Research
Mandate:
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Micro-propagation of
various horticultural and forestry plant
species.
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Cell mutagenesis and cell selection for developing
biotic and abiotic stress resistant plants.
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Genetic transformation with marker genes and genes
of interest.
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Retrieval of virus free plant material from
infected mother plants.
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Development of viricides of biological origin (bio-viricides).
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Molecular-characterization of horticulture /
forestry germplasm using molecular markers.
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Isolation and
characterization of protease inhibitors for insect pest / pathogen
control.
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Application of bioinformatics in
research.
Feeding inhibition of
one week old larvae fed on purified trypsin inhibitor from
Phaseolus vulgaris
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Salient Research
Achievements:
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MICROPROPAGATION
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Protocols for micro-propagation of fruit plants,
such as Apple cultivars (Golden
Delicious, Tydeman’s
Early Worcester, Red
spur), Clonal Apple root stocks
(MM 106, M 7, MM 111, M26, Merton 793) Peach, Cherry, Kiwifruit
(Alison and
Hayward with male plants), Strawberry (Chandler and Fern),
'Colt' Cherry
rootstock, pecan and Walnut ; ornamental plants such as Chrysanthemums,
Gerbera, Carnations, Gladiolii and Asiatic hybrids of Lily; forest trees such as Robinia
pseudoacacia, Morus alba, Alnus nepalensis, Grevia optiva, Dendrocalanus
hamiltoni, D.strictus, Acacia catechu and Pinus roxburghii ; and medicinal
plants such as Valeriania jatamansi, Gentiana kuroo,
Inula racemosa and Bunium persicum have been
standardized.
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Cryopreservation
following vitrification and encapsulation has been achieved in
Nardostachys grandiflora and Inula racemosa.
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Protocol for plant
regeneration through somatic embryogenesis has been achieved in
Bunium persicum (Kala jeera).
   
   
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MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION
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Molecular characterization studies were carried out
using isozymes and RAPD markers to assess the genetic diversity and
differentiate between the different genotypes, cultivars and rootstocks
of the various plant species viz., Cauliflower(Brassica
oleracea L. var. botrytis) Apple rootstocks, Peach cultivars,
Walnut cultivars, Kiwi fruit cultivars, Pinus gerardiana, Acacia catechu, Strawberry, Populus ciliata , Populus deltoides, Valeriana jatamansi , Root stocks of
cherry, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii
, Hippophae rhamnoides, Hippophae salicifolia, Asparagus
adscendens, Teriminila chebula, Indigofera pulchella, Woodfordia
fructicosa and Hypericum perforaptum; Chrysanthemum
cultivars and selection, Vitis cultivars wild and introduced,
Rubus sp., wild pomgranate, peach, and apricot cultivars.
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Molecular characterization of Tomato leaf curl virus infecting
tomato in H.P. was done by isolating and sequencing the DNA of
the virus including sub genomic DNA B. The sequences have been
submitted to the gene bank.
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Genetic fidelity of
tissue culture raised plants of Bunium persicum , Gentiana
kurro , Inula racemosa, and Nardostachys grandiflora
has been established using molecular markers, and through
karyotypic analysis only in case of Gentiana kurroo and
Bunium persicum.
 
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 UPGMA Dendrogram |
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IDENTIFICATION OF
NOVEL GENES FOR INSECT PEST/PATHOGEN CONTROL FROM HIMALAYAN
LEGUMES
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Trypsin inhibitor
with insecticidal activity towards gut proteases has been purified
and characterized from Poinciana pulcherrima, Albizzia
lebeck, Phaseolus vulgars, Adjuki bean.
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a - Amylase
inhibitor has been purified and characterized with insecticidal
activity and salivary amylase inhibitory activity from Himalayan
Phaseolus vulgaris.
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MOLECULAR TAGGING OF
GENES
- Molecular
tagging of stalk rot resistance gene in cauliflower has successfully
been carried out using RAPD markers.
- Molecular tagging
of stalk rot and black rot in cauliflower has successfully been
carried out using RAPD markers / SSR markers.
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VIRUS ELIMINATION
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Virus free plants of Apple, Strawberry, Marigold,
Gladiolus, Carnation and Chrysanthemum have been produced by meristem
tip culture.
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In-vitro
processes for elimination of apple mosaic virus,
chrysanthemum virus B, carnation mottle virus, carnation latent
virus and Bean common mosaic virus have been developed using
extracts of biological origin.
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PLANT REGENERATION
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Plant regeneration has
been achieved
in Apple clonal rootstocks, Punica granatum , Strawberry cv. Chandler, Tomato
cv. Solan Vajr, Cauliflower cv. Pusa Snowball K1, Morus alba,
Robinia
pseudoacacia, Gerbera, Lilium,
Chrysanthemum, Populus ciliata (male plant), Populus deltoides
Clone G
48, Cabbage cv. Pride of India, Brinjal cv. Pusa purple long,
Cucumber cv. K-75 and
Bell pepper.
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SOMACLONAL VARIATIONS
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Developed Fusarium
wilt resistant plants of Carnation, lilium and Robinia pseudoacacia , Rhizoctonia root
rot resistant plants of strawberry and cauliflower, Alternaria
alternata resistant plants of tomato cultivar Solan Vajr,
Alternaria dianthi resistant plants of Carnation cv Tempo and flower colour variants of
chrysanthemum
through somaclonal variations. Water stress tolerant plants of tomato were also developed through
cell selection.
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Fusarium wilt tolerance cell
line of peas, Septoria obesa tolerant cell lines of
Chrysanthemum and salt stress tolerant cell line in tomato through cell selection
were developed.
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In vitro Cell lines/
shoots of Apple rootstocks MM106 & M7 have been selected which
are tolerant to fungal culture filtrate of collar rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and
white root rot (Dematophora necatrix). White root rot resistant
plants of M7 raised through in vitro shoot selection have been
maintained in glasshouse.
 
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GENETIC TRANSFORMATION
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A protocol for gene transfer (Agrobacterium
– mediated ) has been standardized with npt-II and gus genes in
cauliflower, cabbage, strawberry, tomato, cucumber, Populus ciliata, P. deltoides,
R. pseudoacacia, Morus alba, apple rootstock M7 and Punica granatum and work is
in progress on bell pepper, brinjal and broccoli.
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Genetic
transformation protocol has been standardized with insect resistance
genes (Cry IAb) in cauliflower, cabbage, carnation, Punica granatum,
chitinase gene in apple rootstock MM106 and antisense CAD (Cinamyl
alcohol dehydrogenase) gene in Populous ciliata (male plant)
using Agrobacterium mediated gene transfer technique. The work is in
progress for insect resistance gene (Cry IAa) transfer in tomato.
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BIOINFORMATICS
The Distributed Information
Sub Centre (Sub-DIC), at YSPUHF, funded by DBT, New Delhi became operational
during June, 1999 and has filled the void for exchange of available
information with and between intended users.
 
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The Centre
facilitates the research work of the department by providing
bioinformatics softwares (PRISM, EXOME HORIZON, GENOCLUSTER, HYPERCHEM,
GENEIOUS etc) and databases (Biotechnology Abstracts) in addition to the
online bioinformatics tools and databases, email and online literature
search facility. The following specific achievements in the area of
bioinformatics have been made (i) The three genes of “Tomato leaf curl
virus Himachal strain” ToLCHimV and a Bean yellow mosaic virus isolate
Solan coat protein (CP) gene were sequenced, and submitted to the NCBI
and phylogeny of the genes was traced using bioinformatics tools. (ii)
Sequencing of coat protein gene of Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) from
gladiolus (Gladiolus sp.) was done.(iii) Phylogenetic analysis of Lily
symptompless virus, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) apple mosaic virus,
apple chlorotic leaf spot virus has been done. (iv) Motif searches were
performed in carlaviruses coding for coat protein gene sequences and
cucumoviral coat protein of cucumoviruses. (v) Primer designing against
Lily symptompless carlavirus (LSV) infecting Lilium spp. and apple
chlorotic leaf spot virus infecting apples using bioinformatics tools
has been completed.(vi) Studies on Molecular characterization of a
potyvirus infecting radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in Himachal Pradesh
have also been completed. -
Research work being
offered to Post graduate students in biotechnology using bioinformatics
tools and applications like primer designing, phylogenetic/evolutionary
studies, ligand receptor interactions and molecular characterization of
viruses using CLUSTAL X (1.8), CLUSTAL W, GeneDoc, EXOME, EXOME BLAST,
EXOME HORIZON, AutoDock or DOCK or LUDI and other public domain
softwares. -
Research problems
using various bioinformatics tools are also being offered to long term
trainee MSc students from other universities. -
Two research patents
have been filed/filing in process through the IPM Cell established in
the Sub DIC. Four patents on plant biotechnology work and another one
(PCT) with help of the Centre have been granted.
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Trainings on basics
as well as on advanced topics in computer application/bioinformatics/IPR
are also being offered to scientists, technical/ministerial staff and
research scholars/students of the University and outside the University.
Centre has organized 33 short term trainings/ workshops/ seminars till
date and 829 persons have been trained/participated in them. 6 MSc
Biotechnology students from Lovely Professional University have
completed their 4-6 months duration research project in bioinformatics
during Jan- June 09, while 7 other students (UG and PG both) undergone
1-2 months training in Bioinformatics Centre during 2009. -
The Centre provides
complete technical support to the university in organizing International
and National symposiums besides other facilities.
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The Bioinformatics
Centre has developed information systems viz, (i) Package of Practices
of Fruit Crops in Himachal Pradesh ,(ii) Alternative Methods of Plant
Disease Control (iii) Package of Practices of Vegetable Crops in
Himachal Pradesh (Hindi version).
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The Centre has
developed a database on ‘Plant Species Germplasm’ available in the
university. Further, the database on various crops i..e. HimCrop
is under preparation.
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The Centre has
developed 5 video CDs on Temperate Horticulture in collaboration
with the Directorate of Extension Education of the University.
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The
Bioinformatics Centre has also developed training manual on
‘Computer Basics’ for internal circulation.
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The Centre has
completed two adhoc research projects.
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Website of the
university was developed in Jan., 2000 and maintained till March
2004.
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PATENTS (GRANTED/FILED BY USING
BIOINFORMATICS SUPPORT)
Department of
Biotechnology
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Bhardwaj, S.V.,
Mangal, Manisha and Handa, Anil. 2005. A process for in vitro use
of Asparagus species extracts for carnation latent virus
elimination. Indian Patent No. 192157.
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Bhardwaj, S.V.,
Shalini, Anil Handa and Manisha Mangal 2006. A process for
in-vitro elimination of plant virus by preparing and using an
extract of Azadirachta indica plant. Indian Patent No. 193932.
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Bhardwaj, S.V.,
S. J. Roy, M. Mangal and Anil Handa 2006. A process for
preparation of a bio- reagent for use for elimination of plant
virus. India patent No. 199706.
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Bhardwaj, SV Mangal
and Handa Anil, 2003. An extract of Asparagus adscendens and
Asparagus officinalis, useful for the elimination of carnation
latent virus from infected plants by supplemented the tissue
culture medium. India patent application No. 1371/DEL/2003 dated
07/11/03: granted (Details from Patent Office awaited).
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Kumar S, S. Kumar
and S. V. Bhardwaj 2007. Developing Cell lines of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema
grandiflorum Tzelev)cv. Snow Ball resistant to Septoria obesa Syd.
Indian Patent application No.1334/DEL/2007 dated 21.05.2007
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Thakur A. K, R. K.
Shandil and D. K Srivastava. 2007. Development of reproducible
protocol for direct organogenesis in transgenic male plant
Himalayan poplar. Indian patent application No. 1591/del/2007
dated 27.07.2007
Department of Entomology and Apiculture
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