Fahims CV

Muhammad Fahim (PhD, Australia)

My general field of expertises include:
Agriculture (Plant Pathology)
Agricultural Biotechnology

PERSONAL DETAILS
Name:
Birth:
NIC:
Address:

Muhammad Fahim
June 2, 1978
15602-4483016-1
Vill: Gogdara Moh: Rahmat Abad, PO Tariq Abad, Tehsil and Distt
Swat KP Pakistan
Phone:
+923459681689 and/or +92946770583
E-mail:
[email protected]/[email protected]
Photo-Blog:
flickr.com/fahim78

EDUCATION
2007-2011 The Australian National University Canberra ACT
Australia
Doctor of Philosophy Candidate, Research School of Biology
Research Supervisor: Dr. Philip J. Larkin (CSIRO)
Dr. Ligia Ayala-Navarette (CSIRO)
Dr. Anthony A. Millar (ANU)
1996-2002 NWFP Agricultural University/ The Agriculture University
Peshawar Pakistan
2000-2002 MSc Hons. With distinction
Pathology

Department

1996-2000 BSc Hons.

Pathology

Department of Plant

With distinction

of

Plant

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor (March 2013- todate).
Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering,
The University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan.
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Postdoctoral Fellow (08/10/2001- January 2013)

Creative Research Initiative, Lab of Plant Developmental Molecular
Genetics, Plant Signalling Network Research Centre (SigNet), School of Life
Science and Biotechnology, Korea University.
Research Associate with Dr. Philip Larkin CSIRO (July 2007- June
2011)
CSIRO Plant Industry, Blackmountain Labs, Clunies Ross Street Canberra
I worked in a project with Dr. Philip Larkin and explored the utility of existing
international sources of resistance, discovered potential new sources of
natural resistance; I developed and confirmed synthetic resistance
strategies (RNAi and amiRNA) through genetic engineering. As a
consequence of the work described the wheat industry in Australia and
globally has both conventional and transgenic options for the control of this
serious viral pathogen.

Lecturer, Department of Microbiology

1/11/2006- 08/06/2007 and June 2011- September 2011
Hazara University Dhodial Mansehra NWFP
Seed Certification Officer (Plant Virology)
July 2006- November 2006
Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department
Mauve Area G9/4 Islamabad Pakistan
Conducting virological tests for major crops of economic importance.
Conducting all pathological tests for seed potato
Liasing with national and international organization over issues
relating to seed health
Liaison with field seed health units through project incharge
Preparation of results and compilation of monthly reports

Research Fellow (Plant Virology)

24/12/2004- 30/06/2006
Agriculture Linkage Programme Project
Characterization of Pakistani Isolates of Chilli veinal mottle
potyvirus (ChiVMV) and Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus (CMV)
Infecting Chilli Crop NARC Islamabad Pakistan.
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Technical Sales Officer

1/7/2002- 20/10/2004
Seeds and Pesticide Business
Iqbal Agro Services (Kabal Swat)
Research Fellow (Plant Virology)
1/06/2001 30/06/2002
Ministry of Science and Technology, Islamabad Funded Research Project
Integrated Control of Viral Diseases of Winter Tomato Crop in
Malakand and Swat in Department of Plant Pathology, NWFP
Agricultural University Peshawar. Pakistan.

CORE TECHNIQUES IN HAND

Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
Developing RNAi constructs, artificial microRNA design and construct,
developing of transgenic crop plants, Genomic PCR, semi-quantitative and
quantitative real time PCR; Northern blot analysis; small RNA analysis
(MiRTECIT); genotyping of the genetically modified plants; cloning of Paf1C
family of genes,; engineering and expression of eukaryotic gene into E.coli;
DNA sequence analysis. Cloning small RNAs for Next Generation
Sequencing (NGS), Gateway cloning, Yeast 2-Hybrid Analysis, RNAseq
Plant Pathology
Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (ELISA), Dot-blot immune binding
assay (DIBA), Characterization of viruses, Virus purification.
Bioinformatics tools
RNAseq Analysis, small RNA Deep Sequencing Analysis, Vector NTI 10
Small RNA Analysis of data generated through various deep sequencing
platforms
RNAseq Analysis of Non Sense Mediated RNA decay in plants
Plant tissue culture and transformation
Have good experience in tissue culture and both biolistic and
Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation and analysis.
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PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS/TRAININGS ATTENDED

Intellectual property and commercialization (FRLP04) May 20, 2010

Delivering successful presentations at CSIRO May 14, 2009
Effective Research Grant Execution (FRLP06) October 22, 2009
Managing and Leading People in Research Context (FRLP07)
November 13, 2009
Journal Article Writing Workshop March 29-31 2011 CSIRO
Completed a Graduate Course in Science Communication
offered by Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the Australian
National University.
One week training in The Use of Biotechnological Techniques for
Crop Improvement arranged by Institute of Biotechnology and
Genetic Engineering NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan in
collaboration with National Commission on Biotechnology HEC,
Islamabad from September 12 to 17, 2005.

