Rasna Zinta
Assistant Professor
Rasna Zinta is an Assistant Professor at the School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Biotechnology. She is a researcher with expertise in plant molecular biology, potato crop improvement, plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, genomics and transcriptomics. She holds a PhD in Biotechnology from Lovely Professional University, Punjab, with her doctoral research focused on the agro-physiological and transcriptome analysis of potato varieties under different nitrogen conditions in aeroponics.
Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor’s (Hons) in Biotechnology from St. Bede’s College, Shimla, and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.
Asst Prof Zinta has more than 10 years of research experience at ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, where she worked as a researcher from 2015 to 2026 on various aspects of functional genomics for late blight and heat tolerance in potato. She also contributed to the Network Project for Agricultural Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, focusing on functional genomics for biotic and abiotic stress resistance and tolerance in potato. During her tenure at CPRI, she mentored graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students and trainees in their research work alongside pursuing her own doctoral research.
Her technical expertise includes DNA, RNA and plasmid isolation, cDNA synthesis, PCR, cDNA-AFLP, RAPD, SSR, qRT-PCR, genomics and transcriptomics, as well as bacterial and fungal culture. She has expertise in plant tissue culture techniques, including callus induction, regeneration, micropropagation, protoplast fusion and somatic hybridization, along with genetic transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens, E. coli, VIGS and CRISPR. She also has experience in primer designing, Clustal series, BLAST and R-Studio, along with working knowledge of MS Office.
Asst Prof Zinta’s research contributions include peer-reviewed publications on potato tuberisation, nitrogen-use efficiency, heat tolerance, late blight resistance, root architecture, somatic hybrids, molecular markers, aeroponics and genomics.
She has been awarded the ‘Best Research Scholar Award’ for Excellent Contribution in the Field of Agriculture & Allied Sector at the Scientist Award Ceremony-2023, held at the University of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on September 18, 2023. She also has a registered plant germplasm, a somatic hybrid MSH/14-113 of potato (INGR19101), registered by the Plant Germplasm Registration Committee (PGRC) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on October 21, 2019.
Asst Prof Zinta has also received a copyright registration (Registration No. L-162689/2025) for ‘Agro-physiological and transcriptome analysis of potato varieties for tuberization under contrasting nitrogen conditions in aeroponics,’ granted by the Copyright Office, Government of India, on March 3, 2025. She has attended training programmes and workshops on CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing in Plants, CRISPR Genome Editing, Next-Generation Sequencing, and Scientific Writing & Publishing.
Publications
- Sharma, N., Thakur, K., Zinta, R., et al. (2026). “Transgene-free genome editing in potato, a clonally propagated crop - strategies and prospects.” Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants. DOI: 10.1007/s12298-026-01787-3.
- Sharma, N., Thakur, K., Zinta, R., et al. (2025). “Genome editing research initiatives and regulatory landscape of genome-edited crops in India.” Transgenic Research, 34, 13. DOI: 10.1007/s11248-025-00432-1.
- Zinta, R., Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Goutam, U., Singh, R.K., Thakur, A.K., et al. (2025). “Agro-physiological and transcriptome profiling reveal key genes associated with potato tuberization under different nitrogen regimes in aeroponics.” PLOS ONE, 20(3), e0320313. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320313.
- Zinta, R., Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Goutam, U., et al. (2024). “Phenotypic and transcriptomic characterization uncovers genes underlying tuber yield traits and gene expression marker development in potato under aeroponics.” Planta, 260, 74. DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04507-x.
- Zinta, R., Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Goutam, U., Singh, R.K., Kumar, V., & Thakur, A.K. (2024).“Transcriptome profiling and characterization of genes associated with tuberization under high temperature in aeroponics in potato cv. Kufri Anand.” Genes & Genomics, 46(4), 409–421. DOI: 10.1007/s13258-024-01503-z.
- Tiwari, J.K., Luthra, S.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2024). “Transcriptomics Reveals Genes Involved in Purple Tuber Colour Development in Potato.” Agricultural Research, 15, 29–43. DOI: 10.1007/s40003-024-00814-7.
- Bhatia, N., Tiwari, J.K., Kumari, C., Zinta, R., et al. (2024). “Transcriptome analysis reveals genes associated with late blight resistance in potato.” Scientific Reports, 14, 15501. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60608-3.
