SEARCA is supporting six participants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines in the “Training Course on the Long-term Preservation and Management of Microbial Resources with Agricultural Importance” on 23-27 May 2011 at the Sirindhorn Science Home, Thailand Science Park, Pathumthani, Thailand.

The course aims to enhance the capacities of researchers in the region involved in culture collection management in the member countries of the Asian Consortium for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Microbial Resources (ACM). This activity also intends to increase awareness and appreciation on the benefits of high quality microbe-based biotechnology products.

Training and enhancing the capacities of researchers for the development of cutting edge technologies that will help improve agricultural productivity is in line with SEARCA’s flagship of supporting agricultural competitiveness. SEARCA has always been at the forefront of developing the skills of technical people in the field of agri-biotechnology.

The five-day training will include topics on legal management of microbial resources, information management and database design, modern techniques for taxonomy, DNA barcoding, and preservation and management of microbial resources, among others.

Proper preservation of microbial inoculants, which are used as various fertilizers and biological control agents, is crucial to maintain its viability and desired characteristics. Microorganisms are valued resources that greatly help various processes including agricultural production. In fact, microbial biofertilizers and biological control agents used against pest and diseases are available in some countries.

This training course is being organized by the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in cooperation with the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), NITE Biological Resource Center (NBRC), World Data Centre for Microorganisms (WDCM), ACM and SEARCA. (Jenny A. Panopio and Sophia M. Mercado)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org