Monika Sodhi
@nbagr.icar.gov.in/en
Principal Scientist
ICAR-National Bureau of Animal genetic Resources, Karnal
Over 26 years of experience as research scientist in the area of Animal Biotechnology. Completed several projects funded by Department of Biotechnology, National Fund, Department of Science and Technology and ICAR-NBAGR in the areas of molecular genetics and functional genomics. I have more than 100 research papers published in high-impact international as well national journals. I have contributed to book entitled “Lesser-known Sheep and Goat genetic resources of India”, written several book chapters (20), and published more than 10 monographs on cattle breeds based on phenotypic and molecular characterization.
EDUCATION
Dr. Monika Sodhi received her Bachelor in Science (Medical stream) degree from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab in 1989, and her Masters in Animal Biotechnology from ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana in 1992. She got her Ph.D. degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh followed by a Post-doctoral overseas associateship in Animal Biotechnology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Assessment of genome diversity and evolutionary relationship of livestock species, cattle in particular. Evaluation of positive traits like milk quality, adaptation, and disease resistance of native livestock breeds for their value addition and thereby enhance sustainability
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
GAYATRI GUJAR, VIJAY KUMAR, MONIKA SODHI, PRINCE VIVEK, MANISH TIWARI, and MANISHI MUKESH
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture
The present study was designed to assess the seasonal perturbations in key antioxidant parameters: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) scavenging activity, lipid per oxidation (LPO), uric acid and reduced glutathione (GSH) assay along with expression profile of genes that regulate the antioxidant pathway: manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), Glutathione Peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and apoptosis pathway: B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) in the two crucial indicine cattle breeds- Sahiwal and Kankrej. The study was carried out in the hot-arid region of Rajasthan across four seasons, wherein, the meteorological parameters were recorded across seasons to calculate the prevailing temperature-humidity index (THI) to assess the extent of heat load on cows. The study revealed huge diurnal variations in the temperature across four seasons, while the THI during summer and hot-humid seasons was well in excess of 80, highlighting significant heat stress on cows. All the key antioxidant parameters, except GSH registered an increase with the incremental THI. The transcriptional profile of SOD2 and GPX1 mRNA expression revealed significantly higher expression during the higher THI months of both summer and hot-humid seasons. The expression pattern of BAX and BCL2 mRNA in PBMCs of Sahiwal cows revealed an initial induction during the month of summer season with significantly higher expression, followed by a decline by the hot-humid season. The findings highlight a crucial role played by antioxidant defence and genes regulating apoptosis pathway in thermotolerance of indicine cattle breeds.
Nampher Masharing, Monika Sodhi, Divya Chanda, Inderpal Singh, Prince Vivek, Manish Tiwari, Parvesh Kumari, and Manishi Mukesh
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThe present investigation aimed to identify genome wide SNPs and to carry out diversity and population structure study using ddRAD-seq based genotyping of 58 individuals of six indigenous milch cattle breeds (Bos indicus) such as Sahiwal, Gir, Rathi, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi and Kankrej of India. A high percentage of reads (94.53%) were mapped to the Bos taurus (ARS-UCD1.2) reference genome assembly. Following filtration criteria, a total of 84,027 high quality SNPs were identified across the genome of 6 cattle breeds with the highest number of SNPs observed in Gir (34,743), followed by Red Sindhi (13,092), Kankrej (12,812), Sahiwal (8956), Tharparkar (7356) and Rathi (7068). Most of these SNPs were distributed in the intronic regions (53.87%) followed by intergenic regions (34.94%) while only 1.23% were located in the exonic regions. Together with analysis of nucleotide diversity (π = 0.373), Tajima’s D (D value ranging from − 0.295 to 0.214), observed heterozygosity (HO ranging from 0.464 to 0.551), inbreeding coefficient (FIS ranging from − 0.253 to 0.0513) suggested for the presence of sufficient within breed diversity in the 6 major milch breeds of India. The phylogenetic based structuring, principal component and admixture analysis revealed genetic distinctness as well as purity of almost all of the 6 cattle breeds. Overall, our strategy has successfully identified thousands of high-quality genome wide SNPs that will further enrich the Bos indicus representation basic information about genetic diversity and structure of 6 major Indian milch cattle breeds which should have implications for better management and conservation of valuable indicine cattle diversity.
