DIVISIONS

Host-Plant Biotechnology

Identification, characterization and utilization of genes/markers involved in disease resistance and abiotic stress tolerance, work was carried out related to molecular characterization and identification of various mulberry species and other host plants, development of microsatellites for mulberry, characterization of drought resistant genes, study on microspore embryogenesis etc.

Silkworm Biotechnology

The focus is on identification of silkworm genes and their functions associated with resistance to viral and fungal pathogens, development of NPV tolerant silkworm lines based on marker assisted selection and RNAi technique, regulation of yolk proteins, characterization of RNA dependent RNA polymerase gene, characterization of oviposition stimulating factors in silkworms and Identification of molecular markers associated with filament characters and its use in improvement of multivoltine breeds, whole genome sequencing and transcriptome analysis of golden silk moth etc.

The laboratory is also focusing on identification and molecular characterization of various pathogens like virus, bacteria, microsporidia etc. infecting silkworms and development of diagnostic tools for their easy and early detection. Development of Densovirus resistant productive breeds through marker assisted selection and Transkingdom RNA interference (tkRNAi) approach for resistance against BmNPV infection in silkworm. Research is also carried out on Identification of immune response proteins and their interactions, under stress from pests like uzi fly, under microsporidia infection etc. for improvement of silkworm breed.

Silk Biomaterials

Programmes on Characterization of Sericin for Cosmetic Applications in collaboration with CSTRI, Bangalore, M/s Hindustan Lever and work on development of fibroin fusion silk with antimicrobial, antioxidant and UV protective properties is on-going.