Page 15 - CTB-1 10 May

PIONEERING A NEW FUTURE 15
VISION
To excel as an internationally recognized centre of multi-disciplinary research in science and technology.
MISSION
• Conduct basic and applied research in life and related sciences for human betterment.
• Explore the genetic diversity of microbes, plants and animals.
• Develop sustainable technologies for a cleaner environment, agriculture and better health.
OBJECTIVES
• Undertake research in cutting-edge science and its applications
• Develop and translate technologies for cleaner environment and better health
• Develop and adopt practices for sustainable agriculture
Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee during their visit to the institute
Inauguration of the exhibition of Prof. SP Agharkar’s memorabilia by Dr Anil Kakodkar on 18 November 2016
plants from the Western Ghats and Himalayan biodiversity hotspots. The organization also applies its knowledge of diatoms for river environmental monitoring and biofuel. Palaeoichnological work contributes to understanding the past diversity, behaviours, and habitat nature of the environment.
This group has described nearly 1000 new species across various life domains. The group
is currently curating >100000 specimens under Herbaria of plants, diatoms, lichens, Microbial Culture Collection, National Fungal Culture Collection India, and Palaeobiology collection. The institute also acts as the country’s vital centre for human resource development in lesser-known biodiversity by conducting periodic workshops on its various aspects.
BIOENERGY
In 1946, Prof. NV Joshi set up a microbiology
lab at ARI, the first one in western India. Unlike the rest of the country, the microbiology group
at ARI is focussed on understanding anaerobic microbes and their application for human welfare. ARI scientists have documented novel anaerobic microbes from deep-sea sediments, oil wells
and rumens. The institute's focus has shifted in recent times to applying microbes for energy recovery from renewable or depleting sources.
In collaboration with ONGC, ARI scientists have developed microbial processes for enhanced crude oil recovery and bioremediation of terrestrial oil spills. Recently, its scientists have developed a microbial process for the bio-methanation of rice straw (without thermo-chemical pretreatment) using a consortium of anaerobic microbes/ fungi. This approach can mitigate the stubble-burning problem in northern India. This group also curates India’s most extensive collection of anaerobic microbes and trains human resources, especially from the industrial sector.
BIOPROSPECTING
The bioprospecting group at ARI stands on the pillars of chemistry, biometry, and nutrition research of the institute. This group has discovered biomolecules that have applications in agriculture, health, and the environment sector. ARI scientists