PTTC in India to Shepherd Transgenic CropsTranslate transgenic science and technology and harness its products to meet the needs of agricultural growth. This is the mission of the Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC), a joint initiative between the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and India's Department of Biotechnology. "PTTC will evaluate potential new genetic engineering options through collaborative participation of relevant institutions and advance them in a focused way to meet specific objectives for enhancing agricultural productivity." says Dr. Kiran Sharma, ICRISAT principal scientist. The PTTC will work on priority crops for India and will be the locus for the basic infrastructure for research, training and outreach activities. A series of specialized satellite centers with existing experimental expertise, equipment and facilities in each region will be set up. The PTTC "will serve as a facility of reference to strengthen national, regional and international linkages and collaborations in transgenic research and development, exchange of materials and information, and to support training, consultation and technology commercialization. The PTTC complex is currently being built at ICRISAT with initial infrastructure to be completed in 2010. Email Dr. Kiran Sharma for additional information at k.sharma@cgiar.org.
This article is part of the Crop Biotech Update, a weekly summary of world developments in agri-biotech for developing countries, produced by the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Aquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications SEAsiaCenter (ISAAA) View Crop Biotech Update (
July 10, 2009
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