Vipul Chaudhary, Manishi Mukesh, Gaurav Bhakri, Pamela Singh, Ranjit S. Kataria, Saket Kumar Niranjan, Ashok Kumar Mohanty, and Monika Sodhi
Agricultural Research Communication Center
Background: Milk is essential part of diet across the globe and is a rich source of protein and calcium. Major protein component of milk is casein with beta-casein (β-casein) as the second most prevalent protein in cow milk. β-casein has 15 different genetic variants and of these A1 and A2 have gained research focus. All livestock as well as well human have proline at amino acid position 67 of β-casein, which is referred as A2 variant, but in cattle breeds, other genetic variant called A1 with histidine at amino acid position 67 is also present. This A1 type variant of â-casein or A1 type milk has been implicated as a potential etiological factor in several pathologies. Methods: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the A1and A2 β-casein variants of cow milk as factors affecting different hematological parameters and other parameters like glucose and insulin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic C57/BL6 mice after the induction of diabetes. Diabetes was induced by injecting STZ intraperitoneally at dose of 45mg per kg of body weight for consecutive 5 days. Milk powder prepared from milk with A1A1 and A2A2 genotypes was used for feeding for three months. Result: After 3 months of feeding trial, it was observed that diabetic mice fed with A1A1 milk (STZ+A1A1) exhibited significantly elevated levels of glucose and insulin. Similarly, the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils showed significant changes in STZ+A1A1 group compared to control and STZ+A2A2 group indicating the probable association A1A1 milk with inflammatory reaction. However, no significant changes were observed in parameters like red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit or mean cell volume. In the mice group fed with A2A2 milk powder-based diet, no significant change was observed in the observed parameters except lymphocyte percentage which was lower compared to control group. In summary, our results show that A1 form of cow milk might have a proinflammatory effect.
Anurag Kumar, Monika Sodhi, Manishi Mukesh, Amandeep Kaur, Gaurav Bhakri, Vipul Chaudhary, Preeti Swami, Vishal Sharma, Ashok Kumar Mohanty, and Ranjit S. Kataria
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
In recent years, beta-casomorphin peptides (BCM7/BCM9) derived from the digestion of cow milk have drawn a lot of attention world over because of their proposed impact on human health. In order to evaluate the transcriptional modulation of target genes through RT-qPCR in response to these peptides, availability of appropriate reference or internal control genes (ICGs) will be the key. The present study was planned to identify a panel of stable ICGs in the liver tissue of C57BL/6 mice injected with BCM7/BCM9 cow milk peptides for 3 weeks. A total of ten candidate genes were evaluated as potential ICGs by assessing their expression stability using software suites; geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. The suitability of the identified ICGs was validated by assessing the relative expression levels of target genes, HP and Cu/Zn SOD. Based on geNorm, PPIA and SDHA gene pair was identified to be most stably expressed in liver tissue during the animal trials. Similarly, NormFinder analysis also identified PPIA as the most stable gene. BestKeeper analysis showed crossing point SD value for all the genes in the acceptable range that is closer to 1. Overall, the study identified a panel of stable ICGs for reliable normalization of target genes expression data in mice liver tissues during BCM7/9 peptides trial.
Umesh K. Shandilya, Ankita Sharma, Monika Sodhi, and Manishi Mukesh
Informa UK Limited
A follow-up to our previous findings, the present study was planned to evaluate the role of Na/K-ATPase alpha1-subunit (ATP1A1) gene in heat shock tolerance. The primary fibroblast culture was established using ear pinna tissue samples of Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus). The knockout cell lines of Na/K-ATP1A1 and HSF-1 (heat shock factor-1, as a positive control) genes were developed by CRISPR/Cas9 method and the gene-editing was confirmed by the genomic cleavage detection assay. The two knockout cell lines (ATP1A1 and HSF-1) and wild-type fibroblasts were exposed to heat shock at 42 °C in vitro and different cellular parameters viz., apoptosis, proliferation, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), oxidative stress, along with expression pattern of heat-responsive genes were studied. The results showed that in vitro heat shock given to knockout fibroblast cells of both ATP1A1 and HSF-1 genes resulted in decreased cell viability, while increasing the apoptosis rate, membrane depolarization, and ROS levels. However, the overall impact was more in HSF-1 knockout cells as compared to ATP1A1 knockout cells. Taken together, these results indicated that the ATP1A1 gene plays a critical role as HSF-1 under heat stress and helps cells to cope with heat shock.
