Agri Biotech Foundation PJTASU Campus, Rajendranagar-500030

Email: agribiotechfoundation@gmail.com, www.abfindia.org

REPORT

On

Report on “Summer Internship in Biotechnology for Undergraduates”

1st -31st May, 2015

Report on “Summer Internship in Biotechnology for Undergraduates”

1st -31st May, 2015

As part of its efforts to develop human resources in the field of agribiotechnologies, Agri

Biotech Foundation organizes one month summer internship for undergraduate students every

year. This year also the foundation has conducted “Summer Internship in Biotechnology for

Undergraduates” during 1st – 31st May, 2015. A total of 12 students participated from three

different colleges Viz; Aurora Degree College, Hyderabad, Reddy Women’s College,

Hyderabad, St.Ann’s Degree College, Hyderabad (Annexure 1).

The “Summer Internship in Biotechnology for Undergraduates” inaugurated on 1st May,

2015 by Prof. G.Pakki Reddy, Executive Director, ABF, Dr. J.S. Bentur, Subject Matter

Specialist, ABF, Dr. Udaykiran Avasati, Young Scientist, ABF and Mr. J.Vijaya Naresh,

Research Scholar, ABF besides the other senior faculty members Dr. G. Mallikarjuna, Assistant

Professor, Dr. S.K.Z. Ali, Assitant Professor, Dr. V. Sandhya, Assitant Professor and Mr. M.

Gopala Krishna, Research Associate. Apart from the senior faculty members, Research students

Mrs. Bindu Prathyusha, Mrs. Chandana, Mrs. Mounika, Mrs. Padmaja, Mrs. Suma, Mr. Chandra

Teja, Mr. Kishore, Mr. Nihar, Mr. Prasanna, Mr. Shiva, Mr. Santosh and also participated.

Inaguaral address by Prof. G. Pakki Reddy, ED, ABF Dr. J.S. Bentur, SMS, ABF addressing the gathering

The main objective of this programme is to motivate the youth to take up life sciences as

their career and to impart the knowledge and skill in the field of biotechnology particularly in

agricultural biotechnology. To meet these objectives, the programme has divided into four

components viz; (1) Plant tissue culture (2) Plant transformation and Genetic engineering (3)

Microbiology and (4) Molecular marker technology. For each component one week time has

allocated, within that, each day of the respective component started with knowledge based

theoretical sessions by expert faculty members of the foundation followed by individual hands

on training on project allocated to each candidate based on their interested areas. Further, each

student mentored by individual mentor to enhance one to one learning.

Lecture by Dr. J.S. Bentur, SMS, ABF Lecture by Ms. Divya, SRF, IIRR

Lecture by Dr. V. Sandhya, Assitant Professor, ABF Lecture by Mr. Chandra Teja, SRF, ABF

In the first week of training programme knowledge based theoretical sessions followed

by hands on training has given in the area of plant tissue culture aspects by Mr. M. Gopala

krishna and Mrs. Padmaja Rani. During this session students have trained in Media preparations,

stocks preparation, maintaining of stocks, sterilizing media, explant preparation, bana and teak

micropropagation. Apart from these, students have also trained in green house activities like soil

mixing, pot filling, transplantation of invitro rooted saplings into soil and application of

fertilizers.

Students in greenhouse activities

In the second week of the session students have focused on plant transformation and

genetic engineering techniques. Dr. G. Mallikarjuna, Dr. Udaykiran Avasathi, Mr. J. Vijaya

Naresh, and Mr. Santosh have given insights into various aspects of plant transformation and

genetic engineering techniques. Majorly students have trained on genomic DNA and plasmid

DNA isolations. Further, students have also trained in cloning strategies and performed

restriction digestion and ligation of plasmids and transferred them into E.Coli, Agro

transformations through heat shock and electroporation methods respectively. Genetic

transformation of ground and rice has also demonstrated. Apart from these, students have also

performed chlorophyll estimations from leaves of different crop plants.

Hands on training on Molecular Biology experiments by interns

In the microbiology session, Dr. S.K.Z. Ali, Dr. V. Sndhya, Mr. Chandra Teja, Mrs.

Mounica, Mr. Prasad and Mr. Kishore have given knowledge based insights about portray

technology, bio fertilizers, biopesticides production and their benefits. Besides, students have

also performed antibiotic sensitivity test, motility test and isolated of genomic DNA from Gram

–ve and +ve bacteria. They also performed molecular tests like PCR and biochemical tests like

IMViC reactions.

Interns Undergoing training in microbiology related experiments

In the molecular markers session, Dr. J.S. Bentur, Mrs. Prathyusha and Mr. Nihar Sahoo

has explained basics in molecular markers and their use in crop improvement, Mapping

population and linkage analysis and Development of new markers for black gram respectively.

