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Centurion University of Technology & Management

Centre of Excellence in Genetics & Genomics

Pioneering CRISPR-based gene editing, next-generation sequencing, and precision agriculture — bridging the gap between knowing and doing.

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01 — About

Advancing Genetics
Through Innovation

The Centre for Genetics and Genomics was established with the objective of enhancing breeding programs by integrating desirable traits and developing improved plant varieties. Inaugurated in February 2021, it has grown into a hub of cutting-edge molecular biology and genomics research.

The Centre emphasizes gaining in-depth knowledge of genotyping and next-generation sequencing approaches, while conducting comprehensive sequencing experiments and data analysis that bridge academic learning with real-world biotechnology applications.

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CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing

Precision gene editing for trait enhancement in chili, tomato, orchid and other key crops

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Next-Generation Sequencing

MinION nanopore sequencing and whole genome/metagenome data analysis

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Plant Tissue Culture

Standardization of transformation protocols for multiple plant species

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Bioinformatics

Advanced computational biology tools for genomic data interpretation

Dr. Rukmini Mishra

"The entire team's dedication to molecular biology, genomics, and genetic engineering has been the foundation of this Centre's remarkable growth and impactful achievements."

Dr. Rukmini Mishra
CEO · Associate Dean R&D · Centre for Genetics & Genomics
02 — Research

Ongoing Research
Projects

Cutting-edge investigations across molecular markers, gene editing, and crop improvement.

PROJECT 01
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Diagnostic Markers for Early Disease Detection

Development of tightly linked SNP markers for early detection of plant disease, enabling resistant/susceptible line screening with greater accuracy and reduced time compared to traditional breeding methods.

PROJECT 02
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Plant Tissue Culture Transformation Protocols

Standardization of transformation protocols in chili and tomato for gene editing, plus micropropagation protocols for orchid, chrysanthemum, and other ornamental plants.

PROJECT 03
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CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing — Chili & Tomato

Establishing a stable CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing platform to engineer crop genomes for trait enhancement — developing cultivars free of undesired insertions for use in breeding programs.

PROJECT 04
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Gene Sequencing & Data Analysis (NGS)

Leveraging MinION nanopore long-read sequencing and Commander software for whole genome sequencing and mRNA analysis, including multidrug-resistant bacteria genomics via NCBI SRA.

PROJECT 05
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Brown Planthopper Effector Characterization

Identifying and characterizing candidate effectors in Indian BPH (Biotype 4) using comparative transcriptomic and proteomic approaches to improve rice BPH-tolerance and develop targeted insecticides.

PROJECT 06
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Plant Tissue culture for Orchid, Vanilla & Cactus

Plant tissue culture of ornamental and specialty crops including orchids, vanilla, and cactus for trait improvement and novel variety development.

03 — Team

Our Expert Faculty

A multidisciplinary team spanning botany, zoology, biotechnology, agriculture, and forensic sciences.

Dr. Rukmini Mishra
CEO · RC Coordinator
Dr. Rukmini Mishra
Associate Professor, Dept. of Botany · Associate Dean R&D, School of Applied Sciences
Dr. Satyabrata Nanda
RC Coordinator
Dr. Satyabrata Nanda
Associate Professor · Associate Dean, School of Biotechnology
Dr. Gagan Kumar Panigrahi
Dr. Gagan Kumar Panigrahi
Associate Professor
Dept. of Zoology · Associate Dean, School of Applied Sciences
Dr. Hirak Dash
Dr. Hirak Dash
Associate Professor
Dean, School of Forensic Sciences
Dr. Jatindranath Mohanty
Dr. Jatindra Nath Mohanty
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Biotechnology
Dr. Swapnil
Dr. Swapnil
Assistant Professor
MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture
Dr. Goutam Kumar Dash
Dr. Goutam Kumar Dash
Associate Professor
MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture
Dr. Naga Jogayya K
Dr. Naga Jogayya K.
Associate Professor
School of Forensic Sciences
Dr. Polaki Suman
Dr. Polaki Suman
Assistant Professor
MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture
Dr. Sanghamitra Rout
Dr. Sanghamitra Rout
Assistant Professor
MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture
Dr. Shampa Purkaystha
Dr. Shampa Purkaystha
Assistant Professor
School of Smart Agriculture
Dr. Madhusmita Barik
Dr. Madhusmita Barik
Assistant Professor
School of Biotechnology
Debarati Nandi
Ms. Debarati Nandi
Assistant Professor
MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture
Sabarinathan Selvraj
Mr. Sabarinathan Selvraj
Assistant Professor
MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture
04 — Facilities

World-Class Lab
Facilities

State-of-the-art laboratories equipped with advanced instruments supporting high-quality genomics and genetic engineering research.

Central Instrumentation Central Instrumentation 2

Genetic Engineering & Genomics Lab — BBSR Campus

Inaugurated on 4th February 2021, this lab focuses on whole genome and metagenome sequencing and data analysis. Equipped with MinION nanopore sequencer and Commander software for NGS analysis.

Bioinformatics Station Bioinformatics Station 2

Bioinformatics Station

Advanced computational biology workstations for genomic data analysis, sequence alignment, variant calling, and bioinformatics training programs for students and researchers.

05 — Activities

Student Activities
& Programs

Hands-on training, internships, dissertations, and workshops bridging theory and practical research.

