Education

Ø   Ph.D. in Agriculture and Biology (September 2016-June 2021)

Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Plant Biotechnology Research Center, Fudan-SJTU-Nottingham Plant Biotechnology R&D Center, School of Agriculture and Biology,

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.

Research Interest: Secondary metabolities biosynthesis and their transcriptional regulation in various biosynthetic pathways

Dissertation Work: Molecular mechanism of YABBY family transcription factors on the regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L.

Ø     MS in Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology (September 2013-November 2015)

Quaid-E-Azam University, Islamabad (Pakistan)

Research interest: Maintainence of cell suspension culture and elucidation of effects of various stresses on its antioxidant potential 

Dissertation Work: Optimization of cell suspension culture and evaluation of antioxidant activity of rol C transformed lines of Lactuca Sativa cv. Grand rapids

Ø    BS (Hons) Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (March 2009-December 2012)

Kohat University of Science & Technology Kohat (Pakistan)

Research interest: Analysis of genetic variations within and between the natural populations of Saussurea costus.

 Dissertation Work: Molecular characterization of Saussurea costus genetic resources using RAPD markers

Professional Experience

Ø     Postdoctorate (July 2021-June 2024)

Research Interest: Molecular Regulation of Metabolic pathways in Microalgae)

Ø     Associate Professor (June 2024-till present)

Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China

Scientific Research Field

Sadaf Ilyas Kayani is an Associate Professor (Approved Master Supervisor) at the School of Food and Biological Engineering department, Jiangsu University, China. Her research interests include plant biotechnology and molecular biology. Major focus is on the regulation of metabolic pathways in plants and microalgae using transcription factors. Currently, she has a NSFC funded project on the regulation of astaxanthin biosynthesis which is an antioxidant with multiple health benefits and is being used in medicines, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods. Haematococcus pluvialis is a model microalga for astaxanthin biosynthesis; however, its natural astaxanthin content is low. The project aims at increasing the concentration of astaxanthin in H. pluvialis mainly using transcription factors engineering. In addition, her research focus also includes the work on phytohormones mediated regulation of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content in microalgae such as Tribonema minus. We welcome students from any Nationality who are interested in this research direction to apply for Masters scholarship and enjoy a full-time research opportunity at Jiangsu University, China.  

Teaching Courses

Ø Plant physiology

University of Lahore, Islamabad Campus (October 2014-January 2016)

Ø Biochemistry                        

University of Lahore, Islamabad Campus (October 2014-January 2016)

Published papers

Kayani, S.I., Jin, N., Cui, Y., Zan, X., Hu, X., Xu, X., Zhu, F., Zhang, C., Huo, S. 2023a. Enhancing biomass productivity towards carbohydrates and fatty acids biosynthesis under the effects of magneto-electric composite fields on filamentous algae. Biomass Bioenergy, 174, 106841.

Kayani, S.I., Rahman, S.U., Shen, Q., Cui, Y., Liu, W., Hu, X., Zhu, F., Huo, S. 2024. Molecular approaches to enhance astaxanthin biosynthesis; future outlook: engineering of transcription factors in Haematococcus pluvialis. Crit Rev Biotechnol, 44(4), 514-529.

Kayani, S.I., Shen, Q., Rahman, S.U., Fu, X., Li, Y., Wang, C., Hassani, D., Tang, K. 2021. Transcriptional regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in Artemisia annua by AaYABBY5. Hortic Res, 8(1), 257

.Kayani, S.I., Yanan, M., Fu, X., Shen, Q., Li, Y., Rahman, S.U., Peng, B., Huang, L., Tang, K. 2023b. JA-Regulated AaGSW1-AaYABBY5/AaWRKY9 Complex Regulates Artemisinin Biosynthesis in Artemisia annua. Plant Cell Physiol, 64(7), 771-785.

Kayani, S.I., Shen, Q., Ma, Y., Fu, X., Xie, L., Zhong, Y., Tiantian, C., Pan, Q., Li, L., Rahman, S.U., Sun, X., Tang, K. 2019. The YABBY Family Transcription Factor AaYABBY5 Directly Targets Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenase (CYP71AV1) and Double-Bond Reductase 2 (DBR2) Involved in Artemisinin Biosynthesis in Artemisia Annua. Front Plant Sci, 10, 1084.

Liu, H., Li, L., Fu, X., Li, Y., Chen, T., Qin, W., Yan, X., Wu, Z., Xie, L., Kayani, S.I., Hassani, D., Sun, X., Tang, K. 2023. AaMYB108 is the core factor integrating light and jasmonic acid signaling to regulate artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua. New Phytol, 237(6), 2224-2237.

Ma, Y. N., Xu, D. B., Yan, X., Wu, Z. K., Kayani, S.I., Shen, Q., Fu, X.Q., Xie, L.H., Hao, X.L., Hassani, D., Li, L., Liu, H., Pan, Q.F., Lv, Z.Y., Liu, P., Sun, X.F., Tang, K.X. 2021. Jasmonate- and abscisic acid-activated AaGSW1-AaTCP15/AaORA transcriptional cascade promotes artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua. Plant Biotechnol J, 19(7), 1412-1428.

