DNA bank for wild animals to come up at IVRI
LUCKNOW: So far, a meat sample seized from wildlife poachers took anywhere from three days to over a week to be traced to its source animal. However, with a wildlife DNA bank being planned at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, this will change.
“In the coming days, scientists will use DNA fingerprint technology to ascertain the animal source. At present, very few samples are tested using this method, as there is only one laboratory in India (Centre for DNA fingerprinting and diagnostics, Hyderabad) which does that,” said Dr RK Sharma, director IVRI, Bareilly.
The DNA bank project will make the institute an important centre for such investigations in future.
“The data from the DNA bank will be used to find the source animal in a very short duration (results being out on the same day),” said Sharma.
He said that the wildlife laboratory at the IVRI got test samples from all parts of the country.
“This is being used by a team of scientists to develop a DNA pool. We extract the genetic material from animals, creating their DNA maps. We also preserve a piece of the original meat sample for later use,” Singh shared.
According to scientists, the project was envisioned with the aim to create DNA maps of some selective animals. “We started by collecting DNA of tigers, lions, elephants and other wild animals, but later, began including other animals as well,” said Singh.
Scientists at the institute have collected DNA samples of over 150 animals, he said.
The test samples are stored in the wildlife laboratory, but now, the IVRI is planning to build a special facility in view of the DNA bank project.
“The programme has evolved from the research phase. The plan now is to develop a separate facility,” said Singh.
With this project, the IVRI will become a one-of-its-kind research institute of the country that has a DNA bank of its own.
“The facility can be used in poaching-related cases and also in a wide range of research activities,” said the director.