Biotech Updates

India's DBT and ICRISAT to Set up Ag-biotech Research Facility

August 15, 2008

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), in collaboration with India’s Ministry Of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), will establish a Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC) at ICRISAT’s headquarters in Patancheru. The Platform will facilitate a “coordinated approach for the translation of existing genetic engineering technologies in developing transgenic crop varieties for product development and commercialization”. ICRISAT says that it will continue to harness transgenic technology to solve problems that cannot be solved through conventional breeding.

DBT approved the establishment of PTTC with a funding commitment of Rs 248.79 million (US$ 6.25 million) for five years (2008-2013).

Read the press release at http://www.icrisat.org/Media/2008/media16.htm