Achievements

Most significant achievements during last 10 years

• Developed seven improved rural chicken and local specific chicken varieties viz. Janapriya, Aslibro Kamrupa, Narmadanidhi, Jharshim Himsamridhi, Tokbari along with their recommended package of practices.
• Created a medium-density 74K SNP chip, ‘INDICHICK,’ specific to native chickens for use in GWAS and Genomic Selection.
• Developed transgenic chickens as bioreactors for producing human interferon alpha 2b in eggs. Knockdown of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase type A (ACACA) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) genes in chickens reduced cholesterol content in their eggs. Developed De novo Chromosome-level reference Genome Assembly of indigenous Kadaknath chicken (NCBI Accession Number JBAGCV000000000)./li>
• Developed feed additives, DPR-EubioticA and herbal growth promoter (HGP) as alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chicken production. Identified Vitamin D3 and microbial phytase as potential substitutes for inorganic phosphorus in poultry diets. Established strategies to counteract mycotoxins in poultry diets.
• Reduced the incidence of avian leukosis virus (ALV) in parent purelines to less than 2% by screening using P27 antigen ELISA. Developed a duplex PCR assay for screening Mycoplasma in poultry. Created a multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection and differentiation of chicken tumor-causing viruses—Marek’s disease, Avian leukosis, and Reticuloendotheliosis.
• Cryopreserved primordial germ cells (PGCs) of 10 indigenous chicken breeds, including Hansli, Kadaknath, Ghagus, Aseel, Nicobari, Mewari, Panjab Brown, Ankleshwar, Tellichery, and Aravalli, as part of conservation efforts.
• Developed a Desktop based comprehensive chick vocalization data analysis tool, Chirpalyzer, ver. 1.3, for gender identification of day old chicks, stress and sick detection for adult birds (in collaboration with CDAC-Kolkata).
• Evaluated the field and farm performance of Kuzi X Khaki duck crosses, and assessed and characterized Kuttanad (Chemballi ducks) under farm conditions in Odisha.
• Distributed a total of 1.58 crore improved chicken and duck germplasm to the farmers across the country over the last 10 years. This included a total of 3.61 lakhs parents chicks of improved backyard chicken distributed to various central and state government agencies and KVKs..