Biography of Prof. Amjad M. Husaini

Dr. Husaini has significantly contributed to Translational Sciences by developing stress tolerant strawberry using transgenic approach. Dr. Amjad M. Husaini is a founder member of Division of Biotechnology at SKUAST Kashmir, and initiated biotechnological research on major field crops like rice and saffron. Earlier Dr. Husaini along with his fellow colleagues at Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (erstwhile Rice Research & Regional Station), SKUAST of Kashmir worked industriously in research, development and popularization of high yielding rice varieties suitable for Kashmir zone. He is co-breeder of three blast resistant high yielding cold tolerant rice varieties released by SKUAST-K as Shalimar Rice-2, 3, 4 and one aromatic selection Shalimar Sugandh-1. He is co-breeder of two cold tolerant rice CMS lines (SKAU 7A and 11A) and has significantly contributed in genetic purification of a local aromatic rice landrace ‘Mushk budji’ which was released by SKUAST-K for commercialization under Public-Private Partnership mode in 2014, and was a huge success. He has contributed significantly towards Saffron R&D, especially its introduction in newer areas, organic production technologies, Saffronomics, in vitro multiplication and adulteration problems. He has introduced activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) of alpha-glycosidases in plants using alpha-configured cyclophellitol aziridine probes carrying various fluorophores or biotin. He validated novel alpha-glycosidase probes and beta-glucuronidase probes and quantified 67 active glycosidases in saffron crocus stigma, of which 10 are differentially active. His study also uncovered massive changes in hydrolase activities in the corms upon infection with Fusarium oxysporum using multiplex fluorescence labeling in combination with probes for serine hydrolases and cysteine proteases.

He has developed ‘Saffron Rapid Test’ app for checking the authenticity of saffron which is available for free download on google play store Saffron Rapid Test – Apps on Google Play. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14520.93444. The Saffron Rapid Test app is an AI-based App designed to allow everyone with a smartphone and magnifier to test the authenticity of Saffron instantly and the details of the research can be accessed in our research paper https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.945291.

• Husaini has edited five books entitled “Saffron”, “Medicinal Plants of the Himalayas: Advances and Insights”, “Genomics, Transgenics, Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology of Strawberry”, “Molecular Biotechnology: Basic Laboratory Protocols”, “Strawberry: Growth Development and Diseases” and published about 97 papers in journals of International repute.
• He is recipient of awards like Member of Peer Review College (PRC) of “Future Leaders Fellowships” of United Kingdom Research & Innovation (UKRI), UK; Senior Common Room (SCR) member of Somerville College, University of Oxford; Scientist of the Year Award-2017 (NESA, New Delhi); DBT-CREST Award-2012 (Ministry of Science & Technology, GoI); International Training Award-2013 (NAIP-ICAR, GoI); Summer Research Fellowship-2013 (IASc-INSA-NASI); Young Scientist Award-2009 in Agriculture (J&K Council for S&T, Govt of J&K); Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for Outstanding Agricultural Research-2008 (ICAR, New Delhi); Junior Scientist of the Year Award-2007 (NESA, New Delhi), and his biography was included in 27th edition of Marquis Who’s Who in the World. He is also listed among the Indian Muslim Legends http://indianmuslimlegends.blogspot.in/2011/07/170-dr-amjad-masood-husaini.html at serial number 170.
• Amjad has delivered some TV talks, and conducted / participated in awareness programmes (like Kisan melas, Kisan ghoshtis, T&V) organized from time to time for the benefit of farming community by SKUAST-K (Directorates of Research, Directorate of Extension Education), Department of Agriculture Production, Government of J&K, etc http://www.risingkashmir.in/news/non-agriculture-use-of-paddy-land-hits-rice-production-omar-33733.aspx .
• He was the youngest scientist to deliver a plenary talk entitled “Biotech crops: Imperative for accomplishment of MDGs and Agricultural Sustainability in 21st Century” in the plenary session “Moving forward with agricultural biotechnology in India: scientific regulatory and societal challenges” in the 99th Indian Science Congress, Bubneshwar, Orissa (3-7th Jan 2012), which was highly appreciated by the audience. http://kiit.tv/archiveinner.asp?id=415.
• He served as Working Group member of Young Professionals for Agricultural Research and Development (YPARD), India Chapter from the State of J&K, from 2013 to 2018.
• He remained associated as Environmental Editor of Indian Muslim Observer http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/p/our-team_22.html.
• He is an acclaimed expert on saffron in India (Kashmir), and has published extensively on Saffron in International journals of repute. He is a senior member of saffron group Zafftech ZAFFTECH.
• He has established a well-equipped Genome Engineering & Societal Biotechnology Lab for Saffron R&D at the Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K.
• He has widely collaborated with well-known Scientists at the University of Oxford (UK), USDA, and Universities in Iran, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Germany etc., for saffron R&D
• He has immense field experience at the grassroots level with farmers and has contributed towards saffron awareness and undertaken advisory roles within and outside India.