Repository of Tomato Genomics Resources to be
setup on UoH campus
Hyderabad|India|July'2011:
In the year 2004 an
international initiative for 10 years was started
to sequence the tomato genome with an
International Consortium of Scientists grouped in
a Network named “International Solanaceae Genome
Project” (SOL). India is one of major partner in
the SOL program under the aegis of Dept of
Biotechnology (DBT),
New Delhi, which has funded this program
since its inception. Under SOL Phase I program,
DBT sanctioned two major grants for isolation of
tomato mutants using modem tools of reverse
genetics to
University of Hyderabad with an aim to
provide the tomato genomic resources and gene
specific mutant lines to scientists and Ag-Biotech
Industry in
India.
As a part of operation of this project, the
University of Hyderabad (UoH) has setup
"Repository of Tomato Genomics Resources" to
consolidate and continue the research lead
initiated under DBT Funded project. Recently the
foundation stone for this project was laid by
Prof. Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, Vice Chancellor, UoH.
The “Repository of Tomato Genomics Resources (RTGR)
has following objectives:
1. To continue isolation/characterization of
tomato mutants using TILLING and other upcoming
techniques.
2. To maintain and
provide the tomato genomic resources to
Scientists, Ag-Biotech Industry in India and under
IPR sharing basis.
The “RTGR” at
University of Hyderabad would generate and share
materials, make databases, carry out elucidation
of gene function, and use the research results to
improve tomato production using modern genomics
tools. The major aim of RTGR is functional
characterization of all tomato genes through the
use of mutants, allelic variation, expression
profiling and other methods. The RTGR is currently
focusing on four areas: mutant stocks, genomic
resources, bioinformatics, and functional
verification of tagged genes.
University of Hyderabad has in recent years has
emerged as a leading University in the country in
Scientific research and setting up of TRGR is one
such step that keep the University at the
forefront of the mainstream research which
benefits the Society.
July.2011
