Mysuru: The Department of Microbiology, in association with IQAC, organised a session titled “The DNA Detective” at SBRR Mahajana First Grade College, Jayalakshmipuram recently.

Dr. T. Shivanandappa, Former Scientist ‘G,’ CSIR-CFTRI was the resource person, delivering an insightful lecture on the history, methodology and diverse applications of DNA fingerprinting.

In his talk, Dr. Shivanandappa provided a comprehensive overview of the technique, beginning with its discovery by Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984. He explained how DNA fingerprinting enables the identification of unique DNA patterns, revolutionising fields like forensic science, crime detection, and species classification.

He spotlighted a landmark case in India solved by Prof. Lalji Singh, hailed as the “Father of Indian DNA Fingerprinting.” This breakthrough demonstrated the technique’s potential in resolving complex cases where traditional evidence fell short.

He elaborated on the science behind DNA fingerprinting, emphasising that although 99.9 percent of human DNA is identical, slight variations in specific regions render every individual genetically unique. These differences form the foundation for creating precise DNA profiles.

Beyond forensics, he discussed the applications of DNA fingerprinting in paternity testing, establishing biological relationships and aiding legal and family reunification cases.

He also introduced cutting-edge advancements such as DNA phenotyping for predicting physical traits, the use of bioinformatics in genetic data analysis and DNA barcoding for species identification and taxonomy.

DNA barcoding, he explained, has become a pivotal tool in biodiversity studies, enabling researchers to classify species and explore evolutionary relationships.

The session concluded with an interactive discussion, where attendees actively engaged with the speaker to clarify doubts and deepen their understanding.

The programme began with a prayer by M.D. Sanjay, followed by a welcome address by R.S. Devika, hosted by K. Shreeja and Zuha Afsha, Assistant Professors in the Department of Microbiology.

Principal Dr. B.R. Jayakumari, CEO & Academic Advisor Dr. S.R. Ramesh, N. Spandana, Head of the Department of Microbiology were present.