Dr. Techen’s interest is in the development of molecular (DNA) markers that can help with the identification of medicinal plants of raw drugs or present in dietary supplements.
Research Interests
- Extraction of genomic DNA from fresh or processed plant material
- Identification of genomic regions helpful for identification (DNA barcoding)
Biography
A native of Hamburg, Germany, Dr. Natascha Techen received her BS, MS and Ph.D. in Plant Molecular Biology at the University of Hamburg, Germany.
Dr. Natascha Techen joined the Natural Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi in 2002. She is working in Dr. Ihklas A. Khan’s team on the identification of genomic markers, also known as ‘DNA-barcoding’, that can help with the authentication of plant material/dietary supplements and its adulterations by using various molecular methods. In addition, her research has helped with the genetic improvement of crops, medicinal or ornamental plants for higher yield and nutrient value, disease and pest tolerance, non-invasiveness, and ornamental traits. She is currently working on the development of DNA mini-barcodes (<250 bp) to help with identification using fragmented DNA present in processed plant material.
Chittiboyina AG, Ali Z, Avula B, Khan SI, Mir TM, Zhang J, Aydoğan F, Zulfiqar F, Techen N, Parveen I, Pandey P, Adams SJ, Wang YH, Zhao J, Marshall GD, Pugh ND, Khan IA. Is Baikiain in Tara Flour a Causative Agent for the Adverse Events Associated with the Recalled Frozen French Lentil & Leek Crumbles Food Product? - A Working Hypothesis. Chem Res Toxicol. 2023 Jun 19;36(6):818-821. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.3c00100. Epub 2023 May 31. PMID: 37255213; PMCID: PMC10283043.
Techen N, Parveen I, Khan IA. Deoxyribonucleic Acid Barcoding for the Identification of Botanicals. Prog Chem Org Nat Prod. 2023;122:261-288. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-26768-0_4. PMID: 37392314.
Parveen I, Techen N, Handy SM, Li J, Wu C, Chittiboyina AG, Khan IA. The Low Copy Nuclear Gene Region, Granule Bound Starch Synthase (GBSS1), as a Novel Mini-DNA Barcode for the Identification of Different Sage (Salvia) Species. Planta Med. 2022 Oct;88(12):985-993. doi: 10.1055/a-1618-6496. Epub 2021 Sep 20. PMID: 34544191.
Parveen I, Techen N, Khan IA. Identification of Species in the Aromatic Spice Family Apiaceae Using DNA Mini-barcodes. Planta Med. 2019 Jan;85(2):139-144. doi: 10.1055/a-0664-0947. Epub 2018 Jul 31. PMID: 30064144.
Parveen I, Gafner S, Techen N, Murch SJ, Khan IA. DNA Barcoding for the Identification of Botanicals in Herbal Medicine and Dietary Supplements: Strengths and Limitations. Planta Med. 2016 Sep;82(14):1225-35. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-111208. Epub 2016 Jul 8. PMID: 27392246.
Education
B.S. Biology, University of Hamburg (1997)
Ph.D. Biology, University of Hamburg (2002)