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Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Indian Agriculture-Case of Nanobiotechnology

Kalpana Sastry, R

National Academy of Agricultural Research Management

Hyderabad

Invited lecture- 66th ABDC- October 6,2012. Session Ii b: Agricultural Biotechnology: Going beyond GM. Hyderabad.INDIA

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Plan of Presentation

• Introduction

• Emerging Sciences for Agricultural Development and Challenges

• Framework for Assessing Nanobiotechnology

• Current trends of work in agri-nano biotechnology

• Concluding Remarks

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Indian Agriculture – Recent Concerns

• Transition –

– from traditional farming patterns yielding less than 0.5 t/ha in the

1950s to more technology-driven systems yielding 4 t/ha

• But decline

– in contribution of agriculture and allied sectors in GDP

– steady decline in farm incomes and enhanced rural distress

• Compounded by degradation of the natural resource base

• National policy goal of 4% growth in agriculture

– Warrants effective use of improved technologies in the rural sector

through ensuring the continuous flow of new technologies

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Nanoscience to Nanotechnology

• Leads to creation of improved materials, devices and

delivery systems at molecular level

• Set of technologies at nanometre scale, not a

single technological field.

• Application areas: Materials, Electronics, Optoelectronics,

Medicine, Biotechnology, Measurements, Manufacturing,

Environment, Energy, agriculture and food.

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Challenges for Integration of ET

• Increasing costs for R&D,

• Shortage of trained manpower

• Policy framework for integrating the new

technologies into applications across the

agri-value chain

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Objective(s) of this study

• Address emergence of nanobiotechnology

• Integration and institutionalization in the

Indian agricultural landscape

• Through exploring the current

technological innovations

– in nanobiotechnology and understand their

possible role in enhancing agricultural

productivity

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Nanobiotechnology

• Against a premise that nanobiotechnology

– uses NT concepts and tools for studying the basic foundations of

biology or developing biological (?)/medical procedures

– proposes engineering methods for construction of biological

molecules with the functions that differ essentially from their

natural functions

– uses NT tools/approaches for manipulations with materials that

differ from previously known synthetic or biochemical methods,

being applied during in biological practice

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Nanobiotechnology

Interventions Tools of

Nanotechnology*

Food Security

Nutrition Security

Livelihoods Security

Ecological Security

Agro-biodiversity conservation

Agri-Production Systems

* Nanoparticles/Quantum Dots/Carbon nanotubes/ Dendrimers / Fullerenes /Biosensors / Diagnostic kits/MEMS/Biochips/ Microfluidics / Nanofluidics /Smart delivery

systems/Nanofilteration/Nanospheres/Nanofibres/Nanowires

Green Biotechnology

Veterinary Biotechnology

Food Biotechnology

Blue Biotechnology

White Biotechnology

Environmental Biotechnology

Sectors of Agri-

Biotechnology

Agri-nanobiotechnology

Use of science-based interventional tools at a nanoscale in the agri-value chain

under the canvas of agri nanobiotechnology

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Challenging

• Most research in nanobiotechnology is at

an early-stage

– Its application to agricultural production systems

– is probably still at a conceptual level to permit realistic

assessments

• In such situations,

– analysis of patents granted in the area and related areas

have often been used for making assessments about

emerging technologies

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Methodology

• Base data collected through empirical

research methods

• Technology roadmapping and database

management concepts

– used to develop a framework

– to map the potential of these technologies against the

current gaps of knowledge in agri-nano-biotechnology

– Patents used R&D indicators

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Patent Analysis

• Growth and accumulation of patents in a new

area of technology considered

• as indicating directions for subsequent investments

and related product/process innovations

• Patent analysis

• assess current status and trends in technology development

• classify and map the technology to relevant application areas for

strategic planning

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Methodology

• Standardized search methodology, and a

technology-based process methodology

– Used to search, assemble and characterize available patent

information in nanoresearch areas

• Set of 469 patents with implications for agri-

nanobiotechnology retrieved

• Analysis of whole text patent documents based

on description and background of the invention

indicated

– five possible areas

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Broad Areas of Application Biotechnological Tools in

Agriculture

S. No Areas

I Genomics

II Genetic Engineering

III Genetic Transformation

IV Therapeutics

V Bio-industry

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Indicative Areas of Nanoresearch

