KOCHI: Kerala’s first genomics lab for agriculture and animal sciences, ‘AgriGenome Labs’ will start its operation at SmartCity here on Monday. The lab will be inaugurated by K Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Announcing the launch, George Thomas, COO, AgriGenome Labs, said the lab would provide necessary impetus to enhance the quality standards and yield of agriculture and livestock in the country to meet the growing demand for food. It will also address concerns on health and food safety and ensure sustainable development.
“With the emergence and development of agricultural genomics, next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools, we are now in the world of whole-genome analysis of plants and animals,” said George Thomas.
K Ramasamy will deliver the inaugural lecture on ‘Genomics in transforming bio-economy and sustainable development’.
The AgriGenome lab in Kochi will offer a wide range of services, including includes trait mapping, diversity analysis, population genetics, parentage verification, DNA fingerprinting, genetic purity assessment, hybrid purity analysis, mapping of complex traits and marker assisted selection, among other things.
One-day conference
AgriGenome Labs will conduct a one-day conference titled ‘Genomics in Agriculture’ on the inaugural day. The meet will be attended by around 200 scientists and experts from various states. Kuldeep Singh, director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi; V B Reddy, CTO, AgriGenome Labs, Hyderabad; Ramesh Sonti, chief scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad; A K Shasany, senior principal scientist, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow; Raman Babu, technology development lead, Dupont, Hyderabad; and Boney Kuriakose, senior scientist, AgriGenome Labs, will speak at the scientific sessions.
AgriGenomics
Agricultural genomics (AgriGenomics) is the application of genomics in agriculture to improve the productivity and sustainability in crop and livestock production.