Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan inaugurated a genetic resource storage facility at the Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) here on Sunday.
The Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank at LaCONES can store 17,000 vials worth of samples. Currently genetic material, including DNA, cells and tissues besides semen and eggs of 23 wildlife species are stored. It is learnt a proposal has been made by the institution to increase the storage capacity. The bank will facilitate research and, if attempted, scope for cloning.
Dr. Vardhan , who inaugurated the facility by placing some samples into liquid nitrogen for cryopreservation.