Research Overview & Interests

Dr. Arun Kumar K. P. has a diverse and highly specialized research portfolio centered on silkworm biotechnology, insect genomics, and the modernization of sericulture practices. With a robust background in agricultural biotechnology and insect genetics, his research focuses heavily on the genomics, phylogenomics, and evolution of silkworms to drive technological innovations in the sericulture industry.

Genomics & Genome Engineering

Insect genetics, phylogenomics, and transcriptomics. Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9, transgenesis for molecular breeding, and developing viral-resistant silkworm strains via miRNA and RNAi.

Evolution & Sex Determination

Exploring sex chromosome evolution, dosage compensation in Bombyx mori, and identifying key sex determination genes to understand and manipulate sex ratios.

Bioeconomy & Biomaterials

Utilizing silk byproducts for non-textile (medical, dental, cosmetic) uses and advancing modernized definitions of "silk" incorporating recombinant silk proteins.

Smart Sericulture Integration

Applying AI, Machine Learning, robotics, and IoT for precision farming, real-time disease monitoring, and automated silkworm germplasm maintenance.

Wild Silkmoth Genetics

Studying genetic diversity, silk gene architecture, and ecological adaptation in wild sericigenous insects to harness unique genetic resources.

Education & Professional Journey

Academic Qualification

Postdoctoral Research Associate
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA

Focused on small RNA-based gene regulation and population gene drive systems in insects.

Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2003–2009)
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad
B.Sc. (Agril.) & M.Sc. in Agricultural Biotechnology
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (Graduated with top academic honors)

Professional Career

Visiting Professor (April–Oct 2018)
Southwest University, Chongqing, CHINA
Scientist & Research Leader
Central Muga Eri Research & Training Institute (CMERTI), Assam

Integrated genomic/transcriptomic resources for muga and eri silkworm improvement and modernized disease screening (Pebrine detection) using portable digital microscopy.

Scientist & Group Leader (2011–2017)
Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad

Awards & Recognitions

INSA Young Scientist Medal (2011)

Awarded by the Indian National Science Academy for outstanding scientific research.

Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award (IYBA) (2012)

Conferred by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

Founding Member — INYAS (2015)

Elected founding member of the Indian National Young Academy of Science.

Selected Publications

  1. Dubey H, Pradeep AR, Neog K, Debnath R, Aneesha PJ, Shah SK, Kamatchi I, Ponnuvel KM, Ramesha A, Vijayan K, Nongthomba U, Bora U, Vankadara S, VijayaKumari KM, Arunkumar KP (2024). Genome sequencing and assembly of Indian golden silkmoth, Antheraea assamensis Helfer (Saturniidae, Lepidoptera). Genomics, 116(3):110841.
  2. Zhang J, Li S, Li W, Chen Z, Guo H, Liu J, Xu Y, Xiao Y, Zhang L, Arunkumar KP, Smagghe G, Xia Q, Goldsmith MR, Takeda M, Mita K (2021). Circadian regulation of night feeding and daytime detoxification in a formidable Asian pest Spodoptera litura. Communications Biology, 4: 1-11.
  3. Liu J, Chen Z, Xiao Y, Asano T, Li S, Peng L, Chen E, Zhang J, Li W, Zhang Y, Tong X, Kadono-Okuda K, Zhao P, He N, Arunkumar KP, Gopinathan KP, Qingyou Xia, Willis J, Goldsmith MR, Mita M (2021). Lepidopteran wing scales contain abundant cross-linked film-forming histidine-rich cuticular proteins. Communications Biology, 4: 1-10.
  4. Meccariello A, Salvemini M, Primo P, Hall B, Koskinioti P, Dalikova M, Gravina A, Gucciardino M, Forlenza F, Gregoriou M, Ippolito D, Monti S, Petrella V, Perrotta M, Schmeing S, Ruggiero A, Scolari F, Giordano E, Tsoumani K, Marec F, Windbichler N, Arunkumar KP, Bourtzis K, Mathiopoulos K, Ragoussis J, Vitagliano L, Tu Z, Papathanos P, Robinson M, Saccone G (2019). Maleness-on-the-Y (MoY) orchestrates male sex determination in major agricultural fruit fly pests. Science, 365: 1457-1460.
  5. Li S, Ajimura M, Chen Z, Liu J, Chen E, Guo H, Tadapatri V, GangiReddy C, Wang X, Feng L, Zhang J, Chakraborty S, Kishino H, Abe H, Xia Q, Arunkumar KP, Kazuei Mita (2018). A new approach for comprehensively describing heterogametic sex chromosomes. DNA Research, 25: 375-382.
  6. Cheng T, Wu J, Wu Y, Chilukuri RV, Huang L, Yamamoto K, Li F, Li W, Chen Z, Guo H, Liu J, Li S, Wang X, Li P, Liu D, Guo Y, Fu B, Li Z, Liu C, Chen Y, Tomar A, Hilliou F, Montagne N, Jacqin-Joly E, d’Alencon E, Seth RK, Bhatnagar RK, Jouraku A, Shiotsuki T, Kadono-Okuda K, Promboon A, Smagge G, Arunkumar KP*, Kishino H, Goldsmith MR, Feng Q, Xia Q, Mita K (2017). Genomic adaptation to polyphagy and insecticides in a major East Asian noctuid pest. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1: 1747-1756.
  7. Arunkumar KP, Mita K, Nagaraju J (2009). The Silkworm Z Chromosome Is Enriched in Testis-Specific Genes. Genetics, 182: 493-501.
  8. Arunkumar KP, Kifayathullah L, Nagaraju J (2009). Microsatellite markers for the Indian golden silkmoth, Antheraea assama (Saturniidae: Lepidoptera). Molecular Ecology Resources, 9: 268-270.
  9. Arunkumar KP, Metta M, Nagaraju J (2006). Molecular phylogeny of silkmoths reveals the origin of domesticated silkmoth, Bombyx mori from Chinese B. mandarina and paternal inheritance of Antheraea proylei mitochondrial DNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 40: 417-427.
  10. Prasad MD, Muthulakshmi M, Arunkumar KP, Madhu M, Sreenu VB, Pavithra V, Bose B, Swaminathan S, Nagarajaram HA, Mita K, Shimada T, Nagaraju J (2005). Silksatdb: a microsatellite database of silkmoth, Bombyx mori. Nucleic Acids Research, 33: D403-D406.