National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms, Kheri Infrastructure: Library, Hostel, Auditorium, Cafeteria & Other Facilities

Ayesha Taneem

Infrastructure :-

The Bureau has state-of-the-art research laboratories such as central instrumentation facility, bacterial and fungal laboratory, molecular biology lab, microbial genomics unit, culture collection facility (NAIMCC), lyophilization unit, microbial genome resource repository (MGRR). In addition, Bureau has administration block, library, conference hall and mini-conference rooms with audio-visual equipments and agricultural research information service (ARIS) cell, IPR and bio-safety cell. The objectives of Microbial Genomic Resource Repository (MGRR) is to (i)   collect and conserve microorganisms on long term basis, and maintain the genomic resources like microbial DNA, clones, novel gene constructs, vectors, etc  (ii)  enable researchers by providing  these genetic materials  working in the field of molecular biology and microbial genomics  (iii)  maintaining the genes responsible for nitrogen fixation, nitrogen assimilation, root nodulation, bioremediation, phosphate solubilization, disease resistance, salt tolerance   and biocontrol. (iv) develop guidelines for submission and distribution of the genetic resources under appropriate material transfer agreement (MTA). The campus and laboratories are put under strict vigilance of the electronic surveillance system. To ensure regular water and electricity supply, tubewells and power generators have been installed within the campus. Furthermore, 24 hrs electricity supply has  has been ensured with  the installation of  new high-power DG sets to maintain  controlled working environment in the laboratories and to run supercomputer for the purpose of maintaining agricultural bioinformatic data. The administrative, finance and Director's personal section  are equipped with all modern equipments like computers with internet facility, printers, photocopier machines, colour xerox machines, lamination machine, fax machine, etc.

Equipments

The laboratories are equipped with sophisticated equipments such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), confocal laser microscope, automated lyophilization unit, liquid nitrogen plant and cryopreservators, FLX454 pyroseqencing , emulsion PCR and cluster analysis, 16 capillary ABI 3130xl automated genetic analyser, mini high performance computing system with bioinformatic softwares, workstations for data annotation and analysis, real time PCR, chemiluminiscence gel imaging system, robotic liquid handing system, DNA bar-coding system, pulse field gel electrophoresis, DGGE unit, chip based high throughput electrophoresis, 2D gel electrophoresis, metabolic growth kinetic analyzer (Bio-screen), GC- coupled-fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analyzer, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas liquid chromatography (GLC), thermocyclers, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, BIOLOG microbial identification system, RT-PCR, automated media pPreparator, spectrophotometer, ultra centrifuge, refrigerated incubator shaker, deep freezers (-80°C), walk-in cold rooms, lyophilisation and glass house.

Library

The NBAIM library is enriched in about 1966 books on various subjects like microbiology, biochemistry, plant pathology, environmental science, genetics and genomics, administration, botany, bioinformatics, IPR, molecular biology, nanotechnology, mycology, proteomics, statistics, soil biology, virology, etc. It has collection of about 43 scientific journals/ periodicals. Publications by NBAIM like newsletters, annual report, vision document, laboratory manuals, etc are available at library. Besides this other miscellaneous literature like annual reports and newletters from various organizations, ICAR news and bulletins are also maintained and can be accessed by users. Library is equipped with internet facility and has an access to many international and national journals via CERA (Consortia for e Resources in Agriculture) maintained at AKMU/ARIS cell. Library also has subscription to one weekly and 4 daily newspapers.

Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU)

Establishment of Intellectual Property Management Unit of NBAIM in year 2010 marked the beginning of IPR regime primarily focusing towards management of IPR portfolio and transfer/commercialization of technologies at institute level. An attempt has been made for promotion of creation, dissemination, use and protection of intellectual property for socio-economic prosperity as one of the activities of IPR cell established in the institute. An ICAR Plan Scheme on Intellectual Property Management and Transfer/Commercialization of Agricultural Technology Scheme (Up-scaling of existing components i.e. Intellectual Property Right (IPR) under ICAR Headquarters Scheme on Management and Information Services)” is carrying out awareness, guidance and assistance facilities to scientists and researchers at the Institute in relation to IP management.