A 15-day Summer Internship 2026 provided undergraduate students with practical training in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics — covering DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, molecular diagnostics, genome analysis, and bioinformatics tools.

Internship 2025
Internship 2025
Internship 2025
Internship 2026
Internship 2026
Internship 2026

The 2-month Dissertation Program 2026 provides postgraduate students with advanced hands-on training in molecular biology, genetic engineering, genomics, and bioinformatics — focused on CRISPR-based gene editing, plant tissue culture, genome sequencing, and functional genomics.

Dissertation 2025
Dissertation 2026
Dissertation 2026

Workshops cover CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing tools, basic molecular biology techniques, analysis of biometrical data using R software, and plant tissue culture methods — equipping students with industry-relevant skills.

Plant Tissue Culture Workshop
06 — Collaborations

Global MoU
Partners

Strategic collaborations with leading national and international research institutions.

FCRI MoU

Forest College & Research Institute (FCRI)

Hyderabad, Telangana

Genotypic Technology MoU

Genotypic Technology Pvt. Ltd.

Bangalore, India

NRRI MoU

National Rice Research Institute

Cuttack, Odisha

All Collaboration Partners

University of Kentucky, USA
South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China
DBT-National Agri-Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali
ICAR-Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research (DOGR), Pune
Bio Forensics Research Centre, Italy
Clue4 Evidence Forensic Lab, Bangalore
Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science, New Delhi
Hawk Eye Forensic, Noida, UP
ICS Assure Services Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
Mahen Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
International Forensic Sciences (IFS), Pune
07 — Events

Conferences &
Webinars

NCFGG 2025
Conference · 2025

National Conference on Frontiers in Genetics and Genomics (NCFGG-2025)

Translational Genomics
Conference

Translational Advances in Genomics and Molecular Science

AMPRI 2026
Conference · 2026

Orissa Botanical Society — Advances in Medicinal Plant Research & Innovation (AMPRI-2026)

NCFGG Gallery
Gallery · 2025

NCFGG-2025 — Day 2 Highlights & Technical Sessions

08 — Publications

Selected Research
Publications

2022

Molecular Characterization of Zn(II)2Cys6 Cluster Gene Family and Association with Pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum

B Mahanty, R Mishra, RK Joshi · Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 117IF: 2.74
2021

Engineering Broad-Spectrum Resistance to Bacterial Blight by CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Precise Homology Directed Repair in Rice

Wei Z et al., Mishra R · Molecular Plant, 14(8)IF: 13.01
2021

Single Transcript CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Mutagenesis of CaERF28 Confers Anthracnose Resistance in Chilli Pepper

Mishra R, Mohanty JN, Mahanty B, Joshi RK · Planta 254IF: 4.11
2023

Ectopic Expression of Disease Resistance Protein Promotes Resistance Against Pathogen Infection and Drought Stress in Arabidopsis

A Sahoo, KB Satapathy, GK Panigrahi · Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 124IF: 2.74
2022

Marker-Free Rice Overexpressing PDH45 Gene Confers Salinity Tolerance by Maintaining Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Machinery

Sahoo RK et al. · Antioxidants 11, 770IF: 7.6
2021

Genome Editing Strategies Towards Enhancement of Rice Disease Resistance

Rukmini Mishra, Wei Zheng, Raj Kumar Joshi, Zhao Kaijun · Rice Science, 28(2)IF: 3.31
09 — Recognition

Awards &
Honours

🏆

Eminent Achiever Award 2022

Dr. Rukmini Mishra — Provost Conclave, Centurion University of Technology and Management

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Certificate of Excellence for Publications & Patents 2022

Dr. Rukmini Mishra & Dr. Gagan Kumar Panigrahi — CUTM

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Best Researcher Award 2021

Dr. Gagan Kumar Panigrahi — DK International Research Foundation

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Young Scientist Award — AAVASILES 2022

Dr. Satyabrata Nanda — International Conference organized by ICAR-IGFRI, Birsa Agricultural University

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Best Ph.D. Thesis Award 2022

Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur — Dr. Satyabrata Nanda

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3rd Prize — Best Oral Presentation, ICBEUC-2022

Dr. Naga Jogayya K. — International Conference on Bioresources of Environment and Conservation

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Review Editor — Frontiers in Plant Science

Dr. Rukmini Mishra, Dr. Satyabrata Nanda, Dr. Goutam Kumar Dash — Specialty: Plant Genomics & Biotechnology

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DBT-Skill Vigyan Recognition 2021

Dr. Gagan Kumar Panigrahi — DBT-Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar

10 — Courses

Certificate, Diploma
& Domain Courses

Certificate Course

Introduction to Computational Biology

Domain Course

Genetics and Genomics

Diploma Course

Seed Production using Manual and Molecular Breeding Methods

Question Banks Developed

Plant Tissue Culture Technician Seed Analyst Seed Production
11 — Infigenome

Inspiring Young Minds for a Better Future

Infigenome is an initiative of the Genetics & Genomics Centre, CUTM, to reduce the gap between knowing and doing — making genomics and metagenomics solutions more accessible for students, individuals, and researchers.

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Genetics & Genomics Solutions

Professional genomics and metagenomics services

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Dissertations & Projects

Guided research for postgraduate students

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Trainings & Workshops

Hands-on skill development programs

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Industry Exposure

Exhibition and industry linkage programs

Infigenome

Join our genomics community and access hands-on training, internships, and advanced genomics services.

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