2nd international Symposium on Genomics in Aquaculture (ISGA-II)

ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar organized the 2nd International Symposium on Genomics in Aquaculture (ISGA-II) during 28-30 January, 2016 at Bhubaneswar. The Symposium was organized in association with Association of Aquaculturists, Bhubaneswar and Asian Fisheries Society, Indian Branch, Mangalore.

Dr J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR and Chairman, AFSIB addressing as Chief Guest emphasized on providing a platform for fruitful scientific deliberation and interaction among the scientific community and stakeholders. He stressed to come out with appropriate recommendations for planning and execution of aquaculture genomics research in the country.

Dr. P. Jayasankar, Director, ICAR-CIFA and convener said that ICAR-CIFA was engaged in research towards producing selectively bred fish and generating genomic resources.

Prof. P. P. Mathur, Vice Chancellor, KIIT University Bhubaneswar who chaired the valedictory function mentioned as to how fish genomics could be benefited out of research advancement from Human and other animal genomic projects.

Eminent Scientist from abroad; Directors, scientists and students from the ICAR Fishery Research Institutes; representatives from the National Fisheries Development Board; scientists from Department of Biotechnology and eminent retired fishery scientists participated in the symposium.

Following recommendations were made from the symposium:

Prioritization of objective, trait and species before starting whole genome sequencing project
The classical selective breeding program should be supported  by genetic markers to increase the accuracy of selection and emphasis on Phenomics to assist genomic selection
Need to enhance the pool of  bio-informaticians  and advance training program on bioinformatics should be conducted in institute
Infrastructure development for computational biology work & validation of in-silico work before publication
Best Early career Researcher competition for the innovative and novel ideas on  Genomics  in the Symposium
Development of on farm assay (BIOCHEMICAL)  system for identification of improved varieties from non-improved one
Working with zebra fish as model fish along with farm food fish simultaneously to solve the research problem
Development of designer fish for production of drug or vitamin through transgenesis in collaboration with industry on PPP mode
Networking with international and national institutes to develop core group in the area of genomics
Basic research and technology development for end users (farmers/stakeholders/industry) should be done simultaneously
IPR in the genomic era need to be strengthened in India.
(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar)