The workshop was hosted by Dr. J. S. Tyagi, Director (A), ICAR–CARI, and coordinated by Dr. Simmi Tomar, Course Director, with support from Professor Mizeck Chagunda (CTLGH), Dr. Ram Pratim Deka (ILRI–ICAR Delhi), Professor Mike McGrew and Dr. Marcel Henrique Blank (The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh), Dr. Christian Keambou Tiambo (ILRI–Kenya), Dr. Christine Kamidi Muhonja (KALRO),
and Professor Olivier Hanotte (ILRI–Ethiopia).
The five-day workshop featured lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on wet laboratory sessions, during which sixteen scientists from ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), and wildlife research organizations were trained in ex-situ conservation technologies for poultry genetic diversity.
Participants gained in-depth knowledge and practical experience in the isolation, propagation, and cryo-conservation of chicken Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) stem cells capable of differentiating into gametes (oocytes and sperm). These techniques represent cutting-edge tools for conserving avian genetic biodiversity.
Under the program framework, trainees successfully performed isolation of circulating PGCs from blood, blastoderm, and gonadal tissues, followed by in vitro culture and cryopreservation procedures. The workshop significantly enhanced national capacity in advanced reproductive biotechnology for conservation and sustainable development of poultry genetic resources.
“We appreciate the important knowledge exchange and capacity development work that the team is doing.
“Thank you to Christian K. Tiambo and the whole team for a very successful training workshop. We look forward to building on this collaboration in our future activities.”
Professor Mizeck Chagunda, Director, Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics & Health (CTLGH), and Chair of Tropical Livestock Genetics, University of Edinburgh
Article first published: ICAR–Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar