ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

across all the 462 clones with allotted six primer pairs
by the three institutes namely TERI, DU, and IHBT.
Studies are continuing for development of
transgenics resistant to blister blight and dormancy.
Expression and validation of trait specific gene(s)
isolated from tea in model plants was done and
construct was developed for tumor suppressor gene,
and transferred into Agrobacterium strain GV3101
using the helper strain PRK-2013. Agrobacterium
has been checked for harbouring the desired insert.
The work is in progress to transfer the gene into tea
and for development of construct with two other
genes.
Coffee: As a follow up of the earlier work done, a
Network programme on Coffee has been launched
for development of markers, ESTs and
transformation for disease resistance. India is also a
partner to the International Coffee Genome Network.
Lac: Innovative laboratory processes are being
developed at IIT, New Delhi for value added products
from Lac. Existing processes for two export products
from lac have been modified while lab processes
have been developed for two new value added
products (methyl alueritate and 16-hydroxy-9hexadecenoic
acid) with a potential to generate
better revenue in the flavors, fragrance and cosmetic
industry. The modifications have enabled increase in
yield of alueritic acid from 14-17.3% to 19-23% while
purity increased from 92 to 96% (depending upon the
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quality of raw material used) and have reduced the
period of hydrolysis by about 40%. The protocols and
cost benefit analysis of the new method(s) are being
evaluated to translate the findings in an industrial set
up at pilot level.
Biological, chemical and molecular characterization
of Lac insect host plant relationship is being studied.
The two strains of lac insect i.e. rangeeni and kusmi
were inoculated on five different host plant species
viz. Acacia auriculiformis (Akashmani), Albizia lucida
(Galwang), Flemingia semialata (Semialata),
Schleichera oleosa (Kusum), Ziziphus mauritiana
(Ber) and Butea monosperma (Palas) for the study of
biological parameters. Bio-control and bio-rational
approaches for management of lac insect predators
are being evaluated. Wide variations in different
parameters were observed when lac insects were
reared on different host plants as well as between the
two strains of the lac insects on the same host plant.
In another study, molecular fingerprinting is being
used for genetic characterization of races and
species of lac insects, DNA isolation protocol has
been standardized for single lac insects. Oligos have
been synthesized and further work is in progress for
development of microsatellite markers.
Network Programme on Bamboo: Under the
Network Programme for the Establishment of
Demonstration of Bamboo plantations in different
location across the country, nearly 380 ha has been
covered as per table given below.