My research interest covers a wide area in Indian medicinal and economic plants including study of genetic diversity and chromosome constitution as associated with difference in chemical contents, in vitro propagation and conservation of recalcitrant species, and enhanced production of secondary metabolites in vitro and through transgenesis. In Urginea indica, Indian squill, along with success in micropropagation, chromosomal diversity has been correlated with bufadienolide content of selected genotypes. Methods have also been developed for rapid propagation of species of Ruscus, Bowiea, Smilax, as well as in Tea and Cashew nut- the two plantation crops. In Ipecac, technique could be devised to overcome recalcitrance and production of alkaloid in cell and root culture. Our efforts for continuous production of pharmaceutically important bioactive compounds utilizes in vitro culture system as cell factories instead of destruction or disturbance of natural flora for maintaining the biodiversity of our indigenous medicinal plants

Methods for enhanced and stable production bioactive compounds such as forskolin, withanolides, colchicine, artemisinin , tyophorine and bacoside have been developed in selected genotypes. We have established method for production of taxol and its precursor molecule in tissue cultures of Himalayan yew, Taxus wallichiana. We have developed transgenic cell and organ cultures as well as transgenic plants in a number of rare, endangered indigenous medicinal plants for production of high value pharmaceuticals. Our recent research was focused on developing an innovative process for the production of podophyllotoxin. in cell culture of Indian Podophyllum.

While our primary objective is to increase the production of pharmaceuticals in Indian medicinal plants using chemical and genetic means, our more immediate objective is to test the hypothesis that an indirect genetic approach can be taken to stimulating metabolite production: this consist of inserting a gene encoding a fungal protein elicitor into the plant genome.

Plant Molecular Genetics; Plant Biotechnology; Plant Developmental Biology

Fellow of National Academy of Science, India, 2008

"Science Academy Medal for Young Scientist, 1983" awarded by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).

"Prof. Hiralal Chakravarty Award" for the year 1989 for significant contribution in Botany by the Indian Science Congress Association.(ISCA)

"UGC Career Award for young teachers" 1994- 1997 awarded by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi.

Nominated and deputed by the Indian National Science Academy to visit U.K. during 1998-99 and 1990-91 under International Scientist Exchange Programme

1. Plant Tissue Culture Association of India ( life member)

2. Indian Botanical Society (Life member)

3. Society of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Life Member)

4. Indian Science News Association (Life member)

5. All India Society of Cell Biology and Genetics ( Member: Executive Committee)

1. Jha S and Sen S A search for scilladienolides in Scilla indica Roxb. Current Science 49 : 273- 274 (1980).

2. Jha S and Sen S Bufadienolides in chromosomal races of Indian squill. Phytochemistry 20: 524- 526 (1981).

3. Jha S and Sen S Sterols in different cytological races of Urginea indica. Phytochemistry 20: 1442- 1444 (1981).

4. Jha S and Sen S Sterol content in roots of diploid and tetraploid Urginea indica at different phases of growth. Acta Botanica Indica 9: 258- 264 (1981).

5. Jha S and Sen S Seasonal variation in bufadieenolide content in diploid and tetraploiid Urginea indica (Indian squill). Proceedings Indian National Science Academy 48: 391 - 396 (1982).

6. Jha S and Sen S Quantitation of principle bufadienolides in different cytotypes of Urginea indica. Planta Medica 47: 43- 45 (1983).

7. Jha S and Sen S Chromosome study of diploid Indian squill, Urginea indica Kunth. Cytologia 48: 79- 86 (1983).

8. Jha S and Sen S Chromosome study of polyploid Indian squill, Urginea indica Kunth. Cytologia 48: 407- 418 (1983).

9. Jha S Potential of Urginea indica Kunth. as a source of cardiac glycosides- Cytology, Phytochemistry & Tissue Culture. Science Academy Medals for Young Scientists Lectures. INSA, New Delhi p. 65- 86 (1984).

10. Jha S, Mitra GC and Sen S In vitro regeneration from bulb explants of Indian squill Urginea indica Kunth. Plant Cell Tissue & Organ Culture 3: 299- 302 (1984).

