Department:  Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology (CABB),

Position:  Director/Associate Professor

HEC Approved Supervisor:  YES

Research Intersts:  Development of transgenic wheat with increased tolerance against drought and salinity The world population has topped 6 billion people and is predicted to double in the next 50 years. Ensuring an adequate food supply for this booming population is going to be a major challenge in the years to come. GM foods promise to meet this need in a number of ways. Some benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are increased crop yields, reduced costs for food or drug production, reduced need for pesticides, enhanced nutrient composition and food quality, resistance to pests and disease, greater food security and medical benefits to the worlds growing population. Currently we have developed transgenic wheat by transferring DREB1A and gdhA genes to improve tolerance against drought and salinity. Gene tagging and development of EMS mutant lines in basmati rice is also going on.

Publications:  

1. Zafar, M. , N. Ahmed, G. Mustafa, Z. A. Zahir, and E. L. Simms, 2017, Molecular and biochemical characterization of rhizobia from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)., Pak. J. Agri. Sci., 54(2),
2. Mustafa, G. , S. Ahmed, N. Ahmed, and A. Jamil, 2016, Phytochemical and antibacterial activity of some unexplored medicinal plants of Cholistan Desert., Pak. J. Bot., 48(5), 2057-2062
3. Abbasi, M. R. , M. A. Iqbal, N. Ahmed, and I. Khaliq, 2016, Estimation of genetic components and association of quantitative and qualitative traits in wheat (Triticum aestivum) , Transyivanian Review, 24(10),
4. Mushtaq, Z. , T. Iqbal, N. Ahmed, and A. Jamli, 2016, Antioxidants from selected indigenous plants possessing cyclotides, Oxidation Communication, ,
5. Maqsood, R. H. , I. Khaliq, M. Khasif, and N. Ahmed, 2016, Generation means analysis for morpho-physiological traits in Bread Wheat under two stress regimes. , Transyivanian Review, 24(9),
6. Khan, T. , I. A. Khan, and N. Ahmed, 2016, Conservation status evaluation of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges, Pakistan using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. , J. For. Res., ,
7. Naveed, M. , M. Ahsan, H. M. Akram, M. Aslam, and N. Ahmed, 2016, Measurement of cell membrane thermo-stability and leaf temperature for heat tolerance in maize (Zea mays L): Genotypic variability and inheritance pattern., Maydica 61-M14. Maydica electronic publication, , 1-6
8. Gichuhi, E. , E. Himi, N. Ahmed, H. Takahashi, and M. Maekawa, 2016, Preliminary QTL detection for improving basmati rice in a F2 population derived from the cross between kernel basmati and plia-1 carrying oryza longistaminata chromosome. , J. Breeding & Genetics, 48(4), 1-14
9. Naveed, M. , M. Ahsan, H. M. Akram, M. Aslam, and N. Ahmed, 2016, Genetic Effects Conferring Heat Tolerance in a Cross of Tolerant×Susceptible Maize (ZeamaysL.) Genotypes., Frontiers in Plant Sciences, 7(29), 1-12
10. Shahzad, S. , F. A. Khan, M. Z. Iqbal, I. Khaliq, and N. Ahmed, 2016, Characterization of local and exotic sugarcane genotypes on the basis of morphological and quality related attributes., Pak. J. Agri. Sci., 53(1), 121-128
11. Nawaz, S. , N. Ahmed, and M. Mukhtar, 2015, New era of translational research in the regenerative medicines. , Weekly Technology Times, 6,
12. Ahmed, N. , I. J. Tetlow, S. Nawaz, A. Iqbal, M. Mubin, S. Reham, A. Butt, D. A. Lightfoot, and M. Maekawa, 2014, . Effect of high temperature on grain filling period, yield, amylose content and activity of starch biosynthesis enzymes in endosperm of basmati rice., J. Sci. Food Agric., 95(11), 3237-3243
13. Sehar Nawaz, Nisar Ahmed, Ahsan Iqbal, Ihsan Khaliq, 2013, Optimization of regeneration protocol for wheat under drought and salt stress., Pakistan Journal Agricultural Research, 50, 663-70
14. Mika Hayashi-Tsugane, Hiroyuki Takahara, Nisar Ahmed, Eiko Himi, Kyoko Takagi, Shigeru Iida, Kazuo Tsugane, and Masahiko Maekawa , 2013, A mutable albino allele in rice reveals that formation of thylakoid membranes require SNOW-WHITE LEAF1 gene., Plant and Cell Physiology, ,
