Research Projects

No research projects found for this department.

Salient achievements

• Molecular fingerprinting of six different species of domestic animals of north-eastern region, namely cattle, buffalo, pig, yak, sheep and goat was done by PCR-RFLP based on 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes of mitochondrial DNA.
• A multiplex PCR protocol was developed for rapid detection of pathogroups of E. coli isolates from man, animals and birds based on their virulence gene profile.
• A rapid, high throughput multiplex PCR assay based on 16 genes variably distributed in various Salmonella serovars was developed for identification of common clinical serovars of Salmonella within 2-3 hours. Virulence and antimicrobial-resistance gene profiles of Salmonella isolates from animals and man have been studied.
• A globally accessible online server has been developed on "Serotyping of common clinical isolates of Salmonella by Multiplex PCR" in collaboration with Vaccine Research Institute of San Diego, California (URL: http://www.mpgt-salmonella.res.in).
• Reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) method was standardized for detection of FMD virus serotype 'O'in clinical samples and its comparative efficacy was evaluated compared to sandwich ELISA and virus isolation. RT-PCR protocol for detection of Toll-Like Receptor-3 (TLR-3) in FMDV-infected tissue was also standardized. A study was also conducted on persistence of FMD virus type 'O' in cattle in Assam.
• Incidence of polymorphism in fecundity related genes, GDF9 and BMPR1B in Assam Hill goat was studied by PCR-RFLP. The study revealed that the genetic factor responsible for prolificacy or multiple kidding rates is not related to the reported mutated alleles at GDF9 and BMPR1B major genes.
• Relative expression of genes coding for the enzymes, Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) and Stearoyl CoA Desaturase (SCD) and three major transcription factors, Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein (SREBP), Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ? (PPAR ?) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (CEBP) related to lipogenic processes were analyzed by real-time PCR to establish zinc-mediated hormonal regulation (Growth Hormone, Insulin and Leptin) of fatty acid synthesis and desaturation in adipose tissue.
• Molecular characterization of SLC11A1 gene in doom pigs of Assam has been carried out and polymorphism has been detected.
• A study has also been made to assess DNA integrity and in-vivo sperm fertilizing capacity of frozen semen of bulls.
• Molecular characterization of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and kappa-casein (?-Cn) Genes in indigenous cattle of Assam has been done and polymorphism has been detected in both the genes.
• Under the DBT-funded BIF, an online database on Indigenous Livestock and Poultry Resources of North East India (ILRONE) has been developed. The database is accessible in the Internet through public IP: http://182.71.179.66/ilrone/project.