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Dr. T E Sheeja

Dr. T E Sheeja
Name Dr. T E Sheeja
Designation Head & Principal Scientist
Division Crop Improvement and Biotechnology
Qualification Ph.D.
Specialisation Biotechnology
Contact Official mail Sheeja.TE@icar.gov.in Personal mail sheeja@spices.res.in
Areas of Interest Marker Assisted selection for quality traits in Spices, DNA Fingerprinting, Molecular mechanism of secondary metabolite synthesis in spices.

2025

  1. Sajesh VK, Thomas L, Rajeev P, Maneesha SR, Sheeja TE. Entrepreneur-led extension in Indian agriculture: an assessment of experts’ perspectives. J Community Mobil Sustain Dev. 2025;20(3):693–700.

  2. Muhammed Nissar VA, Pradheep K, Joseph John K, Jaisankar I, Jerard BA, Muhammed Azharudheen TP, Vijesh Kumar IP, Saji KV, Sheeja TE, Harinarayanan CM, Shameer PS. Reinstatement of Garcinia kurzii, an endemic species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, with notes on its distribution, conservation and economic importance. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2025;72:8927–8944.

  3. Arshya D, Divya PS, Mekha B, Nehamol KS, Vijesh Kumar IP, Sheeja TE, Prasad D. Isolation and characterization of xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XET/XTH) provides insights into the functional evolution of XET family proteins in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2025;72:7739–7752.

  4. Honnappa A, Shivakumar MS, Akshitha HJ, Mohammed FP, Balaji RM, Ankegowda SJ, Sheeja TE. Morphological variability and disease resistance levels in cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) field gene bank accessions. Annu Res Rev Biol. 2025;40(3):73–81.

  5. Singh LS, Eswaramoorthy V, Niral V, Sheeja TE, Shivakumar MS, Barik S, Uchoi A, Das A, Chaithra M, Acharya GC. Qualitative traits, quality parameters and DNA fingerprinting of black pepper germplasm from the lower Brahmaputra valley of Assam, India. Plant Arch. 2025;25(1):2341–2349.

  6. Das P, Sheeja TE, Saha B, Fayad A, Chandra T, Angadi UB, Shivakumar MS, Azharudheen TPM, Jaiswal S, Iquebal MA, Kumar D. Genome-wide identification of copy number variation in diverse black pepper accessions. Planta. 2025;261(4):81.

  7. Dinesh R, Sreena CP, Sheeja TE, Srinivasan V, Subila KP, Charles S, Kumar IPV, Anusree M, Alagupalamuthirsolai M, Jayarajan K, Sajith V. Co-resistance drives co-selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistome in nano-zinc oxide-polluted soil. J Hazard Mater. 2025;485:136885.

  8. Muhammed Azharudheen TP, Fayad AM, Sheeja TE. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among Piper species using gene-based cross-transferable SSR markers. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2025;72:6783–6801.

  9. Praveena R, Sheeja TE, Anees K, Srinivasan V, Leela NK, Charles S, George P, Anitta A, Vijesh Kumar IP, Subila KP, Anushree M, Dinesh R. Zinc-solubilizing rhizobacteria as bioinoculants for turmeric: transcriptomic insights into acid stress adaptation, zinc mobilization and growth promotion. World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2025;41(11):435.

2024

  1. Fayad MA, Charles S, Shelvy S, Sheeja TE, Sangeetha K, Angadi UB, Kumar D. Whole-genome-based identification of a BAHD acyltransferase involved in the piperine biosynthetic pathway of black pepper. J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2024;1–13.

  2. Muhammed Nissar VA, Sivaranjani R, Harinarayanan CM, Sheeja TE, Vijesh Kumar IP, Prabhukumar KM, Rema J, Saji KV. Revisiting the identity and distribution of allspice (Myrtaceae), a misidentified spice in India. Phytotaxa. 2024;653(3):208–218.

  3. Krishna MS, Vijesh Kumar IP, Saji KV, Leela NK, Muhammed Nissar VA, Rema J, Sheeja TE. Morphological and molecular markers for varietal identification in nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.). Plant Genet Resour. 2024;1–3.

