department of biotechnology - indian institute of science

In 1982, following detailed deliberations withthe scientific community, and based on therecommendations of the then ScientificAdvisory Committee to the Cabinet, a

National Biotechnology Board (NBB) wasconstituted by the Government to fosterprogrammes and strengthening indigenouscapabilities in this newly emerging discipline.Subsequently, a separate Department ofBiotechnology (DBT) was set up in February, 1986.Since then a strong infrastructure for biotechnologyresearch and services has been created in bothnational laboratories and academic institutions. Anintegrated programme for generating humanresource and encouraging research anddevelopment was initiated. Support was providedfor basic, applied and product-oriented research,with a view to attaining excellence and productdevelopment.

Biotechnology scenario in the world ischanging rapidly. The announcement of workingdraft of Human Genome, International RiceGenome Initiative, development of Transgenic Ricewith Pro-vitamin A and complete genomesequencing of a number of small organisms aresome illustrative examples. These innovations havelong term benefits for development of products andprocesses for health care, agriculture and alliedareas for bioindustrial development.

During the last decade the DBT has adopted aholistic approach to the accelerated pace of progress of

New Biology and Biotechnology based on thebiological wealth of the country. The main thrust of theprogrammes was on research support on long-andshort-term basis leading towards scientific excellence,development of new products or processes, large-scaledemonstrations, validation of R&D leads, involvementof user agencies and industries, technologydevelopment and transfer, innovations for patentingpurpose. Emphasis was also laid on establishing newcentres of excellence, infrastructural facilities,programme support in priority areas, expansion ofbioinformatics network and human resourcedevelopment. The effort has been to ensure thatbiotechnology tools are utilized to harness thebiological wealth for societal and economic benefit ofthe country on an environmentally sound basis.

The Department has initiated several importantprogrammes relevant to national needs andpriorities. The major initiatives have been taken toestablish National Centre for Plant Genome Research(NCPGR), National Brain Research Centre (NBRC),National Bioresource Development Board (NBDB),Programmes on functional genomics, sequencing ofsilkworm genome and chromosome 11 in rice, andleishmania have been initiated. Jai Vigyan missionson vaccines, genomics, databases and herbalproducts are some other important projects. Revisedguidelines for transgenic plants for research anddevelopment have been laid down. National Facilityfor Containment and Quarantine of TransgenicPlants, approval for large-scale field trials of insect

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DEPARTMENT OFBIOTECHNOLOGY

C H A P T E R X X X I I

resistant cotton by private sector and several othertransgenic research leads would contribute towardsagriculture and plant science areas. The work ofPatent Facilitation Cell, International DepositoryAuthority for Microorganisms, National Facility forDiagnosis of Viral Disease of Tissue Culture PlantingMaterial, programmes on bioprospecting forbiological molecules, molecular taxonomy andIntegrated Nutrient Management have progressedwell. R&D leads have been pursued for technologytransfers. Biotechnology programmes for societalbenefit have been focussed for the service of targetpopulation in rural areas particularly women, SC/STand weaker sections. A WomenÕs Biotechnology Parkand a Biovillage have been set up. Human resourcedevelopment continues to be a priority.

An important effort has been the creation ofawareness amongst industries, State Governmentsand financial institutions about the importance ofbiotechnology. Several states are setting upinstitutional framework, Departments ofBiotechnology, Biotechnology Parks, Advisorystructures, Centres of Excellence etc. Many small andlarge industrial houses have come forward to developnew partnerships. International collaboration isproviding rich dividends.

SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Product and Process oriented biotechnologicalresearch and development for application in

agriculture, health sector and industry for the bene-fit of society have been given a major thrust. R&Dand demonstration programmes have been support-ed in different fields based on the advice of ExpertTask Forces in different areas.

