Scientist Profile

Dr. Lakshmi Kasirajan

Dr. Lakshmi Kasirajan

Prinicipal Scientist (Plant Biotechnology),Division of Crop Improvement
ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute Veerakeralam, Coimbatore – 641 007. Email: k.lakshmi@icar.org.in, lakshmimbb@gmail.com, Mobile: 8148095502
  • CRISPR based gene editing for biomass modification
  • Proteomic approach for identification of enzymes for sugarcane delignification
  • Deep sequencing of suppression subtractive libraries of sugarcane hybrids exposed to drought and salinity stress
  • Life membership of Society for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology
  • Life membership of the SADHNA (Society for Advancement of Human and Nature)
  • Fellow member of The Sugar Technologists’ Association of India
  • Member of Society of Sugarcane Research and Promotion
  • Member of Society of Sugarcane Research and Development
  • Life member, ARSS forum
  • Title: Targeted genome editing in sugarcane: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated lignin modification towards lignocellulosic biofuel production

Agency: SERB

Amount: 39 lakhs

  • Title: Genome editing in sugarcane for improve yield, quality, biotic stress tolerance and biomass modification for biofuel production

Agency: ICAR EFC

Amount: 5.7 crores

  • Invited as speaker to deliver a lecture “Transcriptomic Insights on Lignin Biosynthesis and Precise Gene Modification Towards Biomass Conversion In Sugarcane” in “The Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG) Asia 2025” during 18 –20 March 2025. in the PAG Asia conference
  • Best paper awarded for the research article titled “Cloning and characterization of Patatin like Protein (PLP), a phospholipase gene involved in salinity stress induced lipid signaling” by Lakshmi Kasirajan, Keerthana Kamaraj, Sheelamary Sebastiar, Selvi Athiappan, Vivitha Maiyilsamy, Manimekalai Ramaswamy (2022) in Journal of Sugarcane Research, Vol (12) 2, Pg 162-171, from society of sugarcane Research and development (SSRD), ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore.
  • Invited for a session presentation on “CRISPR/Cas9-mediated lignin modification in Sugarcane towards improved lignocellulosic biofuel production” in XVI Agricultural Science Congress 2023 at Kochi during 10-13 October, 2023.
  • Best Poster award for the paper “Targeted genome editing in sugarcane: CRISPR/ Cas9-mediated lignin modification towards improved lignocellulosic biofuel production” in the National seminar on Research Imperatives for Sustaining Sugarcane, Sugar and Ethanol Production” “SugarSem2023 at ICAR SBI, Coimbatore during 25th August 2023.
  • Presented a paper on “Morpho-Physiological and Molecular Analyses Provide Insights Into Drought Stress Responses of Sugarcane” in the National seminar on Research Imperatives for Sustaining Sugarcane, Sugar and Ethanol Production” “SugarSem2023 at ICAR SBI, Coimbatore during 25th August 2023.
  • Recognized as expert and Invited for a lecture on “Deep Sequencing of Suppression Subtractive Hybridization Identifies Differentially Expressed Transcripts of Saccharum spontaneum Exposed to Salinity Stress” in (SUGARCON 2022) conference during 15-19 oct 2022, IISR Lucknow.
  • Best oral presentation “Molecular cloning and characterisation of lignin peroxidase from Haloferax volcanii” Keerthana Kamaraj and Lakshmi Kasirajan in (SUGARCON 2022) conference during 15-19 oct 2022, IISR Lucknow.
  • Awarded the “Research Excellence Award -2022” for the research article titled “Transcriptome analysis highlights key differentially expressed genes involved in cellulose and lignin biosynthesis of sugarcane genotypes varying in fiber content” in scientific reports by INSC International Publishers, Bengaluru-560091, Karnataka, India.
