Research Overview & Interests

Dr. S. Manthira Moorthy has a diverse and highly specialized research portfolio centered on silkworm breeding, genetics, germplasm conservation, molecular breeding, and climate-resilient sericulture. With extensive experience in Bombyx mori improvement and genetic resource utilization, his research focuses on developing productive, robust, disease-resistant, and stress-tolerant silkworm breeds and hybrids through the integration of conventional breeding, molecular markers, and genomic approaches.

Silkworm Breeding & Improvement

Breeding, evaluation, and improvement of bivoltine Bombyx mori breeds for traits like cocoon yield, shell weight, filament length, and silk quality.

Germplasm Conservation

Characterization and utilization of silkworm genetic resources using phenotypic, economic, biochemical, and molecular markers.

Molecular Breeding & MAS

Applying SSR/microsatellite markers to incorporate desirable traits, focusing on marker-assisted selection for thermotolerance and disease resistance.

Climate Resilience

Developing robust bivoltine silkworm breeds and hybrids (TT21XTT56) capable of performing under high-temperature conditions.

Disease Resistance

Improving genetic and molecular resistance against viral diseases like Bombyx mori bidensovirus (BmBDV) while maintaining commercial traits.

Genomics & Biotechnology

Leveraging transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and genomics for understanding and enhancing silk quality in Bombyx mori.

Education & Professional Journey

Academic Qualification

Ph.D. in Zoology (2006)
Advanced research in silkworm genetics and biology
M.Sc. in Zoology (1990)
Specialized studies in zoological sciences

Professional Career

Director (ISBR) & Director (Technical, CSB) / Director (NSSO)
ISBR & Central Silk Board, National Silkworm Seed Organization, Bengaluru

Provides technical and scientific leadership for national silkworm research, seed-related programmes, and international research collaborations (e.g., NARO-Japan, Bulgaria).

Research Coordination Leader
Central Silk Board

Involved in the coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of national sericulture research programmes.

Senior Scientist / Researcher
CSRTI, Mysuru

Led bivoltine silkworm improvement, germplasm evaluation, molecular breeding, thermotolerance, and marker-assisted selection.

Scientist
CSRTI, Berhampore, West Bengal (Started 1994)

Worked extensively on conventional silkworm breeding and evaluation of productive bivoltine breeds and hybrids (SK6 X SK7).

Awards & Recognitions

Excellence in Sericulture Science (ESS) Award (2022)

Recognized in the Silkworm Development category by the International Sericultural Commission for contributions to silkworm development.

Chairman of Editorial Board — Sericologia

Serves as the Chairman of the Editorial Board for the International Sericultural Journal, Sericologia.

Technical and Institutional Leadership

Recognized for long-standing scientific research, national-level programme monitoring, and foreign research collaborations.

Selected Publications

  1. Tulsi Naik KS, Ranjini MS, Vanitha C, Chandana, Raghavendar G, Ramesha A, ... & Manthira Moorthy S (2026). Development and Evaluation of Bombyx Mori L. Bidensovirus (Bm BDV) Lepidoptera: Bidnaviridae-Resistant Productive Silkworm Double Hybrid for Southern India Through Molecular Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding. Sustainable Sericulture in India: Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation Strategies, pp. 327-351.
  2. Prakash H, Shukla P, Subrahmanyam G, Dubey H, Debnath R, Arunkumar KP, ... & Moorthy SM (2026). A comparative study of internal organs of silkworm species (Bombyx mori, Samia ricini, Antheraea mylitta, Antheraea assamensis) using stereo-zoom microscopy. Zoomorphology, 145(2): 31.
  3. Mondal R, Jha VK, Ahmed ST, Sangannavar PA, Naik VN, Moorthy SM, ... & Mishra Y (2026). Genetic and functional characterization of loss of growth superiority of 22-ploid Morus nigra L.(2n= 22x= 308). Molecular Biology Reports, 53(1): 1392.
  4. Nalavadi C, Moorthy SM, Thirupathaiah Y, Aurade RM, Suresh RV, & Doss SG (2026). Unraveling the Genomic Potential of Silkworm Bombyx Mori for Tolerance to Environmental Stress. Sustainable Sericulture in India: Climate Change Impacts and Mitigation Strategies, pp. 281-297.
  5. Chandrakanth N, Suresh RV, Gadwala M, & Moorthy SM (2024). Applications of marker assisted selection in silkworm breeding for abiotic stress tolerance. Biotechnology for Silkworm Crop Enhancement: Tools and Applications, pp. 69-95.
  6. Prakash H, Veershetty C, Shukla P, Subrahmanyam G, & Moorthy SM (2024). Stereo-microscopic study of the anatomy of papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus (Williams and Granara De Willink). International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 44(5): 2381-2390.
  7. Balakrishnan IK, Debnath R, KS TN, Moorthy SM, Ramesh KV, & Dubey H (2024). Genome-wide In-silico Identification of Microsatellites in Eri Silkworm, Samia ricini (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Ecology, Environment & Conservation, 30(4): 1888.
  8. Sivaprasad V, Chandrakanth N, & Moorthy SM (2022). Genetics and Genomics of Bombyx mori L. Genetic methods and tools for managing crop pests, pp. 127-209.
  9. Chandrakanth N, Moorthy SM, & Sivaprasad V (2021). Molecular diversity between two indigenous silkworm races of Bombyx mori L. Research Article.
  10. Sakthivelkumar S, Veeramani V, Ramaraj P, & Moorthy SM (2013). Analysis of genetic linearity among various races of silkworm Bombyx mori based on Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA. Hexapoda (Insecta indica), 20: 1-2.