About the Hosting Institute: ICAR-NIPB

Recognizing the importance and potential of plant biotechnology in agricultural research, Biotechnology Centre (BTC) was established in January, 1985 at Division of Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. It subsequently became an independent institute in 1993, christened as National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology. NRCPB has been accorded the status of National Institute in the year 2019 owing to the inroads made by this institute in the areas of whole-genome sequencing, development of molecular markers, utilization of wild and mutant germplasm for identification of genes and promoters as well in developing plant transformation protocols to assist crop improvement. Over the last three and half decades, the institute has not only been serving as the national lead center for plant molecular biology and biotechnology research but also in training manpower in the frontline areas of Plant Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. The major contributions of ICAR-NIPB include the release of Pusa Jaikisan, a somaclonal variant of Varuna, whole-genome sequencing of rice, tomato, wheat, pigeon pea, cluster bean, mango, jute, tea and Oryza coarctata either as a part of International sequencing consortiums or as a national lead center. The Institute has developed a large number of DNA markers including SNP assays and mapped genes and QTLs and subsequently moved them into varieties for cultivation by farmers in collaboration with crop-based institutes. It has a wealth of germplasm resources, collected as well as generated, catalogued and characterized for identification of genes and promoters. The development of transgenic crops resistant to biotic stress has been a major the thrust area of the Institute