- Dalamu, D., Tiwari, J.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2024). “Genetic Diversity and Population Structure Analyses Using Simple Sequence Repeat Markers and Phenotypic Traits in Native Potato Collection in India.” Potato Research, 67, 357–381. DOI: 10.1007/s11540-023-09641-9.
- Bhatia, N., Tiwari, J.K., Kumari, C., Zinta, R., Sharma, S., Thakur, A.K., Buckseth, T., Dalamu, D., Singh, R.K. & Kumar, V. (2023). “Screening of wild species and transcriptome profiling to identify differentially regulated genes in response to late blight resistance in potato.” Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1212135. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1212135.
- Buckseth, T., Tiwari, J.K., Singh, R.K., Singh, A.K., Challam, C., Zinta, R., et al. (2024). “Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Molecular Signatures Associated with Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) Technology in Seed Potato Production.” Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 43, 1042–1060. DOI: 10.1007/s00344-023-11158-x.
- Dalamu, D., Tiwari, J.K., Bairwa, A., Bhatia, N., Zinta, R., Kaushal, N., Kumar, V., Sharma, A.K., Sharma, S., Choudhary, B., et al. (2023). “Resistance Evaluation for Native Potato Accessions against Late Blight Disease and Potato Cyst Nematodes by Molecular Markers and Phenotypic Screening in India.” Life, 13, 33. DOI: 10.3390/life13010033.
- Naik, S., Tiwari, J.K., Zinta, R., Negi, N., et al. (2023). “Molecular Characterization of Grape Genetic Resources Utilizing Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers.” International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research, 11(4). ISSN 2319-147.
- Zinta, R., Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., et al. (2022). “Root system architecture for abiotic stress tolerance in potato: Lessons from plants.” Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 926214. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.926214.
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Zinta, R., et al. (2022). “Germplasm, Breeding, and Genomics in Potato Improvement of Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance.” Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, 805671. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.805671.
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Challam, C., Zinta, R., et al. (2022). “CRISPR/Cas Genome Editing in Potato: Current Status and Future Perspectives.” Frontiers in Genetics, 13, 827808. DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.827808.
- Tiwari, J.K., Luthra, S.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2022). “Simple Sequence Repeat Analysis of Multi-Coloured Potato Hybrid Progenies.” Potato Journal, 49(1), 32–40.
- Tiwari, J.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2022). “Identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers linked to interspecific potato somatic hybrids.” Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 92(3), 416–419. DOI: 10.56093/ijas.v92i3.122730.
- Tiwari, J.K., Luthra, S.K., Dalamu, D., Zinta, R., Buckseth, T., Singh, R.K., & Kumar, M. (2022). “Molecular profiling of multi-coloured flesh potato (Solanum tuberosum) hybrids and interspecific somatic hybrids using SSR markers.” The Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 92(4), 455–459. DOI: 10.56093/ijas.v92i4.123964.
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Singh, R.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2022). “Aeroponic evaluation identifies variation in Indian potato varieties for root morphology, nitrogen use efficiency parameters and yield traits.” Journal of Plant Nutrition, 45(17), 2696–2709. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2022.2046080.
- Tiwari, J.K., Luthra, S.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2021). “Development of SSR fingerprints of interspecific potato somatic hybrids.” Potato Journal, 47(1).
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Zinta, R., et al. (2021). “Methylome and transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes for tuber shape variation in tissue culture-derived potato.” Plant Growth Regulation, 93, 319–332. DOI: 10.1007/s10725-020-00690-5.
- Tiwari, J.K., Rawat, S., Luthra, S.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2021). “Genome sequence analysis provides insights on genomic variation and late blight resistance genes in potato somatic hybrid (parents and progeny).” Molecular Biology Reports, 48(1), 623–635. DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-06106-x.
- Tiwari, J.K., Kumar, D., Dua, V.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2020). “Development of nitrogen use efficient potato hybrids: evaluation of progenies for agronomic, physio-biochemical and nitrogen use efficiency traits.” Potato Journal, 47(2), 160–176.