2023

  1. Dinesh R, Sreena CP, Sheeja TE, Charles S, Srinivasan V, Sajith V, Subila KP, Haritha P. Metagenomic evidence for biofilm-related genes and horizontal transfer of multidrug resistance in nano-zinc oxide-polluted soil. Sci Total Environ. 2023;859:160032.

  2. Dinesh R, Sreena CP, Sheeja TE, Kumar IPV, Praveena R, Charles S, Srinivasan V, Jayarajan K, Sajith V, Subila KP, Haritha P. Nano-ZnO-polluted soil reveals unstable bacterial communities and decoupled taxonomic and functional diversity. Sci Total Environ. 2023;889:164285.

  3. Dinesh R, Sreena CP, Sheeja TE, Vijesh Kumar IP, Charles S, Srinivasan V, Jayarajan K, Sajith V, Subila KP, Haritha P. Molecular architecture of the zinc resistome in nano-zinc oxide-polluted soil. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023;263:115222.

2021

  1. Mol PP, Aparna RS, Sheeja TE, Deepa K. Novel bHLH and WD40 transcription factors from turmeric as regulators of curcumin biosynthesis. J Plant Crops. 2021;49(1):20–27.

  2. Aparna RS, Mol PP, Sheeja TE. Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel MYB-related transcription factor from Curcuma longa. J Plant Crops. 2021;49(3):151–161.

  3. Sarathambal C, Dinesh R, Srinivasan V, Sheeja TE, Jeeva V, Muhammed Manzoor. Changes in bacterial diversity following co-inoculation of AM fungi and Zn-solubilizing bacteria in turmeric rhizosphere. Curr Microbiol. 2021;79(1):4.

2020 and earlier 

  1. Giridhari A, Vijesh Kumar IP, Sheeja TE. ISSR-based discrimination of turmeric, ginger, fenugreek and coriander varieties. J Plant Crops. 2020;48(3):161–172.

  2. Deepa K, Sheeja TE, Rosana OB, Srinivasan V, Krishnamurthy KS, Sasikumar B. ClPKS11 encodes a novel polyketide synthase involved in curcumin biosynthesis. Ind Crops Prod. 2017;97:229–241.

  3. Dinesh R, Srinivasan V, Sheeja TE, Anandaraj M, Hamza S. Endophytic actinobacteria and unsilencing of biosynthetic gene clusters. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2017;45:546–566.

  4. Swetha VP, Parvathy VA, Sheeja TE, Sasikumar B. DNA barcoding-based authentication of nutmeg. Food Control. 2016;1–6.

  5. Santhi R, Sheeja TE, Krishnamurthy KS. Transcriptome analysis and miRNA identification in turmeric under drought stress. Plant Biotechnol Rep. 2016;10:227–240.

  6. Sheeja TE, Deepa K, Santhi R, Sasikumar B. Comparative transcriptomics of Curcuma species contrasting in curcumin content. Plant Mol Biol Rep. 2015;33(6):1825–1836.

  7. Yuan H, Owsiany K, Sheeja TE, et al. ORANGE protein mutation promotes carotenoid overaccumulation. Plant Physiol. 2015;169(1):421–431.

  8. Sheeja TE, Mandal AB. In vitro flowering and fruiting in tomato. Asia-Pac J Mol Biol Biotechnol. 2002;11(1):37–42.

  9. Mandal AB, Chowdhury B, Sheeja TE. Microspore embryogenesis in indica rice. Plant Tissue Cult. 2001;11(2):113–120.

  10. Mandal AB, Chowdhury B, Sheeja TE. Development of salt-tolerant rice somaclones. Indian J Exp Biol. 2000;38:74–79.

Awards

  1. Dr. Alapatti Prasada Rao Award for Best Research Paper (Poster)
    Prashina Mol P, Aparna RS, Sheeja TE, Deepa K.
    “A novel O-methyltransferase gene from Curcuma longa L.: A putative structural gene regulating curcumin biosynthesis.”
    SYMSAC-X, 09–12 February 2021, ICAR–Indian Institute of Spices Research.

