Dr. Monika Singh

Dr. Monika Singh
Senior Scientist

Division/RS/Unit

Division of Germplasm Conservation

Contact

Off.- 011-25802839
Email- monika.singh(AT)icar.gov.in, monikasinghnbpgr(AT)gmail.com

Qualification

Degree Discipline Year
M.Sc. Biotechnology & Molecular Biology 2001
Ph.D. Biotechnology & Molecular Biology 2005

SPECIALIZATION
Biotechnology & Molecular Biology

Salient Achievements

Over 16 years experience in the area of detection of authorized and unauthorized genetically modified (GM) crops in the Indian context.

Service Component

  • GMO testing services to public/private sector
  • Molecular testing of imported transgenics

Laboratory Management

  • GM detection research facility in compliance with ISO/IEC17025:2017

Key Research Highlights

  1. Cost/Time-efficient Technologies/Strategies Developed for GMO Screening (employed for the first time in GM Detection in India)
  • Multiplex Real-time Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology for rapid on-site GM detection
  • On-site GMO testing using Visual and Real-time LAMP for >20 screening elements (J AOAC Int, 2018, J Plant Biochem Biotechnol 2018, Food Control, 2015, 2017; 2019, J Agric Food Chem, 2013, Eur Food Res Tech, 2023)
  • Crop-specific GMO Matrix combined with Multiplex PCR to screen >90% of GM cotton events and 23 GM food crops approved globally (Food Control, 2016; J Plant Biochem Biotech, 2023)
  • Multi-target Real-time PCR system detecting 47 targets (J Agric Food Chem, 2014)
  1. Technologies developed/validated for Detection of Commercialized Bt Cotton Events and GM Crops under Field Trials (Including Bt Brinjal Event EE1, Event 142)/Imported for Research Purposes (J Agric Food Chem, 2008, 2010; J AOAC Int, 2012, 2014, 2015; Food Control, 2014, 2016)
  2. Doctoral Work: Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCAR Markers) linked to anthracnose resistance gene in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench identified (Theor Appl Genet, 2006, Euphytica, 2006)

Technology Transfer/Commercialization

Awards/Honours

  • Technical expert from India in 34th European Network of the GMO Laboratories (ENGL) Plenary Meeting (27-28 October 2023), Organized by Joint Research Centre (JRC) Sevilla, Spain (virtual mode)
  • Exchange visit to the Belgian partner: Sciensano, Brussels, 30 Sep – 13 Oct 2019 sponsored by DST-BELSPO under Indo-Belgium Collaborative Project
  • Technical Expert, Scientific Session of the Meeting (Open Science Day) of the 30th ENGL Meeting, Ispra, Italy (2 Oct 2019)
  • Nominated and sponsored by the MoEF&CC for the Training on Detection of LMOs, 18-22 Jan, 2016 at Intertek ScanBi Diagnostics, Alnarp, Sweden
  • Certified NABL Assessor and Internal Auditor as per IS/ISO/IEC 17025:2017
  • Young Women Scientist Award (Agricultural Biotechnology) by Royal Association for Science-Led Socio-Cultural Advancement (RASSA) and Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU), 11-13 Nov 2022), SDAU, Palanpur
  • Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Junior & Senior Research Fellowships (Life Sciences) during Ph.D. (2002-2005)

Recent Publications Research Papers

  1. U Bharti, P Gaur, K Kaur & M Singh* (2024) Tracking genetically modified (GM) rice ingredients in packed rice and food products from the marketplace: a pilot study from India. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40201-024-00892-3
  2. M Singh*, P Palit, K Kaur, R Aminedi, A Paliwal & G Randhawa (2023) Loop-mediated isothermal amplification targeting proteinase inhibitor II terminator sequence: an efficient approach for screening of genetically modified crops. European Food Research and Technology. 249, 2311-2319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-023-04294-x
  3. M Singh*, A Paliwal, K Kaur, P Palit & G Randhawa (2023) Development and utilization of analytical methods for rapid GM detection in processed food products: a case study for regulatory requirement. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 32, 511-524. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13562-023-00832-6
  4. M Singh, N Papazova, R Aminedi, M-A Fraiture, N Roosens & G Randhawa (2023). Approaches to check unauthorized genetically modified events in supply chain: Challenges and solutions in the Indian context. JSFA Reports, 3 (5): 184-195. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsf2.115
  5. M Singh*, K Kaur, Si Sharma, A Paliwal, Mamta Singh, R Aminedi, V Kaur & G Randhawa (2022) Assessment of risk of GM contamination in flaxseed accessions imported from Canada: A case study to restrict the unauthorized GM events from entering India. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization, 20 (1), 76-78. doi:10.1017/S1479262122000132
  6. M Singh*, KK Sodhi, A Paliwal, S Sharma & G Randhawa (2021) Efficient DNA extraction procedures for processed food derivatives – A critical step to ensure quality for GMO analysis. Food Analytical Methods, 14: 2249-2261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-021-02051-y
  7. M Singh*, GJ Randhawa, RK Bhoge, Sushmita, A Kak & O Sangwan (2020) Monitoring adventitious presence of transgenes in cotton collections from genebank and experimental plots: Ensuring GM-free conservation and cultivation of genetic resources. Agricultural Research, 9, 469-476. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-019-00449-z
  8. M Singh*, D Pal, P Sood & GJ Randhawa (2020) Construct-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification: Rapid detection of genetically modified crops with insect resistance or herbicide tolerance. Journal of AOAC International, 103 (5): 1191-1200. doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsaa043
  9. M Singh*, D Pal, P Sood & GJ Randhawa (2019) Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays: Rapid and efficient diagnostics for genetically modified crops. Food Control, 106: 106759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.106759
  10. M Singh*, RK Bhoge, S Nain & GJ Randhawa (2019) Loop-mediated isothermal amplification: A rapid detection method for rice actin and nopaline synthase promoters in genetically modified crops. Journal of Plant Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 28 (3): 353-356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13562-018-0479-1

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The contents of this page are personal information/views of the staff. NBPGR is neither responsible for the contents or reliability nor endorses the views expressed within them.

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