Dr. Nitish Kumar

Dr. Nitish Kumar focuses his research mainly on genetic improvement of medicinal plants by using the different biotechnological techniques such as plant tissue culture, transgenic plant development, molecular marker development and enhancement of secondary metabolites. Currently, Dr. Kumar is working on enhancement of steviol glycoside biosynthesis and differential genes expression during steviol glycoside biosynthesis in stevia by applying the different types of biotic and abiotic stresses including nanoparticles.

• Publications:
1. Himanshu Kaushik, Rashmi Ranjan, Rakhshan Ahmad, Alok Kumar, Prashant, Nitish Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Ranjan (2021) Assessment of trace metal contamination in the core sediment of Ramsar wetland (Kabar Tal), Begusarai, Bihar (India). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. In Press (Springer)
2. Sabtishi Acharyajee, Raghwendra Kumar, Nitish Kumar (2021) Role of Plant Biotechnology in enhancement of Alkaloid Production from Cell Culture System of Catharanthus roseus: A medicinal plant with potent anti-tumor properties. Industrial Crops and Products. (In press)
3. Nitish Kumar and Sanjay Kumar (2021) Application of Gamma Irradiation Technology in Preservation of Food: Prospects and Challenges. Journal of Biodiversity. 12: 13-17
4. Suman S, Prashant, Ranjan RK, Kumar N (2020) Impact of PEG Induced Drought Stress on Growth and Physiology of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.). Journal of Biodiversity. 11: 22-26
5. Kumar N*, Rani S, Kumar G, Kumari S, Singh IS, Gautam S, Choudhary BK (2019) Physiological and biochemical responses of Makhana ( Euryale ferox ) to gamma irradiation. Journal of Biological Physics. 45: 1-12 (Springer Publishing).
6. Mishra SK, Kumar N, Kumar G, Kashav T, Prakash K (2018) Recombinant human interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) protein expression and solubilisation study in Escherichia coli. Molecular Biology Reports. 45: 1367-1374 (Springer Publishing).
7. Modi A, Suthar K, Thakkar P, Mankad MC, Kumari S, Naraynan S, Singh AS, Kumar N* (2018) Evaluation of sex specific RAPD and SCAR markers linked to papaya (Carica papaya L.). Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 16: 271-276 (Elsevier Publishing)
8. Mahto KU, Shaheen A, Kumari S, Singh IS, Kumar N*(2018) DNA polymorphism analysis of Indian germplasms of Trapa natans using RAPD molecular Marker. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology. 15: 146-149 (Elsevier Publishing)
9. N Sadaf, N Kumar, M Ali, V Ali, S Bimal, R Haque (2018) Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis and inhibits the growth of human liver cancer cells. Life science, 205: 9-17 (Elsevier Publishing)
10. GK Satyapal, SK Mishra, A Srivastava, RK Ranjan, K Prakash, R Haque,Kumar N (2018) Possible bioremediation of arsenic toxicity by isolating indigenous bacteria from the middle Gangetic plain of Bihar, India. Biotechnology Reports, 17: 117-125 (Elsevier Publishing)
11. Kumar N, Shikha D, Kumari S, Choudhary BK, Kumar L, Singh IS (2018) SSR-Based DNA Fingerprinting and Diversity Assessment Among Indian Germplasm of Euryale ferox: an Aquatic Underutilized and Neglected Food Crop. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 185: 34-41 (Springer Publishing)
12. Kumar N*, Kumar H, Kumari S (2017) Extraction of High Quality Genomic DNA for Genetic Diversity and Molecular Marker Studies from Leaves of Makhana (Euryale ferox). Journal of Biodiversity. 8(2): 87-92 (Taylor & Francis Publishing)
13. Kumar H, Priya O, Singh N, Kumar M, Choudhary BK, Kumar L, Singh IS, Kumar N* (2016) RAPD and ISSR markers based comparative evaluation of genetic diversity among Indian germplasm of Euryale ferox: An aquatic food plant. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 180:1345–1360 (Springer Publishing)
14. Satyapal GK, Rani S, Kumar M, Kumar N* (2016) Potential Role of Arsenic Resistant Bacteria in Bioremediation: Current status and future prospects. Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology. 8: 256-259.
15. Desai P, Gajera B, Mankad MC, Shah S, Patel A, Patil G, Narayanan S, Kumar N* (2015) Comparative assessment of genetic diversity among Indian bamboo genotypes using RAPD and ISSR markers. Molecular biology Reports. 42: 1265-1273 (Springer Publishing).
16. Sandal I, Koul R, Saini U, Kaur D, Mehta M, Kumar N, Ahuja PS, Bhattacharya A (2015) Development of transgenic tea plants from leaf explants by the biolistic gun method and their evaluation. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Culture. 123: 245-255 (Springer Publishing).