Karan Veer Singh, Ramendra Das, Monika Sodhi, and R. S. Kataria
Informa UK Limited
Shubham Loat, Namita Kumari, Shallu Saini, M. S. Dige, Anurag Kumar, Nitika Dhilor, Ajay Kumar Dang, S. S. Lathwal, Monika Sodhi, and Ranjit S. Kataria
Informa UK Limited
Bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA) DRB3 locus in healthy and mastitis affected cattle has been genotyped by a polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RLFP) using RsaI restriction enzyme, followed by sequencing. In 130 farm animals, 25 BoLA DRB3 alleles have been detected by PCR-RFLP. Three distinct allelic patterns significantly associated with mastitis in Karan Fries crossbred and Sahiwal indicus cattle have been identified, whereas, four other allelic patterns were significantly high in frequency among healthy animals. Sequencing of RFLP genotypes revealed 25 and 47 alleles among healthy Sahiwal and Karan Fries, respectively, while 17 and 38 patterns observed in mastitis affected Sahiwal and Karan Fries animals, respectively. From Tajima's D-test of neutrality, it was concluded that alleles associated with mastitis were expanding in the population, whereas those of healthy were under contraction. Phylogenetic analysis carried out to delineate the evolutionary relationship of the farm and field animals at DRB3 locus, differentiating allelic patterns into six different clusters. Among the phylogenetic lineages, five patterns DRB3*028:01, DRB3*011:03, DRB3*031:01, DRB3*001:01 and DRB3*043:01, were previously reported, whereas one novel allelic variant was observed in indicus and crossbred cattle. This information will help in further exploring the association between BoLA-DRB3 genetic diversity and disease resistance in distinct cattle breeds, important in designing breeding strategies for increasing the distribution of favorable alleles.
Monika Sodhi, Manjula Sharma, Ankita Sharma, Preeti Verma, Ashok Mohanty, R. S. Kataria, Umesh K. Shandilya, Parvesh Kumari, and Manishi Mukesh
Informa UK Limited
Proteases play a significant role in milk and its products by affecting flavor, texture and longevity. The expression of endogenous proteases varies across different stages of lactation. The study was conducted to understand the transcriptional pattern of different classes of protease-pathways associated genes (CTSB, CTSD, CTSH, CTSL, CTSK, CTSS, CTSZ, PLAU, PLAT) and potential protease inhibitors (SERPIN E2 and SERPIN F2) in 40 milk somatic cells (MSC) samples isolated during early, peak, mid and late lactation stages of Sahiwal cows and Murrah buffaloes - the two most important dairy breeds of India. In Sahiwal cows, except CTSK and PLAU, the expression of other proteases class was not affected significantly (p > 0.05) across lactation stages. However, in Murrah buffaloes, the expression of different proteases increased as the lactation progressed. Most of the proteases showed lower expression during early and peak lactation stages while their expression tends to increase during mid to late lactation stages. The overall trend was somewhat similar in both the dairy species albeit the level of expression was higher in buffalo MSC as compared to cow MSC. The study has provided valuable information on expression kinetics of different proteases in milk somatic cells of two major dairy breeds of India.
Manish Tiwari, Monika Sodhi, Preeti Verma, Prince Vivek, Ranjit S. Kataria, Saket K. Niranjan, Vijay K. Bharti, Nampher Masharing, Gayatri Gujar, Divya Chanda,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractThe identification of appropriate references genes is an integral component of any gene expression-based study for getting accuracy and reliability in data interpretation. In this study, we evaluated the expression stability of 10 candidate reference genes (GAPDH, RPL4, EEF1A1, RPS9, HPRT1, UXT, RPS23, B2M, RPS15, ACTB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of livestock species that are adapted to high altitude hypoxia conditions of Leh-Ladakh. A total of 37 PBMCs samples from six native livestock species of Leh-Ladakh region such as Ladakhi cattle, Ladakhi yak, Ladakhi donkey, Chanthangi goat, Double hump cattle and Zanskar ponies were included in this study. The commonly used statistical algorithms such as geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper and RefFinder were employed to assess the stability of these RGs in all the livestock species. Our study has identified different panel of reference genes in each species; for example, EEF1A1, RPL4 in Ladakhi cattle; GAPDH, RPS9, ACTB in Ladakhi yak; HPRT1, B2M, ACTB in Ladakhi donkey; HPRT1, B2M, ACTB in Double hump camel, RPS9, HPRT1 in Changthangi goat, HPRT1 and ACTB in Zanskar ponies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic attempt to identify panel of RGs across different livestock species types adapted to high altitude hypoxia conditions. In future, the findings of the present study would be quite helpful in conducting any transcriptional studies to understand the molecular basis of high altitude adaptation of native livestock population of Leh-Ladakh.
