About the API Lab

Plant-animal-microbe interactions are very dynamic. This multipartite interaction involves a complicated interplay of secondary metabolites that ultimately determines defensive, symbiotic, mutualistic or pathogenic nature of their association. Our research focuses on the intricate relationship between animal, plant and microbes which play an integral part in our food, health and well being. We are currently exploring the potential of utilizing microbial endosymbionts (obtained from plant as well as animal source) in various arena including biodiversity, health, agriculture and environmental indicators. 

API lab has been working on multiple aspects of environment management strategies including plant immunity, phytoremediation, air pollution and microbial-plant-insect interactions. Our previous researches have focused on sustainable agricultural practices in improving plant immunity against various mechanical, abiotic as well as biotic stresses. Our study on Plant microbiota, played an essential interlink between air quality and plants-microbe ecology in the urban ecosystem of Delhi. The head of the lab, Prof. Vartika Mathur, has worked on temporal dynamics of induced responses in Brassica juncea due to herbivorous insects using morphological, chemical and molecular approaches during her PhD. In continuation of this research she has received several International and National grants, and did collaborative researches with researchers from Germany, France, Ethiopia, Congo and Myanmar. Since its establishment in 2011, API Lab has handled a total of 17 National and International grants, from both government and private organizations.