Alexandra Castilho | Plant Biochemistry | Advances in Plant Biotechnology

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Alexandra Castilho | Plant Biochemistry | Advances in Plant Biotechnology

BOKU University, Austria

Author Profile

Scopus

🌟  Suitable for this Advances in Plant Biotechnology

Dr. Alexandra Castilho is highly suitable for the Research Award in Advances in Plant Biotechnology. Her pioneering contributions to plant glycoengineering, her leadership in international projects, and her impact on developing plant-based biopharmaceuticals make her a deserving candidate. Her research has not only advanced scientific understanding but also facilitated tangible innovations in the biotechnology industry. Recognizing her work would align with the goals of promoting cutting-edge plant biotechnology research with applications in medicine, agriculture, and sustainable biomanufacturing.

 Education

Dr. Castilho completed her Ph.D. in 1996 at the John Innes Institute, University of East Anglia, UK, where she focused on plant glycobiology and molecular biotechnology. She earned her Applied Plant Biology degree from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 1990. During her studies, she undertook international research experiences, including an Erasmus Fellowship at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), France (1990-1991). As a Ph.D. student (1992-1995), she conducted extensive research on plant-based glycan modifications, laying the foundation for her career in plant glycoengineering. After earning her doctorate, she pursued postdoctoral research at the John Innes Institute (1996-1999) and later at the Instituto de Tecnologia QuĂ­mica e BiolĂłgica (ITQB), Portugal (2000-2003). Her interdisciplinary education and research have shaped her expertise in plant glycosylation, protein engineering, and biotechnology applications.

  Professional Experience

Dr. Castilho has held multiple research and leadership positions in plant biotechnology. Since 2018, she has been a Principal Investigator at IPBT, BOKU Vienna, heading the Plant Glycoengineering Group. From 2010 to 2017, she was the Scientific Coordinator of the Laura Bassi Center PlantBioP, where she led groundbreaking studies on plant-based therapeutics. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Researcher at BOKU Austria (2004-2010) and an Invited Scientist at the Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal (2003-2004). Her postdoctoral work at ITQB Portugal (2000-2003) and John Innes Institute, UK (1996-1999), focused on plant glycosylation mechanisms. With over 30 years of expertise in plant biotechnology, molecular biology, and glycoengineering, she has been a key contributor to research projects in plant-based pharmaceuticals, glycan optimization, and biopharmaceuticals production.

 Awards and Recognition 

Dr. Castilho has received multiple awards for her contributions to plant glycoengineering and biotechnology. Her work in plant-based biopharmaceutical production has been widely recognized, earning her the Laura Bassi Center of Expertise Award (2010-2017) for scientific leadership. She has also been honored with funding from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) for high-impact projects on plant-derived glycoproteins. In 2023, she was a keynote speaker at GLUPOR 14 and an invited expert at international conferences, including Plant-Based Vaccines & Antibodies 2019. Her patents on plant glycoengineering have contributed to innovative therapeutic solutions, making her a globally recognized scientist in plant biotechnology. She has been a reviewer for top-tier journals and a collaborator on EU-funded research initiatives, further establishing her prominence in the field.

Research skills On Plant Biochemistry

Dr. Castilho specializes in plant cell and molecular biology, glycoengineering, and plant-derived biopharmaceuticals. Her expertise lies in engineering plant glycosylation pathways, optimizing glycan structures for therapeutic applications, and identifying glycan-dependent protein-protein interactions. She has extensive experience in modifying plant-derived therapeutic proteins for biomedical applications, contributing to plant molecular farming as a viable alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals. Her research integrates glycobiology with applied biotechnology, focusing on plant-derived cancer therapeutics, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and viral decoy molecules. She leads multi-institutional research projects on biomanufacturing glyco-optimized proteins. Dr. Castilho is proficient in CRISPR-based gene editing, protein expression systems, and glycan analysis techniques, making her a leading figure in plant glycoengineering.