Basic Research and Emerging Areas: Basic researchprogrammes in modern biotechnology have beensupported to provide new vistas to the knowledgerequired for understanding the intricacies involved inany applied research. Support to basic researchthrough R&D projects has been vital to developexpertise and investigating basic biological processes

for future applications. Programmes on proteinengineering, drug and molecular design,identification potential molecules for developmentof vaccines and diagnostics for infectious diseaseshave shown promising results. An Indian patent hasbeen filed for a highly efficient and cost-effectiveprocess for the preparation of large quantity (300-400mg) of pure (native-like) recombinant streptokinase.Patent applications have also been filed for rapidmethod for immobilization of biomolecules andEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Plant Biotechnology : Concerted efforts have beenmade to promote and strengthen the area ofagricultural biotechnology. The programmes aredirected to major problems of identified priority crops,development of transgenics for both quality andquantity improvement and basic research in the area ofplant molecular biology. An initiative has been takenby the Department to join the International RiceGenome Sequencing programme with a commitmentto sequence 10 Mb of chromosome 11 in a period offive years. Development of markers for high qualityprotein content and cloning/modification of triticingene with enhanced lysine content in wheat,development of molecular methods for hybrid seedmustard, production of transgenic plants of tobaccowith viral resistance are some of the other importantachievements. Transgenic pigeonpea, chickpea andtomato resistant to insects are ready for evaluation andtransgenic mustard is to be field evaluated for malesterility restoration studies and herbicide resistance.

Biofertilizers: A number of projects have beenimplemented with an objective to developintegrated nutrient packages for different croppingsystems in various agro-climatic zones of thecountry and development of transgenic efficientstrains of inoculants and technology for massproduction of biofertilizers. Under the networkprogramme on integrated nutrient management,several packages have been developed and testedfor field applications at 17 centres across the country.

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The experiments will facilitate judicious applicationof chemical fertilizers and adoption of microbialinoculants for various cropping systems. Eleventhousand trials and demonstrations have beenconducted, benefiting 19000 farmers. Technologiesfor large-scale production of mycorrhizal andrhizobial biofertilizers have been transferred to fourindustries.

Biological Pesticides: An R&D networkprogramme has been supported for developing apackage of practices which is cost effective,sustainable and eco-friendly in different crop eco-systems for control of pests, diseases and weeds ofimportant crops across the country. Under theIntegrated Pest Management, an area of 65,000hectares has been covered in different agroclimaticzones, benefiting more than 30,000 farmers so far.Biopesticide formulation technologies have beentransferred to the industry.

Animal Biotechnology: The Department hasprovided support for various programmes on animalhealth, diagnostics, animal byproducts, geneticcharacterization and transgenics, with the overallobjective to enhance the productivity in animalsthrough advanced techniques. Promising leads havebeen obtained on indigenous breed characterizationand embryo preservation. Embryo transfer technologywas perfected in cattle and 1000 genetically superiorcalves were born including 100 buffalo calves. Embryotransfer technique in camel was standardized and anew protocol for camel superovulation was developedfor the first time. Transgenic mice carrying antibioticmarkers, Hepatitis-B antigens, inter-leukin genes andother markers have been developed. A new rabiesvaccine for animals has been produced and is beingtested for technology transfer.

Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology: A numberof programmes have been supported fordevelopment of transgenic fish, bioactivecomponents from marine sources and improved

production of both fish and feed. Demonstrationprojects have been implemented for grow-outoperations, hatchery and feed mill development forprawn. This has benefited a large number of farmersand entrepreneurs. A record production of over 10tonnes/ha/yr in two crops of prawn has beenachieved through semi-intensive aquaculture.Through intensive crop farming, production levelof 18 tonnes/ha/yr has been achieved. Anindigenous feed has been developed and tested forprawns. Genomic libraries of carps wereconstructed. A vibrio based vaccine against whitespot disease in prawn is ready.

Plant Tissue Culture: The Department has beensupporting programmes on plant tissue culture withthe main objective of developing regenerationprotocols of economically important forest trees,


Bunnies produced through nuclear transfer.

horticulture, and plantation crops. A total of 20protocols for regeneration have been developed. Fieldperformance was tested for the tissue culture raisedplants in a number of plantation crops (tea, coffee andpepper). Molecular diagnostic kit has been developedfor detection of Bunchy Top Virus in Banana.

