Forest Genetics and Biotechnology � Biotechnology

Biotechnology

Molecular biology facility focus over the conservation and genetic improvement of forest trees through genomic and transcriptomic approaches. Department has strong background in forest genomics and has undertaken various national and international projects for the estimation of spatial population genetic structure, gene flow parameters, genetic diversity status of natural populations/ provenances/clones deploying genome wide molecular marker surveys viz. isozymes, RAPD, AFLP, ISSR and microsatellites. Extensive work has also been carried out in the molecular characterisation of soil microbiota of plantations as well natural populations using 16SrDNA sequenes, which is used for identification of families, genera and species of bacteria and also to infer phylogenetic relationships.

Current areas of research include,
  • Functional genomics to improve the quality and productivity of forests
  • EST based association mapping for adaptive traits.
  • DNA barcoding of forest trees
  • Molecular Diagnosis of haemoglobin genetic disorders
  • Population Genetics of Forest trees


Ongoing Research Projects

  1. Annual Action Plan-BTSG- Coordination
  2. Big Bamboo Nursery
  3. Organizing workshops and seminars
  4. Identification of genetically superior bamboo species
  5. Strengthening of tissueculture lab
  6. Germplasm collection of Litsea and Persea (Jiggat) species
  7. Plantation technology for Jiggat species
Contact: Dr. Suma Arun Dev
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi 680653, Thrissur, Kerala, INDIA
Tel: +91-487-2690192
e-mail: biotechnology@kfri.res.in