Biomebiotek: Sixth International Training Course at NBPGR, New Delhi

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sixth International Training Course at NBPGR, New Delhi

Sixth International Training Course

In Vitro and Cryopreservation for Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources: Current Methods and Techniques

14-26 November 2011, New Delhi, India

The International Training Course is being organized by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR)-Bioversity International Centre of Excellence. NBPGR is one of the leading institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India for plant genetic resources (PGR) management. The 2011 training course is being co-organized with the Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology (APCoAB), a programme of Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI). The course will be conducted from 14 to 26 November 2011 at NBPGR, IARI Campus, New Delhi, India.

Course objectives

This practical, hands-on course is designed for those currently involved in the development and use of in vitro and/or cryopreservation techniques for the medium- to long-term conservation of vegetatively propagated and non-orthodox seed species.

The course aims to:

• Improve skills of participants in using tissue culture techniques for conservation and management of PGR

• Equip participants with essential knowledge necessary for developing and using cryopreservation techniques

• Enhance the use of in vitro conservation and cryopreservation protocols for germplasm of crops relevant in their countries

• Acquaint the participants with molecular techniques for PGR management.

• Understand the underlying principles of stress tolerance during processing for conservation.

Application

Applicants must have prior experience in and/or be actively working on in vitro conservation and cryopreservation of PGR, stress responses in vitro and ex vitro and using molecular marker techniques in their own work. The application form may be downloaded here. The completed application should be sent to:

The Director

National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

Pusa Campus, New Delhi-110012, India

Tel: +91-11-25843697 Fax: +91-11-25842495

Email: director@nbpgr.ernet.in and skm1909@gmail.com

With a copy to:

The South Asia Coordinator

Bioversity International, Sub-regional Office for

South Asia

NASC Complex

Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India

Tel: +91-11-25849000/01 Fax: +91-11-25849002

Email: p.mathur@cgiar.org

Deadline for applications: 10 October 2011

Maximum number of participants: 15

About the course

Conservation and effective utilization of PGR contributes to food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation and environmental protection, which are major challenges faced by humankind in the 21^st Century. Conservation of crop germplasm bearing orthodox seeds is being effectively carried out by ex situ conservation of seeds in seed genebanks. However, traditional method of ex situ conservation of germplasm of vegetatively propagated species through field maintenance and of non-orthodox seed species is still problematic. In vitro approaches, including tissue culture maintenance and cryopreservation, are recognized as useful tools for medium- to long-term conservation of these groups of species. Molecular techniques are now increasingly being used for aiding these methods.The course consists of a series of lectures and practical sessions using various vegetatively propagated and recalcitrant and intermediate seed species and all related cellular, physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects. Young scientists, in particular female scientists, are encouraged to participate in the training course.The participants will be given an opportunity to present a brief seminar on a topic of their choice, relating to in vitro conservation and cryopreservation to promote sharing of information and experiences, and to enable them to analyze the problems relating to their work. Participants are encouraged to discuss any specific problems faced in their current application of in vitro and cryopreservation techniques and related biotechnological applications so that the instructors and fellow participants are able to suggest possible solutions.They may also bring material, in specific cases, for hands-on practice. For this, prior information needs to be sent to the organizers to facilitate clearance of the material for its entry into India.

Curriculum

Lectures

1. Importance of in vitro conservation and cryopreservation techniques

• In vitro techniques for medium-term conservation

• Cryopreservation for long-term conservation

• Complementary conservation strategies

2. Methods of in vitro clonal propagation

• Shoot/meristem culture

• Development/standardization of protocols

• Rapid multiplication and field transfer

3. Methods of in vitro conservation

• Normal/slow growth conditions

• Management of large collections

4. Cryopreservation: principles and prospects

• Mechanism of desiccation and low temperature injury

• Freezing injury, natural tolerance and recovery/survival

• Artificial cryoprotection

5. Techniques of cryopreservation

• Classical vs.vitrification based methods

• Vitrification procedure

• Desiccation, pre-growth and encapsulation-dehydration procedures

• Droplet freezing

• Step-wise cooling

6. Applications of cryopreservation

• In vitro cultures

• Non-orthodox seeds

• Dormant buds

• Pollen

7. Cryobanking of plant germplasm

• Important laboratory requirements

• Operation, maintenance and management of cryobank

• Database management

8. Molecular marker techniques for PGR management

• Overview of molecular tools for genetic resources mangement

• Role of genomics tools to promote germplasm utilization

Practical sessions

Lectures will be reinforced with practical hands-on laboratory exercises and interactive discussions.

1. Preparation of culture media

2. Preparation of solutions/cryoprotectants for cryopreservation

3. Preparation/isolation of shoot tips for cryopreservation

4. Cryopreservation of shoot tips, PLB’s etc.

5. Cryopreservation of seeds, zygotic embryos, embryonic axes, dormant buds and pollen

6. Cryobanking procedures

7. Cellular, physiological and biochemical markers for stress tolerance during conservation

8. Molecular marker techniques - RAPD, ISSR, STMS, SCAR, SNP’s

Accommodation

The participants will be accommodated in the Guest House/Hotel from 13 to 26 November 2011. The cost of additional stay would be at trainee’s own expense. Information on extended stay needs to be given in advance.

Training course fees

This is a fee-based course and participants are encouraged to seek assistance from their own organizations or other funding agencies. However, both Bioversity International and NBPGR will make efforts to identify sources of funding for a few full or partial scholarships. The course fees are US$1,700 for non-Indian participants and Rs 25,000/- for Indian participants and include the following:

• Lecture and course materials

• Local transportation

• All meals / Tea / Coffee

• Accommodation

• Administration charges

More information

Additional information on the course will be provided to all the participants who are selected for admission to the course.

For further information contact:

Prof. K.C. Bansal, Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources

Email: director@nbpgr.ernet.in and skm1909@gmail.com

http://www.nbpgr.ernet.in/

Dr. P.N. Mathur, South Asia Coordinator, Bioversity International, Sub-regional Office for South Asia