Micropropagation Technology Parks: Micropro-pagation Technology Parks at NCL, Pune and TERI,New Delhi are serving as a platform for transfer ofproven technologies and training in tissue culture. Sofar 6.5 million plants have been produced and plantedin 7500 hectares in 17 states. Technologies for 10species have been transferred to the industry. Asatellite park has been set up in the north-eastern partof India for popularization of technology andproduction of planting material for the region.Regional hardening units have also been set up fordifferent agro-climatic regions.

Bioprospecting and Molecular Taxonomy: ANetwork programme on Bioprospecting andMolecular Taxonomy has been implemented forcharacterization and cataloguing of theeconomically important plant species, usingmolecular markers, with focus on the two hot spot

regions and prospecting of the genes and moleculesof bioindustrial importance. The biome mapping offive North-Eastern states and three states of theWestern Ghats has been successfully carried out bythe Department of Space. A total of nine stresstolerant genes have been identified from plantspecies. A cold tolerant gene from plant species fromHimachal Pradesh has been isolated. A salt tolerantgene has also been identified and cloned in amangrove. Bioactive molecules having biocidalactivities have been isolated and characterized fromseven plant species.

Under the programme on molecular taxonomy,molecular characterization of millets, legumes andendemic species of Eastern Ghats is being carried out.

Seri-biotechnology: A number of projects onbiotechnology for improving the productivity andquality of silk, along with the improvement of the host-plants in both mulberry and non-mulberry sericulture,are in progress. The silkworm genome initiative hasprovided some leads. Triploid mulberry plants havebeen field evaluated. Putative transgenic mulberryplants are being multiplied for further analysis.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants : Biotechnological


Tissue culture raised sugarcane Ð hardened plants in

polyhouse.

Synchronous fruiting of banana plants raised

through tissue culture.

interventions for conservation,micropropagation, production of secondarymetabolites, biotransformation ofintermediates into pharmaceutically importantproducts and genetic improvement haveproved to be very useful. Immunomodulatorcompounds from Piper longum have beenidentified and a patent filed in India/ USAforthe process and product. The technology hasbeen transferred to industry. Four Gene Bankshave been set up for conserving collectedaccessions of rare, threatened, endangered andeconomically important species of medicinaland aromatic plants.

Biodiversity Conservation and Environ-ment: A number of programmes have beensupported for developing environmentfriendly technologies through theapplication of biotechnological tools.Ecological restoration technology forrevegetating limestone quarries has beensuccessful in Mussoorie and Delhi region.The crude oil and oil sludge degradingbacterial consortia namely ÒOIL ZAPPERÓhas been successfully demonstrated. Thetechnology packages have been transferredto the Industry for commercial exploitation.

Protocols for collection, evaluation,propagation and reintroduction of 15mangrove species have been standardized.Over 5000 micropropagated plants weretransplanted in semi-natural habitat after hardening.A collaborative proposal on "Conservation ofEndangered Animals", has been supported to workon the Asiatic lion and tiger and establish a genebank, and a semen bank.

Medical Biotechnology: The main objective of theprogramme is development of diagnostics, newgeneration vaccines for prophylactic and therapeuticuse, drug delivery systems, production of importantbiological/ biomolecules, and close interactions with

industries for transfer of technologies. Researchprojects were implemented in the areas of majorinfectious and non-infectious diseases viz.tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, leishmaniasis, cholera,Helicobacter pylori, dengue, typhoid, cancer, heartdiseases and contraceptive vaccine. Projects on oralcancer and clinical applications of the stem cells havebeen initiated. Three diagnostic kits for detection of


Top: Cocoon rearing for sericulture by rural women.

Bottom: Cultivation of medicinal plants in

Himalayas.

HIV-I & II, a therapeutic vaccine for leprosy, theLeprovac, as an immunomodulator and a drugdelivery system for systemic fungal infections havebeen developed and transferred to industry. Twohepatitis C diagnostic tests and a prototype vaccinefor rotaviral diarrhoea have been developed andvalidated. Special projects for development of ediblevaccines for rabies and cholera are in an advancedstage. Eight test systems for diagnosis of dengue,hepatitis and reproductive hormones have beentransferred to the industries.

