COUNTRY PAPERon

"BIOTECHNOLOGY"

 presented in the

SECOND EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON BINASIAHELD IN BANGKOK, THAILAND

FROM JANUARY 24-25, 2006 

 PREPARED BY

PROF. DR. S. RIAZUDDINDirector

Centre Of Excellence Molecular BiologyThokar Niaz Baig, Canal Bank Road

Lahore

GENES CAN BE ISOLATED FROM BACTERIA, VIRUSES,

FUNGI, PLANTS OR ANIMALS AND MADE TO EXPRESS IN

CHOICE HOSTS

IT WILL SOME DAY BE POSSIBLE TO MANIPULATE GENES

FOR ALMOST ANY CHARACTER RESULTING IN THE PRODUCTION

OF DESIRED TRAITS ON WHATEVER SCALE WE DESIRE

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ARE EMERGING

AS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE-GENERATING SOURCE

FOR THE ECONOMIES OF DEVELOPED NATIONS

BIOTECH MARKET ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT BIOTECH SECTORS

a) Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

b) Biopharmaceuticals

c) Molecular Diagnostic

CURRENT STATUS OF BIOTECH RESEARCH IN

PAKISTAN

Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB)/ Centre for Applied Molecular Biology

University of the Punjab, Lahore

Bt transgenic rice and Bt cotton.

Disease free seeds of potatoes, sugarcane and gladiolus flowers.

Bt bioinsecticide, mycopesticide.

Prenatal diagnosis of -thalassemia.

DNA Typing for crime investigation and parenthood identification,

PCR based diagnosis of infectious diseases (hepatitis B&C and tuberculosis) – services and kits.

Human recombinant proteins – interferon alpha 2a and insulin.

National Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE),

Jhang Road, Faisalabad BioPower developed to support growth of different grains, fodder

legumes, cereals, cotton etc.

DNA purity test for basmati rice (Export National focal point).

Production of industrial Enzymes.

PCR/ DNA based diagnostic tests for cotton/ banana viruses.

Inocula for methane and ethanol production.

Test for formaldehyde, heavy metal and microbiological content for export goods in export goods.

Broad spectrum virus resistant GM cotton and GM tomato. oduction of citric acid and Alpha-amylase.

Model process for coal desulphurisation at industrial scale.

Biotechnological process for recovery of copper from indigenous ores.

Microbial consortia for waste treatment for various industries

Centre for Molecular Genetics (CMG), University of Karachi, Karachi

Biological filters using indigenous resources for the treatment/detoxification of industrial effluents. This technology could be commercialized to recycle the waste matter and recovery of heavy metals.

Development of oil degrading bacteria.

Production of biodegradable plastic (PHA) by bacteria.

Production of alginate and water absorbing polysaccharides by bacteria using the sugar- cane waste. These could be used for improving fertility of agricultural lands, for preparing materials like tissue papers and baby diapers.

Bacterial production of dextran.

Production of antimicrobial compounds from marine bacteria (pharmaceutical industry).

Development of plant growth promoting bacteria which have the ability to degrade complex phosphate compounds to liberate free phosphorus and produce plant growth hormones.

ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING

COMMERCIALIZATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND

PROCESSES

IMPACT ON TRADE OF ASIAN COUNTRIES

(a) Switching on to new raw material base may actually be effectuated much quicker than in the past,

(b) a large number of commodities will undergo major changes in supply and demand at the same time, and

(c) alternative sources for foreign exchange earnings may be more limited than at other historical junctures.

INHERENT CONSTRAINTS IN THE PROMOTION OF

APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ASIAN COUNTRIES

VARIOUS SEGMENTS INVOLVED IN MARKETING LABORATORY RESEARCH

Science Managers (Based on needs – Technical feasibility vizs-à-vis infrastructure and market trends – which other institions are working to produce it – value addition / cost economics)

Conceiving a project Identification of a Product/Process

1

Laboratory Research

Sound Scientific Plan (Molecular Biology)2

Upscale; Fermentation

Chemical Engineers (Economy, bye-product, other products)

3

Formulation Ease of Distribution (Shelf Life; persistence, mode of application)

4

Field Trial5 Compliance with

approval/ Regulatory Procedure

Packaging & Marketing By the Non–biologists,

Attractive/ aggressive

6

Legal Protection/ Patent

PROPOSED STRATEGY TO REAP A HARVEST OF

BIOTECHNOLOGY

BIO-FORUM 2006MARCH 13-15, 2006

The Centres for Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan and PISELLI CONSULTING S.L. Barcelona, Spain, will jointly organize “Bioforum 2006” in Lahore, Pakistan from March 13-16, 2006. This will be the first partnering conference held in Pakistan and will bring together industry and academia from Pakistan, neighboring India, and Middle-Eastern countries.

Participants include professionals, company officials, regulatory affairs and project management.

The forum will also include

Concurrent Workshops and Plenary Lecture For more information please visit

www.cemb.edu.pk/Bioforum2006

VENUE 

National Centre of Excellence in Molecular BiologyUniversity of the Punjab

87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz BaigLAHORE-53700LAHORE-53700, Pakistan

Tel: 042-5421235Fax: 042-542-1316

Email: camb1@wol.net.pk

 

PROGRAMME www.cemb.edu.pk/Bioforum2006

PLENARY LECTURESGLOBALIZATION OF R&D EFFORTS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE ENDEAVOURS.

OUTSOURCING AS A MEANS TO ACTIVATE GLOBALIZATION

OPTIMIZATION OF RETURNS FROM UNIVERSITY RESEARCH – TECHNICAL & LEGAL MEASURES

ENFORCEMENT OF PATENTS IN PAKISTAN

FUNDING FOR PAKISTAN’S RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN LIFE SCIENCES

REGULATORY ISSUES An Overview of cGMP Requirements by USFDA / European FDA (legal principles and implementation tools) Introduction to validation Regulatory/ user requirements Good engineering practices Protocols

cGMP APPLICATIONS Concepts and regulations Contamination and cross contamination issues/ drug safety Design of GMP bio-containment facilities for pharmaceutical and vaccine production Risk and impact assessment Impact on operation

CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

I: Vaccines (Hepatitis B &C)II: siRNA Technology as a new Therapeutic ToolIII: Stem Cells & Regenerative MedicineIV: Bioethical issues in Research & Clinical TrialsV: Detection of chemical, biological and GMO’s toxic materials in the environment and food chain

REGISTRATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN PAKISTANCLINICAL TRIALS

APPROVAL PROCESS OF PHARMACEUTICALS

PARTNERING SESSIONS AMONG UNIVERSITY SCIENTISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS

Agriculture Health Industry

THE CENTRE FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY COORDIALLY INVITES YOU

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BIOFORUM EXHIBITION

 

LOCAL HOSPITALITY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZORS

MARCH 13-15, 2006

IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXHIBITIONplease complete the following information

for your product/ process

and send it to camb1@wol.net.pk; riaz@lhr.comsats.net.pk

THANK YOU