  2. Dr. Alwar Memorial Prize for Best Research Fellow (2018)
    Awarded to Dr. Deepa K, Ph.D. student guided by Sheeja TE.

  3. J. S. Pruthi Award for Best Research Paper
    Sheeja TE, Sabeesh C, Shabna OV, Shalini RS, Krishnamoorthy B.
    “Genetic diversity analysis of Myristica and its wild and related genera using RAPD and ISSR markers.”
    SYMSAC-VIII, 16–18 December 2015, TNAU, Coimbatore.

  4. Dr. Alapatti Prasada Rao Award for Best Research Paper (Poster)
    Deepa K, Sheeja TE, Rosana OB, Sasikumar B.
    “Highly conserved sequence of ClPKS11 is a novel gene involved in de novo curcumin biosynthesis in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.).”
    SYMSAC-VIII, 16–18 December 2015, TNAU, Coimbatore.

  5. Best Poster Award
    Deepesh Mukundan, Rabisha VP, Deepa K, Anu Cyriac, Sheeja TE, Sasikumar B, Prasath D.
    “Mining of SSR markers from transcriptome sequence data of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and their transferability in members of Zingiberaceae.”
    National Seminar on New Horizons and Challenges in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics,
    09–10 October 2014, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod.

  6. Dr. Alapatti Prasada Rao Award for Best Research Paper (Poster)
    Sasikumar B, Dhanya K, Parvathy VA, Swetha VP, Sheeja TE.
    “Biological adulterants of traded black pepper with special reference to their detection using DNA markers.”
    SYMSAC-VII, 27–29 November 2013, Madikeri.

  7. Best Poster Award
    Santhi R, Sheeja TE.
    “Construction of small RNA cDNA library and cloning of microRNAs from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.).”
    Symposium of the Society for Applied Biotechnology,
    19–20 November 2012, Thrissur.

  8. Dr. H. S. Mehta Award for Best Paper (Poster)
    Sheeja TE, Hima Bindu K, Siju Senan, Dhanya K, Vasanth Kumar V.
    “A SCAR marker-based method for sex determination in dioecious betel vine (Piper betle L.).”
    SYMSAC-V, CIH, Nagaland, India, 2009.

Recognised Research Guide

  • Acharya Nagarjuna University, Andhra Pradesh

  • Kannur University

  • University of Calicut

International Training 

  1. Plant Variety Protection Training Programme
    Conducted by Naktuinbouw in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research (WUR),
    The Netherlands, 14–25 June 2010.

  2. Online Course: Introduction to the UPOV System of Plant Variety Protection under the UPOV Convention (DL-205)
    Organized by UPOV.

  3. Training on Marker Assisted Selection
    Cornell University, USA, 18 July – 16 October 2011.

Copyrights

  1. Black Pepper Drought Transcriptome Database
    Application No.: SW-2025020944 | Date of Filing: 15-07-2025

  2. Clove SSRDB: Database of SSR Markers in Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
    Application No.: SW-20332/2025 | Date of Filing: 04-04-2025

  3. ZoMMD: Zingiber officinale Molecular Marker Database
    Application No.: SW-20266/2025 | Date of Filing: 25-03-2025

  4. IISR-eZnProbe
    Application No.: SW-2025021155 | Date of Filing: 05-08-2025

  5. PnGeneSSRdb: Gene-Based SSR Marker Database for Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
    Application No.: SW-27555/2025-CO | Date of Filing: 10-07-2025

  6. BPncDB: Non-coding RNA Database of Black Pepper and mRNA Interactions
    Application No.: SW-34269/2025-CO | Date of Filing: 25-08-2025

  7. Cardamom Transcriptome: A Comprehensive Resource for Functional Genomics
    Application No.: SW-38494/2025-CO | Date of Filing: 23-09-2025

 

Patents

  1. In vitro process for micro-rhizome induction and rapid hardening in rhizomatous plants
    Application No.: 202511034841 | Date of Filing: 09-04-2025

  2. Innovative toolkit for analysis and visualization of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data
    Application No.: 202511038727 | Date of Filing: 22-04-2025

