PAU holds workshop on genome editing in agriculture

Ludhiana, May 12, 2022: The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) organized a workshop on “Genome Editing in Agriculture: Science, Potential and Policies” in association with National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali and Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), New Delhi. The goal of the workshop was to highlight the application of innovative technologies like genome editing in the crop breeding programmes and also to create awareness among the key stakeholders viz. scientists, students, agriculture officials and industry about the technology and its potential. Around 400 active participants including scientists, students, and research fellows from PAU and nearby institutions attended the workshop and listened to learned speakers very attentively.

At the inaugural session, Dr (Mrs) Parveen Chhuneja, Director, School of Agricultural Biotechnology, PAU welcomed all the dignitaries and the participants.

Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, highlighted the need for innovative solutions to meet the challenges being faced by the agriculture.

Dr Vibha Ahuja, Chief General Manager, Biotech Consortium India Limited, presented a brief overview of the workshop.

In his keynote address, Prof Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, NABI, Mohali, pointed out the need for technological innovation and also mentioned that the day (May 11) was celebrated every year as National Technology Day.

Dr Shammi Kapoor, Registrar and Dr Gurjit S Mangat, Additional Director of Research, Crop Improvement-cum-Director GS Khush Institute of Genetics, Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, PAU also participated in the workshop. Experts from different institutes highlighted the advancements, potential and applications of Genome Editing in two technical sessions.

In the morning session, Dr Navtej Singh Bains, former Director of Research, PAU, delivered an informative talk on potential applications of gene editing in breeding field, vegetable and fruit crops.

Dr Naveen Singh Bisht explained the manipulation of mustard oil through editing of glucosinolates in Indian oilseed mustard.

Dr Baljinder Singh Nandra from Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) provided the glimpse of national and international status of gene edited plants and importance of strong linkage between scientists and industry partners.

Dr Vibha Ahuja, Chief General Manager of Biotech Consortium India Limited, discussed the Government of India policies and procedures for the approval of genome edited crop. In the evening session, scientists from NABI presented their work on increasing β-carotene content in banana and iron (Fe) content in wheat grains. Scientists from PAU, Ludhiana presented their research on starch resistance wheat and potato, increasing the tomato shelf-life, reducing the acrylamide content in wheat and potato, haploid induction, and biofuel production in sugarcane through genome editing.

Later, an interactive session was held between researchers and speakers about the future of genome editing in crop improvement.