  • Short Oral paper presentation on “Isolation and characterization of crude enzyme extracted from novel thermophilic strains treated with Erianthus bagasse for structural analysis” in the International Conference on Sugarcane Research: Sugarcane for Sugar and Beyond CaneCon-2021 during 19-22.
  • Best Oral Presentation for the paper presented in International Plant Physiology Virtual Symposium 2021 (IPPVS -2021) on “Physiological Interventions for Climate Smart Agriculture” ICAR-SBI, Coimbatore.
  • Best Poster award for the work titled “Transcriptome Characterization of Lignin and Cellulose Genes of Sugarcane Genotypes Contrasting for Fiber Content” International Symposium on Sugarcane Research Since Co 205: 100 Years and Beyond (SucroSym 2017) at ICAR SBI, Coimbatore, 18-21 September 2017.
  • Received Young Scientist award (NESA) for the paper entitled “Characterization and Expression Profiling of Cell Wall Genes in Sugarcane Genotypes Contrasting for Lignin Content” in the “National Conference on Biotechnology and Environment (NCOBE-2017)” organized by Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (A Central University), New Delhi.
  • Best Poster award for the work titled “Profiling High Biomass Sugarcane Clones for Cellulose and Lignin Content” National Symposium on “Bioenergy for Sustainable Development – the Potential Role of Sugar Crops” 23-25 June 2013-14.
  • Secured 46th rank in All India Joint Entrance Examination conducted by ICAR in Plant Science subject (2001) and received IARI Merit Scholarship (2001-2003) for M.Sc. degree in Plant genetic resources.
  • Secured 6th rank at National level in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) exam conducted by the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB) during the year 2007.
  • Awarded Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) JRF and SRF, New Delhi Fellowship for Ph.D. studies during 2003-2008.
  • Recognized as D Guide, in Plant biotechnology at Bharathidasan University, Trichy to guide students.
  • Recognized as D Guide, in Plant biotechnology at Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore to guide students
  • Received Bioenergy Award sponsored by DBT-Indo-US Science & Technology Forum Bioenergy-Awards For Cutting Edge Research (B-Acer) Fellowship Program-2019. Fellowship for a period of seven months to work on “Investigation of novel extremophiles through proteomic analyses to discover new lignolytic enzymes for improved lignin valorization” at University of Florida, Gainesville, The United States of America.
  • Received an International Recognition from the Department of Education and Training, Australian Government, Australia for “Endeavour Research and Fellowship” for short term Post Doc for the work titled “De novo characterization of sugarcane transcriptome and analysis” and visited QAAFI, Brisbane Australia during April to September 2016.
  • Nandini, K., Kumar, P.G.S., Sheelamary, S. Nandini, Karthikeyan, Selvi, Athiappan, Rachel, Lissy Vargheese, Indusha Yazhini, Sankararaj, Karpagam, Elumalai, Lakshmi, Kasirajan. Proteomics-Based Genetic Regulation of Sugarcane Cell Wall Biosynthesis for Bioenergy Applications.  Sugar Tech(2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-025-01599-x
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Keerthana Kamaraj, Rabisha Valiyaparambth, Sheelamary Sebastiar, Jijo Joise, Gadha Aajith, and Deepthi Vijayan (2023). Cloning and characterization of Ferulate 5 hydroxylase (F5H) gene involved in phenylpropanoid pathway of Erianthus species. 2(2) Scientist.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan and Keerthana Kamaraj (2023). Optimization of laccase enzyme from Flammulina velutipes using response surface methodology box-behnken design” Biologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01378-7