Principal Investigator (PI)

  1. DNA fingerprinting and barcoding in spices
    Duration: 2018–2026
    Funding: Institute Funded

  2. Genomics-assisted identification of trait-specific markers for major biotic and abiotic stresses and development of core collections of black pepper
    Duration: 2021–2026
    Funding: ICAR Funded

  3. Integrating whole-genome resequencing, transcriptome sequencing, and genome-wide association analysis for allele mining of yield and quality traits in black pepper and cardamom
    Duration: 2024–2027
    Funding: NASF Funded

Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)

  1. Screening and evaluation of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) genotypes for nutrient use efficiency
    Duration: 2023–2028
    Funding: Institute Funded

  2. Development and evaluation of chemically induced ginger mutants for Pythium tolerance
    Duration: 2025–2030
    Funding: Institute Funded

  3. Development of doubled haploid production system in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
    Duration: 2025–2030
    Funding: Institute Funded

  4. Identification and characterization of gene-editing targets for disease resistance in ginger
    Duration: 2021–2026
    Funding: Institute Funded

Books Authored / Edited

  1. Maneesha SR, Vijesh Kumar IP, Sheeja TE, Sasikumar B.
    Adulteration and authenticity testing in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2025. doi:10.1201/9781003470816-6.

  2. Sheeja TE, Bhat AI, Parthasarathy VA.
    IPR in biotechnological interventions. In: Kannaiyan S, Parthasarathy VA, editors. IPR in horticulture. New Delhi: [Publisher not stated]; 2016.

  3. Krishnamoorthy B, Mathew PA, Rema J, Sheeja TE.
    Commercialisation of nutmeg variety IISR Viswashree through licensing for planting material production. Spice India. 2012;25(12):14–15.

  4. Sheeja TE, Parthasarathy VA, Sajesh VK, Rahul PR.
    Intellectual property rights: current scenario in spices. New Delhi: [Publisher not stated]; 2012.

  5. Parthasarathy VA, Srinivasan V, Kandiannan K, Sheeja TE.
    Status of Indian spices and scope in the twenty-first century. In: Divakara Sastry EV, Singh D, Rajput SS, editors. Spices and aromatic plants: status and improvement. Jaipur: Pointer Publications; 2011. p. 1–15.

  6. Krishnamoorthy B, Nirmal Babu K, Sasikumar B, Saji KV, Johnson George K, Prasath D, Shiva KN, Ramakrishnan Nair R, Sheeja TE.
    Improved varieties of spices released by the Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut. Indian J Med Arom Plants. 2010;11(4):156–161.

  7. Parthasarathy VA, Srinivasan V, Kandiannan K, Sheeja TE.
    Status of Indian spices and scope in the 21st century. In: National Workshop on Spices and Aromatic Plants in 21st Century India; 2009 Dec 20–21; Jobner, Rajasthan. Abstracts. Jobner: SKN College of Agriculture; 2010. p. 2–4.

  8. Parthasarathy VA, Sheeja TE, Sajesh VK.
    Geographical indicators in agri-horticultural crops. Lead lecture presented at: Symposium on Recent Global Developments in the Management of Plant Genetic Resources; 2009; New Delhi: Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, NBPGR.

  9. Mandal AB, Chattopadhyay D, Sheeja TE, Srivastava RC.
    Ethnomedicines of Bay Islands: pharmacological evaluation and bioprospecting. Port Blair: Central Agricultural Research Institute; 2005. 180 p.

Book Chapters

  1. Sasikumar B, Swetha VP, Parvathy VA, Sheeja TE.
    Advances in adulteration and authenticity testing of herbs and spices. In: Advances in food authenticity testing: improving quality throughout the food chain. Cambridge (UK): Woodhead Publishing; 2016. p. 585–624.

  2. Krishnamoorthy B, Sheeja TE, Senthil Kumar R, Prasath D.
    Biodiversity. In: Singh HP, Parthasarathy VA, Kandiannan K, Krishnamurthy KS, editors. Zingiberaceous crops – present and future. New Delhi: Westville Publishing House; 2012. p. 65–104.

