Bio-diversity Resources

Several innovative programmes have been launched by the Department of Biotechnology to screen, characterize and improve important resources. The initial emphasis is on biological, chemical and molecular characterization, downstream processing, modification of existing methods for products of commercial importance to make them more eco-friendly and economically viable. Some important resources targeted are :- Sugarcane, tea, coffee, zingibers, seabuckthorn, jute, bamboo, neera, fodder grasses and honey bee. Novel genes, molecules, enzymes etc. have been prospected from the rich biodiversity of plants, microbes, fungi, lichens for production of potential products of industrial importance. Novel genes, promoters, transcription factors were identified so as to develop transgenic for biotic and abiotic stress and for understanding different metabolic engineering pathway(s) operative in a system. Two products namely a biopesticide formulation “Bollcure” for Bollworm eradication from Eucalyptus and a microbial biofertilizer from Mangorove region for Paddy crops have been developed and transferred to the industries.

This information was given by the Minister (I/C) of Science & Technology and Earth Science in reply to a question in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Source: Press Information Bureau
Date: 24 February 2010