Human Genetics and Genome Analysis: TheHuman Genome Project has ushered in a new era ofgenomics. The technological developments that havetaken place since the initiation of this internationalmega project have provided opportunities for a big

leap in the area of human genetics and genomeanalysis. Several programmes were initiated in thearea of Human Genetics & Genome Analysis during1990-91, with the main aim of providing geneticdiagnosis and counselling to families with geneticdisorders, to develop new methods for diagnosis ofsuch disorders; and to find out the functions of thegenomic DNA sequences. For this purpose fourteengenetic clinics were established for providingmolecular diagnosis and counselling for thecommon genetic disorders such as beta-thalassemiaand other haemoglobinopathies and DuchenneMuscular Dystrophy (DMD) prevalent in thecountry. About 13,845 affected families havebenefited from these units so far.

A number of programmes have been identifiedthrough expert level consultations for developing


projects related to the Post Genome Era. Action hasbeen initiated to further strengthen the areas offunctional genomics, proteomics, pharmacogenetics,custom made drug designing, development ofmolecular diagnostic methods for various infections,genetic disorders and targets for drug development.

In the programme on functional genomicsstarted a few years ago, powerful computationalcapability for handling large-scale human genomesequence data, robotic methodologies forgenotyping and PCR based diagnostics for commongenetic disorders have been developed.

Bioethics: The Department has set up a NationalBioethics Committee to consider the issues related tothe universal declaration on human genome andhuman rights and to liaise with the InternationalBioethics Committee of UNESCO.

Food Biotechnology: In the area of Foodbiotechnology low cost nutritious food has been

developed for providing high energy to children.The National Dairy Development Board, Anandundertook pilot plant process standardization forthe production of ÔSoft ChikkiÕ. Eighty pilot producttrials were carried out and various processingconditions were standardized. Other projects suchas ÔDal analogueÓÕ made out of edible gradedefatted soyflour and wheat flour resembling theordinary ÔdalÕ with similar cooking properties andcontaining 35% more proteins has been developed.

JAI VIGYAN NATIONAL S&T MISSIONS

The Department has launched four Jai VigyanNational S&T Missions in the area of develop-

ment of new generation vaccines, biotechnology forherbal product development, coffee improvementand establishment of mirror sites for genomics.There have been several leads:

The main objectives of the New GenerationVaccines Development mission are to study theefficacy of DNA, recombinant/ peptides vaccines


for cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, Japaneseencephalitis (JEV) and rabies (for animals); developpreventive/ therapeutic DNA candidate vaccines.A DNA based vaccine for JEV using NI1 and NS 3enveloped proteins has been developed.

The Herbal Product Development Programmeaims at (a) developing improved ergot productiontechnology, (b) agro technologies for high yieldingArtemisia annua, (c) therapeutic applications of acompound isolated from Tinospora cordifolia, (d)developing herbal product for hyperlipidemia, and(e) developing immuno modulatory and anti-arthritic agents of herbal origin. Field experimentsare underway on Jeevan Raksha variety of Artemisiaannua indigenously developed to yield 20 to 80 kgof artemisinin/ha with a view to further improvingthe yield.

A network programme on Coffee Improvementthrough Biotechnological approaches has beensupported with two major objectives: germplasmcharacterization, mapping and cataloging andgenetic transformation for improved varietiesresistance to disease and pests and also with lowcaffeine content. A complete regeneration systemhas been developed for arabica and robusta coffeethrough various explants. Protocols have also beenstandardized for embryo rescue from distantcrosses. A simple working protocol has beendeveloped to extract high molecular weightgenomic DNA from leaf samples of coffee.

Several internationally recognized databaseshave been established in India under the NationalJai Vigyan Science & Technology Mission for

Genomic Research at: The Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore; University of Pune, Pune;Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi; andInstitute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH),Chandigarh. The Databases will be in the form ofMirror Sites, such as Genome Databank (GDB),Protein Database (PDB), Plant Genome Databasesand Databases and Software hosted at EuropeanBioinformatics Institute (EBI).

