The Hindu Business Line : ICAR, CCMB develop disease-resistant rice strain

THE Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Indian Council of Agriculture Research have taken to field trials of popular variety of rice `Samba Masoori' and this would be available for commercial use by next year.

This initiative is not `genetically modified' but managed through molecular intervention and changes, thereby, making it safe for consumption.

The Director of CCMB, one of the 38 laboratories functioning under the aegis of CSIR, Dr Lalji Singh, has said that about 15 per cent of Samba Masoori rice produced is of poor quality due to diseases and, thereby, hamper the overall output.

The CCMB and ICAR have managed to develop a disease-resistant strain through molecular breeding process. This is being tested on the fields and would be available for commercial use by next year. This could be taken up through private seed companies. The best thing about this strain is that it would improve productivity and also retain all the virtues of the original rice while being safe for consumption.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Singh, while highlighting the CCMB's initiatives, said "CCMB has taken to genomics and has drawn up plans to address concerns of cancer diseases.On CCMB expansion, Dr Singh said by January next the first phase of expansion at Attapur would be completed wherein some of the endangered species could possibly be cloned and a gene bank created.

However, the other part relates to a medical biology centre, for which a five-acre site has been allotted to the CCMB. This would require investment of about Rs 60 crore.

Genome foundation: The CCMB, the Director of State Forensic Laboratory and few others have come together to create a genome foundation, a non-profit body that would seek to bring together scientists and clinicians.

The foundation hopes to take up stem cell research and facilitate transplant. Areas such as liver stem cell transplant, eye stem cell and bone marrow stem cells would be handled through this foundation. The foundation mandate would be to further enhance the research and involve clinicians in the project.

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