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KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
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National Award for
Biotech Research at KAU
The Centre for Plant Biotechnology & Molecular Biology (CPBMB), College of
Horticulture, Vellanikkara was awarded the Biotech Product & Process Development
and Commercialization Award for the year 2003. Dr. P. A. Nazeem, Associate
Professor & Head, CPBMB received the award from the Vice President Shri. B.S.
Shekhawat on May 11, 2003 in the National Awards function
conducted in connection with the Technology Day at New Delhi. The national
award was offered by the Dept. of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and
Technology, Govt. of India to recognize the outstanding contributions of
scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, institutions and companies both in public
and as well as private sector for a new process, product development and
commercialization of a technology or a product in the area of biotech and
biological sciences including agriculture, biochemical and environmental
sciences. The award carried Rs.1 lakh along with a memento and citation.
The award for the year 2003 was given to CPBMB for its outstanding contributions
in research, education and extension in the area of agricultural biotechnology
with special reference to improvement of spices through biotechnology and their
commercialization involving farmers, user agencies and plantation industry with
successful performance.
Since the start of the CPBMB at the College of Horticulture in 1996 as a small
tissue culture unit during the tenure of Dr. A. I. Jose as Associate Dean, the
sincere and concerted efforts of Dr. R. Vikraman Nair and other staff members
associated with the Centre made it to develop fast and to cater to the needs of
the university. The CPBMB at present is a full fledged centre carrying out work
in the frontier areas of Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology such as DNA
finger printing, genetic modification, characterization of pathogenesis related
proteins, molecular diagnostics and conservation of endangered plants and
bioinformatics in addition to micropropagation. The research and extension
activities of the centre are coordinated by Dr. K. V. Peter, Vice-Chancellor
along with Dr. P.A. Nazeem, Dr. Kesavachandran, Dr. D. Girija and Dr. K.
Rajmohan. The scientists in the centre are now taking up 12 externally aided
projects on various aspects of biotech for the improvement of spices, plantation
crops and medicinal plants.