  3. Sheeja TE, Babu KN, Prasath D, Parthasarathy VA.
    Biotechnology. In: Singh HP, Parthasarathy VA, Kandiannan K, Krishnamurthy KS, editors. Zingiberaceous crops – present and future. New Delhi: Westville Publishing House; 2012. p. 105–163.

  4. Backiyarani S, Sheeja TE.
    Nanotechnology in agriculture. In: Nanosequencing and nanotechnology. [Place of publication and publisher not stated]. p. 116–129.

  5. Parthasarathy VA, Srinivasan V, Kandiannan K, Sheeja TE.
    Status of Indian spices and scope in the 21st century. In: Divakara Sastry EV, Singh D, Rajput SS, editors. Spices and aromatic plants: status and improvement. Jaipur: Pointer Publications; 2011. p. 1–15.

  6. Mandal AB, Sheeja TE.
    Endemic and endangered rare plants of Bay Islands: conservation through biotechnological means. In: Flora and fauna of Bay Islands. Aligarh: Oriental Publishers, Aligarh Muslim University; 2004.

  7. Sheeja TE, Chattopadhyay D, Mandal AB.
    Andaman and Nicobar Islands revisited: treasure house of medicinal plants. In: Research highlights of the Institute in the past 25 years. Port Blair: Central Agricultural Research Institute; 2003.

  8. Sheeja TE, Mandal AB.
    Endemic medicinal plants of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In: Flora and fauna of Bay Islands. Port Blair: Central Agricultural Research Institute; 2001. p. 79–92.

  9. Sheeja TE, Bhat AI, Parthasarathy VA.
    IPR in biotechnological interventions. In: Kannaiyan S, Parthasarathy VA, editors. IPR in horticulture. New Delhi: [Publisher not stated]; In press.

  10. Sheeja TE.
    RAPD-PCR in plant pathogens and their biocontrol agents. In: Eapen SJ, Kumar A, Anandaraj M, editors. Calicut: Indian Institute of Spices Research; p. 84–89.

  11. Sheeja TE, Vijesh Kumar IP, Giridhari A, Minoo D, Rajesh MK, Babu KN.
    Amplified fragment length polymorphism: applications and recent developments. In: Besse P, editor. Molecular plant taxonomy: methods and protocols. 2nd ed. New York: Humana Press; 2021. p. 187–218.

  12. Babu KN, Sheeja TE, Minoo D, Rajesh MK, Samsudeen K, Suraby EJ, Vijesh Kumar IP.
    Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and derived techniques. In: Besse P, editor. Molecular plant taxonomy: methods and protocols. 2nd ed. New York: Humana Press; 2021. p. 219–247.

Name of Student University (Affiliation) Title of Thesis Completed / Ongoing Year of Completion
Ms. R. Santhi Kannur University Cloning and characterization of miRNAs from Curcuma longa Completed 2016
Ms. K. Deepa University of Calicut Transcriptome and proteome analysis of the curcuminoid biosynthetic pathway in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Completed 2017
Ms. P. Prashina Mol University of Calicut Diversity and characterization of curcumin biosynthetic genes and transcription factors from Curcuma spp. Completed 2022
Ms. R. S. Aparna University of Calicut Identification and characterization of MYB transcription factors and functional validation of candidates regulating curcumin biosynthesis in Curcuma longa L. Completed 2022
Ms. Arya T. E. University of Calicut Metabolic engineering of curcumin biosynthesis by overexpression and regulation of pathway genes in Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) Ongoing —
Mr. A. Fayad University of Calicut Methylome profiling for unravelling epigenetic regulation of drought stress in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Ongoing —
Ms. V. P. Rabisha University of Calicut CRISPR/Cas9-generated mutations in SWEET genes to enhance resistance to soft rot disease in Zingiber officinale Rosc. (ginger) Ongoing —
Ms. A. P. Neelima University of Calicut Developing genomic selection model for accelerated breeding in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Ongoing —
Ms. M. Anusree Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genome editing of MYB family genes to modulate curcumin production Ongoing —