Selvaraju Kanagarajan

About Selvaraju Kanagarajan

I am an Associate Professor of Plant Biotechnology (Docent) and a dedicated plant molecular biologist. My work focuses on pioneering biotechnological approaches, such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, to revolutionize agricultural systems. By enhancing crop nutritional quality and producing valuable proteins and bioactive compounds, I aim to promote sustainable agriculture and address global food security challenges, contributing to improved nutrition and human health.

Presentation
Our work encompasses plant biology, genetics, breeding, biochemistry, and nanotechnology. We have made significant contributions to CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, particularly in enhancing the nutritional quality of oilseed rape and field cress. Our research includes producing human hemoglobin in plants for blood substitutes, developing hemoglobin-based functional foods to combat iron deficiency, producing plant-based milk clotting proteins and creating vaccines for avian influenza. Our efforts in plant molecular farming and improving crop resilience and productivity underpin our commitment to sustainable agriculture and global food security.

Teaching
I teach plant biotechnology and molecular biology courses at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels.

Research
We are performing basic and translational research involving several innovative research projects.
1.     Transgene-free Genome Editing in Oilseed Rape: Focused on reducing glucosinolates and phytic acid to improve nutritional profiles of seed cake/meal for animal feed and human consumption and improved disease resistance
2.     Genome Editing in Pea: Focused on reducing antinutritional factors to improve nutritional and sensory quality.
3.     Seed Oil Quality Enhancement in Field Cress: Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 to transform field cress into a sustainable crop with enhanced seed oil quality.
4.     Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Production in Plants: Developing plant-based pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, including human and plant hemoglobins, heme, vaccine antigens and milk clotting enzymes.
5.     Plant Resilience and Productivity Research: Leading research to enhance plant resilience and productivity, particularly in legumes, using mutation breeding, metabolomics, and phytonanobiotechnology.

Research Funding (current & previous)
Crafoord Foundation, Crops for Future, Einar & Inga Nilsson Foundation, Erik Philip-Sörensen's Foundation, FORMAS, Ingeborg Sorensson's Foundation,  Magnus Bergvall's Foundation, Martha and Dagny Larsson's Foundation, Nilsson-Ehle Foundation, SLU Grogrund, The Knowledge Foundation, The Royal Physiographic Society of Lund.
 
Background
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. 2005.
Master of Science, Agriculture Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, India. 1999.
Bachelor of Science, Forestry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University, India. 1997.
 
Professional Positions
Researcher, Örebro University, Sweden - 14 August 2023 - Present.
Researcher, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden-15 July 2017- Present.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden 15 July 2015 - 14 July 2017.
Assistant Professor - Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India, 4 August 2014 - 1 July 2015
Postdoctoral Fellow - Örebro University, Sweden May 2013 - May 2015.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Linnaeus University, Sweden May 2009 - April 2013.  
Postdoctoral Fellow - University of New Brunswick, Canada. May 2008 - April 2009.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Chaoyang University of Technology, Taiwan. March 2007 - April 2008.

Supervision

Postdoctoral Fellow
2023-2026 Co-supervisor Vikky Rajulapati, Örebro University, Sweden 

Doctoral Students
2022- Co-Supervisor, Florentine Ballhaus, SLU, Sweden
2020-2025 Co-Supervisor, Oliver Moss, SLU, Sweden
2019-2024 Co-Supervisor, Misteru Tesfaye Woldeyohannes, SLU, Sweden
2018-2022 Co-Supervisor, Sjur Sandgrind, SLU, Sweden
2016-2020 Co-Supervisor, Magnus Carlsson, SLU, Sweden
 

Master Students
2023-2024 Joint Main Supervisor Anandhavalli Manikandan, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India
2023 Main Supervisor (30 ECTS) Anusha Harshani Bogahawatta, SLU, Sweden
2016 Main Supervisor (30 ECTS) Axel Ögell Benediktsson, SLU, Sweden