Date:27/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/27/stories/2004092705350500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Disease-free rice variety tested successfully

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 26. Field trials on the Samba Masuri rice variety, which has become free of diseases and more productive thanks to the research done by the city-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), have been completed in coordination with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It will be ready for commercial use next year, according to Lalji Singh, Director, CCMB.

Molecular breeding

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he said the rice variety was modified not genetically but through a molecular breeding process and hence was safe.

It would also improve rice productivity. Dr. Singh recalled that 15 per cent of rice production was being wasted because of diseases.

Another focus area of the CCMB was genomics research, which helps in addressing cancer diseases. The research paves the way for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling in tackling rare diseases.

Expansion plans

Dr. Singh explained the steps being taken to expand the CCMB and said its Attapur centre, here, would be ready for inauguration by January-February next year. It would study issues pertaining to endangered species.

Also on the anvil is CCMB's medical biology centre where research would be undertaken in areas of infectious diseases. Five acres of land for this Rs. 60-crore unit was already allotted near the Uppal GE centre.

Another new venture, genome foundation, a non-profit organisation, was planned. It would bring together scientists and clinicians for undertaking research.

Anybody could secure membership of the foundation at a modest contribution of Rs. 1 Details of the set-up were being worked out. He said the President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, was likely to inaugurate the foundation, which aims at popularising genome-related research.

Open Day

Dr. Singh stated that CCMB was doing its bit for popularising life sciences among students by throwing open to public its various research and development facilities as part of the Open Day on Sunday, which coincides with the Foundation Day of the CSIR. The CCMB is one of the 38 laboratories of the council spread all over the country.

Life sciences as a subject, was becoming less popular all over the world as students were opting for professional courses. "We expect that observance of the Open Day will help convert some of the students," he stated.