M.

Sc (Botany with specialization in plant biotechnology)

St.Alberts College, Kochi, Kerala
Banerji Road
Kochi - 682 018
India.
Tel : +91-484-2394225
Fax : +91-484-2391245
Type : Masters Degree
Category : Science, Engineering & Bio Technology

Duration:- 2 Years

Eligibility:- Graduation in Science

Plant biotechnology provides a method for modifying and improving crops and other plants which enhance
the quality of life.

It therefore requires a broadly based knowledge of plant breeding, genetics, physiology and bio-chemistry,
as well as an understanding of crop protection, production and marketing.

M. Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Studies
Postgraduate - Classes

Place

Tiruvalla (Kerala) see more

Duration

2 Years

Start

consult dates and schedules

Requirements

A candidate seeking admission to M. Sc. Plant Biotechnology must have a degree with
Botany as main o ... see more r subsidiary subject, Biochemistry, Biotechnology,
Microbiology, Agriculture Science and Environmental Science with a minimum of 55%
aggregate marks at the graduate level, recognized by MG University.

Price
On request

Type
Postgraduate Duration 2 Years
Method / place
Contact institue Classes in Tiruvalla (Kerala) where
Requirements
A candidate seeking admission to M. Sc. Plant Biotechnology must have a degree with
Botany as main or subsidiary subject, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology,
Agriculture Science and Environmental Science with a minimum of 55% aggregate
marks at the graduate level, recognized by MG University.
Price

M. Sc. Plant Biotechnology

Plant Biotechnology is a fast growing field in Biotechnology. It deals with the modern
scientific methods in plant breeding. The most important achievement in this field is the
production of new and desired varieties of plants (Transgenic plants) within a short
period of time when conventional plant breeding operations took 10-15 years to release a
new desired variety. It includes two major sections - Plant Tissue Culture and Plant
Genetic Engineering.

Plant tissue culture mainly refers to the cultivation of plant cells or tissues in specifically
formulated culture media so as to produce an entire plant from these cells or tissues. Plant
genetic engineering involves introduction of genes to sexually incompatible plant species
through recombinant DNA technique. Desired foreign genes are transferred to
economically important plants for crop improvement. This transfer results in a permanent
change in the genetic make up of the recipient.

Plant Biotechnology can bring enormous benefits to such diverse fields as medicine,
industry, agriculture and environment. New crop plants with greater yield, hardier plants
capable of improved and increased resistance to diseases, herbicides and pests,
modification of various biosynthetic pathways for the production of novel and more
useful metabolites, prolonged shelf life of fruits and vegetables etc are of immense value
to the improvement of human welfare.
 Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
nesis

e Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology (CPBMB) was established as an independent unit at the college
rticulture, Kerala Agricultural University with effect from 1st August 1996, with the main objective of strengthen
technology research in the University.

aculty

P.A. Nazeem, Professor & Head

P. C. Rajendran, Professor

R. Keshavachandran, Professor

P. A. Valsala, Professor

A. Augustin, Professor

D. Girija, Professor

R. Sujatha, Assistant Professor (SS)

Current Activities
Teaching

Courses

BMB has been offering Biotechnology courses included in the curriculum of B.Sc (Agri) and B.Sc (Forestry) programmes.
ese include the following courses

Credit Semester
Sl. No. Catalogue no. Title
hours no.
1. Biot 203 Biotechnology I 1+0 4
Biotechnology I Work
2. WE Biot 203 0+1 4
Experience
3. Biot 302 Molecular Biology 1+0 5
Biotechnology II Work
4. WE Biot 302 0+1 5
Experience

m 2007, the syllabus has been revised as per ICAR pattern and there is only one course in the B. Sc (Ag) curriculum

Credit Semest
Sl. No. Catalogue no. Title
hours er no.
Introduction to
1. Biot 2201 1+1 5
Biotechnology

c (Forestry) syllabus has been revised from 2006 and the biotechnology course is as follows

Credit Semeste
Sl. No. Catalogue no. Title
hours r no.
Introduction to
1. Biot 3201 1+1 6
Biotechnology
Programmes

Ph.D. Programme:

 Ph.D. programme in Biotechnology : Admission to start from 2009 onwards

 The staff at CPBMB act as major advisor or Co-Guide for Ph.D. programme in Biotechnology offered by different ot
universities. At present there are three programmes under this;

• Genotyping teak germplasm through AFLP assay

• Genetic Transformation in Hevea for biotic stress tolerance

• Transgenics for imparting brownbast resistance in Hevea

 Offer Molecular Biology and Biotechnology courses included in the curriculum of Ph.D in the departments of Plant
Breeding & Genetics, Plantation Crops & Spices, Plant Pathology etc.