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Approximately 40 technologies have been trans-ferred to different industries. These include,

diagnostic kits for HIV, Hepatitis, Dengue, assess-ment of reproductive hormones, JapaneseEncephalitis, Vaccines for leprosy, drug formulationfor septic shock, plant tissue culture protocols, for-mulation of biofertilizers, high protein gene fromAmaranthus and bioremediation technology for minespilled dumps and crude oil spillage.

BIOSAFETY AND IPR

The Department with the help of senior scientistsand experts has evolved very effective biosafety

guidelines which have been widely circulated acrossthe country. A three tier biosafety mechanism hasbeen created- Institutional Biosafety Committee(IBSC), Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation(RCGM), and Genetic Engineering ApprovalCommittee (GEAC).

A Biotechnology Patent Facilitating Cell hasbeen established with the objective of creatingawareness and understanding relating to patenting.


Bio-Medical Technologies Transferred and Launched in the Market

Technology Developed By Launched By

Leprosy immunomodulator NII, New Delhi M/s Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad

Leshmaniasis detection kit CDRI, Lucknow M/s Span Diagnostics Ltd., Surat

Western Blot for HIV-I & II CRI, Mumbai M/s J.Mitra & Co., New Delhi

Naked Eye agglutination System for HIV-I & II University of Delhi, South Campus M/s Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad

Hepatitis C Diagnostics ELISA Based ICGEB, New Delhi Xeytron, Bangalore

So far 90 patents have been filed by the Department.A patent database has also been prepared.

BIOTECH FACILITIES ANDCENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

The Department has supported a large number offacilities, repositories, and Centres of Excellence

across the country. Nineteen such facilities so farestablished have an overall objective of facilitatingresearch and providing services across the country.

An International Depository Authority has beenrecently set up at IMTECH, Chandigarh forConservation of Microbial Biodiversity in accordancewith the Budapest Treaty. Other new facilitiesestablished are the National Containment Facility forTransgenic Plant Material and the National facilityfor Virus Diagnosis and Quality Control of tissueculture raised plants at IARI, New Delhi.

BIOINFORMATICS

Biology has become more computationally inten-sive. Bioinformatics has acquired significance

owing to its potential applications for identificationof useful genes, leading to the development of new

gene products, drugs and diagnostics. TheDepartment has expanded the bioinformatics net-work in the country for easy access and dissemina-tion of data information resources through its dis-tributed information centre; establishingInternational databases; establishing new centres;and training. Fifty five centres, established under theBTIS net are continuing to serve these objectives. Sixinteractive computer graphic facilities and fourdiploma courses in Bioinformatics have made com-mendable progress.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The main focus of the HRD programme supportedby the Department has been to generate large

numbers of highly trained scientists/students. TheDepartment has supported programmes in 51 univer-sities across the country. The main programmes beingsupported are PG/PD/one year diploma courses.The approximate annual intake of the students is 500-600. The Department has recently initiated a restruc-tured post-doctoral fellowship programme.Biotechnology Associateships are offered - bothnational and overseas - to train scientists in the fron-


Bio-Medical Technologies Transferred (not yet launched)S.No. Technology Developed by Transferred to

1. The 1gM Mac ELISA for the detection of Dengue NIV, Pune Zydus Cadila Health Care, Ahmedabad

2. The 1gM Mac ELISA for the detection of Japanese Encephalitis -do- -do-

3. The 1gM MacELISA for the detection of West Nile -do- -do-

4. ELISA system to measure alpha-feto protein IICB, Kolkata M/s Shantha Electronics, Hyderabadlevels in pregnant women

5. An 1gM based system for the detection of Hepatitis A NIV, Pune M/s Bharat Biotech.Ltd, Hyderabadvirus using monoclonal/polyclonal antibodies

