MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY LAB

Marine Biotechnology Lab (MBL) is a world-class facility to pursue research in diverse areas of fundamental biological discovery. MBL has a state-of-the-art laboratory facility, dedicated to cutting-edge research in the field of marine biotechnology- or blue biotechnology, leading to discoveries of global significance. This lab aims to conduct research to develop useful technologies for the sustainable utilization of marine resources. Major works conducted here on bioprospecting from traditional knowledge; scientific validation of traditional practices; exploitation and development of products of marine biotic resources for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications; molecular taxonomy, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analysis of marine flora and fauna; and comparative evolution and genomics ecology in various marine diversity; cutting-edge imaging and computation; coastal and marine metagenomic biotechnology; discovery of novel bioactive compounds, chemical synthesis of novel bioactive compounds from the sea; bioremediation; biofouling; and novel bioactive compounds.

Analytical Capabilities:

• DNA barcode
• Natural products isolation, identification, and structural elucidation
• Metagenomics

THEMATIC AREAS

• Bioactive compounds isolation identification and structural elucidation from marine bio-resource
• DNA barcode Study
• Docking Study
• Genomics Study
• Metagenomics
• Proteomics

CONTACT INFORMATION

Technical Manager

Dr. Sankar R.
Email: sankar@ncscm.res.in

INSTRUMENTS

Agarose-Gel Electrophoresis Unit

Model: Hoofer-PS300-B
Sl.No: 30041819

Separation of DNA/RNA based on the molecular  weight and charge. Used in checking the quality  of DNA/RNA by determining the intensity of the  bands for molecular identification of prokaryotes/ eukaryotes.

Autoclave- Automatic

Model: Panasonic
Sl.No: MLS3781L

Used in sterilization/decontamination of culture media, microbial cultures, reagents, plasticware and glassware typically at 121°C (250°F), 15psi, for 15-20min.

Bacteriological Incubator

Model: Rays
Sl.No: 3677

Used for growing/enriching microbial cultures by incubating at specific temperatures ranging from 24-45˚C usually for 24-72 hrs.

Cooling Micro-centrifuge

Model: LAB-KITS
Sl.No: SE-CF-TGL2M

Used for low temperature-high speed centrifugation procedures of molecular analysis  such as DNA/RNA/protein extraction, purification and separation.

Refrigerated centrifuge

Make: Eppendorf
Model: 5804 R

Laboratory equipment used for the separation of different matrices at controlled temperature.

Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoretic (DGGE)

Model: Cipher DTSK
Sl.No: 016556

Separation of DNA based on their melting domain and difference in GC (guanine-cytosine) content. Used in detecting the structure of microbial communities in various ecosystems like water, sediment, sewage etc.

Epifluorescent Microscope

Model: Leica DM2500
Sl.No: DFC450C

To enumerate and identify differentially fluorescing  dead and live microbial cultures/cells present in  environmental samples.

Gel Documentation System

Make: Gel-Doc-UVP
Model: GelDoc- It²® 310 Imager

Visualization and documentation of nucleic acid (DNA/RNA)  and protein suspended within polyacrylamide or agarose gels after gel electrophoresis.

Laminar Airflow Chamber

Make: Cleanair
Model: Flowfast v18P

Aseptic cabinet for safe handling of microbes and fluids aided by UV sterilization and HEPA filtration.

Sonicator

Make: Sonics
Model: VC5005

Used to disrupt the membranes of the cells/microbial cultures for extraction of compounds/nucleic acids by applying ultra sound (highfrequency energy).

Microbial Identification System

Make: Agilent
Model: 7820AGC system

Identification of microorganisms based on gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of extracted microbial fatty acid methyl esters.

Microplate reader

Model: Spetramax M2
Model: DE06397

Used to detect chemical, biological or physical reactions by measuring emitted light in terms of Absorbance, florescence or luminescence in samples/microbial cultures.

Nanodrop One

Make: Thermo Scientific

Model: Thermo scientific

Quantification of Nucleic acid (DNA/RNA/PCR amplicon) and protein based on the difference in absorbance of the molecules Q-1 at nanogram quantities.

Polymerase Chain Reactor (PCR)

Make: Applied biosystems
Model: Veriti 96 well thermal cycles

Used in amplification of DNA/RNA (to several thousand folds) for various purposes such as gene detection, identification by sequencing and cloning.

RT-PCR

Make: Applied Biosystems

Model: Veriti 96-Well Thermal Cycler

Commonly used for gene expression profiling, RNA quantification, cDNA synthesis and analysis of mRNA transcripts.

SDS – Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) unit

Make: Biorad Mini-protean
Model: Power Pac TM basic

To separate proteins with molecular masses between 5 and 250 KDa.