M.Sc. Programme:

 M.Sc. Ag Biotech programme is implemented in two streams : Through JNU entrance with DBT support and through KA
entrance

• From 2003 onwards, students are being admitted on the basis of entrance examination conducted by Kerala
Agricultural University with an intake of 6 students. A total of 12 students have completed their post graduate
programme till June 2008

• From 2005 onwards DBT has been sponsoring MSc (Ag) programme. Ten students are allotted every year based
the common JNU entrance examination. The first batch of 12 students is in their 4th semester. A fellowship of
Rs.1800/- per month is provided to them for two years

 No. of M. Sc. Ag Biotech students enrolled & passed out since 2003

Year Male Female Total enrolled Passed out / Ongoing

2003 - 7 7 7
2004 1 5 6 5
2005 2 6 8 7
2006 4 8 12 Final semester
2007 2 1 3 Second semester
Total 9 27 36

M.Tech. Biotechnology :

The proposal for starting a five year integrated programme – M.Tech in Biotechnology has been approved in
ciple with intake capacity of 20 from 2008 onwards

as of work for PG programme

1. Characterization using biochemical and molecular markers
2. Gene isolation, cloning and characterization
3. Genetic transformation in plants
4. Molecular detection of plant pathogens
5. Molecular diversity of microorganism
6. Microbial biotechnology
7. Development of trait related markers in agriculturally important crops
8. Genome mapping
9. Gene expression studies
10. Biotechnological interventions for enhancing secondary metabolite production
11. Biomethanogenesis
12. Enzyme characterization & kinetics
13. In vitro propagation of woody perennials
14. In vitro conservation of endangered medicinal plants
15. In vitro pollination, embryo culture & embryo rescue
16. Somatic embryogenesis

Courses

e centre is offering M. Sc (Ag) programme in Plant Biotechnology from 2003 onwards. Students have to complete course wo
d research work. They have to register a total of 60 credits including 24 credits from the major, 10 credits from the minor
d of study, 6 credits from compulsory and supporting courses and 20 credits for research. One credit seminar is compulsor
Master’s degree, which will be counted under the major courses.

jor Courses

Sl. Credit
Cat. No. Course Title
No. hours
Plant Tissue Culture I (Plant Tissue Culture & its (2 +
1. Biot 601
Applications) 1)
(1 +
2. Biot 602 Genetic Material and synthesis
1)
3. Biot 603 Genome assembly in prokaryotes & eukaryotes (2 +1)
Gene expression & regulation in prokaryotes and (2 +
4. Biot 604
eukaryotes 0)
Plant Genetic Engineering I (Principles of Genetic (1 +
5. Biot 605
Engineering) 1)
(1 +
6. Biot 606 Cellular and Developmental Biology
1)
(1 +
7. Biot 607 Plant Tissue Culture II (Germplasm conservation)
1)
Plant Tissue Culture III (In vitro production of secondary (1 +
8. Biot 608
metabolites) 1)
(1 +
9. Biot 609 Gene and gene mutation
1)
Plant Genetic Engineering II (Plant Genetic
10. Biot 610 (1+1)
Transformation)
Analytical techniques in Biotechnology and Molecular (1 +
11. Biot 611
biology 1)
12. Biot 612 Gene Isolation and Characterization (1+ 1)
13. Biot 613 Molecular Diagnostics (1+ 1)
 (2 +
14. Biot 614 Biofertilizers & Biocontrol Agents
1)
(1 +
15. Biot 615 Soil Biotechnology
1)
(1 +
16. Biot 616 Industrial biotechnology
1)
(2 +
17. Biot 617 Bioinformatics
2)
18. Biot 618 Food biotechnology (1+1)
(0 +
19. Biot 651 Seminar
1)
23+ 19 = 42

