University of Karachi devises new method for classification of Pakistani mangoes.
A group of scientists, led by Dr Kamran Azim at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi (KU), has devised a novel method for the classification of Pakistani mangoes.
The classification of 20 different kinds of mangoes will be possible through this novel scientific method, which is devised in the state-of-the-art Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequencing laboratory of the Dr Punjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research at KU, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the ICCBS.
Dr Kamran Azim, assistant professor at the ICCBS, along with his team, has been researching the molecular genetics of mangos for the past many years. Their discovery will be helpful in recognition of Pakistani mangoes at the global level and will be beneficial in fulfilling scientific and regulatory requirements for mango exports to technologically advanced countries in particular the United States.
According to Dr Azim, international scientific and trade organisations emphasise on classification of mango varieties based on modern biotechnological standards.
It is pertinent to mention here that Dr Azim has already discovered more than 20,000 base pairs of DNA sequences of mangos at the same laboratory, while the obtained genetic data, the blueprint of living organisms, has been submitted to the international GenBank located in Washington.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Pakistan stands fifth among mango growing countries in the world.
