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Introduction
Biotechnology is the integration of natural sciences and
engineeringsciences and it involves the use of all life forms for
human welfare.Extinction of wild species and destruction of
ecosystems has been amajor concern of policy makers and
biotechnologists alike. One of themajor efforts, has been to
conduct a survey and conserve country'sbiodiveristy, so as to save
wild plants and animals from extinction.Biological diversity or
biodiversity - the web of life, includes diversitywithin species,
between species and of ecosystems. According to theconvention of
biodiversity, 40% of the world's economy and 80% of theneeds of the
poor are derived from biological resources. A richbiodiversity also
ensures a greater ability of the ecosystems to withstandnatural
disasters more efficiently. Even if we act immediately, the world
isdoomed to lose many of its animal and plant species and this
inturn willreduce the ability of ecosystems to deliver vital
services to humanpopulations. The Indian-Trans Himalayas spans over
186,000 Km2 andthe conservative estimate suggests that over 3000
dicot and 1000monocot species are endemic to the Himalayas.
Efficient management ofbiodiversity and its conservation are the
major challenges facing theworld. Genetic variation is one of the
three levels of biodiversity thatWorld Conservation Union (IUCN)
has recommended for conservation.The genomic approaches have
created a new paradigm in conservationgenetics. Since, the genome
plasticity is basal to the evolution and thebiodiversity in nature,
the information amenable through genome-basedstrategies is looked
upon by molecular biologists as an effective tool forutilization
and conservation of genetic resources. Biotechnologylaboratory at
DIHAR using the recent advances in genomics, is involvedin
identifying, cataloging and conserving the genetic diversity of
theTrans-Himalayan flora.
"Natural species are the library fromwhich genetic engineers can
work"
-Thomas E Lovejoy
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Rhodio/a Medicago Dacty/orhiza Morus
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Molecular Characterisation of Ladakh Flora
Molecular characterization of 36 indigenous Apricot accessions,
70accessions of Rhodiola,5 species of Artemisia,90 accessions
ofCapparis, 25 accessions of Medicago, 35 accessions of Mulberry
and 85accessions of Oactylorhiza hatagirea were carried out through
DNAmarkers such as RAPD, ISSR, SSR and high level of genetic
diversitywas found among accessions ofTrans-Himalaya.
.. .~ '"RAPD fingerprints and dendrogram generated for five
Artemisia Species
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Protein profiling of Apricot
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Conservation Through Plant Tissue CultureValuable medicinal
plants are collected from natural habitats and theirdemand is ever
increasing. Plant growth chamber facility is available inthe
laboratory for in vitro propagation and mass multiplication of
RETplants of the cold desert. Micropropagation of cold desert crops
such asSeabuckthorn, Juniper, Ephedra, Rhodiola imbricata and
Dactylorhizahatagirea were standardised through plant tissue
culture techniques.
Search For Antifreeze SubstancesAntifreeze proteins (AFPs) are a
group of proteins that protect organismsfrom deep freezing
temperatures and widely distributed amongorganisms adapted to live
at low temperatures. Anti freeze gene specificprimers amplified
regions in genomic DNA of the high altitude plantsSeabuckthorn and
Caper were cloned, sequenced and submitted toNCBI database.
Hippophae Acc No. GS 927690- 927723 ;Capparis AccNo. 927724-927752
.
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PROFILINGArtemisia species (Family: Asteraceae) is a rich source of
highly valuablephytochemicals and essential oils, commonly found in
the cold aridregion of Ladakh. Artemisinin presence was detected in
two speciesAtourenefortiana (0.4%) and Asiversiana (0.08%) other
than Aannua(0.5%)from Ladakh region.
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Artemisinin content among five Artemisia speciesL,',
FUTURE PROSPECTSMountain habitats experience special climatic
conditions that often differtremendously from the surrounding
lowlands and valleys. Steeptopographic and therefore climatic
gradients lead to heavily fragmentedhabitats, characterized by
barriers to migration and genetic exchange.Levels of natural
fragmentation are thus generally high and severalstudies have
demonstrated strong genetic effects and isolation bydistance. A
successful management program of endemic flora can bebased on DNA
markers as they help in identifying the populations ofgreater
diversity. A continuous monitoring of the species, including
morepopulations, eo-dominant genetic markers and the assessment
ofadaptive genetic variation will be useful to design effective
conservationstrategies. The individuals noted as rare ones from
these studies couldbe preserved as vegetative propagules and seeds
to conserve and to beused in further breeding programmes and
reintroduction .
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FACILITIES AVAILABLE
Thermal Cycler
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Electrophoresis unit
Plant Growth Chamber
Gel Documentation system
Centrifuge
Autoclave
For Further Details Contact:DIRECTOR
DEFENCE INSTITUTE OF HIGH ALTITUDE RESEARCHCj056APO
Telefax: 01982-252096
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