Apart from these Mrs. Suma Latha spoke about use of molecular markers in transgenics

identification and Ms. Divya from Indian Institute of Rice Research gave insights in

identification of candidate genes and gene specific markers. Further, students have trained in

setting up of Gradient PCR, Bulk Segregant Analysis, screening for plant hopper resistance,

maintaining/rearing insects especially WBPH and BPH.

Students in insect rearing facility Hands on skill on molecular markers

Besides knowledge based theoretical sessions, skill based capacity building was given to

the interns by giving individual projects to each student based upon their area of interest

(Annexure 2). On completion of the project students have also gave power point presentations on

their respective projects.

Ms. Sindhura from St. Ann’s college has given a project entitled “Micropropagation of Bana

(Musa paradisiacal)” in the area of plant tissue culture. As part of her project she has learnt

sucker preparation, surface sterilization and initiation of suckers and regeneration and

multiplication of banana saplings.

In the area of plant transformation/transgenics Ms. Lahari, Ms. Sushmitha, Ms. Kavitha

and Mr. Yeshwanth Reddy were given a projects on Rice, Green gram and groundnut

transformations against abiotic stress tolerance respectively. Ms. Lahari has trained in dehusking

of rice grains, surface sterilization, media preparation for callus induction, Agro culture

preparation, infection of calli with agrobacterium, co-cultivation and sub-culturing of infected

calli on resting medium. Similarly, Ms. Sushmitha has trained in explant preparation from green

gram, infection of half cotyledonary node explants with agrobacterium culture, co-cultivation

followed by selection of co-cultivated explants on kanamycin containing medium. Ms. Kavitha

and Mr. Yeshwanth Reddy did their project on “Development of transgenic groundnut for

improving abiotic stress tolerance”. They have used de-embryonated cotyledons from mature

seeds of ground nut as explants for infection. Infected explants undergone for co-cultivation

followed by selection under hygromycin containing media.

Ms. Niharika, Ms. Rashmitha, Mr. Aman Jayaker and Mr. Nihar were given project work

in the field of microbiology. Ms. Niharika and Mr. Nihar has worked on “Isolation and

characterization of Aztobacter Spp.” and “Isolation and Characterization of Psedomonas

fluroscence Spp” respectively. As part of the project they have collected rhizospear soil samples

for isolation of Aztobacter/Pseudomonas. Selected isolates screened for PGPR traits like

ammonia, HCN and IAA production besides Phosphate solubilization activity. Apart from these

they have also trained in molecular techniques like genomic DNA isolations and PCR. Ms.

Rashmitha worked on “Isolation and Characterization of Endophytic bacteria”. She has isolated

endophytes from different parts of plant samples and tested them for various PGPR activities.

Mr. Aman Jayakar has given the project entitled “Isolation and Characterization of metarizium

and Beaverium Spp.

In the area of Molecular Markers under individual mentorship Ms. Asra has given the

project entitled “Identification of resistant varieties against WBPH in rice”. As part of her project

she used both phenotyping and genotyping methods for identifying WBPH resistant rice

varieties. In phenotyping she has done standand seedbox screening test for damage score for

WBPH and honey dew test to check the feeding rate in different genotypes. In genotyping she

has screened different genotypes with rice SSR markers to check polymorphism between them.

Similarly, Mr. Surya has also given the project work entitled “Identification of resistant varieties

against BPH in rice”. For this, he also did both phenotyping and genotyping methods. In

phenotyping he has done standand seedbox screening test for damage score for BPH and honey

dew test to check the feeding rate in different genotypes. In genotyping he has done DNA

isolation from rice leaves and screened different genotypes with rice SSR markers to check

polymorphism between them. Mr. Vijay has given the project “Resistance to Mungbean Yellow

Mosaic (MYMV) in blackgram varieties”. In his project he has took DUS characters of two

blackgram genotypes. He also collected MYMV infected sample from the field and isolated

DNA from the infected plant leaf samples for screening the samples with virus specific markers.

He also used SSR markers for screening genotypes for checking parental polymorphism.

In addition to these knowledge based theoretical insights and hands on skill development

through individual projects in the afore mentioned four major areas, Mr. Santosh has given

insights in Bio informatics tools like NCBI, BLAST, CLUSTAL W and Primer 3 software’s.

Similarly, Mrs. Prathyusha has given a lecture “Use of Biostatistics in Agriculture Sciences”

Students have taught about the use of Bio Statistics concepts and tools like Mean, Median,

Avarage, Annova, Chi square, correlation and regression in biological data analysis. Apart from

these, students have also made aware of Microsoft Office tools like micro soft excel, power point

slide preparations. Mr. Prasanna Kumar, SRF of the Foundation has demonstrated

vermicomposting technology and its benefits. Further, Dr. G. Mallikarjuna has given career

guidance for their future.

