Director of Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Dr. Ch. Mohan Rao on Monday said that the research work of its scientists on lactose tolerance was published in the recent issue of the science magazine ‘Molecular Biology and Evolution'.
The study, the CCMB Director said, revealed that Indians and Europeans and people from West Asia share a common genetic mutation that allowed them to digest milk. “In the last one year, among many achievements, the lactose tolerance study was a major highlight. Our scientists collaborated with their counterparts in UK,” he said.
The top scientist pointed out that the research on seed cloning of food crops was another big milestone achieved by CCMB scientists in the last one year.
“We can reproduce seeds though cloning. This helps to maintain the hybrid vigour because it will be the exact clone of the parent. Both these research initiatives were reported extensively this year,” Dr. Mohan Rao said, during an interaction session with press persons here on Monday on the occasion of Open Day.
Despite difficulties in transport, over 5,000 students from various schools visited CCMB on the occasion of Open Day, organised on the occasion of Foundation Day of Council of Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR). “We thought of cancelling the open day. But, our scientists felt that students will benefit a lot if we keep the campus open. Despite difficulties, the students have somehow managed to reach CCMB. And it reflects their interest in science,” said Director of CCMB Ch. Mohan Rao.