LAB AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TRAININGS

Gene Technology Practices (OHSA14) October 12, 2009
Annual Laboratory Safety Training (2007-CSIRO, 2007-ANU, 2011Korea University)
Radioactive hazardous materials training (2007) at The Australian
National University, Canberra, Australia and 2011 at Korea University
Seoul South Korea.
AWARDS

Post doctoral Research Fellowship in the Creative Research

Initiatives, Korea University, South Korea (Oct. 2011-date)
Student Travel Grant by European Science Foundation (ESF) to
present a poster and attend Antiviral Application of RNA
Interference in Spain May 2010

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Student Travel Grant by Society of In vitro Biology (SIVB) to

attend joint conference by SIVB and IAPB 2010 at St. Louis Missouri
USA June 2010
The ANU Vice-Chancellors Travel Grant for International
Conference June 2010

Cash Prize and Certificate for 2 nd position in PhD student oral

competition Virus Resistance Mediated by Virus-derived
Hairpin RNA against Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in Transgenic
Wheat Plants held by Society of In vitro Biology (SIVB) 2010 in
collaboration with IAPB 2010 at St. Louis Missouri USA.

PhD scholarship from Australian Agency for International

Development (AusAID), Australian Government (2007-2011)
Merit Scholarship for 4 years and Certificate for first position in BSc
Hons. 2000
Merit Scholarship for 2 years and Certificate for second position in
MSc Hons. 2003

SELECTED POSTER/PRESENTATIONS
Oral Presentations
1. Cash Prize and Certificate for 2nd position in PhD student oral
competition Virus Resistance Mediated by Virus-derived
Hairpin RNA against Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in Transgenic
Wheat Plants held by Society of In vitro Biology (SIVB) 2010 in
collaboration with IAPB 2010 at St. Louis Missouri USA.
2. Presented oral paper Virus Resistance Mediated by Artificial
miRNA Against Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in Transgenic
Wheat Plants in International Association of Plant Biotechnology
conference 2010 at American Centre, St. Louis Missouri USA
3. Presented oral paper on Hairpin RNA derived from viral NIa gene
confers immunity to wheat streak mosaic virus infection in
transgenic wheat plants
at Australasian Plant Pathology
Symposium 2009 Plant Health Management: An Integrated Approach
29 September 1 October 2009 Newcastle NSW Australia
Poster Presentation
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1. Global analysis of circadian rhythm associated gene expression in

Arabidopsis nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD)-defective mutants.
International Plant Molecular Biology Congress. ICC Jeju South Korea
October 21-26 2012
2. Global analysis of circadian rhythm associated gene expression in
Arabidopsis nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD)-defective mutants.
Korean Society of Molecular and Cell Biology. Coex Seoul South
Korean October 2012
3. Hairpin RNA derived from viral NIa gene confers immunity to wheat
streak mosaic virus infection in transgenic wheat plants. ESF-EMBO
Antiviral Applications of RNA interference St Feliu de Guixols, Spain.
May 2010
4. Hairpin RNA derived from viral NIa gene confers immunity to wheat
streak mosaic virus infection in transgenic wheat plants. IAPB SIVB
joint congress St. Louis Missouri USA June 2010

Other International Conferences/Symposia/Workshop Attended

11th International Wheat Genetics Symposium, 24-29 August 2008,

Brisbane, Australia
1st International Plant Phenomics Symposium 21-24 April 2009.
CSIRO Canberra Australia.
One Day Perennial Wheat Disease Workshop 15th May 2008, Plant
Industry CSIRO Canberra Australia.

PATENT
Transgenic Wheat plants immune to Wheat streak mosaic virus.
US Patent 20110154534 granted June 23, 2011

BOOK CHAPTER
Fahim M, Larkin PJ Designing Effective amiRNA and Multimeric
amiRNA Against Plant Viruses. Methods in Molecular Biology Vol.
942 (Ed. Taxman, DJ)
PUBLICATIONs
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Published
1. Hayes, R.C., M.T. Newell, L.R. DeHaan, K.M. Murphy, S. Crane, M.R.
Norton, L.J. Wade, M. Newberry, M. Fahim, S.S. Jones, T.S. Cox, and
P.J. Larkin (2011) Pathways to the development of perennial wheat
for Australian environments. Field Crops Research 133 (2012) 68
89

