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Establishing a national fungal genetic resource to build a major cog for the bioeconomy


Affiliations
1 Vivekananda Institute of Tropical Mycology, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Chennai 600 004,, India
2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
3 Malaria Research Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India
4 Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, India
 

Global conservation activities of animals and plants to protect endangered species are laudable. Similarly, various national and international bodies have recognized the value of preserving different types of microbes, the ‘hidden-constituents’ that are present in all habitats. However, conservation of microbial biodiversity has generally not been a priority in the world. We present a roadmap for creating a national genetic resource for fungi, whose diversity reflects their remarkable fitness for the rich and varied habitats and environments in India. In addition to offering fine prospects for research-based higher education, this national asset will accelerate technology development and the bioeconomy.
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  • Establishing a national fungal genetic resource to build a major cog for the bioeconomy

Abstract Views: 376  |  PDF Views: 150

Authors

T. S. Suryanarayanan
Vivekananda Institute of Tropical Mycology, Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith, Chennai 600 004,, India
Venkat Gopalan
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
Dinkar Sahal
Malaria Research Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067, India
Kaustuv Sanyal
Molecular Mycology Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru 560 064, India

Abstract


Global conservation activities of animals and plants to protect endangered species are laudable. Similarly, various national and international bodies have recognized the value of preserving different types of microbes, the ‘hidden-constituents’ that are present in all habitats. However, conservation of microbial biodiversity has generally not been a priority in the world. We present a roadmap for creating a national genetic resource for fungi, whose diversity reflects their remarkable fitness for the rich and varied habitats and environments in India. In addition to offering fine prospects for research-based higher education, this national asset will accelerate technology development and the bioeconomy.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv109%2Fi6%2F1033-1037