Pune: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has allocated ₹25 crore to establish a DNA Genome Sequencing lab at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) campus in the city.
According to the SPPU administration, the ‘Indian Medicinal Plants Genome Initiative’ project has been recommended for funding under DBT’s research resources, service facilities, and platform (RRSFP)-SAHA infrastructure development grant.
“The project to establish a genome sequencing centre on the university campus will begin soon. The centre will feature approximately 15 researchers and administrative staff. It will also be a national DNA sequencing facility and revenue generation model where anyone can visit and have their samples sequenced on a pay-per-sample basis,” stated SPPU Vice-Chancellor Prof Suresh Gosavi.
“While this centre plans genome sequencing of Indian medicinal plants and thus will play a role in understanding Ayurveda IKS principles at the molecular level,” stated SPPU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Parag Kalkar.