019) held in Barcelona, Spain (June 3-8, 2019). 

Poster Presentations

4. Dogra V, Singh S, Li M, Li M, and Kim C (2017). The putative singlet oxygen sensor EXECUTER1 undergoes oxidative post-translational modification in Arabidopsis thaliana. In Gordon Research Conference- Posttranslational Modification Networks 2017 held in Hongkong University of Science and Technology (HKUAST), Hongkong (August 13-18,2017)

5. Dogra V, Wang L, Singh S, Apel K, and Kim C (2016). Singlet oxygen, FtsH2, and EXECUTER1 constitute a chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. In The 2nd Molecular Plant International Symposium: From Genes to Networks held in Tsinghua University, Beijing, China (August 11-14,2016)

7. Dogra V, Singh S, Wang L,  Xu X, She Y, Apel K and Kim C (2016). Photosystem II-associated EXECUTER proteins act as ROS sensors and mediate chloroplast-to-nucleus retrograde signaling under various environmental stresses. In PSC annual retreat 2016 at Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, Shanghai, China (December 4-5th 2016; claimed  Best Poster Award)

8. Dogra V and Sreenivasulu Y (2013). Analysis of Seed Germination Mechanisms in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle – a high altitude medicinal plant. In Proteomic Forum 2013, an international conference at Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany (March 17-21th ’ 2013)

9. Sreenivasulu Y, Dogra V, Chanda S, and Ahuja PS (2009). Molecular characterization of seed dormancy in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle - An important medicinal herb. Presented by Dr. Yelam Sreenivasulu in the IVth International plant dormancy symposium at Fargo, North Dakota, USA (June 8-11, 2009)

10. Dogra V, Chanda S, Sreenivasulu Y, and Ahuja PS (2009). Proteomic analysis of germination specific proteins in Podophyllum hexandrum Royle – an important medicinal herb. in National symposium ‘Biotechnology and Plant Tissue Culture’ held in CSIR-IHBT, organized by PTCA, India (April 3-4, 2009).

11. Dogra V, Chanda S, Sreenivasulu Y, and Ahuja PS (2008). Molecular dissection of seed dormancy/ germination in Podophyllym hexandrum Royle – an important medicinal herb. in the National symposium on ‘New Biology in Agriculture’ held in Punjab University Chandigarh, India (November 07-08, 2008).

Invited Talks

1. Retrograde signals from Chloroplast to Nucleus, delivered at Centre of Excellence on North East India Study, Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar, on December 28, 2019.

Motivated aspirants are welcome to join our research group. Holding independent fellowships would be a plus.

Present members:

1. Er. Mohit K Swarnkar (STO)

2. Twinkle (CSIR-JRF)

3. Dipanshu Ghosh (UGC-JRF)

4. Sumanta Mohapatra (UGC-JRF)

5. Rashmi Arora (DBT-JRF)

6. Sapna Kalra (CSIR-JRF)

7. Sunil Kapoor (Lab attendant)