Publications

An engineered PD1-Fc fusion produced in N. benthamiana plants efficiently blocks PD1/PDL1 interaction
  • Journal: Plant Cell Reports
  • Year: 2025
  • Authors: Shiva Izadi, Rafaela Abrantes, Simon Gumpelmair, Vinny Kunnummel, Henrique O. Duarte, Peter Steinberger, Celso A. Reis, Alexandra Castilho
The ligand-dependent suppression of TCR signaling by the immune checkpoint receptor LAG3 depends on the cytoplasmic RRFSALE motif
  • Journal: Science Signaling
  • Year: 2023
  • Authors: Katharina Aigner-Radakovics, Annika De Sousa Linhares, Benjamin Salzer, Manfred Lehner, Shiva Izadi, Alexandra Castilho, Winfried F. Pickl, Judith Leitner, Peter Steinberger
Engineered soluble, trimerized 4-1BBL variants as potent immunomodulatory agents
  • Journal: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy
  • Year: 2023
  • Authors: Claire Battin, Annika De Sousa Linhares, Judith Leitner, Anna Grossmann, Daniela Lupinek, Shiva Izadi, Alexandra Castilho, Petra Waidhofer-Söllner, Katharina Grabmeier-Pfistershammer, Jochen Stritzker et al.
In planta deglycosylation improves the SARS-CoV-2 neutralization activity of recombinant ACE2-Fc
  • Journal: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
  • Year: 2023
  • Authors: Shiva Izadi, Ulrike Vavra, Stanislav Melnik, Clemens GrĂŒnwald-Gruber, Esther Föderl-Höbenreich, Markus Sack, Kurt Zatloukal, Josef Glössl, Eva Stöger, Lukas Mach et al.
Assessment of transient expression strategies to sialylate recombinant proteins in N. benthamiana
  • Journal: Journal of Biotechnology
  • Year: 2023
  • Authors: Shiva Izadi, Vinny Kunnummel, Herta Steinkellner, Stefan Werner, Alexandra Castilho

 

Xudong Zhou | Medicinal Plants | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Xudong Zhou | Medicinal Plants | Best Researcher Award

Hunan University of Chinese Medicine | China

Author Profile

XU-DONG ZHOU: PIONEER IN NATURAL PRODUCT CHEMISTRY 🌿

📚 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Xu-Dong Zhou’s academic journey began at Hengyang Normal University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry (2009). His passion for organic synthesis led him to Dalian University, where he completed a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry (2012). Dr. Zhou culminated his formal education at Peking University, earning a PhD in Pharmacognosy in 2015, specializing in natural product chemistry and phytochemistry.

đŸ§Ș PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Zhou has a diverse professional background:

  • Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (2019-Present): Associate Professor and Master Instructor. His research focuses on bioactive compounds from ethnic medicines, using advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, while teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.
  • Wenzhou Medical University (2016-2019): Lecturer, specializing in the phytochemistry of Fraxinus hubeiensis and Artemisia frigida.
  • Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co. Ltd. (2015-2016): Project Leader for proteomics research.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON MEDICAL PLANTS

Dr. Zhou’s research spans bioactive natural products, anticancer and anti-infective drug discovery, and natural products’ synthesis and modification. Notable plant species studied include Artemisia frigida and Fraxinus hubeiensis, demonstrating their potential in therapeutic applications.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Zhou’s work in phytochemistry has expanded the understanding of traditional Chinese medicines, bridging the gap between ancient remedies and modern pharmacology. His studies on liver fibrosis, antioxidant activities, and bioactive compounds have impacted both academic and pharmaceutical communities.

📈 ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Zhou has authored over 23 impactful publications in high-ranking journals. Notable works include:

  1. npj Science of Food: Research on liver fibrosis alleviation via Ampelopsis grossedentata tea.
  2. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology: Chemical constituents from Fraxinus hubeiensis leaves.
  3. Molecules: Hepatoprotective activities of Ampelopsis grossedentata.

These contributions underscore his expertise in natural product chemistry and therapeutic potential exploration.

