DNA barcoding

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Barcode of Life (iBOL), a Canadian non-profit organization. 
• This partnership focuses on DNA barcoding, a technique used to quickly and accurately identify species by sequencing a small segment of specific gene regions and comparing them to a global reference database. 
• iBOL, a collaborative research network, consists of countries dedicated to contributing human and financial resources to expand the global reference database, develop informatics tools, and establish analytical methods for biodiversity assessment and description.
• The MoU enables ZSI to participate in – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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Programs of iBOL

• Barcode 500K (Completed in 2015)

1. 1. • Established sequencing facilities, analytical protocols, informatics platforms, and international collaboration.
      • Laid the foundation for building – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
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• Bioscan (Launched in June 2019)

1. 1. • Aims to deliver DNA barcode coverage for 2 million species by 2026.
      • Activates biomonitoring for ecoregions in participating nations, codifying species interactions.
      • Develops informatics support for high-throughput sequencing.
      • Promotes applications of – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
        
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• Planetary Biodiversity Mission (To be launched in 2026 and completed by 2045)

1. • Goals include completing the census of all multicellular species.
   • Establishing a global biosurveillance program.
   • Constructing a ‘library of life’ by preserving – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 
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