Francis Borgio awarded research grants

SJC has received yet another research project. Dr Francis Borgio J., an Assistant Professor in the PG and Research Department of Microbiology has received a grant of Rs 4.85 Lakhs sponsored by the ‘Seed Money to Young Scientist Programme’ of the Vision Group on Science and Technology, a Department of Science and Technology, Govt of Karnataka.

His research topic is an extension of his Ph. D study. The topic is “Distribution of Metarhizium anisopliae in the vicinity of Western Ghats of Karnataka, its bioefficacy and detection of pr1 virulent gene among the isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae”.

The microbe Metarhizium anisopliae is a cosmopolitan microorganism and Dr Borgio’s research will isolate its pr1 gene and identify its virulence and prevalence on insect pests.

On application of his research for society, he says, “At the end of my study I will recommend the organism for field study in cotton fields and test its effect. If it works well then it can be mass multiplied and used by farmers in their fields against pests.”

He added that the wildest form of the organism is found in the Western Ghats and the research is from May 31, 2010 to May 30, 2012.

- Allan Moses II M S COM