commodation facilities for the students

Under Graduate and Post Graduate programmes of the College are residential in nature, and hence hostel facility is provided for bonafide
dents, unless they are exempted on ground that they are residing with their parents or guardians. The hostel Harsha accommodates UG girl
dents while Haritha accommodates PG girl students. Both are located 200m away from the College. The boys are accommodated in Pamba
n’s Hostel. The hostels have spacious and comfortable rooms with extra guestrooms to accommodate guests. There are clean mess halls in
ch more than 100 people can dine at a time. Television sets have been provided with cable connections. The hostels enjoy round the clock
phone and security facilities also.

other facilities available are

• A reading room with books and magazines for various competitive exams, vernacular and national newspapers and other major
periodicals

• Round the clock working computer club

• A well equipped multi-purpose gym facility at the boys’ hostel

• Indoor facilities for table tennis, caroms, chess, badminton and for other outdoor games like football, volleyball and basketball.
• Spacious garage for parking vehicles

• Facility for earn while learn scheme

e for P.G. Courses*

M.Sc. Programme Ph.D. Programme

At the time
Payable from At the time Payable from
Description of fee of
2nd Semester of admission 2nd Semester
admission
Admission fee 250 - 300 -
College Caution
750 - 1000 -
Deposit
Tuition Fee 2420 2420 3025 3025
 Library Fee 400 400 750 750
Medical Inspection
75 - 100 -
fee
Stationery Fee 250 250 300 300
Syllabus & Calender
150 - 200 -
Fee
Athletic Fee 150 150 150 150
Association Fee 75 75 75 75
Magazine fee 75 75 75 75
University Union fee 75 75 75 75
Total 4670 3445 6050 4450

ubject to revision at the discretion of the University.

• Hostel fee including mess advance: Rs.2185

• Monthly mess fee : around Rs.1500

PG Lab Molecular Biology Lab

PG Lecture Hall Plant Genome Lab

nor fields of study (10 credits)

chemistry, Plant Physiology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Ag. Entomology, Horticultu
ricultural Statistics

mpulsory and supporting courses, as per the existing PG academic regulations (6 credits)
 Chem 603 Agricultural Biochemistry (2+1)
601 Research Planning & Implementation (2+1)

T sponsored HRD programme

m 2003 to 2005, students were admitted on the basis of entrance examination conducted by Kerala Agricultural Univers
h an intake of 6 students. A total of 9 students have completed their post graduate programme till June 2007.

m 2005 DBT has been sponsoring MSc (Ag) programme. Ten students are allotted every year based on the common J
rance examination. The first batch of 12 students is in their 2nd semester. A fellowship of Rs. 1800/- per month is provid
hem for two years.

cilities

ck here to see more facilities at CPBMB

B. Research
e major thrust areas for research are

vitro propagation of plantation crops, spices & medicinal plants

vitro conservation of endangered species
vitro production of secondary metabolites
vitro fertilization and embryo rescue
netic transformation of crop plants for biotic stress tolerance
ning and characterization of novel genes conferring resistance to biotic and abiotic stress conditions
lecular diagnostics for detection and characterization of plant pathogens
diversity of agriculturally important microorganisms in the Western Ghats
lecular breeding and marker assisted selection
mentation technology
methanogenesis

llaboration with other Institutions

the State
• Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut
• Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram
• Spices Board, Cochin
• Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi
• National Bureau of Plant Genetics Resources, Thrissur
• Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam
• Rubber Research Institute of India, Kottayam
• Cochin University of Science & Technology, Ernakulam
tside the State
• National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay
• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
• Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
• International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
• National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, Mau
• Bombay University, Thane
• Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore
• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi
ternally aided projects in operation at CPBMB

nding agencies : Department of Biotechnology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Kerala State Council for Science
chnology and Environment.

T Funded Projects
In vitro propagation of black pepper (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem)
Tissue culture research on humid tropical plantation crops & Spices (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem)
Field evaluation of tissue culture derived black pepper (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem)
• Tissue culture research in black pepper (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem)
• Improvement of selected spices through biotechnology tools (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem )
• On farm evaluation of TC derived black pepper plants (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem )
• Studies on Genetic diversity of teak using AFLP markers (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem )
• M.Sc. (Agriculture) in Plant Biotechnology (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem )
• Isolation and characterization of genes encoding disease resistance (TLCV & Bacterial wilt) (PI : Dr. P.A. Nazeem
• Exploration of molecular diversity and insecticidal spectrum of Bacillus thuringiensis of Western Ghats of India, N
Hill and the Himalayan ranges, establishment of Repository at UAS Dharward and cloning novel insecticidal genes ( PI
Dr. D. Girija )
 • Genetic transformation for biotic stress tolerance in bell pepper ( PI : Dr. D. Girija )
• Genomic library construction & cloning of gene(s) for PR proteins in black pepper ( PI : Dr. D. Girija )
• Tissue culture research in Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L) (PI : Dr. R. Keshavachandran)
• Establishment of Distributed Information Centre (PI : Dr. R. Keshavachandran)
• Induction of variability in Zingiberaceous crops through in vitro fertilization (PI : Dr. P.A. Valsala)
AR Funded Projects
• Application of microorganisms in agriculture & allied sectors ( PI : Dr. D. Girija )
• Sustainable management of plant biodiversity : Rare and endangered medicinal plants
(PI: Dr.R.Keshavachandran)
• Rapid multiplication of rare and endangered medicinal plants ( PI : Dr. R. Keshavachandran)
• Rapid multiplication of Cashew through in vitro methods ( PI : Dr. R. Keshavachandran)

ojects Funded by Govt of Kerala

• BIOTECH-KERALA-Biotechnological interventions and opportunities towards enhancing crop production in Kerala ( PI : D

P.A. Nazeem )
• KSCSTE project on Enhancing yield and quality of Vanilla through improved technologies.

Ps Supported by CPBMB

• Characterization, Evaluation and Conservation of Exacum species in Kerala with emphasis on ornamental, medi
and dye value (DBT Project, PI : Dr. U. Sreelatha)
• Classification and Characterisation of banana varieties of Kerala using molecular markers (KSCSTE Project, PI : D
Rema Menon)
• Catloging of Cashew germplasm in Kerala using Molecular Markers and Digitalizing its morphological data
(KSCSTE Project, PI : Dr. Jayalakshmi )
• Sustainable management of plant biodiversity :Vegetable cowpea and amaranthus (PI : Dr. Salikutty Joseph)

search Highlights

nt Tissue Culture
• Standardized viable protocols for large scale in vitro multiplication of:
uit crops - pineapple, banana & jackfruit
ntation crops - cashew
ces - black pepper, vanilla, ginger, turmeric,
- cardamom, clove & cinnamon
dicinal plants - adathoda, kaempferia, holostemma, trichopus,
- artemisia, withania, gymnema, stevia & tylophora
namental plants - anthurium, orchids
getables - chilli, capsicum
hers - exacum, aquallaria, spathyphyllum
• Confirmed the genetic stability and clonal fidelity of Tissue culture regenerants through molecular techniques.
• Evaluated the superior performance of Tissue Culture plants through on farm trials with farmers participation all over India in black pep
plants
• Standardized in vitro pollination techniques for seed set in ginger, turmeric & kaempferia – crops in which natural seed set is v
rare/lacking
• Standardized in vitro medium – term conservation in vanilla, holostemma and tylophora.
netic transformation
• Standardized genetic transformation protocol for capsicum, ginger & black pepper for inducing biotic stress tolerance.
• Genetic transformation in capsicum with glucanase/chitinase/osmotin genes carried out. 18 transgenic plants confirmed by PCR &
PCR.
 • Standardized hairy root induction on Artemisia sps., holostemma and withania for enhancing secondary metabolic production.
NA finger printing
• 50 genotypes of black pepper through RAPD & AFLP
• 70 genotypes of tomato through RAPD, AFLP & ISSR
• 250 ecotypes of teak through AFLP assay
• Cashew, banana and cowpea germplasm through RAPD assay
• 50 isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis from the Western Ghats of Kerala by RAPD assay.
ne isolation
• Cloned and sequenced genomic/cDNA fragments of various genes in different crops/microorganisms

mgr - Piper sp., Solanum xathocarpum, Solanum nigrum & Solanum torvum
ucanase - Piper spp.
itinase - Piper spp
y 1, Cry 4 - Bacillus thuringiensis
genes for ToLCV - Tomato
d bacterial wilt

ecular diagnostics

eveloped PCR based technique for detection of the following:

• Tomato leaf curl virus
• Vanilla mosaic poty virus
• Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3
control agents & Biofertilisers
• Characterized 431 isolates of Bacillus thuringinesis from the Western Ghats of Kerala
• 75 Bacillus thuringiensis isolates found to be efficient in controlling pumpkin caterpillar (Diaphania indica)
• Characterized 12 isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens, 14 of Trichoderma viridae, 22 of N2-fixing bacteria and 28 P-solubilizers
from the Western Ghats of Kerala.
ck here to see Research Achievements of CPBMB

tional Award for Biotech Research

Outreach Activities

lude on farm trials, consultancy services, training programmes, symposium, seminars and publications.
ck here to see the Details of Trainings

ational Symposium organized

mbiohort – 2005 National Symposium on Biotechnological Interventions for Improvement of Horticultural Crops – Issues and
ategies

Inauguration : Dr. G. Kalloo, DDG (Hort)

 Release of proceedings : Dr. Renu Swarup, Advisor, DBT

al Participants: 174

s : Dr. G. Kalloo, DDG (Hort), Dr. Renu Swarup, Advisor, DBT, Dr. P.S. Rao, Member, DBT Task Force, Dr. V. A. Parthasarath
ector, IISR

ooks Released

nt Biotechnology, Molecular Profiling of Piper Species, Biotech Research in KAU, Methods in Plant Biotechnology

aculty Details

P.A. Nazeem

Sc (Hort), Ph.D (Hort) and FAO training at USA in Biotechnology

ea of Research: Plant tissue culture, molecular markers, Gene isolation and genetic engineering
ards: Biotech Process and Product Development award, 2003
students guided: 12

P.C. Rajendran

Sc (Hort), Ph.D (Hort), Post-Doc (Biotechnology) and DGE

ea of Research: Endosperm culture, In planta transformation, Methanogenic bacteria and plant tissue culture
ards: DBT National Associateship Award 1993-94, ICAR senior fellowship 1985-88
students guided: 8 students including 1 PhD

R. Keshavachandran

Sc (Hort), Ph.D, Post-Doc in Molecular markers, Genetic transformation

ea of Research: Plant Tissue culture of tree crops, medicinal plants, hairy root induction in medicinal plants, Genetic
nsformation, Bioinformatics
ards: ICAR Junior and Senior Fellowships Dean S. Muthuswami gold medal for best Ph.D thesis, Foreign Examiner's medal
st Ph.D student, DBT National Associateship 1994-95, DBT Product, Process and Commercialization Award, 2003
students guided: 10 M.Sc and 1 Ph.D

P. A. Valsala

Sc (Hort), Ph.D (Hort)

ea of Research: Plant tissue culture (Micropropagation, in vitro fertilization and somatic embryogenesis
ards: Jawaharlal Nehru Award- 1996 for outstanding post graduate works in Horticulture
students guided: 7 including 1 PhD

A. Augustin

D (Biochemistry)
ea of Research: Waste utilization and protein technology
ards: Fellowship of the society of Agricultural Biochemists and 3 patents obtained
students guided: 4 including 1 PhD

D. Girija

Sc (Ag) in Microbiology and PhD (Microbiology)

ea of Research : Isolation of novel genes, Molecular diversity of microorganism and insecticidal spectrum of cry protein
ards: Young scientist award of KSCSTE for best paper in 2000. Biotech Process, Product and commercialization award-200
students guided: 5

R. Sujatha

Sc (Ag), PhD (Plant Breeding and Genetics)

ea of Research: Plant tissue culture, cell biology, genome analysis and molecular markers

students guided: 1

ntact Address

fessor & Head

ntre for Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
BT Complex
ala Agricultural University
U (P.O.),Trissur Dt. 680 656
ala , India.
one: 0487- 2371994 Fax 0487- 2371994
[email protected],[email protected]
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