Technology · India Bureau
Google DeepMind partners with ICRISAT to build AI-powered plant genome atlas
The collaboration will create an open-access catalogue leveraging artificial intelligence to accelerate crop breeding and genomic research across South Asia. The initiative aims to help plant breeders identify superior crop varieties more rapidly while supporting genome mapping for multiple agricultural crops.
LSN India ·
Google DeepMind has entered into a strategic partnership with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to develop a comprehensive plant genome atlas powered by artificial intelligence. The open-access platform will serve as a critical resource for researchers and breeders working to enhance crop varieties and agricultural productivity across the region.
The genome atlas will harness advanced AI capabilities to analyze genetic data and identify promising plant combinations at unprecedented speed. By systematizing genomic information and making it freely available to the global scientific community, the platform aims to accelerate the pace of agricultural innovation and support climate-resilient crop development.
ICRISAT, headquartered in Hyderabad, conducts research on crops including chickpea, pigeonpea, sorghum, and millet—staples for millions across South Asia and Africa. The partnership will extend beyond initial crop varieties, with plans to expand genome mapping efforts to encompass additional agricultural species of regional importance.
This collaboration underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence and computational biology in addressing global food security challenges. By democratizing access to genomic resources through an open-access model, the initiative seeks to empower researchers in developing countries to advance crop improvement programmes independently.