11. Jha S and Sen S Morphogenesis and propagation of medicinally important plant species of family Liliaceae : A review Proc. Natl. Symp. on Biotechnology of Medicinal, Aromatic and Timber Yielding Plants. (Bot. Lab Pharm Anat Cal. Univ. 89- 100; 1984).

12. Jha S and Sen S In vitro regeneration of Ruscus hypophyllum L. plants. Plant cell Tissue and Organ Culture 5: 79 -87 (1985).

13. Jha S and Sen S Regeneration and rapid multiplication of Bowiea volublis Harv. in tissue culture. Plant Cell Reports 4: 12 - 14 (1985).

14. Jha S and Sen S Mass propagation of Indian squill Urginea indica kunth. in vitro, Acta Horticulturae 188 : 105- 109 (1986).

15. Jha S and Sen S Development of Indian squill (Urginea indica Kunth) through somatic embryogenesis from long term culture . J. Plant Physiology 124: 431-439 (1986).

16. Jha S and Sen S Nuclear changes and organogenesis during callus culture of Urginea indica Kunth, Indian squill. Cytologia 52 : 433- 438 (1987).

17. Jha S and Sen S Karyotype variability in regenerated plants of Urginea indica. Cytologia 52 : 615- 625 (1987).

18. Jha S, Sengupta J and Sen S Tissue culture of Smilax zylanica. Acta Horticuture 208: 273- 279 (1987).

19. Jha S "Bufadienolides" In : Cell Culture and Somatic Cell Genetics of Plants Vol. 5 Phytochemicals in Plant Cell Cultures. Eds. F. Constabel. Academic Press Chapter 10 pp. 179-191 (1988).

20. Sengupta J, Jha S and Sen S. Karyotype stability in long term callus derived plants of Crepis tectorum L. Biologia Plantarum 30 : 244-251 (1988).

21. Jha S, Sahu NP and Mahato SB. Production of the alkaloids emetine and cephaeline in callus cultures of Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich. Planta Medica 6 : 504-506 (1988).

22. Jha S Cytological analysis of embryogenic calli and regenerated plants of Urginea indica Kunth. Caryologia 42(2) : 165-173 (1989).

23. Jha TB and Jha S. In vitro regeneration and cytological study of Allium hookeri Thv. Indian Journal Experimental Biology 27 : 363-365 (1989).

24. Jha S, Sengupta J and Sen S. Stable regenerants from long term callus cultures of Ruscus hypophyllum L. Cytologia 54 (4) : 687-691 (1989).

25. Jha S, and Jha TB. Micropropagation of Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich. Plant Cell Reports. 8 : 437-439 (1989).

26. Jha S and Sen S. Induction of mitosis in polytene nuclei and hormonal effect on nuclear changes during callus initiation in diploid Urginea indica Kunth. Genetica 80 : 9-15 (1990).

27. Jha S, Sahu NP and Mahato SB. Callus induction, organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis in three chromosomal races of Urginea indica and production of bufadienolides. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture 25 (2) : 85-90 (1991).

28. Jha S, Sahu NP, Sen J, Jha TB and Mahato SB. Two stage cell suspension culture and root culture of Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich. For production of emetine and cephaeline Phytochemistry 30 (12) : 3999-4003 (1991).

29. Jha T, Jha S and Sen SK. Somatic embryogenesis from immature cotyledon of an elite Darjeeling tea clone. Plant Science 84 (2) : 209-213 (1992).

30. Yamuna P, Bose I, Jha TB and Jha S. Direct organogenesis from internodal segments of in vitro grown shoots of Ipecac, Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich. Ind J Expt Biol 31: 926-929 (1993).

31. Yamuna P, Das S, Jha TB and Jha S. Regeneration and multiplication of Glochidion multiloculaire Muell. Arg. J. Herbs Spice and Medicinal Plants 3: 67-74 (1995).

32. Jha S. Transgenic organ cultures and their use in secondary metabolism (Invited Review). Proc. Ind. Natl. Sci. Acad. Part B, B61 (1) : 63-72 (1994).

33. Das S, Jha TB and Jha S. Strategies for improvement of cashewnut through tissue culture. Plant Tissue Culture Ed. A.S. Islam pgs 1-7 Oxford-IBH (Proceedings Int. Plant Tissue Culture Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh).

