DBT-Icrisat ink pact

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat) is collaborating with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to establish a DBT-Icrisat Platform for Transnational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC) at the institute's headquarters in Patancheru, near here.

The proposed project was recently approved by the DBT. The approval comes with a funding commitment of Rs 24.87 crore for five years (2008-2013).

According to Icrisat director general William Dar, the aim of establishing PTTC is to facilitate a coordinated approach for the translation of existing genetic engineering technologies in developing transgenic crop varieties for product development and commercialisation.

Under this, priority crops and constraints will be identified and a well-coordinated approach set in place.

PTTC will also provide expertise and facilities for the production and assessment of transgenic crop plants developed through collaborative projects, Dar stated in a press release.