The Hindu Business Line : Varsities plan research into rice genomics

THREE Universities and two premier research institutions in the country are to focus on the functional genomics of rice aimed at ushering in a green gene revolution, with support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

The Rs 6.69-crore project, involving laboratory study of thousands of genes, will be spread over five years.

According to Dr K.Veluthambi of the School of Biotechnology of Madurai-Kamaraj University here, apart from M.K. University, the Delhi University (South Campus), Osmania University, Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad would partake in the proposed research project. A sum of Rs 53 lakh has been sanctioned to the University by the DBT in the first phase, he disclosed.

Dr Veluthambi, who will lead the research team at Madurai, said the university would help in genetic transformation of rice and the Delhi University would be carrying out genome sequencing and would be led by Dr Akhilesh Tyagi of the Department of Plant Molecular Biology.

The DBT will provide a common platform for the five partners. The project has been entitled `Gene expression profiling during flower and seed development and functional validation of identified genes', he said.

Once the genes are identified, modifications to increase the yield would be carried out. Attempts to evolve a drought resistant rice variety will also be made, he added.

More Stories on : Research & Development | Rice | Education | Tamil Nadu

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