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Keerthana Kamaraj, Sheelamary Sebastiar, Selvi Athiappan, Vivitha Maiyilsamy and Manimekalai Ramaswamy. (2023) “Cloning and characterization of Patatin like Protein (PLP) a Phospholipase gene involved in salinity stress induced lipid signaling.” Journal of sugarcane Research.
  • Jini Narayanan, Lakshmi, Ram Vannish, S. Karthigeyan, A. Selvi, R. Gomathi and R. Manimekalai (2022). Cloning of NAC 1 gene from Erianthus arundinaceus and development of transformation vector for sugarcane. Journal of Sugarcane Research 12, 52-62
  • Surya Krishna S, Harish Chandar, SR, Ravi M, Valarmathi R, Lakshmi K, Prathima PT, Manimekalai R, Viswanathan R, Hemaprabha G and Appunu C. Transgene-Free Genome Editing for Biotic and Abiotic Stress Resistance in Sugarcane: Prospects and Challenges. Agronomy. (2023), 13, 1000. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13041000. (IF: 3.95)
  • Surya Krishna S, Viswanathan R, Valarmathi R, Lakshmi K and Appunu C CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Genome Editing Approach for Improving Virus Resistance in Sugarcane. Sugar Tech (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12355-023-01252-5 (IF: 1.872)
  • Kumar RA, Hemaprabha G, Vasantha S, Arumuganathan T, Hari K, Senthilkumar T, Sadvatha RH, Ambrose DC, Manikandan C, Lakshmi K, Suresha G. (2023) Rapid Assessment of Rind Hardness in Sugarcane and Its Association with Biochemical Traits. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change. 20;13(8):2019-31.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Rabisha Valiyaparambth, Keerthana kamaraj, Sheelamary Sebastiar, Nam V. Hoang, Selvi Athaiappan, Vasantha Srinivasavedantham and Karthigeyan Subramanian (2022). Deep Sequencing of Suppression Subtractive Library Identifies Differentially Expressed Transcripts of Saccharum spontaneum Exposed to Salinity Stress. Physiologia Plantatrum special issue on Raising Crops for Dry and Saline Lands.
  • Kasirajan, L., Kamaraj, K., Maupin-Furlow, J.A. et al.Isolation, purification, and identification of novel lignin-degrading Aspergillus caespitosus strain S2. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-03510-0
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Rabisha Valiyaparambth, Keerthana Kamaraj, Gadha Ajith, Jijo Joise, Aathisivan Kubandiran and Janani Velu (2022) Full-Length Cloning, Expression and Functional Characterization of Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase (PAL) Involved in Lignification of Secondary Cell Wall of Erianthus Arundinaceus SugarTech DOI: 10.1007/s12355-022-01147-x
  • Paula Mondragon, Sungmin Hwang, Lakshmi Kasirajan, Rebecca Oyetoro, Angelina Nasthas, Emily Winters, Ricardo L. Couto-Rodriguez, Amy Schmid*, and Julie A. MaupinFurlow (2022) TrmB family transcription factor as a thiol-based regulator of oxidative stress response. Accepted in mBio – American Society for Microbiology.
  • Kasirajan, Z Adams, RL Couto-Rodriguez, D Gal, H Jia, P Mondragon et al., (2021). High-level synthesis and secretion of laccase, a metalloenzyme biocatalyst, by the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii. Methods in enzymology 659: 297-313.
  • Selvi A, Devi K, Manimekalai R, Prathima PT, Valiyaparambth R, Lakshmi K (2021). High-throughput miRNA deep sequencing in response to drought stress in sugarcane. 3 Biotech 11(7):312. doi: 10.1007/s13205-021-02857-x.
  • Shubhada Tayade, GJ Janavi, B Rajagopal and Lakshmi Kasirajan (2021). Characterization of moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) genotypes using RAPD markers has been accepted for publication in The Pharma Innovation.
  • Selvi, K. Devi, R. Manimekalai, P. T. Prathima, V Rabisha & Kasirajan Lakshmi (2021). High-throughput miRNA deep sequencing in response to drought stress in sugarcane. 3 Biotech vol(11), Article number: 312.
