Objective

Development of tools, resources and information on aquatic genetic material for conservation research and applications

Thrust Areas

• Conservation genetics and genomics: Documenting inter- & intra-specific genetic variation & genetic stocks & genomic resources
• In situ conservation: Germplasm exploration, status & utilization, people's participation approach
• Ex situ conservation: Live gene bank & artificial propagation for prioritized species; establishment of repositories; cryopreservation of sperm/embryonic cells; germplasm registration and IPR
• Human resource development.

Salient Achievements

1. Explored river basins viz., Indus, Ganga, Ghagghar, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari and their tributaries to collect the fish accessions for taxonomic validation, stock identification and repository
2. Sixteen fish and shellfish species studied for their population genetic structure using molecular markers across the natural range of distribution in Indian rivers
3. Taxonomic validation done for Indian mahseers using molecular markers
4. Microsatellite enriched genomic library constructed for Chitala chitala and Pangasius pangasius
5. Type I Markers developed in Clarias batrachus EST-SSR (221); SNPs (33); ESTs (1923) and genes related to immune response (24)
6. DcDNA libraries of 6 tissues developed for Clarias batrachus
7. Complete mitochondrial genome of Clarias batrachus and Pangasius pangasius sequenced
8. A total number of 33 fish species have been characterized at species level using different molecular markers and polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers identified for 30 fish species
9. Genes with differential expression identified for hypoxia tolerance in Clarias batrachus
10. Sperm cryopreservation protocol developed for 26 fish species & tested with production of viable hatchlings for 18 fish species
11. Tissue bank established with over 13,000 accessions
12. Established Live Gene Bank at Lucknow and Guwahati
13. The innovative approach of ICAR-NBFGR inviting Sate Govt. to declare one fish as state fish, received enthusiastic response with 16 states already declared/accepted state fish
14. Embryonic stem cell line developed for Indian catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis
15. Documented role and potential of fisher folk institutions in sustainable management and conservation of fishery resources
16. Efforts initiated to focus indigenous knowledge documentation for access benefit sharing.