6-9 Urine based systems (ELISA) for the detection of four IRR, Mumbai Zydus Cadila Health Care, HyderabadReproductive Hormones i.e.(PDG) Pregnandiol Glucuronide Oestrogen Glucuronide (EIG), Folicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) & Luteinizing Hormone (LH) (four separate systems)

10. A technology utilizing Yarrowia liplytica expressing University of Baroda, Biological Evans Ltd., HyderabadHepatitis E surface and pre S genes (yielding high level Barodaof proteins/single step purification)

11. A technology for expressing hCG using Pichia pastoris system IISc, Bangalore Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad

tier research areas of Biotechnology and also forupgrading the knowledge in advanced areas ofresearch. Short-term, long-term and industrial train-ing programmes are also being supported for mid-career scientists to enhance their career opportunities.Numerous awards have been instituted at all levels torecognize and encourage excellence. These includeBiology Scholarships for college students, NationalBioscience Award for Career Development for mid-career scientists, a National Woman BioscientistAward and a Biotech Process Development Award. ABiotech Chair has been instituted in honour ofG.N.Ramachandran, at IISc, Bangalore.

INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES

Anew direction has been given to the ongoinginternational bilateral and multilateral coop-

eration. A number of programmes of S&T priorityof national interest have been identified/imple-mented for further collaboration with developedand developing countries. These are focussed onissues of national concern such as human repro-duction, environment, genetic disorders, agricul-ture, health and industrial applications.Programmes have been established with Belarus,China, Cuba, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan,Myanmar, Poland, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sweden,

Switzerland, Tunisia, UK, USAand Vietnam. Interactionshave also been initiated withS&T agencies in Australia,Hungary and the Philippines.Multilateral collaborationsinvolve countries of SAARC,G-15 and the ASEAN.

AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTES

The Department has estab-lished a number of

autonomous institutes with theobjective of carrying out excel-lent work in highly relevantareas and provide leadership in

selected areas.

National Institute of Immunology (NII), NewDelhi: NII was set up by DST at a time whenimmunology as a discipline was at its infancy in thecountry. It was later transferred to DBT and haspresently developed into a centre of excellence.Researches carried out here have yielded severalproducts and innovations for which one Australian,two American and one Canadian patents havealready been granted. Over 150 research papershave been published on gene regulation, molecularmimicry, reproduction and development as well asimmunity and infection.

National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS),PUNE.: The NCCS which started as a Nationalfacility for animal cell and tissue culture hasbroadened its goals from a repository into aResearch and Development Centre. Beginningwith over 100 odd cell lines at the time of itsinception, it presently has 1000 various culturesand hybridomas. Over 200 researchers fromacross the country have been trained so far. Theefforts of NCCS have resulted in thedevelopment of biocompatible synthetic matricessuitable for controlled drug release and immuno


Technologies under NegotiationS.No. Technology Developed by

1 LDH based ELISA for Malaria CDRI, Lucknow

2 DAT for Toxoplaenosis AIIMS, New Delhi

3 Reagents for thyroid and steroid hormones AIIMS, New Delhi, IICB, Kolkata

4 Peptide based ELISA system for NII, New Delhiprotection of HIV-I & II

5 Skin culture technology for use in burn cases NCCS,Pune

6 Medium for preservation of Cornea NCCS, Pune

7 Haemagglutination for Kala-azar CDRI, Lucknow

8 IFA for Rabies AIIMS, New Delhi

9 Systems for Steroids IICB, Kolkata

10 Tests for Species Specific Snake Bite VM Scientific Research Foundation, Bangalore


Srinagar

JammuPalampur

ShimlaSolan

RoorkeeIzatnagar

NainitalPantnagar

Aligarh

RaipurNagpur

Bhopal

Indore

ParbhaniPune

Lucknow

Varanasi

Jorhat

Bhubaneswar

Karnal

AmritsarLudhiana

ChandigarhPatiala

HisarDelhi

AgraJaipur

Banasthali

Mumbai

WardhaSevagram

GulbargaHyderabad

Anantpur

ChennaiHRD PROGRAMMES

BIOTECHNOLOGY FACILITIES/REPOSITORIES

DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION CENTRES

DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION SUB-CENTRES

Pondicherry

ThiruchirapalliMadurai

Nagercoil

Goa

Shimoga

MangaloreKasaragod

Coimbatore

Calicut

MysoreBangalore

Thiruvananthapuram

Thrissur

Tirupati

RanchiKharagpur

Kolkata

Siliguri Tezpur

ShillongAllahabad

isolation of islet cells. The centre has started three skinculture and production centres across the country.

