The Whole Genome of Indian Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana)

Carnivorous plants (CPs) have emerged as model systems for addressing a wide range of ecological & evolutionary questions. Till date apprx. >600 species of CPs have been known round the globe & are mainly concentrated in the tropical/ sub tropical belts of the planet. Nepenthes khasiana is endemic to Khasi & Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. In the proposed research project we aim at sequencing the whole genome of Indian Pitcher plant for the first time and cataloguing the pitcher fluid biodiversity in NEI by using a novel approach of integrating phylophenomics, phylogenomics & proteogenomics. Our goal is to assemble large genomic-proteomics datasets related to proteome & mircobiome of pitcher traps before and after prey capture from the region. The project has the potential to identify specific enzymes in pitcher traps from Meghalaya and transform phylogenetics research by rapid advances in a less studied area of CPs in Meghalaya.