Have you previously received an FAOBMB Travel Fellowship? If yes, please indicate when. Yes.

22nd FAOBMB Conference in Singapore, 5 to 7 October 2011

Curriculum Vitae Provide a brief CV showing education and research training, including any prizes or awards: (no more than one page)
FARHANA SHAFRIN Ph.D. Student Molecular Biology Laboratory Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka. Dhaka 1000 Bangladesh. Contact : +88-01732099116 e-mail : shafrin.farhana@gmail.com Research Experience: 1. 2. 3. Working as Research Associate at Molecular biology Lab, University of Dhaka (Since March, 2010). M.S Research student, Bangladesh Agricultural University.(2009-10) Research assistant at USDA project for undergraduate project work at Bangladesh Agricultural University (2008).

Awards: Banga Bondhu Fellowship for pursuing Ph.D. research from NST (National Science and Technology) Unique Team Presentation Award,2012 (4th Hope Meeting, Tsukuba, Tokyo, Japan) Bangladesh Academy of Science(BAS) Fellowship,2012 Received National Science Information & Communication Technology (NSICT) Fellowship 2008-09 for pursuing MS research. Received Merit Scholarship for B. Sc. (Honors) result awarded by Bangladesh Agricultural University.

Workshop & conferences:

1. 4th HOPE MEETING, on Chemistry for Creating the Future, Tsukuba, Tokyo, Japan,
2012. ( Poster Presentation as Ph.D. fellow)

2. BAS-BYWS conference, 2012 for Young Women scientist of Bangladesh. 3. 22nd FAOBMB conference on Creativity and Innovation in Life Science Research,
Enterprise and Education Singapore,2011 (Poster Presentation as FAOBMB Fellow) 4. IJSG conference on "International Seminar on Strengthening of Collaboration for Jute, Kenaf & Allied Fibres Research and Development" Dhaka, 2011 (Poster Presentation as Young Research Fellow) 5. Adaptation towards abiotic stress Responses at ICGEB, New Delhi, 2011. (Attend Theoretical and Practical courses.

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List of Publications in International Journals:

Publications: DEVELOPMENT OF DOUBLED HAPLOID RAPESEED GENOTYPES THROUGH MICROSPORE CULTURE. F Shafrin, U K Nath, M S alam and D Akhter. Intl. J. BioRes. 2(11): 07-10(November 17th, 2010) SELECTION OF MICROSPORE DERIVED EMBRYO GENOTYPES BASED ON FATTY ACID PATTERN ANALYSIS IN RAPESEED. F Shafrin, U K Nath, M S alam and D Akhter. Int. J. BioRes. 2(12): 05-07(December 15th 2010)

Manuscript under preparation: Identification and characterization of entophytic bacteria in jute. Diversity of salt tolerant rapeseed genotypes through SSR marker based selection Molecular characterization of different existing wheat variety through RAPD marker based selection.

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Abstract Indicate below the abstract that is submitted by you for presentation at the YSP and the FAOBMB Congress in Bangkok (include all authors, affiliation(s) and the text of the abstract)
LIGNIN REDUCTION IN JUTE BY DOWN-REGULATING THE LIGNIN BIOSYNTHETIC GENE(S) THROUGH RNAi TECHNIQUE

Lignin is a complex, three-dimensional polymer of aromatic subunit usually derived from phenylalanine. It is embedded in the cell wall and serves as a matrix around the polysaccharide components providing additional rigidity, comprehensive strength and rendering hydrophobicity and water impermeability to the cell wall. My work emphasizes to reduce lignin content, because jute is naturally very rich in lignin content. But when we focus towards applied usage of lignified plants, high lignin content hinders the processing of plants for various industrial purposes. (viz., paper pulp, textile, forage digestibility and biofuels). Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is an important regulator of gene expression in many eukaryotes. It triggers different types of gene silencing that are collectively referred to as RNA silencing or RNA interference. Many components of the RNA silencing machinery still need to be identified and characterized, but a more complete understanding of the process is imminent. An effective tool RNAi technique has been chosen for reducing the lignin content of jute without affecting the plant growth. So, a broad aim of the study was to introduce antisense RNA based vector in jute plants for silencing some genes (individually) of the lignin biosynthetic pathway. In this context, degenerate primer based amplification of jute monolignoid biosynthetic genes named Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), Ferulic acid 5-hydroxylase (F5H), Coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H) and Cinnamante 4hydroxylase (C4H) were considered to be engineered. Initially we amplified total COMT gene sequence and from the coding region RNAi primers were designed. RNAi primer based amplicons were incorporated into entry vector pENTR11. pENTR11 COMT plasmid was mobilized into pK7GW1WG2 destination vector using LR reaction. A tissue culture independent Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene(s) transformation method was used to transform jute plant with RNAi constructs. Now, the engineered jute plants are in the flowering stage and after the T1 generation Real Time PCR analyses will be performed to determine the expression pattern of the targeted lignin biosynthetic genes.

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Personal Statement Indicate briefly here your Research Interests and Career Goals, why you are interested to participate in the YSP Program (including what you will bring to the YSP and what you hope to gain from it): (no more than one page) With this Personal Statement, I want to indicate unequivocally my purpose of pursuing my Ph.D. on Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at University of Dhaka. It is my conviction that the superior research facilities, the nurturing academic environment, strong faculty and a quality education will fulfil my aspiration to become a scientist with important achievements in the future in my chosen field of molecular Biology. My solid foundation in theoretical knowledge of Agricultural background (B.Sc.Ag.Hons) and both theoretical & research experiences on Genetics and Plant breeding (MS in Genetics and Plant Breeding) have provided me with a sound basis to expand my research horizons towards Plant Molecular Biology. My lab works embolden on the interplay between following areas: Silencing of lignin biosynthetic gene(s) through RNAi technique. Isolation and characterization of endophytic bacteria of Jute. Analysis of Stress responding genes and their responsible pathways in jute. I want to keep going my studies in the fundamental theoretical knowledge of the relevant subjects of molecular biology and keep myself abreast with the latest developments & technologies. I expect that the research-intensive Ph.D research will pave my career in Molecular Biology research.

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Attachments: Letters of recommendation from two referees.

Submission methods: You can apply in either of two ways: by sending an email with scanned attachments to the Chair of the FAOBMB Fellowship Committee, Prof. Piamsook Pongsawasdi: Piamsook.P@Chula.ac.th or piamsook.p@gmail.com This is the preferred method. If using this method, please assemble the Application Form and the Attachments into a single PDF file. by sending a hard copy of the application form and supporting documents to: Professor Piamsook Pongsawasdi, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.

Closing Date: Applications must be received by 31 July, 2012 (Bangkok time, GMT + 7 Hours). Applicants will be notified by email of the decision of the Committee by no later than 15 September, 2012.

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