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics(CDFD), Hyderabad: CDFD is handling cases ofDNA fingerprinting received from crimeinvestigation agencies and the judiciary in thecountry, and also specimens sent by internationalagencies such as Interpol, Governments ofBangladesh, New Zealand, Australia. The Centrestarted a screening programme for diagnosing inbornerrors of metabolism among the new born babies.The Centre provides genetic counselling to thefamilies and follow up services to affected children.The automated genome facility of the Centre hassynthesised more than 820 oligonucleotide primersfor service and R&D uses. Over 800,000 nucleotideshave been sequenced during the last year as part ofthe efforts to characterise mutations, geneticsusceptibility factors and molecular epidemiology.

National Centre for Plant Genome Research(NCPGR), New Delhi: The Centre startedfunctioning with effect from 1 April, 1998. It isutilizing molecular biology approaches alongwithtissue culture and genetic engineering technologyto identify important genes and manipulate themfor generating transgenic plants with improvedagronomic traits and pathogen/stress resistance. Anovel gene, AmA1 from Amaranthus hyprochondriacushas been used for generating transgenic plants ofagronomic importance. Transgenic potato with highnutritional quality has been developed with theintroduction of AmA1 gene. The technology for overexpressing AmA1 in the yeast cell system has beentransferred to Cadila Pharmaceuticals for industrialproduction of animal feed supplement.

National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), NewDelhi : NBRC was established in 1999 with the mainaim to undertake, aid, promote, guide andcoordinate research of high calibre in basic andclinical neuroscience and to encourage and augment

effective linkages between various scientific andresearch agencies/laboratories and otherorganizations working in the field of brain research.

Institute of Bioresources and SustainableDevelopment (IBSD), Imphal: The Department isin the process of establishing the Institute ofBioresources and Sustainable Development in theNorth-Eastern region of India at Imphal with theobjectives of development of bioresources and theirsustainable use through biotechnological interventionsfor the socio-economic growth of the region.

NATIONAL BIORESOURCE DEVELOPMENTBOARD (NBDB)

NBDB has been set up with the main purpose ofdeveloping a broad policy framework for effec-

tive application of biotechnological and related sci-entific approaches for R&D and sustainable utiliza-tion of bioresources. Two broad groups of activitieshave been identified: (a) preparation of digitizedinventories of plant, animal, microbial, and marineresources, and (b) R&D projects, programme sup-port, establishment of centres of excellence, trainingand demonstrations, for the development of biore-sources of north-eastern region, Himalaya, coastaland island ecosystems, deserts, Indo-Gangetic plainand Peninsular India.

BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR SOCIETALDEVELOPMENT

Several special biotechnological programmes forthe benefit of underprivileged (SC/ST population,

women and rural people) have been implemented inthe areas of biopesticides, biofertilizers, vermicom-post and vermiculture, sericulture, floriculture, mush-room cultivation and medicinal plant production,poultry and fish farming and improvement of humanhealth. Universities, national laboratories, state gov-ernment institutions, krishi vigyan kendras andNGOs have been involved for implementing theseprojects. 52,000 families have been trained in variousbiotechnology related areas through 102 projects.


A Biovillage has been established at Mocha,near Porbandar in Gujarat for extension oftechnologies which are pro-poor, pro-women andpro-nature to the grassroot level. A WomenÕsBiotechnology park has been established inChennai. It aims to provide opportunities toprofessionally qualified women for setting up self-employment ventures using variousbiotechnologies. The park has twenty industrialmodules and an equal number of land modules foragro-biotechnology activities.

DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

During the last two years, with revolution in information technology, awareness regarding

utilization of biotechnology potential has increasedmany-fold. As a result several State Governments areformulating proposals, particularly for establishingBiotechnology Parks, Biotechnology City/Knowledge Parks etc. The Department is providingscientific and organizational advice to the states inthese endeavours.

Major achievements of the Department in termsof research leads, products and technologies otherthan those already mentioned are given below:

RESEARCH LEADS

● Three dimensional structure of Lactoferritindetermined and the protein used as anti-bacterial or anti-fungal agent.

● A novel target gene delivery system dedicatedfor liver cells developed and patented in USA.

● Identification of mutation conferring resistanceto HIV infection in Indian population.

● Cloning and sequencing of at least six genesachieved, specially for the seed storage protein,amino acid biosynthesis and genes for plantdefense and for enhancing the nutritionalquality. A US Patent has been granted for theseed storage protein gene.

● Genes encoding for two endotoxins designed,chemically synthesised and successfullyassembled, to be used for transformation in

important crops. ● Three major fruit ripening genes of banana have

been cloned at NBRI, Lucknow.● By using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), three

genes for quality traits in wheat have beenidentified at the Punjab Agriculture University,Ludhiana, Department of Agricultural Botany,Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut, andDepartment of Biotechnology, GBPUT&A,Pantnagar.

● A cold resistant gene has been identified from aplant of the cold desert region as part of thebioprospecting of biological resources at theIHBR&T, Palampur.

● Transgenic silkworm with luciferase geneproduced. The mori silkworm larvae can act asbioreactors for producing proteins of agriculturaland therapeutic importance.

● For transfer of targeted genes into silkworm(Bombyx mori), a system using Bombyx morinuclear polyhedrosis virus (BmNPV) hassuccessfully demonstrated the expression ofORF-3 of Hepatitis E viral antigen at the IISc,Bangalore.

● A process for degumming of silk with fungalproteases (enzymatic treatment) has beendeveloped as an alternative method forimprovement in the quality of fabric.

● After successful cloning and expression ofglycoprotein-2 and 3 of dog zona pellucida inE.coli, these recombinant products have beenevaluated for their implication in regulatingfertility in female dogs at the Central MilitaryLaboratory, Meerut.

● A Pregnancy Diagnostic Kit in cattle and buffalousing milk as the test material is being refinedto increase sensitivity and specificity.

● Vaccines against fish pathogens (Aeromonassp.and Pseudomonas sp.) have been developed.

● A highly effective agent for inducing fishspawning developed.

● Hylauronic acid as a marker for infertility inmale has been assessed at JNU, New Delhi.


● First indigenous recombinant vaccine strain fororal cholera, VA 1.3, and Rotaviral diarrhoeaenter clinical trials.

● A Network programme on human genomediversity was initiated to assess the linkages ofdifferent tribes/ castes and to identify genesresponsible for diseases/ disorders.

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS & DEMONSTRATIONS

● A total of 40 Technologies transferred.● Five technologies for large-scale production

through tissue culture transferred to industry. ● Tissue culture of vanilla plants are under

demonstration in the states of Kerala, Karnatakaand Tamil Nadu. Elite tissue culture of greatercardamom (Amomum) is under demonstrationin Sikkim.

● Tissue culture-raised lesser cardamom (Elettariacardamomum) demonstrated in 100 ha; 40%

increase in the yield achieved.● Biobeneficiation and desulphurization

technologies perfected and transferred to industry● Bioremediation field tested for wasteland

recovery; more than 50 acres land recovered withbiomass.

● Cost effective, environmentally sound bacterialisolates identified and demonstrated to industryfor crude oil remediation.

● Immunodiagnostic kits for detection of pebrinedisease and Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV)in mulberry silk worm successfully used.

● Tissue culture based vaccines for poultry beingtransferred to the industry.

● An isoquinoline alkaloid was isolated fromBerberis aristata which showed potency inpreventing systemic infection leading to septicshock, tissue damage and organ dysfunction inburn cases has been transferred to Industry.


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department of biotechnology - indian institute of science

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