2. M. Fahim., AA. Millar., CC. Wood., PJ. Larkin (2012) Resistance to

Wheat streak mosaic virus generated by expression of artificial
polycistronic microRNA in Wheat Plant Biotechnology Journal. 10:
150163
3. M. Fahim, P.J. Larkin, S. Haber, S. Shorter, P. Lonergan, G. Rosewarne
(2011) Effectiveness of three potential sources of resistance against
Wheat streak mosaic virus under field conditions. Australasian
Plant Pathology 41:301309
4. M. Fahim, Anna Mechanicos, Ligia Ayala-Navarette, Steve Haber,
Philip J. Larkin (2011) Resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in
Australia a Survey of Resources and Development of Markers. Plant
Pathology doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2011.02542.x
5. Shah, H., Yasmin, T., Fahim, M., Hameed, S., Haque, M.I., Munir, M.,
and K.A., Khanzada, (2011). Reaction of exotic and indigenous
capsicum genotypes against Pakistani isolates of Chili veinal mottle
virus. Pakistan Journal of Botany 43(3): 1707-1711
6. M. Fahim., L. Ayala-Navarrete, AA Millar., PJ. Larkin (2010) Hairpin
derived from viral NIa gene confers immunity to Wheat streak mosaic
virus infection in transgenic wheat plants. Plant Biotechnology
Journal. 8(7):821-34.
7. M. Fahim., LA. Navarrete, W. Kelman, H. Dove, PJ. Larkin. (2010)
Does Grazing of infected wheat by sheep results in salivary
transmission of wheat streak mosaic virus? Crop and Pasture
Science 61(3) 247254
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8. Shah,H., Yasmin, T., Fahim, M., Hameed, S., and M.I., Haque. (2009).
Prevalence, occurrence and distribution of Chilli veinal mottle virus in
Pakistan Pak. J. Bot., 41(2): 955-965
9. Shah,H., Yasmin, T., Fahim, M., Hameed, S., and M.I., Haque. (2008).
Transmission and host range studies of Pakistani isolate of chilli veinal
mottle virus Pak. J. Bot., 40(6): 2669-2681.
10.
Akhtar, M.A., Rafi, A. and M. Fahim. (2006). Vegetable
diseases and their management. Pakistan Agriculture.
11.
Akhtar, M.A., A. Rafi, and M. Fahim (2005). Characterization of
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, associated with bacterial blight of
rice in Punjab and NWFP. Pak. J. Phytopath., 17(2): 163-166.

In preparation
1. S. Haber, M. Fahim, L. Ayala-Navarrete, PJ.Larkin and D.L. Seifers. A
new source of resistance against wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV)
derived from doubled haploid (DH) spring wheat line C2652. Plant
Disease in preparation
2. M. Fahim, Ohms, S., Larkin PJ. Complete WSMV genome of Australian
isolate assembled from deep sequencing of small RNA. Intended for
Virus Genes. In preparation

Published Abstracts in Conferences/Symposia

1. Muhammad Fahim, Abdurrafi and Akhtar, M.A., (2005). Isolation,
identification and purification of Colletrotrichum spp. Isolated fro
guava fruits and trees in Peshawar district. International Symposium
on Recent Trends in Plant Disease Management Fifth Meeting
Pakistan Phytopathological Society. at the Univ. of Karachi. Dec 2022, 2005. Abstract. pp-71
2. Shah, H., Yasmin, T., Muhammad Fahim, Hameed, S., and Irfan-ulHaque., M. (2005). Transmission and host range studies of Pakistani
isolate of Chili veinal mottle potyvirus. International Symposium on
Recent Trends in Plant Disease Management Fifth Meeting Pakistan
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Phytopathological Society. at the Univ. of Karachi. Dec.20-22, 2005.

Abstract. pp-46
3. Hassan, S., Muhammad Fahim. and Stephen, M. (2005).
Assessment of some virus diseases management practices in off
season tomato crop in Malakand Agency NWFP. International
Symposium on Recent Trends in Plant Disease Management Fifth
Meeting Pakistan Phytopathological Society. at the Univ. of Karachi.
Dec.20-22, 2005. Dec.20-22, 2005. Abstract. pp 52-53

References
Dr. Phil Larkin
Program Leader,
Metabolic Engineering of New Plant
Products,
CSIRO Plant Industry
P.O. Box 1600 Canberra 2601
Australia
[email protected]
Dr. Richard Richards
CSIRO Fellow, CSIRO Plant Industry
P.O. Box 1600 Canberra 2601
Australia
[email protected]
Dr. Tony Millar
Building 41 (Ex-BaMBi)
Research School of Biology
The Australian National University
Acton ACT 0200 Australia
[email protected]

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