Manishi Mukesh, Shelesh Swami, Gaurav Bhakhri, Vipul Chaudhary, Vishal Sharma, Nikita Goyal, Prince Vivek, Vijaya Dalal, A. K. Mohanty, R. S. Kataria,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Gayatri Gujar, Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Prince Vivek, Monika Sodhi, Monika Choudhary, Manish Tiwari, Nampher Masharing, and Manishi Mukesh
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Surarapu Lava Kumar, Ravinder Singh, Ankita Gurao, S. K. Mishra, Prem Kumar, Vikas Vohra, Saket Kumar Niranjan, Monika Sodhi, S. K. Dash, S. Sarangdhar,et al.
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Ravindra Semwal, Sunil Kumar Joshi, Ruchi Badoni Semwal, Monika Sodhi, Kumud Upadhyaya, and Deepak Kumar Semwal
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Preeti Verma, Ankita Sharma, Monika Sodhi, Manish Tiwari, Prince Vivek, Ranjit S. Kataria, S. K. Nirajan, Vijay K. Bharti, Pawan Singh, S. S. Lathwal,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
To estimate gene expression in a reliable manner, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction data require normalisation using a panel of stably expressed reference genes (RGs). To date, information on an appropriate panel of RGs in cattle populations reared at cold arid high-altitude hypoxia and hot arid tropical normoxia environments is not available. Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify a panel of stably expressed RGs from 10 candidate genes (GAPDH, RPL4, EEF1A1, RPS9, HPRT1, UXT, HMBS, B2M, RPS15, and ACTB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of cattle populations reared at cold arid high-altitude hypoxia and hot arid normoxia environments. Four different statistical algorithms: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder were used to assess the stability of these genes. A total of 30 blood samples were collected: six adult heifers each of Ladakhi (LAC) and Holstein Frisian crosses (HFX) and 4 Jersey (JYC) cows from cold arid high-altitude hypoxia environments (group I) and five adult heifers each of Sahiwal (SAC), Karan Fries (KFC), and Holstein Friesian (HFC) cows from hot arid normoxia environments (group II). Combined analysis of group I and group II resulted in identification of a panel of RGs like RPS9, RPS15, and GAPDH that could act as a useful resource to unravel the accurate transcriptional profile of PBMCs from diverse cattle populations adapted to distinct altitudes.
Manishi Mukesh, Nampher Masharing, Preeti Verma, Manish Tiwari, Prince Vivek, and Monika Sodhi
Springer Nature Singapore
Namita Kumari, S. K. Mishra, Shallu Saini, Anurag Kumar, Shubham Loat, Nitika Dhilor, S. K. Niranjan, Monika Sodhi, and R. S. Kataria
Informa UK Limited
Among different cattle types, Bos indicus are known for their ability to better resist the tropical microbial infections comparatively, wherein MHC molecules play a significant role. In this study allelic diversity at MHC locus, DQA of Bos indicus, Bos taurus and crossbred of taurine-indicus has been explored to understand the possible role of MHC region in differential immune response. Thirty nine different DQA alleles were identified, out of which 14 were novel, along with documentation of duplication of DQA alleles. Indicus cattle population presented diverse types of DQA alleles compared to crossbred and exotic. Translated amino acid sequence analysis indicated, codon 64 and 50 of peptide binding sites being highly polymorphic and most of the indicus cattle presented alanine and arginine amino acid at position 64 and 50. Within breed genetic variation found to be higher than between breeds. Because of their ability to bind and subsequently respond to a wide array of antigens, the newly identified DQA alleles with high diversity present in the form of duplicated haplotypes in different combinations in cattle populations provided significant insights into probable role of this MHC locus in better tropical disease combating ability and genetic fitness of indicus cattle.
Govind Mohan, Anshuman Kumar, Suhail Hakeem Khan, N. Anand Kumar, Suman Kapila, S. S. Lathwal, Monika Sodhi, and S. K. Niranjan
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Kabita Tripathy, Monika Sodhi, R. S. Kataria, Meenu Chopra, and Manishi Mukesh
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Monika Sodhi and Manishi Mukesh
Elsevier
Gayatri Gujar, Nampher Mashering, Monika Sodhi, Prince Vivek, and Manishi Mukesh
Elsevier
Manishi Mukesh, Gayatri Gujar, and Monika Sodhi
Elsevier
Monika Sodhi, Ranbir Chander Sobti, and Manishi Mukesh
Elsevier
Monika Sodhi, Manishi Mukesh, Vishal Sharma, Ranjit Singh Kataria, and Ranbir Chander Sobti
Elsevier
Birbal Singh, Gorakh Mal, Rinku Sharma, Devi Gopinath, Gauri Jairath, Monika Sodhi, and Manishi Mukesh
Elsevier
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Gel-based and Gel free technologies for testing of genotypes with reference to A1/A2 allele of beta-casein. Services for testing are provided to farmers and commercial dairies (Code: 07_A1A2: since 2016.