NBPGR eyes low-cost methods to store germplasm

Faced with shortage of electricity for conservation of germplasm at an ultra low temperature, government body NBPGR is looking at low-cost methods, especially 'Cryopreservation' that uses liquid nitrogen, for storage of cells, tissues and organs.
For last few decades, the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) is dependent on refrigeration system, run on electricity, for storage of germplasm at low temperatures.
"Right now, we are dependent on refrigeration system, where we maintain temperature as low as minus 20 degree Celsius year round.
"We have been doing this for last many many decades. While we are modernising it, there is a need to develop cost-effective strategies," NBPGR Director K C Bansal told PTI on the sidelines of a two-day conference on 'Low temperature science and biotechnological advances' here.

The Cryopreservation is one such low cost method, which uses liquid nitrogen to help preservation at ultra low temperature - as low as minus 196 degree Celsius, he said.
Stating that the NBPGR is already using this method on a trial basis, Bansal said, "However, we are yet to develop this method fully. Electricity is very expensive and available to us in less quantity, while there is more demand."
"We want to cut down expenditure on electricity by storing in liquid nitrogen, which does not require electricity and can help store germplasm for decades," he said.
NBPGR, one of the largest depositories of plant genetic resources, has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK's Royal Botanic Gardens in the area of Cryopreservation and today's conference will give a roadmap for further collaboration, he added.