15. Nisar Ahmed, Sehar Nawaz, Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Mubin, Aisha Butt, David A Lightfoot and Masahiko Maekawa, 2013, Extraction of high-quality intact DNA from okra leaves despite their high content of mucilaginous acidic polysaccrides., Bioscience Methods, 4, 19-22
16. 1. Saeed Arshad, Ahsan Iqbal, Sehar Nawaz and Nisar Ahmed, 2011, Genetic Diversity Studies of Coarse and Fine Rice Using RAPD Markers., Front. Agric. China , 5(2), 129–134.
17. 2. Muhammad Shahzad Ahmed, Ihsan Khaliq, Jehanzeb Farooq, Shahid Iqbal Awan and Nisar Ahmed, 2011, Assessment of combining ability and authentication of F1 hybrids using SSR markers in wheat (triticum aestivum L.) , Front. Agric. China , 5(2), 135–140
18. Ahmed N, M. Maekawa and K. Noda, 2009, Anthocyanin accumulation and expression pattern of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in developing coleoptile of wheat. , Biol. Plant., 53, 223-228.
19. Ahmed N, M Maekawa and IJ Tetlow, 2008, Effects of low temperature on grain filling, amylase content and activity of starch biosynthesis enzymes in endosperm of basmati rice., Crop Past. Sci., 59, 599-604.
20. Hideki N, N Ahmed, T Kazuo, I Shigeru and M Maekawa, 2008, Distribution and mapping of an active autonomous aDart element responsible for mobilizing nonautonomous nDart1 transposons in cultivated rice varieties. , Theor Appl Genet., 116, 395- 405.
21. , 2008, Effects of low temperature on grain filling, amylase content and activity of starch biosynthesis enzymes in endosperm of basmati rice, Ahmad, N., M. Maekawa and I.J. Tetlow. , 59, 599-60
22. Ahmad, N., M. Maekawa and I.J. Tetlow., 2008, Effects of low temperature on grain filling, amylase content and activity of starch biosynthesis enzymes in endosperm of basmati rice. Aust, J. Agric. Res., 59:00:00, 599-604.
23. Nishimura, H., N. Ahmed, K. Tsugane, S. Iida, M. Maekawa, 2008, Distribution and mapping of an active autonomous a Dart element responsible for mobilizing nonautonomous nDart1 transposons in cultivated rice varieties., Theor. Appl. Genet. , 116:00:00, 395-405.
24. Iqbal, M.A., H.A. Sadaqat and I.A. Khan. , 2008, Estimation of genetic diversity among sunflower genotypes through random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis., Genet. Mol. Res. , 07:00, 1408-1413.
25. Ahmed N, MA Chowdhry, I Khaliq and M Maekawa, 2007, The inheritance of yield and yield components of five wheat hybrid populations under drought conditions., Indonesian J. Agric. Sci., 8, 53-59.
26. Johzuka-Hisatomi, Y., M. Maekawa, K. Takagi, N. Ahmed, H. Urawa, C.-H. Eun, K. Ikeda-Kawakatsu, Z. Shimatani, K. Tsugane, R. Terada and S. Iida, 2007, Homologous recombination-dependent gene targeting and an active DNA transposon nDart-promoted gene tagging for rice functional genomics, Biotechnol. Agric. For., 62, 81-94.
27. Ahmed N, M Maekawa, S Utsugi, K Rikiishi, A Ahmad and K. Noda, 2006, Wheat Rc gene for red coleoptile color is a transcription factor for late anthocyanin biosynthesis genes., J. Cer. Sci., 44, 54-58.
28. Himi E. N. Ahmed and K. Noda, 2005, Color genes (R-1 and Rc-1) for grain and coleoptile up regulated flavonoid biosynthesis genes in wheat., Genome., 48, 747-754.
29. Maekawa, M., I. Takamure, N. Ahmed and J. Kyozuka, 2005, Bunketsu-waito, one of tillering dwarfs, is controlled by a single recessive gene in rice (Oryza sativa L.), Breed. Sci, 55, 193-196.
30. Ahmed, N., I. Khaliq and M. Ahsan , 2005, Genetic transmission of drought related flag leaf characters in wheat (Triticum aestivum)., Sieria Biol, 16, 131-141.
31. Hader, A., K. Rikiishi., N. Ahmed and K. Noda , 2003, Characterization of a-amylase in distal half grain of wheat., Breed. Sci., 53, 119-124.
32. Ahmed N, M Maekawa, S Utsugi, E Himi, H Ablet, K Rikiishi and K Noda , 2003, Transactivation of late anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in developing wheat coleoptile by maize anthocyanin regulatory genes C1 and B-peru. , Breed. Sci., 53, 29-34

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