34. Mukherjee S, Ghosh B, Jha TB and Jha S. Genetic transformation of Artemisia annua with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Ind J Exp Biol 33 : 868-871 (1995).

35. Jha S and Jha TB. A fast growing cell line of Taxus baccata L. (Himalayan yew) - a potential source of taxol precursor. Current Science 69 : 971-972 (1995).

36. Das S, Jha TB and Jha S. In vitro propagation of cashewnut Plant Cell Reports 15 : 615-619 (1996).

37. Mukherjee S, Ghosh B and Jha S. Forskolin synthesis in in vitro cultures of Coleus forskohlii Briq. transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant Cell Reports 15 : 691-694 (1996).

38. Ray S, Ghosh B, Sen S and Jha S. Withanolide production by root cultures of Withania somnifera transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Planta Medica 62 :571-573 (1996).

39. Das S, Jha TB and Jha S. Organogenesis and regeneration from pigmented callus in Camellia sinensis (L.)O. Kuntze cv. Nandadevi, an elite Darjeeling tea clone. Plant Science. 121 : 207-212 (1996).

40. Ghosh B, Mukherjee S and Jha S. Genetic transformation of Artemisia annua with Agrobacterium tumefaciens and artemisinin synthesis in transformed cultures. Plant Science 122: 193-199 (1997).

41. Jha S, Sanyal D, Ghosh B and Jha TB. Improved Taxol Yield in cell suspension culture of Taxus wallichiana (Himalayan yew). Planta Medica 64 : 270-272 (1998).

42. Jha S. Genetic transformation for production of secondary metabolites In :Biotechnology : Secondary metabolites (Eds. KG Ramawat and JM Merillon) Oxford & IBH; and Science publication Inc. USA Chapter 16 : 305-328 (1999).

43. Das S, Jha TB and Jha S. Factors affecting in vitro development of embryonic axes of cashewnut. Scientia Horticulturae. 82 : 135-144 (1999).

44. Ray S and Jha S. Withanolide synthesis in cultures of Withania somnifera transformed with Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Plant Science 146 : 1-7 (1999).

45. Mukherjee S, Ghosh B and Jha, S. Establishment of forskolin yielding transformed cell suspension cultures of Coleus forskohlii as controlled by different factors. Journal of Biotechnology 76 : 73-81 (2000).

46. Mukherjee S, Ghosh B and Jha, S. Enhanced forskolin production in genetically transformed cultures of Coleus forskohlii by casein hydrolysate and studies on growth and organisation. Biotechnology Letters 22: 133-136 (2000).

47. Ray,S and Jha,S Production of withaferin A in shoot cultures of Withania somnifera Dunal Planta Medica 67:432-437 ( 2001)

48. Dutta M M and Jha,S. Some observations on the Himalayan Yew: Taxus wallichiana.- J. of Tropical Medicinal Plants 2 (2):245-251 (2001)

49. Ghosh,B,Mukherjee,S and Jha ,S. Taxol production in untransformed cell cultures of Taxus wallichiana.In S.K.Nandi et al eds.Role of Plant tissue Culture in Biodiversity , Conservation and Economic Development. Gyanodaya Prakashan ,Nainital,pp287-295(2002)

50. Mukherjee, S, Ghosh,B and Jha,S. Genetic transformation of Coleus forskohlii for forskolin production. In S.K.Nandi et al eds.Role of Plant tissue Culture in Biodiversity , Conservation and Economic Development. Gyanodaya Prakashan ,Nainital,pp277-286(2002)

51. Ghosh,B,Mukherjee S, Jha TB and Jha S.Enhanced colchicine production in root cultures of Gloriosa superba by direct and indirect precursors of the biosynthetic pathway. Biotechnology Letters 24:231-234, (2002)

52. Mukherjee, S,Ghosh,B,.Jha,T.B. and Jha,S Variation in content of taxol and related taxanes in Eastern Himalayan populations of Taxus wallichiana.Planta Medica 68: 757-759,( 2002)

53. Ray,S.and Jha,S. Regeneration of Withania somnifera plants with withanolide contents J. Tropical Medicinal Plants. 3(1):89-96(2002).

