Patancheru, India
August 14, 2008
The International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is
collaborating with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT),
Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, to
establish a DBT-ICRISAT Platform for Translational Research on
Transgenic Crops (PTTC) at ICRISAT's global headquarters at
Patancheru, near Hyderabad in India.
The proposed project was recently approved by the DBT. The
approval comes with a funding commitment of Rs 248.79 million
(US$ 6.25 million) for five years (2008-2013).
According to the Director General of ICRISAT, Dr William Dar,
the PTTC will strengthen transgenic research for crop
improvement by providing a platform, building synergies among
institutions. ICRISAT will continue to harness transgenic
research to solve problems that cannot be solved through
conventional breeding.
The mission of PTTC will be to "translate transgenic technology
and harness its products to meet the needs of agricultural
growth". Transgenic technology, also known as genetic
modification or engineering, involves the import of genes from
another organism to improve the resistance to disease or pest,
or to improve productivity in agricultural crops.
The aim of establishing PTTC is to facilitate a coordinated
approach for the translation of existing genetic engineering
technologies in developing transgenic crop varieties for product
development and commercialization. Under this, priority crops
and constraints will be identified and a well-coordinated
approach set in place.
PTTC will evaluate and advance the potential of new genetic
engineering options to enhance agricultural productivity. PTTC
will also provide expertise and facilities for the production
and assessment of transgenic crop plants developed through
collaborative projects.
This platform will serve as a facility of reference to
strengthen national, regional and international linkages and
collaboration in transgenic research and development, exchange
of materials and information, as well as support training,
consultation and technology commercialization. This platform is
expected to generate research products that are national and
international public goods. |
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