28 State-of-the-Art Research Laboratories

NIGAB operates a national complex of 28 specialized laboratories, glasshouses, and containment facilities at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad. Search or filter below to inspect individual mandates, activities, and research leads.

Laboratories

State-of-the-art research laboratories

Dedicated facilities across plant and animal biotechnology, each with a defined research mandate and a named point of contact.

Marker Assisted Breeding Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Marker-assisted selection for new wheat varieties — rust, karnal bunt, salinity and drought tolerance
Genetic diversity and phytochemical analysis of indigenous accessions
Identification of unknown olive varieties and adulteration in exportable commodities

breeding@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3827/8

Gene Transformation Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Optimisation of regeneration and transformation protocols for maize, wheat, potato, tomato, sugarcane, banana and groundnut
Development of genetically modified crops for economically important traits
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for biotic and abiotic stress resistance

transgenic@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3815/6

Gene Cloning Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Isolation of agriculturally important genes for stress tolerance and quality traits
Structural characterisation of newly isolated genes using bioinformatics tools
Functional characterisation of novel genes in model plants

genecloning@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3819

Green Super Rice (GSR) Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Phenotypic evaluation of 552 GSR advanced lines for yield and yield-related traits
Development of 8–10 elite early-maturing long-grain lines yielding 8–10 t/ha
Introgression of GSR traits into local Basmati and coarse rice
Genotyping of yield and quality traits through GWAS and RNA-seq approaches

gsr@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3843

SINO-PAK Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Whole genome sequencing of local sugarcane varieties
Next-generation sequencing system operations

sinopak@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3812

Tissue Culture Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Mass-scale production of true-to-type, disease-free plants of vegetatively propagated crops
Provision of initial explants for genetic transformation
National and international coordination and manpower capacity building

tissueculture@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3822

Genome Editing Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9, dCas9 and Cpf1 approaches for plant productivity
Analysis of NGS data from genome re-sequencing and RNA-seq for SNP development and gene discovery
Deployment of novel isolated genes for genome editing in plants

genomeediting@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3808

Bioinformatics Lab

Bioinformatics

Comparative analysis, multiple alignment and phylogenetic analysis of sequences
Post-sequencing data analysis and gene association studies
In-silico drug design and systems biology of co-regulated processes using R

bioinformatics@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3812

GMO Testing Lab

National Reference Laboratory

Molecular and biochemical evaluation of genetically modified products
Tested more than 500 NCVT cotton entries from the National Cotton System
Routine testing of samples from agencies at approximately 100 samples per annum
Pre-assessment stage completed for ISO 17025 accreditation

gmotesting@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3821

General Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Shared bench facility supporting sample preparation and routine molecular work across programmes

NIGAB, NARC Islamabad

DNA Analyzer Lab

Plant Biotechnology

Capillary sequencing and fragment analysis supporting genotyping and marker validation

NIGAB, NARC Islamabad

Inoculation Lab & Growth Room

Plant Biotechnology

Aseptic inoculation and controlled-environment growth facility for in-vitro cultures and transformed lines

NIGAB, NARC Islamabad

Animal Genomics Lab

Animal Biotechnology

Genetic improvement of livestock breeds using advanced molecular techniques
DNA fingerprinting of milk-related genes through genomic tools
Molecular diagnostics and therapeutics

animalgenomics@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3842

Cell Culture Lab

Animal Biotechnology

Standardisation of LAMP-PCR for rapid detection of Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle
Development of monoclonal antibodies against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)
Identification of antibiotic resistance genes in E. coli from meat samples
Maintenance of cell lines and a virus bank of local poultry viral isolates

cellculture@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3837

Animal Probiotics Lab

Animal Biotechnology

Identification of economically beneficial indigenous microorganisms via 16S rRNA sequencing
Physiological and biochemical characterisation of bacteria using API kits
Establishment of the NIGAB Microbial Culture Collection of Pakistan (NMCCP)
Depository function for microorganisms involved in patent procedures

probiotics@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3833

Health Biotechnology Lab

Animal Biotechnology

Veterinary sciences and animal biotechnology
Molecular epidemiology and diagnostics of animal diseases
Vaccine production

healthbiotech@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3833

Animal Containment Facility

Animal Biotechnology

Biological evaluation of pathogens and virus growth
Raising hyper-immune serum and antigens
Animal vaccine trials and biosafety studies

containment@nigab.parc.gov.pk+92 51 9073 3827

Partner with Pakistan’s national genomics institute

Whether you need reference-grade GMO testing, DNA fingerprinting for export quality assurance, or a research collaboration, NIGAB’s laboratories and scientists are available to the public and private sector.

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