Xie, L., Yan, T., Li, L., Chen, M., Ma, Y., Hao, X., Fu, X., Shen, Q., Huang, Y., Qin, W., Liu, H., Chen, T., Hassani, D., Kayani, S. I., Rose, J.K.C., Tang, K. 2021. The WRKY transcription factor AaGSW2 promotes glandular trichome initiation in Artemisia annua. J Exp Bot, 72(5), 1691-1701.

Li, Y., Chen, T., Wang, W., Liu, H., Yan, X., Wu-Zhang, K., Qin, W., Xie, L., Zhang, Y., Peng, B., Yao, X., Wang, C., Kayani, S.I., Fu, X., Li, L., Tang, K. 2021a. A high-efficiency Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression system in the leaves of Artemisia annua L. Plant Methods, 17(1), 106.

Li, Y., Qin, W., Fu, X., Zhang, Y., Hassani, D., Kayani, S.I., Xie, L., Liu, H., Chen, T., Yan, X., Peng, B., Wu-Zhang, K., Wang, C., Sun, X., Li, L., Tang, K. 2021b. Transcriptomic analysis reveals the parallel transcriptional regulation of UV-B-induced artemisinin and flavonoid accumulation in Artemisia annua L. Plant Physiol Biochem, 163, 189-200.

Rahman, S. U., Khalid, M., Hui, N., Rehman, A., Kayani, S. I., Fu, X., Zheng, H., Shao, J., Khan, A. A., Ali, M., Taheri, A., Liu, H., Yan, X., Hu, X., Qin, W., Peng, B., Li, M., Xinghao, Y., Zhang, Y., Tang, K. 2023. Piriformospora indica alter root-associated microbiome structure to enhance Artemisia annua L. tolerance to arsenic. J Hazard Mater, 457, 131752.

Rahman, S.U., Khalid, M., Kayani, S.I., Tang, K. 2020. The ameliorative effects of exogenous inoculation of Piriformospora indica on molecular, biochemical and physiological parameters of Artemisia annua L. under arsenic stress condition. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 206, 111202.

Rahman, S.u., Liu, X., Khalid, M., Rehman, A., Cao, J., Kayani, S. I., Naeem, M., Ahmad, N., Khan, A.A., Manzoor, M.A., Zhao, C., Tan, H., Li, X., Bian, Y., Xu, J., Hui, N. 2024. Beyond contamination: Enhancing plant tolerance to arsenic through phytobial remediation. South African Journal of Botany, 164, 250-265.

Shah, M.A.R., Zhu, F., Cui, Y., Hu, X., Chen, H., Kayani, S. I., Huo, S. 2024. Mechanistic insights into the nutritional and therapeutic potential of Spirulina (Arthrospira) spp.: Challenges and opportunities. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 151, 104648.

Shen, Q., Huang, H., Xie, L., Hao, X., Kayani, S. I., Liu, H., Qin, W., Chen, T., Pan, Q., Liu, P., Tang, K. 2022. Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors AabHLH2 and AabHLH3 Function Antagonistically With AaMYC2 and Are Negative Regulators in Artemisinin Biosynthesis. Front Plant Sci, 13, 885622.

Wu, Z., Li, L., Liu, H., Yan, X., Ma, Y., Li, Y., Chen, T., Wang, C., Xie, L., Hao, X., Kayani, S. I., Tang, K. 2021. AaMYB15, an R2R3-MYB TF in Artemisia annua, acts as a negative regulator of artemisinin biosynthesis. Plant Sci, 308, 110920.

Zhong, Y., Li, L., Hao, X., Fu, X., Ma, Y., Xie, L., Shen, Q., Kayani, S. I., Pan, Q., Sun, X., Tang, K. 2018. AaABF3, an Abscisic Acid-Responsive Transcription Factor, Positively Regulates Artemisinin Biosynthesis in Artemisia annua. Front Plant Sci, 9, 1777.

Ismail, H., Kayani, S. S., Kayani, S. I., Mirza, B., Waheed, M. T. 2019. Optimization of cell suspension culture of transformed and untransformed lettuce for the enhanced production of secondary metabolites and their pharmaceutical evaluation. 3 Biotech, 9(9), 339.

Main Scientific Research Papers

Ø Principal investigator in

· Excellent postdoctoral program of Jiangsu province (2022ZB673)

· Fund by National Natural Science Foundation of China (32350410412)

Ø Participated in

· Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1199872)

· China National Key Research and Development Program (2017ZX09101002-003-002)

· Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31600231)

· National High-Tech 863 Program (2011AA100605)  

· China National Key R&D Program (2018YFA0900600)

· National Natural Science Foundation of China (21978120)

· The Key R&D projects in Jiangsu Province (BE2020405)

· China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M711379).

Scientific Research Achievemnets and Awards

Awards and certificates

Ø National Natural Science Foundation of China (32350410412)

(January 2024-December 2025)

Ø Excellent postdoctorate funding of Jiangsu province (2022ZB673) 

Ø Chinese Government Scholarship (PhD)

Ø Gold medal (Masters)

Ø Merit Scholarship (Masters)

Ø Merit Scholarship (BS)

Attended conferences

Ø The  7th  International Horticulture Research Conference

 (1^st -30^th  July  2020) (Presenter)

Ø 3rd Edition of Euro-Global conference on Biotechnology and Bioengineering 2023 (Presenter)

Number of postgraduates under supervision

NA

Number of supervised masters and Ph.D.

NA

Number of supervised undergraduates

NA

The above information updated

March 2025