23-Apr-2020: JNTBGRI to play key role in sequencing of Indian species

The Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) has been selected as one of the Biological Knowledge and Resource Centres of the Indian Initiative on Earth BioGenome Sequencing (IIEBS).

JNTBGRI will play a key role in a nationwide project to decode the genetic information of all known species of plants and animals in the country. With over 5,000 plant species in its field gene bank and conservatories, JNTBGRI has a major role in conserving the endemic flora of the Western Ghats. The whole genome sequencing of 1,000 species of plants and animals will be taken up in the initial phase of IIEBS to be completed over a period of five years.

Earth BioGenome Project (EBP): The project is a part of the Earth BioGenome Project. It is an international initiative to catalogue life on the planet. It will eventually lead to the generation of the genetic blueprint of all living forms. EBP aims to sequence the genetic codes of all of earth’s eukaryotic biodiversity over a period of 10 years.

The digital repository of genome sequences is expected to provide the critical infrastructure for better understanding of ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity as well as the development of new treatments for infectious and inherited diseases, agricultural products, biomaterials and biological fuels. The project will enable collection and preservation of endangered and economically important species. The decoded genetic information will also be a useful tool to prevent biopiracy.