Hands on skill on portray technology and vermicomposting technology

Students have participated in science fair and presented their ideas in the form of posters

on topics like Genetically modified crops for pollution control and therapeutics, DNA finger

printing, Somatic hybridization, anti ageing components in Rosa indica, Food adulterations,

benefits of top soil and light, Decomposition of dead body, Rising of vegetable seedlings using

pro-tray technologies and Organic farming. Further, students have also undergone for IQ test.

Poster presentations by interns

At the end of the summer internship programme each student presented their project

emphasizing on the technical skills acquired during the project.

Students presenting their project work

The summer internship programme ended on 30th May, 2015 by valedictory function. Dr.

J.S. Bentur, SMS, ABF and Dr. G. Mallikarjuna, Assistant Professor, ABF headed these

programme. Mr. J. Vijaya Naresh summarized the entire course activities. Following these Dr.

J.S. Bentur distributed certificates to each student along with a book of Swami Vivekanada and

prizes to the students who performed well in during the entire course based on the different

criteria like individual student’s poster presentation, power point presentation of their project,

attendance, IQ test and their respective mentor evaluations.

Group Photo of the interns along with the faculty Prof. G. Pakki Reddy, ED, ABF, interacting with the interns members of the foundation

Mr. J. Vijaya Naresh summarizing the course details in Students sharing their experiences of the course in the valedictory the valedictory session

Dr. J.S. Bentur, Distributing the certificates and prizes to the interns

Cultural activities by the students at ABF

Key points of the Summer Internship in Biotechnology for Undergraduates - 2015

All in all total 25hr has spent for knowledge based theoretical sessions and 102hr for skill

based hands on training activities, which itself represented we have given more emphasis

for skill based hands on training.

Based on the pre and post evaluations by questionnaires on an average students rated

themselves 51% more after the attending the programme for their knowledge.

Students on an average gained 147% more practical and theoretical knowledge.

All students expressed their satisfaction in the valedictory session as well as in the

interactive session with the Executive Director, ABF. However, four students suggested

for increasing the course duration from one month to two months. Some of the students

have suggested for winter short term winter school like the summer internship

programme on techniques.

Annexure 1

List of participants:

S.No Name and college

1 M. Vijay Krishna, Aurora’s Degree College

2 C. Sindhura, St. Ann’s Degree College for Women

3 E. Lahari, St. Ann’s Degree College for Women

4 Syeda Asra Banu, Aurora’s Degree College

5 Susmitha Billapati, R.B.V.R.R Womens College

6 K. Surya Chander Rao, Aurora’s Degree College

7 P. Aman Jayaker. Aurora’s Degree College

8 T. Yashwanth Reddy, Aurora’s Degree College

9 C. Sarath Chand Nihar, Aurora’s Degree College

10 A. Kavitha, Aurora’s Degree College

11 R. Niharika, R.B.V.R.R Womens College

12 K. Rashmitha, R.B.V.R.R Womens College

Annexure: 2

List of projects entitle to the students:

Name of the Mentee Name of the Mentor Project Title

M. Vijay Krishna, Aurora’s Degree College

Mrs. Prathyusha “Resistance to Mungbean Yellow Mosaic

(MYMV) in blackgram varieties”

C. Sindhura, St. Ann’s Degree College for Women

Mrs. Padmaja “ Micropropagation of Banana”

E. Lahari, St. Ann’s Degree College for Women

Mr. Vijaya Naresh “ Transgenics for crop improvement”

Syeda Asra Banu, Aurora’s Degree College

Dr. J.S. Bentur “Identification of resistant varieties against

WBPH in rice”.

Susmitha Billapati, R.B.V.R.R Womens College

Mr. Gopala Krishna “Genetic transformation of Green gram for

herbicide resistance”

K. Surya Chander Rao, Aurora’s Degree College

Mr. Nihar Sahoo “Identification of resistant varieties against

BPH in rice”

P. Aman Jayaker. Aurora’s Degree College

Mr. Chandra Teja “Isolation and Characterization of metarizium

and Beaverium Spp”

T. Yashwanth Reddy, Aurora’s Degree College

Dr. G. Mallikarjuna “Genetic transformation of Ground nut for

abiotic stress tolerance”

C. Sarath Chand Nihar, Aurora’s Degree College

Mr. Sai Prasad “Isolation and Characterization of Psedomonas

fluroscence Spp”

A. Kavitha, Aurora’s Degree College

Mr. Santosh “Genetic transformation of Ground nut for

abiotic stress tolerance”

R. Niharika, R.B.V.R.R Womens College

Mrs. Mounika “Isolation and characterization of Aztobacter

Spp.”

K. Rashmitha, R.B.V.R.R Womens College

Mr. Kishore “Isolation and Characterization of Endophytic

bacteria”.