LAHORE, Nov 7: The Centre of Excellence for Molecular Biology (CEMB) has been made the official DNA testing laboratory of the Punjab government.

The decision was taken at a meeting, presided over by Punjab Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool, at the CEMB on Thursday.

The governor said that all necessary resources and facilities would be provided at the CEMB so that it could be used for criminal investigation, paternity determination and could also undertake various medical tests on subsidised charges.

CEMB director Dr Riazuddin informed the governor that the centre had developed a rice variety that would not need any anti-insect spray. Applying this technology would save the rice crop over 40 per cent pre and post harvest losses.

He said the CEMB’s laboratory would develop DNA data bank of inmates of provincial jails. A training programme for police DSPs and higher officials would be arranged in the second week of January next year.

He said the centre had been undertaking DNA testing in important criminal cases for over the last two years.

Dr Riazuddin urged the governor to help the institution to secure release of funds for equipment for the DNA laboratory.

The School of Biological Sciences Director-General Dr Muhammad Akhtar thanked the Punjab government for initiating the establishment of the centre with Rs15 million and called for greater support for enhancing the research facilities.