The Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics (FBG) is one of the five departments within the Faculty of Fisheries established in 2011. At present, the department has six teaching staff specialized in different areas of fish biology and physiology, fish genetics, molecular biology, neuroscience, nutrigenomics, and biotechnology, as well as biodiversity and conservation of aquatic organisms. The department offers courses at both the undergraduate (B. Sc.) and postgraduate (MS) levels. At the undergraduate and MS level, the department teaches 16 courses and,and19 courses, respectively. The department has awarded 14 MS degrees and currently 3 MS students are conducting their research on various aspects of fisheries biology and conservation, fish breeding, fish physiology, and genetics.
Objectives:
The main aim of the FBG courses is to equip students with in-depth knowledge and cutting-edge methodologies in fish breeding, conservation, and the development of new fish varieties. Students are introduced to state-of-the-art analytical techniques and modern approaches that address biodiversity conservation, climate change impacts, and the genetic enhancement of aquatic organisms. These courses cover a broad spectrum, encompassing freshwater, marine, and brackish water species, while also delving into molecular biology and the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems. By integrating these disciplines, the FBG courses prepare students to contribute effectively to the advancement of aquatic science and conservation efforts.
Laboratory Facilities:
The department has well-established Molecular Biology and Conservation Laboratory along with a wet laboratory with modest facilities for teaching practical classes and research programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. The laboratory has facilities for molecular genetics and biotechnological studies including DNA and RNA isolation, , DNA amplification (PCR), isolation and characterization of gene, quantitative real-time PCR, DNA barcoding, histological analysis, nutrigenomics, comet assay, and ELISA, for advanced biological and molecular research. Additionally, the laboratory is currently being utilized especially for the standardization of cryopreservation protocols for the spermatozoa, eggs, and embryos of different aquatic organisms. The laboratory is also well equipped with the facilities for larval and fry rearing in the wet laboratory.
Research Activities:
Both fundamental and applied research works related to the taxonomy, biodiversity, functional morphology, reproductive biology, fish breeding, characterization of seaweeds, gene expression, and other aquatic organisms are carried out by teachers and graduate students of the department. The research program is carried out either as a part of the graduate (B.Sc. and MS) program. One of the most widely explored areas of research in this department is the development of induced breeding techniques especially of commercially important endangered species Yellowtail catfish, Pangasius pangasius. The department of FBG produces some significant findings on cryopreservation of sperm, gene transfer technology, seaweed-based organic feed development through transcriptomics, effects of phytoadditives on physiogy of fisfish and catfish, gut microbiota analysis, and the isolation of gene from fishes.
Looking ahead, the FBG department will focus on the following areas: Global warming and climate change, Fish otolith study, Biofloc technology, Conservation biology and gametes cryopreservation, Breeding behavior and reproductive biology, Germ cell transplantation, Gene transfer technology through microinjection, Seaweeds biology and their production, Fish neuro-pharmaco genomics etc. Apart from pursuing academic excellence, the department is also committed to continue leading the fisheries education and research in the Southern Bangladesh and beyond.