RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (RLABB)
Founder
Past Research
Rice biotech.
Current Research
Actinomycetes
GRANT HISTORY
1. . USAID / Program in
Science and Technology Cooperation; Clonal propagation of pine trees (Pinus
roxburghii and P. wallichiana) by methods of tissue culture (Sept.
1988-Aug. 1991; US$ 121,966).
2. US-Israel CDR Program; Studies on Broomrape (Orobanche spp.) Avoidance
and Control (Jan. 1988-Dec. 1991; US$ 52,000).
3. The Rockefeller Foundation International Rice Biotechnology Program;
Exploitation of anther culture and biochemical and molecular markers to
increase the efficiency of rice breeding, with emphasis on improving
cold tolerance in rice (Aug. 1989-July 1994; US$ 145,000).
4. USAID / Program in Science and Technology Cooperation; Sex
determination of Choerospondias axillaris Roxb. Seedlings for fruiting
capacity (Sept. 1990-Aug. 1994; US$ 150,000).
5. German – Israel Agriculture Agreement for the Benefit of Third-World (GIARA);
Cultural methods for alleviating Orobanche damage (July 1993-June 1995; DM
120,000).
6. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Mutation breeding technology
for the creation of low erucic acid Brassica campestris var. toria (Jan.
1993-Mar.1996; US$ 11,000).
7. World Wildlife Fund (WWF); planning strategies for conservation of
Biodiversity in Khaptad region, Western Nepal (Mar. 1994-Aug. 1994; US$
39,500).
Working Philosophy of RLABB
Research laboratory for Agricultural Biotechnology and Biochemistry (RLABB) was founded in private sector by a university professor to enable graduates and postgraduates in biological sciences to do largely basic research in plants. We in RLABB have been competing globally for research funds and so far have obtained over half a million dollars as research grant. We heavily emphasize research training needed to sustain ambitious research activities in Nepal because (i) universities of Nepal do not have a built – in serious academic research program and (ii) almost stifling drain of research manpower to abroad mostly U.S. always leaves us in dearth of qualified people for research. For example, most of the scientists ( almost 12 ) who once did research in RLABB are either studying in US or working in research departments there. We are not averse to scientists going abroad for higher studies and employment. We have to understand this fact of life and prepare for this situation. We have to train more students. For this, we have to involve more and more students in research activities. For this to happen, more and more research institutions must be started, existing laboratories like RLABB must be strengthened and research grants must be made available to these laboratories. This is the very reason that RLABB has always tried to the research works that address to the country’s problems ( developmental as well as infrastructure and human resource ). With its experience in plant tissue culture and molecular biology, it’s high time RLABB move on to the field of proteomics in anticipation that (a) it is more down to the earth , (b) it can easily be linked to the emerging field of metabolomics, (c) perhaps it is easier to do and (d) younger generation would certainly welcome it.
Research paper on Actinomycetes
A novel biochemical method for screening of cold tolerant rice
BIODIVERSITY OF KHUMBU REGION: POPULATION STUDY OF ACTINOMYCETES