  • Kasirajan L, Maupin-Furlow JA. (2020). Halophilic archaea and their potential to generate renewable fuels and chemicals. Biotechnol Bioeng. Nov 26. doi: 10.1002/bit.27639.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, R Valiyaparambth, J Velu, H Hari, V Srinivasavedantham et al., (2021) Gene expression studies of Saccharum spontaneum, a wild relative of sugarcane in response to salinity stress. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry Apr;68(2):288-296. doi: 10.1002/bab.1923. Epub 2020 May 19. PMID: 32275328.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan and Rabisha Valiyaparambth (2020). Expression analysis of Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase (CAD) involved in lignin biosynthesis of Erianthus arundinaceus Journal of Sugarcane Research, 10: 152-15.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, R Valiyaparambth, A Kubandiran, J Velu (2020) Isolation, cloning and expression analysis of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) involved in phenylpropanoid pathway of Erianthus arundinaceus, a wild relative of sugarcane. 3 Biotech 10 (1), Article number: 11
  • G Raju, K Shanmugam, L Kasirajan (2020). High-throughput sequencing reveals genes associated with high-temperature stress tolerance in sugarcane. 3 Biotech 10, 1-13
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, L., Charles, S. & Aruchamy, K. (2019) Cloning and Expression Analysis of 4-Coumarate CoA Ligase (4CL) Gene in Sugarcane Clones Varying in Lignin Content.  Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci.89, 155–160.
  • Anna Durai, G.Hemaprabha, V.Raffee Viola, T.S. Sarath Padmanaban and Lakshmi (2019) Studies on Economic Traits in Successive Generations of Selfing in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) Journal of sugarcane research: Vol 9(2) 119
  • Devi, P. T. Prathima, R. Gomathi, R. Manimekalai, K. Lakshmi and A. Selvi (2019) Gene Expression Profiling in Sugarcane Genotypes During Drought Stress and Rehydration. Sugar Tech DOI: 10.1007/s12355-018-0687-y
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Nam V. Hoang, Agnelo Furtado, Frederik C. Botha, and Robert J. Henry. (2018) Transcriptome analysis highlights key differentially expressed genes involved in cellulose and lignin biosynthesis of sugarcane genotypes varying in fiber content. Nature. Scientific Reports, 8: 11612.
  • Gomathi, S Kokila and Lakshmi kasirajan (2018) Differential transcript expression profiling of Sugarcane (Co 99004) for elevated temperature stress. Madras Agri Journal 105 (7-9)(2) 396-400.
  • Nam V. Hoang, Agnelo Furtado, Patrick J. Mason, Annelie Marquardt, Lakshmi Kasirajan, Prathima P. Thirugnanasambandam, Frederik C. Botha and Robert J. Henry. (2017) A survey of the complex transcriptome from the highly polyploid sugarcane genome using full-length isoform sequencing and de novo assembly from short read sequencing. BMC Genomics, May 22;18(1):395.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Sara Charles & Kalaivaani Aruchamy (2017) Cloning and Expression Analysis of 4-Coumarate CoA Ligase (4CL) Gene in Sugarcane Clones Varying in Lignin Content. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, DOI 10.1007/s40011-017-0922-4.
  • Lakshmi K, Kalaivaani A, Prathima P.T, and Selvi A. (2016) Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Lignin Genes from Sugarcane Genotypes Varying in Lignin Content. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology DOI 10.1007/s12010-016-2283-513.
  • Lakshmi K and Kalaivani (2015) A Molecular Cloning of cDNA from Sugarcane Coding for Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Involved in Lignification. Sugar tech DOI 10.1007/s12355-015-0417-7. (NAAS rating 6.8).

Book chapters

  • Kasirajan, L., Kamaraj, K., Sebastiar, S., Thirugnanasambandam, P.P., Karpagam, E. (2024). Proteomic Approaches for Ligninolytic Enzymes Production for Enhancing Sugarcane Biomass Conversion Efficiency. In: Suresha, G.S., Krishnappa, G., Palanichamy, M., Mahadeva Swamy, H.K., Kuppusamy, H., Govindakurup, H. (eds) Value Addition and Product Diversification in Sugarcane. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-7228-5_8.
  • Namratha, P.M., Thirugnanasambandam, P.P., Swaliha, A., Kasirajan, L. (2024). A Recent Update on Metabolic Engineering in Plants, Its Futuristic Applications with Special Inference to Sugarcane Value Addition. In: Suresha, G.S., Krishnappa, G., Palanichamy, M., Mahadeva Swamy, H.K., Kuppusamy, H., Govindakurup, H. (eds) Value Addition and Product Diversification in Sugarcane. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-7228-5_15
  • Priyadharshini, J. Beslin Joshi, Lakshmi Kasirajan, Julie A. Maupin-Furlow and Sivakumar Uthandi. Enzymatic saccharification technologies for biofuel production: Current status and prospects. “Microbial Biotechnology for Renewable and Sustainable Energy” edited by Sivakumar and Prof. Rajesh K. Sani (South Dakota School of Mines, SD, USA) published by Springer-Nature 2021.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Zach Adams, Ricardo L. Couto-Rodriguez, Daniel Gal, Huiyong Jia, Paula Mondragon, Paul C. Wassel III, David Yu, Sivakumar Uthandi, Julie A. Maupin-Furlow. High-level synthesis and secretion of laccase, a metalloenzyme biocatalyst, by the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii Heterologous Protein Expression (2021) Methods in Enzymology (2021) Vol 659.
  • Selvi, R. Manimekalai, K.Devakumar, K. Lakshmi, P.T. Prathima and R.Gomathi (2021) Genomic and Proteomic Approaches for Improving Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Sugarcane. In: Physiological Interventions For Developing Climate Resilient Commercial Crops, International Books & Periodical Supply Service, (Publisher of Scientific Books), New Delhi ISBN No.:978-93-85267-27-7

Other publications

  • Lakshmi and Sheelamary, An insight into plant cell wall protein. www.just Agriculture.in. Vol.2 Issue-12, August. E-ISSN: 2582-8223.
  • Sheelamary, S. and Lakshmi, K. Nature and Forms of Phospholipases. Vigyan Varta
  • Lakshmi K and Sheelamary S. (2022) Delignification and Exploitation of Lignocellulosic Biomass for biofuel Production. Just for Agriculture Vol. 2(5).
  • K Lakshmi, and S Sheelamary (2021). Second Most Abundant Organic Polymer on Planet: Lignin. Biotica Research Today 3 (11), 1049-1052.
  • Sheelamary S and Lakshmi. (2021). Recapitulation on Triacylglycerols in Plants. www.just Agriculture.in.2 (1). Sep. e-ISSN: 2582-8223.
  • Sheelamary S and Lakshmi. (2021). Enhancing Phosphorous Use Efficiency through Breeding.www.journalsworld.com. Agri Journal World.Vol 1(2), October.
  • Lakshmi Kasirajan, Prathima Perumal Thirugnanasambandam, Agnelo Furtado, Frikkie C Botha, Robert J Henry (2020). Isolation and Characterization of Full-Length Phenylalanine Ammonium Lyase and Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase Genes Involved in Lignin Biosynthesis of Erianthus Arundinaceus. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Proceedings (MDPI) Vol 36 (1) Pg 174.
  • Prathima Perumal Thirugnanasambandam, Lakshmi Kasirajan, Agnelo Furtado, Frikkie C Botha, Robert J Henry (2020). Control of Sugar and Fibre: Insights from Sugarcane Transcriptome Analyses. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Proceedings (MDPI) Vol 36 (1) Pg 204.
  • Sheelamary, S and K. Lakshmi (2020). Polyamines forms, biosynthesis and metabolism in plants. Indian Farmer 7(05): 404-407.
  • Sheelamary, K. Lakshmi and G. K. Sujayanand (2020). Biofortification of Crops to Address Global Zn Deficiency. Biotica Research Today 2(11): 1215-1217. www.bioticainternational.com.