Genomics and Tissue Culture (GATC) Lab
MBUST LABORATORY
Genomics and Tissue Culture (GATC) Lab
Cutting-edge molecular research to improve crop varieties and enhance agricultural productivity through biotechnology.
- Plant tissue culture
- Genome Editing & Genetic Transformation
- Molecular Biotechnology
- Polymerase Production
- Greenhouse design
LEADERSHIP
Laboratory In-charge
Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol, Asst. Professor
Organic Agriculture Program
INFRASTRUCTURE
Major Instruments
Horizontal laminar air flow cabinet
Gel documentation system
Plant growth chamber
Electroporator
Laboratory setup at GATC Laboratory
- Plant Tissue Culture Instrumentation: Laminar flow cabinets (Biobase), Plant growth chamber, weighing balances, pH meter, and autoclave machines (SLEFA)
- Molecular Biology Instruments: PCR machine (BioRad), nanodrop, gel documentation system (BioRad), SDS-PAGE system (BioRad), gel electrophoresis system, UV transilluminator, electroporator (BioRad), and Real-time PCR (Under procurement)
- SPAD meter
- Cooling centrifuge and Incubators
- 4 C and -20 C refrigeration systems
- Ice-maker and double distillation unit
- MinION Mk1D sequencing system- UNESCO-TWAS grant (Under procurement)
- Fluorescence microscope- UNESCO-TWAS grant (Under procurement)
RESEARCH OUTPUT
Completed Research in GATC Laboratory
Conservation of Indigenous and Nutrient-Rich Crops of Nepal and blast detection methods
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol,
Researchers: Dr. Jarina Joshi, Dr. Hira Kaji Manandhar, Dr. Anupama Shrestha, Ms. Samita Gharti Magar, Ms. Shruti Subedi, Ms. Dibya Chhatkuli, Mr. Pawan Kathayat, and Mr. Birendra Mahara
Completion date: July 2025
Funded by: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Government of Nepal.
Small-scale production of probiotic kefir with different flavors (Co-PI)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jarina Joshi
Researchers: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol, Ms. Sushmita Soni, Ms. Saru Maharjan
Completion date: July 2025
Funded by: Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Government of Nepal.
RESEARCH PIPELINE
Ongoing Research in GATC Laboratory
Genome editing of local rice cultivars for blast resistance (Co-PI)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jarina Joshi
Researchers: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol, Dr. Hira Kaji Manandhar, Dr. Madan Krishna Shrestha, Mr. Pawan Kathayat, Mr. Birendra Mahara, Mr. Sangam Adhikari, Mr. Aashish Adhikari
Date of initiation: 2024
Funded by: University Grants Commission- CRIG
In vitro production and purification of polymerases
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol
Researchers: Ms. Alina Shri Sapkota, Dr. Gorkha Raj Giri, Dr. Priti Regmi, Ms. Manita Tamang
Date of initiation: 2025
Funded by: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
Hormonal regulation of regeneration and transformation in millet
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol
Researchers: Mr. Prakash Kumal, Mr. Roshan Dhungana
Date of initiation: 2025
Funded by: UNESCO–TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences) Research Grants Programme (2025)
Tea Research Project
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol
Researchers: Ms. Roshani Dhami
Date of initiation: 2025
Funded by: Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden-sponsored tea research project
Potato transformation and microtuber research project
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol
Researchers: Ms. Pratistha Maharjan
Date of initiation: 2025
Funded by: MBUST
Greenhouse design project
Principal Investigator: Dr. Sarbesh Das Dangol
Researchers: Mr. Naresh Bahadur Deuba and Mr. Arbind Singh Kushwaha
Date of initiation: 2025
Funded by: Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)
Students Involved in Research
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Arbind Singh Kushwaha - Greenhouse design (arbind.singh.kushwaha@mbust.edu.np)
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Birendra Mahara - Blast pathogen isolation and characterization (birendra.mahara@mbust.edu.np)
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Manita Tamang - Polymerase production and purification (manita.tamang@mbust.edu.np)
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Naresh Bahadur Deuba - Greenhouse design (naresh.bahadur.deuba@mbust.edu.np)
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Pawan Kathayat - Genome editing in rice (pawan.kathayat@mbust.edu.np)
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Prakash Kumal - Millet genetic engineering (prakash.kumal@mbust.edu.np)
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Pratistha Maharjan - Potato microtuber research and tissue culture (pratistha.maharjan@mbust.edu.np)
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Roshan Dhungana - Millet genetic engineering (roshan.dhungana@mbust.edu.np)
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Roshani Dhami - Tea micropropagation (roshani.dhami@mbust.edu.np)
Our Collaborators
Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University
Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden Pvt. Ltd.
Pragatishil Yuva Krishi Krishak Samuha
Nepal Plant Disease and Agro Associates Pvt. Ltd.
Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Pakistan
Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
Nepal Agricultural Research Council