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KERALA
AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
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Winter
School on
January
8-28, 2009
Sponsored
by
Indian
Council of Agricultural Research
New
Delhi-110 012
Organized
by
Centre for
Plant Biotechnology & Molecular Biology
College of
Horticulture
Kerala
Agricultural University
Thrissur-680
656
Background
Plants are
challenged with biotic and abiotic stress during growth. Biotic stress arises from potential pathogens like fungi, bacteria,
viruses, nematodes and insects whereas abiotic stress arises through drought and
salinity. Though plants do not possess any immune system comparable to that in
higher organisms, they have evolved
sophisticated mechanisms to perceive such stress factors, and to respond by
producing a group of proteins called defense proteins. Among the defense
proteins, pathogenesis related (PR) proteins are the most important. A few
among these are glucanases, chitinases, thaumatin-like proteins and
osmotin. With the advancement in
molecular biology, it has now become possible to identify such genes, clone
these under constitutive/ inducible/tissue specific promoters and mobilize them
into crop plants. Such transgenic plants would be exhibiting enhanced level of
tolerance to stress conditions. Hence identification and cloning of defense
genes has become an area of great interest among plant breeders and plant
pathologists.
The Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
is located at the College of Horticulture, Thrissur under the Kerala
Agricultural University. The Centre has
full-fledged laboratories for carrying out research on various aspects of
Molecular Biology. The thrust areas of
research include DNA fingerprinting, molecular breeding, plant tissue culture,
transgenics, molecular diagnostics, microbial diversity, cloning of novel genes
encoding insecticidal and antifungal proteins, genomics and proteomics and
environmental biotechnology. Several
externally aided projects funded by the DBT, ICAR and KSCSTE are being
implemented at the Centre. The PG
programme in Plant Biotechnology is funded by the DBT and the intake is 10
students/ year. There are collaborative research programmes with national
institutes. There is a well-established
Bioinformatics Centre also supporting this Centre. The research group is
actively engaged in research related to defense genes in plants and have
characterized several genes including glucanase, hmgr and genes expressed during water stress in crops like black
pepper and solanaceous plants, using various techniques including cDNA library
construction, SSH etc. The team has also won the ‘Biotech Process & Product
Development and Commercialization Award 2003, instituted by the Ministry of
Science & Technology.
Objectives
To impart
theoretical and practical know-how to young and mid-career scientists engaged
in molecular breeding and related aspects.
Syllabus
The course
will include:
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Lectures: |
20 |
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Practicals: |
30 |
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Lab visit: |
1 |
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Group discussions: |
3 |
The topics
include:
Plant genome and modern gene concept-Techniques for gene isolation: Forward and Reverse Genetic Approaches-Defense Genes in plants-Innate immunity-Molecular Mechanism of Recognition-Effector Proteins-R genes-Public databases- Multiple Sequence Alignment-Designing of primers-Isolation of Nucleic Acids-Gene Amplification through Polymerase Chain Reaction-Cloning Vectors- plasmids, phages, cosmids, phagemid, ssDNA phage, YAC, BAC-desirable properties-insertional inactivation- Restriction enzymes and their mode of action-Screening of recombinants- Dot blot, colony hybridization, plaque lifting, RT-PCR-microarrays-Sequencing-Automated Sequencers-Sequence Analysis using Bioinformatics tools-Isolation of full length gene-Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE)-Gene Libraries- Isolation of promoter sequences-Inverse PCR- Subtractive Cloning-Shot gun Cloning. Functional genomics, RNAi pathways, PTGS transgenics, Monogenic and Polygenic Resistance-Quantitative Trait Loci.
Faculty/
Resource Persons
Expertise is available at the Centre for imparting training on identification and cloning of defense genes in plants. Invited experts from recognized other National Institutes will be associated in the programme.
Eligibility
Teachers/ researchers not below the rank of Assistant Professors or equivalent, working in SAUs/ ICAR institutes and actively engaged in work related to biotechnology and molecular biology. Applicant should not be more than 45 years of age.
Venue
Centre for
Plant Biotechnology & Molecular Biology, College of Horticulture, Kerala
Agricultural University P.O, Thrissur
Duration
The
training will be organized for a period of 21 days from 8th to 28th
January 2009.
About
the Location
Thrissur,
known as the cultural capital of Kerala, is well-connected by rail and
road. The campus is 10 km from Thrissur
town towards Palghat, on NH47. Weather
will be cool and pleasant in January (min. 18oC and max. 34oC)
and warm clothing will not be required.
Travel
and accommodation
Participants will be paid bus/ II AC train fare for to and fro journeys upon production of tickets. Accommodation will also be arranged as per the provisions of ICAR.
How
to apply
Applications
in the prescribed format, can be downloaded from here
(MS Word document, 25KB), forwarded by the Head of
Institution should be sent, along with uncrossed Postal Order of Rs. 50/- (in
favour of Professor & Head, CPBMB,
payable at KAU post office) to the Course Director before 22nd Nov
2008 in the following address:
Dr. D.
Girija
Professor
& Course Director (Winter School)
CPBMB,
College of Horticulture
Kerala
Agricultural University P.O., Thrissur
Kerala-680656
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Phone (Off) |
0487 2371994 |
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0487 2371652/ 2370822 ext 584 |
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Fax |
0487 2371994 |
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e-mail: |
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For more
details about CPBMB, visit www.kauhort.in/cpbmb.htm
Important
dates
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Last date for receipt of
applications: |
22-11-08 |
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Intimation of selection: |
29-11-08 |
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Confirmation by participants: |
12-12- 08 |