17. Kumar N*, Singh AS, Kumari S, Reddy MP (2015) Biotechnological approaches for the genetic improvement of Jatropha curcas L.: a biodiesel plant. Industrial Crops and Products. 76:817-828 (Elsevier publishing).
18. Singh AS, Kumari S, Modi AR, Gajera BB, Narayanan S, Kumar N* (2015) Role of Conventional and Biotechnological Approaches in Genetic Improvement of Castor (Ricinus communis L.). Industrial Crops and Products. 74: 55-62. (Elsevier publishing)
19. Gandhi VP, Priya Anshu, Priya Suman, Daiya V, Keshari J, Prakash K, Jha AK, Kumar K, Kumar N* (2015) Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Bacteria to Heavy Metals Isolated from Soil Samples of Bokaro Coal Mines, India. Pollution. 1: 287-295
20. Mishra SK, Suman P, Sharma PK, Kumar N, Prakash K (2015) human interferon regulatory factor-2 (irf-2): chimeric protein and expression analysis. International Journal of Biology, Pharmacy, and allied Sciences, 4: 5990-6002
21. Bhattacharya A , Saini U, Joshi R, Kaur D, Pal AK, Kumar N, Gulati A, Mohanpuria P, Kumar S, Kumar S, Ahuja PS (2014) Osmotin expressing transgenic tea plants have improved stress tolerance and quality parameters. Transgenic Research 23:211-23 (Springer Publishing).
22. Kumar A, Prakash K, Sinha RK, Kumar N* (2013) In vitro plant propagation of Catharanthus roseus and assessment of genetic fidelity of micropropagated plants by RAPD marker assay. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 169: 894-900 (Springer Publishing).
23. Kumar N*, Bhattacharya A, Gulati A (2013) L-glutamine and L-glutamic acid facilitate the establishment of cell-cell contact between Agrobacterium and recalcitrant leaves of important tea cultivars. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnololgy.70:1649-64 (Springer Publishing).
24. Modi AR, Patil G, Kumar N*, Singh AS, Subhash N (2012) A Simple and efficient in vitro mass multiplication procedure for Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni and analysis of genetic fidelity of in vitro raised plants through RAPD. Sugar Tech. 14:391–397 (Springer Publishing).
25. Kumar N*, Reddy MP (2012) Thidiazuron (TDZ) induced plant regeneration from cotyledonary petiole explants of elite genotypes of Jatropha curcas: A candidate biodiesel plant. Industrial Crops and Products. 39: 62-68 (Elsevier publishing)
26. Sharma S, Kumar N, Reddy MP (2011) Regeneration in Jatropha curcas-Factors affecting the efficiency of in vitro regeneration. Industrial Crops and Products. 34: 943-951. (Elsevier publishing)
27. Kumar N*, Vijayanand KG, Reddy MP (2011). Plant regeneration in non-toxic Jatropha curcas - impacts of plant growth regulators, source and type of explants. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Vol. 20: 125-133 (Springer Publishing).
28. Kumar N*, Vijayanand KG, Reddy MP (2011) In vitro regeneration from petiole explants of non-toxic Jatropha curcas. Industrial Crops and Products. Vol. 33: 146-151. (Elsevier publishing)
29. Kumar N*, Reddy MP (2011) In vitro Plant Propagation: A Review. Journal of Forest Science. Vol. 27: 61-72.
30. Singh AS, Patel MP, Patel TK, Delvadia DR, Patel DR, Kumar N, Naraynan S, Fougat RS (2010) Floral biology and flowering phenology of Jatropha curcas. Journal of Forest Science. Vol. 26: 95-102.
31. Gajera BB, Kumar N*, Singh AS, Punavar BS, Ravikiran R, Subhash N, Jadeja JC (2010). Assessment of genetic diversity in castor (Ricinus communis L.) using RAPD and ISSR markers. Industrial Crops and Products. Vol. 32: 491-498 (Elsevier publishing)
32. Kumar N*, Vijayanand KG, Reddy MP (2010). In vitro plant regeneration of non-toxic Jatropha curcas L: direct shoot organogenesis from cotyledonary petiole explants. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology. Vol. 13: 189-194. (Springer Publishing)
33. Kumar N*, Modi A, Singh AS, Gajera BB, Patel AR, Patel MP, Subhash N (2010) Assessment of genetic fidelity of micropropagated date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plantlets by RAPD and ISSR markers assay. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. Vol: 16: No. 2: 207-213. (Springer Publishing)
34. Kumar N*, Singh AS, Modi AE, Patel AR, Gajera BB, Subhash N (2010). Genetic Stability Studies in Micropropagated Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Plants using Microsatellite Marker. Journal of Forest Science Vol: 26: 31-36.
