Contact Information: 0092-333-6627846, iqrar_rana@uaf.edu.pk

For Detail CV click here:

Agriculture through improved crop productivity could play a crucial role in future food security, economic development and poverty alleviation in Pakistan. The major objective of this group is to develop GMOs/GEs and genomics for stress tolerance in selected crops and trees. Our research group focuses on the CRISPR/Cas edited fruits crops with biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. The CRISPR edited fruit crops with superior traits like high yield and altered plant architecture would help Pakistan agriculture community to increase crop productivity. We have been working on citrus, banana, and date palm for improving fruit quality and stress tolerance. Hyb-1, Lob-1 genes are being targeted in citrus for increasing vitamin A availability and resistance against citrus canker. Similarly, to enhance nutritional quality and shelf life of banana MAO2 gene has been targeted. To modify the sugar synthesis pathway in date palm PdNCI gene has been targeted. Along with that this group has collected healthy germplasm of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) from across Panjab province. Using the SSR marker, susceptible and resistant varieties have been identified

Selected Publications

TITLE :
(1). Inoculation with the endophyte Piriformospora indica significantly affects mechanisms involved in osmotic stress in rice MAB Saddique, Z Ali, AS Khan, IA Rana, IH Shamsi Rice 11 (1), 1-12 63 2018
(2). Genome-wide identification and expression analyses of WRKY transcription factor family members from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) reveal their role in abiotic stress-responses M Waqas, MT Azhar, IA Rana, F Azeem, MA Ali, MA Nawaz, G Chung, ...
Genes & genomics 41 (4), 467-481 48 2019
(3). Redox and ionic homeostasis regulations against oxidative, salinity and drought stress in wheat (a systems biology approach) ZH Shah, HM Rehman, T Akhtar, I Daur, MA Nawaz, MQ Ahmad, IA Rana, ... Frontiers in genetics 8, 141 36 2017
(4). Over expression of chitinase and chitosanase genes from Trichoderma harzianum under constitutive and inducible promoters in order to increase disease resistance in wheat … IA Rana, H Loerz, W Schaefer, D Becker Molecular Plant Breeding 3 (1) 29 2012
(5). Assessment of Bt cotton genotypes for the Cry1Ac transgene and its expression HMN Cheema, AA Khan, MI Khan, U Aslam, IA Rana, IA Khan The Journal of Agricultural Science 154 (1), 109-117 26 2016
(6). Transgenic crops for the agricultural improvement in Pakistan: a perspective of environmental stresses and the current status of genetically modified crops U Babar, MA Nawaz, U Arshad, MT Azhar, RM Atif, KS Golokhvast, ... GM crops & food 11 (1), 1-29 22 2020
(7). Role of SNPs in determining QTLs for major traits in cotton S Majeed, IA Rana, RM Atif, Z ALI, L Hinze, MT Azhar Journal of Cotton Research 2 (1), 1-13 20 2019
(8). Genome wide analysis of heat shock transcription factor (HSF) family in chickpea and its comparison with Arabidopsis SA Zafar, M Hussain, M Raza, HG Muhu-Din Ahmed, IA Rana, B Sadia, ... Plant Omics 9 (2), 136-141 19 2016
(9). Role of Toll-like receptor 2 (-196 to -174) polymorphism in susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Pakistani population SA Khan A. U., M. A. Aslam, I. Hussain, A. G. Naz, I A Rana, M. M. Ahmad, M. Ali International Journal of Immunogenetics 41 (2), 105-111 19 2014
(10). Establishment of an in vitro regeneration system for genetic transformation of selected sugarcane genotypes S Ijaz, IA Rana, IA Khan, M Saleem Genet Mol Res 11 (1), 512-530 18 2012
(11). Genome-wide investigation and expression analysis of APETALA-2 transcription factor subfamily reveals its evolution, expansion and regulatory role in abiotic stress responses … S Ahmed, MAR Rashid, SA Zafar, MT Azhar, M Waqas, M Uzair, IA Rana, ... Genomics 113 (1), 1029-1043 16 2021
(12). Establishment of an in vitro Regeneration System as a Milestone for Genetic Transformation of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) against Ustilago scitaminea N Anjum, S Ijaz, IA Rana, TM Khan, IA Khan, MN Khan, G Mustafa, ... Bioscience Methods 3 14 2012