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Devi, S., Varshney, S., Sahu, S., Patil, V.U., Zinta, R., et al. (2020). “Physiological and genome-wide RNA-sequencing analyses identify candidate genes in a nitrogen-use efficient potato cv. Kufri Gaurav.” Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 154, 171–183. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2020.05.041.
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Zinta, R., Saraswati, A., Singh, R.K., Rawat, S., Dua, V.K., & Chakrabarti, S.K. (2020). “Transcriptome analysis of potato shoots, roots and stolons under nitrogen stress.” Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1152. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58167-4.
- Tiwari, J.K., Buckseth, T., Zinta, R., Saraswati, A., Singh, R.K., et al. (2020). “Genome-wide identification and characterization of microRNAs by small RNA sequencing for low nitrogen stress in potato.” PLOS ONE, 15(5), e0233076. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233076.
- Tiwari, J.K., Zinta, R., Kumar, V., et al. (2020). “Development of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers for identification of wild species and somatic hybrids of potato.” Indian Journal of Horticulture, 77(1), 112. DOI: 10.5958/0974-0112.2020.00011.0.
- Tiwari, J.K., Devi, S., Buckseth, T., Ali, N., Singh, R.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2019). “Precision phenotyping of contrasting potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties in a novel aeroponics system for improving nitrogen use efficiency: in search of key traits and genes.” Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 18, 2–12. DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(19)62625-0.
- Tiwari, J.K., Ali, N., Devi, S., Zinta, R., Kumar, V., & Chakrabarti, S.K. (2019). “Analysis of allelic variation in wild potato (Solanum) species by simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers.” 3 Biotech, 9(7), 262. DOI: 10.1007/s13205-019-1785-6.
- Tiwari, J.K., Zinta, R., et al. (2019). “Development of molecular marker for nitrate reductase (NR) gene to improve nitrogen use efficiency in potato.” Indian Journal of Horticulture, 76(1), 80. DOI: 10.5958/0974-0112.2019.00012.4.
- Tiwari, J.K., Luthra, S.K., Devi, S., Kumar, V., Ali, N., Zinta, R., & Chakrabarti, S.K. (2018). “Development of Advanced Back-Cross Progenies of Potato Somatic Hybrids and Linked ISSR Markers for Late Blight Resistance with Diverse Genetic Base - First Ever Produced in Indian Potato Breeding.” Potato Journal, 45(1), 17–27.
- Tiwari, J.K., Ali, N., Devi, S., Kumar, V., Zinta, R., & Chakrabarti, S.K. (2018). “Development of microsatellite marker set for identification of Indian potato varieties.” Scientia Horticulturae, 231, 22–30. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2017.11.027.
Book Chapters
- Saini, A., Sharma, N., Zinta, R., Dipta, B., et al. (2026). “Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Genomics in Alpine Plants.” In Kumar, P., Sood, H., Chauhan, R.S. (eds.), Climate Resilience and Molecular Adaptation in Alpine Medicinal Plants. Springer, Singapore. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-95-6923-6_6.
- Dubey, N., Verma, S., Tiwari, J.K., Mangal, V., Dalamu, D., Sood, S., Zinta, R., et al. (2025). “Genetic diversity studies in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) using various molecular markers.” In Kumar, P., Thakur, A.K., Srivastava, D.K. (eds.), Biotechnology for Fruit Vegetable and Spice Crops. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis.
- Tiwari, J.K., Luthra, S.K., Kumar, V., Bhardwaj, V., Singh, R.K., Sridhar, J., Zinta, R., & Kumar, S. (2017).“Genomics in True Potato Seed (TPS) Technology: Engineering Cloning Through Seeds.” In The Potato Genome, pp. 297–306. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-66135-3_16.
Copyright
- Copyright Registration No.: L-162689/2025
- “Agro-physiological and transcriptome analysis of potato varieties for tuberization under contrasting nitrogen conditions in aeroponics.”
- Granted by the Copyright Office, Government of India, on March 3, 2025.
Plant Germplasm Registration
Somatic hybrid MSH/14-113 of potato (INGR19101)
Registered by the Plant Germplasm Registration Committee (PGRC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), on October 21, 2019.
Contact Details
Email: rasnazinta@shooliniuniversity.com|
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=emHWxgwAAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rasna-Zinta-2/research
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0985-014X