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ICRISAT boosts global genebank capabilities with digital sequence information training
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Tuesday, 30 December, 2025, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has significantly strengthened global capacity in the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) to support future-ready genebanks, a key advance for breeding and food security research.
With genomics playing an increasingly pivotal role in modern agriculture, digital sequence data the genetic blueprint of plants has emerged as a powerful tool for crop improvement. However, many research institutions, particularly in developing regions of Asia and Africa, have lacked the necessary skills and infrastructure to fully leverage these advancements. To bridge this gap, ICRISAT, in collaboration with AfricaRice and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, convened a five-day, hands-on training at its Hyderabad headquarters.
The workshop, held from December 8–12, 2025, formed part of the broader CGIAR Genebanks Accelerator initiative, aimed at modernizing global genebank systems and making them more responsive to evolving scientific and agricultural needs. Eighteen scientists from 12 countries across Asia and Africa participated, gaining practical experience in handling, analyzing, and integrating DSI into genomic databases.
Participants worked through the full genomics workflow from DNA extraction to high-throughput genotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data analysis — using ICRISAT’s state-of-the-art facilities. The training also included tours of core research infrastructure, including the Genebank, Speed Breeding Facility, and Climate Change Biology laboratories.
Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research & Innovation at ICRISAT, emphasized that building shared capacity around DSI not only enhances genebank utility but also accelerates the development of improved crop varieties tailored for food and nutrition security.
The workshop concluded with a commitment to establish regional communities of practice in Asia and Africa to sustain knowledge sharing and foster ongoing collaboration in genomics-enabled breeding programs.
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