🏅 HONORS & AWARDS

Dr. Zhou has received recognition for his exceptional work, including:

  • Best Researcher Award from Hunan University of Chinese Medicine.
  • Excellence in Phytochemical Research Honor from Wenzhou Medical University.
  • Outstanding Scholar Recognition from Peking University.

🌐 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Xu-Dong Zhou’s work inspires future generations of scientists by illuminating the vast potential of natural products. His dedication to integrating traditional knowledge with cutting-edge research promises to advance drug discovery and sustainable healthcare.

🌠 FINAL NOTE

Xu-Dong Zhou stands as a beacon of innovation in natural product chemistry, demonstrating how meticulous research can lead to groundbreaking discoveries. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, his contributions to science and medicine continue to leave a lasting impact.

📑 NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 

“Ampelopsis grossedentata tea alleviating liver fibrosis in BDL-induced mice via gut microbiota and metabolite modulations” 

  • Authors: Xi, Y.-Y. , Chen, C. , Zheng, J.-J….Wang, W. , Zhou, X.-D. npj
  • Journal: Science of Food
  • Year: 2024

“Stochastic bipedal dual-DNA walkers for fast and sensitive detection of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease1 and inhibitor screening ” 

  • Authors: Liu, Q. , Zhang, Q. , Mao, Y. , … Peng, C. , Wang, H
  • Journal: Talanta
  • Year: 2024

“Flavonoidal alkaloids: Emerging targets for drug discovery from Nature’s bounty” 

  • Authors: Yao, Z., Wu, Q., Sheng, W., … Li, B., Peng, C
  • Journal: Fitoterapia
  • Year: 2024

“Chemical constituents from the leaves of Fraxinus hubeiensis, an endemic plant from China” 

  • Authors: Gong, L.-M. , Tang, H.-X. , Li, Y.-J. , … Zhou, X.-D. , Wang, W
  • Journal: Biochemical Systematics and Ecology
  • Year: 2024

“Chemical Constituents and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory, Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective     Activities of Ampelopsis grossedentata”

  • Authors: Luo, Q.-J. , Zhou, W.-C. , Liu, X.-Y. , … Wang, W. , Zhou, X.-D.
  • Journal: Molecules
  • Year:2023

 

 

Om Prakash Gupta | Plant Biotechnology | Outstanding Scientist Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Om Prakash Gupta | Plant Biotechnology | Outstanding Scientist Award

ICAR-indian institute of wheat and Barley research | India

Author Profile

Om Prakash Gupta, Ph.D., ARS, FSAWBAR đŸŒŸ

📚 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Dr. Om Prakash Gupta began his academic journey with a B.Sc. (Ag.) Hons from Chandra Sekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, where he earned multiple honors. He pursued his M.Sc. in Biochemistry at ICAR-IARI, specializing in plant biochemistry, followed by a Ph.D. in the same field. His doctoral research focused on isoflavone biosynthesis in soybean seeds, laying the foundation for his current work in crop biochemistry.

đŸ§Ș PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Dr. Gupta’s professional career spans multiple roles at ICAR-IIWBR, Karnal, where he advanced from Scientist to Senior Scientist. His expertise in plant biochemistry has been pivotal in several research projects aimed at enhancing wheat and barley quality. Dr. Gupta has worked on stress tolerance mechanisms, biofortification, and wheat genotypic responses, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and improving crop quality.

🔬 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON Plant Biotechnology

Dr. Gupta’s research centers on understanding plant biochemical pathways, particularly those related to stress tolerance in wheat and barley. His work on enhancing nutritional quality, including iron and zinc biofortification in wheat, has far-reaching implications for food security. His ongoing projects continue to unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning crop resilience and nutritional enhancement, making a significant impact on global food systems.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Dr. Gupta’s work has influenced global agricultural practices, especially in the areas of crop quality and stress resilience. His pioneering research in wheat biofortification has led to improved varieties of wheat with enhanced nutritional profiles. By publishing widely and engaging in international collaborations, he has established himself as a key figure in agricultural research, particularly in cereal crops. His contributions help ensure food security and sustainability.

📈 ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Dr. Gupta’s academic career is marked by an impressive number of publications in top-tier journals, including the Journal of King Saud University and Frontiers in Nutrition. His research papers focus on topics like wheat biofortification, stress tolerance, and nutrient bioavailability. Notable papers include “Unraveling Wheat Genotypic Responses” and “Critical Assessment of Wheat Biofortification.” His Google Scholar and ResearchGate profiles feature a growing citation count, highlighting the global relevance of his work.

🏅 HONORS & AWARDS

Dr. Gupta has received numerous accolades for his contributions to agricultural research, including the Jawahar Lal Nehru Award for Best Doctoral Thesis in Biotechnology. Other notable awards include the Krishi Vigyan Gaurav Award, Fellow status from the Society for Advancement of Wheat and Barley Research, and Best Oral Presentation Awards at international symposiums. His awards reflect the high regard in which he is held within the scientific community.

🌐 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Dr. Gupta’s future work will likely continue to focus on enhancing crop quality and stress tolerance. His research on wheat and barley biofortification promises to improve global food security. His legacy includes his innovative approaches to plant biochemistry and molecular research, which have significantly impacted agricultural science. As a mentor, his influence on the next generation of scientists will ensure the sustainability of his contributions.

🌠 FINAL NOTE

Dr. Om Prakash Gupta is a leading scientist in the field of plant biochemistry, with a focus on improving wheat and barley crops through biotechnological innovations. His numerous accolades and extensive publication record reflect his dedication to enhancing crop quality and resilience. Through his research, Dr. Gupta is helping to pave the way for more sustainable and nutritious agricultural practices.

📑 NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 

“Challenges and opportunities in productivity and sustainability of rice cultivation system: a critical review in Indian perspective”

  • Authors: N. Kumar, R. S. Chhokar, R. P. Meena, A. S. Kharub, S. C. Gill, S. C. Tripathi, …
  • Journal: Cereal Research Communications
  • Year: 2021

“Fascinating role of silicon to combat salinity stress in plants: An updated overview”

  • Authors: P. Dhiman, N. Rajora, S. Bhardwaj, S. S. Sudhakaran, A. Kumar, G. Raturi, …
  • Journal: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
  • Year: 2021

“RNA interference: a novel source of resistance to combat plant parasitic nematodes”

  • Authors: S. Banerjee, A. Banerjee, S. S. Gill, O. P. Gupta, A. Dahuja, P. K. Jain, A. Sirohi
  • Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
  • Year: 2017

“Contemporary understanding of miRNA-based regulation of secondary metabolites biosynthesis in plants”

  • Authors: O. P. Gupta, S. G. Karkute, S. Banerjee, N. L. Meena, A. Dahuja
  • Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
  • Year: 2017

“CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome engineering for improvement of horticultural crops”

  • Authors: S. G. Karkute, A. K. Singh, O. P. Gupta, P. M. Singh, B. Singh
  • Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
  • Year: 2017

“Enhancing wheat production – A global perspective”

  • Authors: I. Sharma, B. S. Tyagi, G. Singh, K. Venkatesh, O. P. Gupta
  • Journal: The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Year: 2015

“MicroRNA mediated regulation of metal toxicity in plants: present status and future perspectives”

  • Authors: O. P. Gupta, P. Sharma, R. K. Gupta, I. Sharma
  • Journal: Plant Molecular Biology
  • Year: 2014

“Current status on role of miRNAs during plant–fungus interaction”

  • Authors: O. P. Gupta, P. Sharma, R. K. Gupta, I. Sharma
  • Journal: Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology
  • Year: 2014

“Differential regulation of microRNAs in response to osmotic, salt and cold stresses in wheat”

  • Authors: O. P. Gupta, N. L. Meena, I. Sharma, P. Sharma
  • Journal: Molecular Biology Reports
  • Year: 2014

“MicroRNA regulated defense responses in Triticum aestivum L. during Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici infection”

  • Authors: O. P. Gupta, V. Permar, V. Koundal, U. D. Singh, S. Praveen
  • Journal: Molecular Biology Reports
  • Year: 2012