35. Kumar N*, Vijayanand KG, Pamidimarri DVNS, Sarkar T, Reddy MP, Kaul T, Reddy MK, Sopori SK. (2010) Stable genetic transformation of Jatropha curcas via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer using leaf explants .Industrial crops and products. Vol. 32: No. 1: 41-47. (Elsevier publishing)
36. Kumar N, Vijayanand KG, Reddy MP (2010) Shoot regeneration from cotyledonary leaf explants of Jatropha curcas: a biodiesel plant. Acta physiologiae Plantarum. Vol: 32. No.5. 917-924. (Springer Publishing)
37. Kumar N, Reddy MP (2010) Plant regeneration through direct shoot bud induction from petiole explants of Jatropha curcas: a biofuel plant. Annals of Applied Biology. Vol. 156:No.3:367-375. (Wiley-Blackwell Publishing)
38. Kumar N, Vijayanand KG, Reddy MP, Singh AS, Subhash N (2009) Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation: mechanism and factors. Journal of Forest Science. Vol 25: No. 3:195-204
39. Kumar N, Kaur M, Pamidimarri DVNS, Boricha G, Reddy MP (2008) Comparative response of callus and seedling of Jatropha curcas L. to salinity stress. Journal Forest Science. Vol. 24:No.3:69-77.
40. Kumar N, Pamidimarri DVNS, Kaur M, Boricha G, Reddy MP (2008) Effects of NaCl on growth, ion accumulation, protein, proline contents and antioxidant enzymes activity in callus cultures of Jatropha curcas L. Biologia: Vol 63: No. 3:378-382. (Springer Publishing)
41. Kumar N, Pandey S, Bhattacharya A, Ahuja PS (2004): Do leaf surface characteristics affect Agrobacterium infection in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)? J. Bioscience: Vol. 29: No.3:309-317. (Springer Publishing)
• Patent
• M.P.Reddy, Nitish Kumar, K.G.Vijyanand, Aneesha singh, Sweta singh (2008) A media composition for micropropagation of Jatropha curcas plants from leaf explants (Application No. 2537/DEL/2008 A)
• M.P.Reddy, Aneesha Singh, Sweta singh, K.G.Vijayanand, Nitish Kumar (2009) A media composition for micropropagation of Jatropha curcas plants from shoot tip and nodal segments (Application No.657/DEL/2009 A).

1. Nitish Kumar (2021) Biofuel from Microbes and Plants: Green Energy Alternative. ISBN 9780367207052 (CRC Press)
2. Nitish Kumar (2021) Arsenic Toxicity: Challenges and Solutions. ISBN 978-981-336-067-9 (Springer Publisher)
3. Nitish Kumar (2020) Biotechnology for Biofuels: A Sustainable Green Energy Solution. 1-288, (Springer Publisher) ISBN No. 978-981-15-3761-5
4. Nitish Kumar (2018) Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Genetic Improvement and Utilization. 1-654, (ISBN 978-981-13-0535-1) Springer Publisher)
5. Haque R, Srivastava A, Kumar N (2018) Human implications of Biotechnology, Shree Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi, 1-166
6. Nitish Kumar and MP Reddy (2011) Biology and Biotechnology of Jatropha spp.: A Candidate Biofuel Crop: Genetic Improvement of Jatropha spp. through Plant Biotechnology. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Germany, 1-168
7. Nitish Kumar (2012) Studies on Regeneration and Genetic Transformation in Jatropha. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, Germany. 1-184
8. Nitish Kumar (2021) Genetic Diversity Analysis of Jatropha curcas: A Biofuel Plant.: Biofuel from Microbes and Plants: Green Energy Alternative 211-223 pp 211-224(CRC Press)
9. Nitish Kumar (2021) Conventional Breeding Methods for the Genetic Improvement of Jatropha curcas L.: A Biodiesel Plant: Biofuel from Microbes and Plants: Green Energy Alternative 319-331 (CRC Press)
10. Kumar N, Reddy MP (2013) Jatropha tissue culture: A critical review on present scenario and future prospects. In “Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop: Vol 2: Genetic Improvement and Biotechnology” edited by Bir Bahadur., Sujatha M., Nicolas Carels., pp: 513-523, (Springer Publisher).
11. Kumar N, Reddy MP, Sujatha M (2013) Genetic Transformation of Jatropha curcas: Current status and future prospects. In Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop: Vol 2: Genetic Improvement and Biotechnology” edited by Bir Bahadur., Sujatha M., Nicolas Carels., pp: 535-546, (Springer Publisher).