54. Mukherjee,S, Ghosh, B. and Jha,S. Higher Production of forskolin in Genetically transformed cultures of Coleus forskohlii Briq. Induced by growth regulators. J. Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology .12(1) 81-85(2003)

55. Bandyopadhyay, M and Jha, S. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): A review J. of Tropical Medicinal Plants, 4: 273-284 (2003)

56. Jha,S and Das,S. Tissue Culture of Cashew Nut in Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Markers edts. P.S. Srivastava, A.Narula and S.Srivastava. Anamaya Pub.,Chapter 17 ,pgs. 244-260 (2004).

57. Chaudhuri KN, Ghosh B, and Jha S... The root: a potential new source of competent cells for high-frequency regeneration in Tylophora indica. Plant Cell Reports ; 22 (10): 731 - 740 (2004)

58. Datta MM and Jha S. Embryo Culture of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. J Plant Biotechnology (Korea); 6 (4) ;213-219(2004).

59. KN Chaudhuri, B Ghosh, D Tepfer, S Jha Genetic transformation of Tylophora indica with Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4: growth and tylophorine productivity in different transformed root clones. Plant Cell Reports 24:25-35 (2005)

60. S Jha, M Bandyopadhyay, KN Chaudhuri, S Ghosh, B Ghosh (2005) Biotechnological approaches for the production of forskolin, withanolides, colchicine and tylophorine. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization :Special Issue in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, (CABI Publications, UK),3:101-115

61. M M Datta, A Majumder and S Jha Organogenesis and plant regeneration in Taxus wallichiana (Zucc.) Plant Cell Reports . 25: 11-18. (2006)

62. Seemanti Ghosh, B Ghosh and S Jha Aluminium chloride enhances colchicine production in root cultures of Gloriosa superba. Biotechnology Letters 28: 497-503 (2006).

63. KN Chaudhuri, B Ghosh, D Tepfer and S Jha Spontaneous plant regeneration in transformed roots and calli from Tylophora indica: changes in morphological phenotype and tylophorine accumulation associated with transformation by Agrobacterium rhizogenes Plant Cell Reports .25: 1059-1066(2006)

64. M. Bandyopadhyay, S Jha and D Tepfer, Changes in morphological phenotypes and withanolide composition of Ri-transformed roots of Withania somnifera Plant Cell Reports (Springer) 26(5) : 599-609 (2007)

65. Jha,S. Genetic transformation for production of secondary metabolites In Biotechnology: Secondary metabolites: Plants and Microbes (invited chapter) edts. KG Ramawat and JM Merillon, (Science Publishers), 2nd edition) 297-323 (2007)

66. Ghosh, Seemanti, Ghosh,B. and Jha,S. In vitro tuberisation of Gloriosa superba L. on basal medium Scientia Horticulturae (2007) doi:10.1016/j. scienta.2007.06.08

67. Ghosh, Seemanti and Jha S, Colchicine- an overview for plant biotechnologists; In Bioactive Molecules and Medicinal plants in Ramawat KG, Merillon JM (eds.) Chapter11:DOI: 10.1007 / 978-3-540-74600-3_11, ©Springer 2008

68. Mukul Manjari Datta and S Jha , Plant Regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in Taxus wallichiana J. Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology 17(1): 37-44, (2008)

69. Seemanti Ghosh, Biswajit Ghosh1 and Sumita Jha (2008)Polymorphism in Gloriosa superba Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization
DOI: 10.1017/S1479262108995125

70. Kuntal N Chaudhuri, Sudripta Das, Moumita Bandyopadhyay ,Andreja Zalar, Albert Kollmann ,Sumita Jha and David Tepfer Transgenic mimicry of pathogen attack stimulates growth and secondary metabolite accumulation Transgenic Research Springer 2008(In press)

1."Development of Chromosome Database for Plants" sponsored by Department of Biotechnology ,New Delhi (PI)

Anrini Mazumder, (SRF,CSIR)
Sukanya Mazumder (SRF, UGC)
Myo Ma Ma Than (TWAS Fellow)
Nishakant Pandey ( UGC RFSMS)
Dipasree Roychowdhury ( Project Associate,DBT )
Anindita Khan (Project Associate ,DBT)
Amrita Basu
Abhijit Dey
Smita Ray
Tania Bhattacharyya ( JRF, CSIR-NET)

INRA Versailles, France JNU, IICB .