(13). Antioxidant and physiological responses of upland cotton accessions grown under high-temperature regimes S Majeed, TA Malik, IA Rana, MT Azhar Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions A: Science 43 (6 … 12 2019 (14). Heat stress in cotton: a review on predicted and unpredicted growth-yield anomalies and mitigating breeding strategies S Majeed, IA Rana, MS Mubarik, RM Atif, SH Yang, G Chung, Y Jia, X Du, ... Agronomy 11 (9), 1825 11 2021
(15). Novel breeding and biotechnological approaches to mitigate the effects of heat stress on cotton M Salman, S Majeed, IA Rana, RM Atif, MT Azhar Recent approaches in omics for plant resilience to climate change, 251-277 11 2019 Molecular detection of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal organism of huanglongbing (Citrus greening) in Faisalabad, Pakistan for huanglongbing management. MS Yaqub, IA Khan, M Usman, IA Rana (16). Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 54 (1) 10 2017
Estimation of genetic diversity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes using Simple Sequence Repeats M Jamil, IA Rana, Z Ali, FS Awan, Z Shahzad, AS Khan Molecular Plant Breeding 4 10 2013
(17). Genetic architecture of relative cell injury and some yield related parameters in Gossypium hirsutum L. M Salman, AA Khan, IA Rana, RH Maqsood, MT Azhar Turkish Journal of Field Crops 21 (2), 246-253 7 2016
(18). In vitro regeneration of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. and the potential for genetic transformation HM Rehman, IA Rana, I Siddra, G Mustafa, FA Joyia, IA Khan, PM Pijut Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca 40 (2), 140-147 7 2012
(19). Genetic effects conferring heat tolerance in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) M SALMAN, ZU ZIA, IA RANA, RH MAQSOOD, S AHMAD, A BAKHSH, ... Journal of Cotton Research 2 (1), 1-8 6 2019
(20). Drought stress in chickpea: Physiological, breeding, and omics perspectives M Waqas, MT Azhar, IA Rana, A Arif, RM Atif Recent Approaches in Omics for Plant Resilience to Climate Change, 189-227 6 2019
(21). Genetic analysis of some agronomic and fiber traits in Gossypium hirsutum L. grown in field conditions MN Kaleem, IA Rana, A Shakeel, L Hinze, RM Atif, MT Azhar Turkish Journal Of Field Crops 21 (2), 240-245 6 2016
(22). Estimation of diversity and combining abilities in Helianthus annuus L. under water stress and normal conditions M Saba, FA Khan, HA Sadaqat, IA Rana Genetics and Molecular Research 15 (4) 5 2016
(23). Downregulation of Glucan Synthase-Like (TaGSL) genes in wheat leads to inhibition of transgenic plant regeneration IA Rana, S Salomon, W Schäfer, D Becker In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant 50 (6), 696-706 5 2014
(24). Evaluation of morpho-physiological and biochemical attributes of cotton under salt stress MT Chaudhary, A Shakeel, IA Rana, MT Azhar Int J Agric Biol 24, 1061-9 4 2020
(25). Direct in vitro Regeneration of Nicotiana plumbaginifolia L. and the Potential for Genetic Transformation M Kanwal, FA Joyia, G Mustafa, MA Zia, IA Rana, MS Khan International Journal of Horticulture 7 4 2017
(26). Genetics and Genomics of Fusarium Wilt of Chilies: A Review N Shaheen, UM Khan, MT Azhar, DKY Tan, RM Atif, M Israr, SH Yang, ... Agronomy 11 (11), 2162 3 2021
(27). Prospects of mutation breeding in grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) MA Rana, M Usman, B Fatima, A Fatima, IA Rana, W Rehman, D Shoukat J. Hort. Sci. Tech 3 (2), 31-35 3 2020
(28). Reverse and forward genetic approaches for the development of disease resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) IA Rana Staats-und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg Carl von Ossietzky 3 2009
(29). New hope for genome editing in cultivated grasses: CRISPR variants and application A Riaz, F Kanwal, I Ahmad, S Ahmad, A Farooq, CK Madsen, ... Frontiers in Genetics, 1813 2 2022
(30). Development of founder lines for recombinase-based gene targeting in Nicotiana banthamiana S Aslam, SS Khan, IA Rana, RM Atif Intl J Agric Biol 21, 429-436 2 2019
(31). Genetically Modified Cotton: Boom or Dust IA Rana, A Bakhsh, S Tillaboeva, S Haihong, MT Azhar Cotton Breeding and Biotechnology, 271-289 1 2022
(32). A discussion on cotton transformation during the last decade (2010–2021); an update on present trends and future prospects MT AZHAR, RM ATIF, M ISRAR, AI KHAN, S KHALID, IA RANA Journal of Cotton Research 4 (1), 1-14 1 2021
(33). Morphological and stomatal diversity in colchiploid germplasm of grapefruit. M Usman, B Fatima, IA Rana Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences 58 (2) 1 2021