12. Modi A, Kumar N and Subhash N (2016) Transcript quantification of genes involved in steviol glycoside biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR). In “Protocol for invitro cultures and secondry metabolite analysis of aromatic and medicinal plants “edited by Mohan Jain., pp: 289-301. Springer Publisher
13. Kumar N*, Modi A, Patil G, Singh AS, and Subhash N (2016) Micropropagation and Biomass production of True-to-Type Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. In “Protocol for invitro cultures and secondry metabolite analysis of aromatic and medicinal plants” edited by Mohan Jain., pp: 113-123. Springer Publisher
14. Modi A, Gajera B, Subhash N, Singh AS, Kumar N* (2017) Evaluation of clonal fidelity of micropropagated Date palm (Phoenix dactilyfera) by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). In “Date Palm Biotechnology Protocols” edited by Al-Khayri JM and Jain M. pp: 81-89. Springer Publisher.
15. Kumar N*, Modi A, Gajera B, Subhash N (2018) Development of simple methodology for assessment of clonal stability of tissue culture raised date palm plant using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker. In “Plant Systematics & Biotechnology: Challenges & Opportunities” edited by Chourasia HK & Mishra DP. pp: 235-244. Today and Tomorrow's Printers & Publishers, New Delhi.
16. Modi A, Kumar N* (2018) TDZ-Induced Regeneration in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni: An Important Natural Sweetener. In “Thidiazuron: From Urea Derivative to Plant Growth Regulator” edited by Ahmad N & Faisal M. pp 351-358. Springer Publisher
17. Kumar N*, Vacha, Mastan SG, Reddy MP (2018) TDZ-Induced Plant Regeneration in Jatropha curcas: a promising Biofuel Plant. In “Thidiazuron: From Urea Derivative to Plant Growth Regulator” edited by Ahmad N & Faisal M. pp 419-428. Springer Publisher
18. Kumar N (2018) Genetic engineering of Crop plant for insect pest control: current status and future prospects. In “Human implications of Biotechnology” edited by Haque R, Srivastava A & Kumar N. pp 36-61. Shree Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi
19. Modi A, Kumar N (2018) Conventional and Biotechnological Approaches to Enhance Steviol Glycosides (SGs) in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. In “Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Genetic Improvement and Utilization” edited by Kumar N. pp 53-62. Springer Publisher
20. Sharma A, Kumar N, Mishra IG (2018) Role of Molecular Marker in the Genetic Improvement of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. In “Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Genetic Improvement and Utilization” edited by Kumar N. pp 557-567. Springer Publisher
21. Kumari S, Shashikant, Kumar N, Trivedi MP (2018) In Vitro Culture and Production of Secondary Metabolites in Centella asiatica. In “Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Genetic Improvement and Utilization” edited by Kumar N. pp 157-173. Springer Publisher
22. Singh RS, Chattopadhyay T, Thakur D, Kumar N, Kumar T, Singh PK (2018) Hairy root culture for in vitro production of secondary metabolites: a promising biotechnological approach. In “Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conservation, Genetic Improvement and Utilization” edited by Kumar N. pp 235-250. Springer Publisher
23. Mastan SG, Rathore MS, Reddy MP, Kumar N* (2019) Genetic engineering for improvement oil content in Jatropha curcas: a promising a biofuel plant. “Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop: Vol 3: Genetic Improvement and Biotechnology” edited by Bir Bahadur., Sujatha M., Nicolas Carels. 95-110 (Springer Publisher).
24. Kumar N, Kumari S (2020) Recent Advances in Genetic Improvement of Jatropha curcas: A Potent Biodiesel Plant. “Biotechnology for Biofuels: A Sustainable Green Energy Solution” edited by Kumar N. 95-107 (Springer Publisher).
25. Satyapal GK, Kumar N (2021) Arsenic: Source, Distribution, Toxicity and Bioremediation: N. Kumar (ed.), Arsenic Toxicity: Challenges and Solutions. 153-163 (Springer Publisher).
26. Biswas P and Kumar N (2021) Application of Nanotechnology in Crop Improvement: “An Overview: rop Improvement: Biotechnological Advances” edited by Srivastava DK, Thakur AK and Kumar P. In press (CRC Press)

• Awards :
• Projects :

1. Associate editor of Journal ‘GENE’ (SCI Impact Factor: 3.6)
2. Editorial Board member of Journal “American Journal of Plant Biology”
3. Life member of Indian Science Congress Associations
4. Life member of Indian Society of Plant Physiology
5. Life Member of The Biotech Research Society, India
6. Life Member of Indian Botanical Society, India
7. Life member of the Society for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology, India