Agriculture Knowledge Management Unit (AKMU)

ARIS cell of NBAIM was renamed as AKMU as per ICAR guidelines (F.No. 3-1/2010-GAS (DIPA) dt 27 January, 2011. A static IP fully dedicated to access many national and international journals through Consortium of e-resources in Agriculture (CERA) is being maintained for users of library facility at NBAIM. To strengthen the ICT infrastructure for learning and capacity building including implementation of Management Information System (MIS)- Financial Management System (FMS) a fund of Rs 25 lakhs was released under non recurring head. In order to strengthen the ICT infrastructure of NBAIM desktop computers (25), laser printers (5), online UPS (5), multimedia projector (1) and extension cum training kit (1) was procured. Besides this in the whole institute including guest house, transit house, etc, networking was done through LAN as well as Wi-Fi. Also an ERP solution for ICAR is being implemented under NAIP sub-project “Implementation of Management information System (MIS) including Financial Management System (FMS) in ICAR” in which after ICT infrastructure strengthening data digitization will be done in which migration of records from register/service books to digital format in the data templates designed for different solutions will be done. AKMU is currently being renovated in terms of it having sitting capacity while accessing e resources as well as utilizing the space as training centre also.

Microbial Genomic Resource Repository (MGRR)

Institutes in the Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS) and elsewhere in the country have been carrying out recombinant DNA research since a decade. It is routine to keep vectors, gene/promoter constructs even after a particular research project has been finished, because they constitute a valuable reserve for research and are a way to continue capitalizing on the investment (time and funds) already made to generate knowledge or products. In addition to the sequence information, projects associated with whole genome analysis generally produce biological materials such as cDNA clones, RFLP markers on the genetic map, cosmid clones, PAC (P1 derived Artificial Chromosome) clones, BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) clones, YAC (Yeast Artificial Chromosome) clones etc. These genome resources are indispensable tools for future post-genomic research, such as physiological and morphological characterization of a species, functional analysis of genes, comparative genomics and plant and animal breeding. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain an efficient system for conservation and management of DNA materials. Hence, NBAIM has started the collection and maintenance of these genomic resources and will play a vital role in bioscience research and education.

SEM Facility

SEM facility at National Agriculturally Important Microbial Culture Collection (NAIMCC), NBAIM, Mau

NAIMCC has developed the state-of-art facilities for morphological characterization of agriculturally important microorganisms. The facilities include compound light microscope, stereo microscope, fluorescence microscope, confocal laser microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM is a useful technique for producing very high-resolution images of a sample surface, revealing details of less than 1 nm in size. SEM micrographs have a large depth of field yielding, a characteristic of three dimensional appearances useful for understanding the surface structure of a sample. An automated SEM Microscope (SEM S-3400N) equipped with computerized eucentric in 5-axes motorized stage used for imaging of microbial cultures. Highest magnification of about X5 – X300000 and resolution of about 10 nm at 3 kV and 3.0 nm at 30 kV can be achieved. Scanning electron microscopy is used in systematics and taxonomic studies, clinical laboratories, environmental analyses (e,g, biofilm formation and characteristics) and in agriculture and allied sectors.

Genomics 

The genomic and DNA fingerprinting unit is established to provide technical and analytical support for molecular biology and genomics research  under AMAAS at the NBAIM. The goal is  to perform  Reference and de novo draft Genome Sequencing of  potential AIMS and their functional annotation as well as molecular characterization and identification of agriculturally important microorganisms. The unit is equipped with the equipments and facilities for DNA library preparation, DNA sequencing (Sanger and Next Generation 454 pyrosequencing), fragment analysis, quantitative PCR. The facility is available to scientists of NBAIM as well as researchers from NARS system/other research collaborators with due approval of competent authority/ Director NBAIM.   

The unit has ABI  3130 xl Genetic Analyzer, the latest generation of 16 capillary electrophoresis instruments being used for  a wide variety of sequencing and fragment analysis applications including  the signature gene sequencing and microsatellite analysis. The full range of applications can be run on a single polymer and capillary array meaning you can run mixed applications on one plate. For large projects the unit has 454 Sequencing, that  is a Next-Generation Sequencing technology.  In this the data is generated using pyrosequencing chemistry where clonally amplified libraries are sequenced by synthesis.  Libraries are prepared using emulsion-based PCR (emPCR) amplification on beads.  Each bead occupies a well on a Pico-Titer-Plate or PTP plate and the nucleotides in the sequence are determined by a chemiluminescent signal occurring during nucleotide incorporation.  This signal is captured by a high resolution camera and is proportional to the number of nucleotides incorporated.  The signals are processed and sequence is determined. A single run produces up to 1 million sequence reads that are on average 400bp, and will soon approach 800bp.  For additional flexibility, runs can be multiplexed bioinformatically through the use of barcoding or MID (Multiplex Identifiers) adapters, or physically through the use of 2, 4, 8 or 16-region gaskets.