(34). Genome-wide diversity of MADS-Box genes in bread wheat is associated with its rapid global adaptability Q Raza, A Riaz, RM Atif, B Hussain, IA Rana, Z Ali, H Budak, IA Alaraidh Frontiers in genetics 12 1 2021
(35). Morpho-chemical diversity and RAPD fingerprinting in white flesh guava cultivars M Usman, Q Zaman, B Fatima, IA Rana, FS Awan J. Anim. Plant Sci 30, 398-409 1 2020
(36). GM Maize for Abiotic Stresses: Potentials and Opportunities S Zafar, A Iqbal, MT Azhar, RM Atif, IA Rana, HM Rehman, MA Nawaz, ... Recent Approaches in Omics for Plant Resilience to Climate Change, 229-249 1 2019
(37). Improving Regeneration from Mature Embryo Derived Callus in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) by Pre-and Post-callus Induction Treatments U Saeed, IA Rana, S Ijaz, Z Ali International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 19 (5), 969-975 1 2017
(38). Optimization of minimal inhibitory dose of selective agent (Basta) for selection of transgenics in sugarcane S Ijaz, N Anjum, IA Rana, IA Khan Molecular Plant Breeding 3 (1) 1 2012
(39). Using Exogenous Melatonin, Glutathione, Proline, and Glycine Betaine Treatments to Combat Abiotic Stresses in Crops M Khalid, HM Rehman, N Ahmed, S Nawaz, F Saleem, S Ahmad, M Uzair, ... International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23 (21), 12913 2022
(40). Genome Wide Analysis of Family-1 UDP Glycosyltransferases in Populus trichocarpa Specifies Abiotic Stress Responsive Glycosylation Mechanisms HM Rehman, UM Khan, S Nawaz, F Saleem, N Ahmed, IA Rana, RM Atif, ... Genes 13 (9), 1640 2022
(41). Intra-Plant Variability for Heat Tolerance Related Attributes in Upland Cotton A Rehman, IA Rana, S Majeed, MT Chaudhary, M Zulfiqar, SH Yang, ... Agronomy 11 (12), 2375 2021
(42). Genetics and Genomics of Fusarium Wilt of Chilies: A Review. Agronomy 2021, 11, 2162 N Shaheen, UM Khan, MT Azhar, DKY Tan, RM Atif, M Israr, SH Yang, ... s Note: MDPI stays neu-tral with regard to jurisdictional claims in … 2021
(43). Wild Relatives and Modern Plant Breeding Technologies T Jabbar, S Khalid, RM Atif, HM Rehman, IA Rana Wild Germplasm for Genetic Improvement in Crop Plants, 343-371 2021
(44). Comparative modeling, structure and active site prediction of Sclerotinia disease-resistant gene BnaMPK3 in Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) Z Haider, M Zulfiqar, IA Rana, RSA Khan, MN Akram, AK Niazi Open Journal of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics 4 (1), 001-005 2020
(45). Wheat in the Era of Genomics and Transgenics U Babar, U Arshad, MT Azhar, RM Atif, AA Alsahli, IA Alaraidh, A Kiran, ... Recent Advances in Grain Crops Research, 21 2019
(46). Engineering sugarcane genome to develop resistance against Colletotrichum falcatum to control red rot diseases. I Siddra, IA Rana, IA Khan Academia Journal of Agricultural Research 6 (5), 106-116 2018
(47). GENETIC DIVERSITY IN GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM (L.) FOR COTTON LEAF CURL DISEASE IN ASSOCIATION WITH AGRONOMIC AND FIBER TRAITS H Raza, IA Rana, A Shakeel, L Hinze, J Frelichowski, MT Azhar Pakistan Journal of Phytopathology 29 (1), 47-56 2017
(48). Development of Source Independent Micropropagation System in Dalbergia sissoo Roxb, as a basis for Germplasm Conservation and Disease Free Plants Production S Ijaz, AI Khan, IA Rana Molecular Plant Breeding 7 2016
(49). Differential evolution of WRKY and DOF protein families in diploid cotton species (Gossypium raimondii and Gossypium arboreum) RM Atif, F Azeem, W Shafqat, A Shakeel, MT Azhar, IA Rana, B Sadia, ... International Congress Plant Genome Evolution, a Current Opinion Conference 2015
(50). Comparative evolutionary analysis of DNA¬ binding with one-finger (DOF) transcription¬ factor family among species from Poaceae, Fabaceae and Malvaceae RM Atif, W Shafqat, SA Zafar, R Tariq, AA Khan, IA Rana, B Sadia, ... International Congress Plant Genome Evolution, a Current Opinion Conference 2015
(51). An Overview of Biotechnological Approaches for Crop Plant Improvement S Ijaz, IA Rana Genomics and Applied Biology 3 (1) 2012
(52). Orange Juice, A Natural Source for Enhancing in Vitro Regeneration in Saccharum Spp. S Ijaz, IA Rana, IA Khan Bioscience Methods 3 2012
Welcome to M Usman, Q Zaman, B Fatima, IA Rana, FS Awan