Nanoresearch

Area

Potential Application in Nanobiotechnology

• Nanofibre DNA analysis

DNA sequencing

Nanofilteration to obtain ultra- dense fermentation broth

for cell cultures

Post-harvest technology, e.g. nanofilteration for

production of oiligosaccharide rich syrups

• Nanoprobe DNA sequencing

• Graphene

nanoribbon

DNA sequencing

• Nanosphere Transfection with expression vectors

Gene therapy

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Indicative Areas of Nanoresearch-II

Nanoresearch Area Potential Application in Nanobiotechnology

• Nanobeads Nanovaccines

DNA vaccines

• dendrimers Diagnoses, treatment and eradication of malignant tumors in

small animal populations

• Quantum dots Genetic analysis

Drug discovery

Disease diagnostics

• Buckyballs Drug delivery

• Carbon

nanoparticles

Enzyme based biofuel production

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Knowledge Mapping Framework for Integration of Biotechnology with Nanoresearch Areas

1.

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Prospective area of

agri-biotechnology

Advantages of incorporating

nanobiotechnologies

Indicative future applications

Genomics DNA sequencing:

High throughput

Enhanced accuracy

Relatively less time

Operates on a small scale

More reliability

Genome sequencing project

can be extended to wild and

weedy species which are the

source of resistance genes to

several biotic and abiotic

stresses

Enhancing agrobiodiversity

conservation

Genetic engineering Not host specific

Increased recovery of viable transformed

cells

Increased gene expression

Sustained release of encapsulated DNA

Non-dissociation of plasmid DNA-

nanoparticles during various steps of

transfection

Cell cultures substrate mimics 3-

dimensional in-vivo cell growth

Greater efficacy of the

technique with assured results

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Prospective area of agri-

biotechnology

Advantages of incorporating

nanobiotechnologies

Indicative future applications

Genetic transformation Particle mediated DNA delivery

;Enhanced surface area of

nanopaticles;

Greater and uniform adsorption of

DNA to nanoparticles

Transgenics in non-food

species such as fibre crops

and draught animals for

enhancing rural income

Therapeutics Minimal toxic side effects to normal

cells with gene therapy

Direct in-vivo gene transfer devoid of

viral vectors for gene therapy

Greater interaction of the nanodrugs

with cells, proteins and viruses

Efficient targeted drug delivery

Assured plant and animal

health care

Bioindustry Enhanced processing of post-harvest

material

Enzyme based biofuel production

with increased speed of electron

transfer between the electrodes

without needing a mediator molecule

Reduced environmental

pollution with the efficient use

of bioenergy based fuel

ensuring ecological security

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Potential of NBT in Agriculture

• Study indicates potential application of nanoscience

based processes and products in biotechnology with

applications in agricultural systems

• The type of drivers of technological changes identified in

various sub areas of nanobiotechnology can form base

for major trajectories in technology development

• Most research at early-stage levels

• But offers several opportunities for applications

– In agricultural systems to enhance productivities, conserve agro-biodiversity,

improve quality of products and also catalyse ecological security of fragile

ecosystems

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ELHS Approach

• Precautionary approach advocated

globally

• R &D at the nanoscale, nanotechnology

applications and societal implications

– form a coherent and interactive system, which

schematically may be visualized as a closed loop

• Nanotechnology success is determined

• by an architecture of factors

– such as creativity of individual researchers, training

of students in nanoscale science and engineering,

– connections between organizations,

– patent regulations, physical infrastructure,

– legal aspects,

– state and federal policies,

– and the international context.

• The success of nanotechnology cannot

be determined only by doing good R&D in

academic and industry laboratories!

A closed loop. Source: Roco 2003.

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Sources/Routes of Exposure

Source: Royal Society Report,2004

Ecosystem

Occupational Hazards

Environment

Consumer

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Evidences - Translocation of Nanoparticles in non-

targeted areas

• Deagglomeration, translocation, and distribution reported to play

key roles in the fate of NPs once they gain entrance into the human

body

– NPs, which are smaller than 20 nm, can transit through blood vessel walls.

– Magnetic nanoparticles, for instance, can image metastatic lesions in lymph

nodes, because of their ability to exit the systemic circulation through the

permeable vascular epithelium (Bogdanov et al., 2005)

• Some NPs indicate tendency to penetrate the blood-brain barrier

through paracellular movement, passive diffusion, transport and

endocytosis (Lockman et al., 2003; Kreuter, 2004).

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Responsibilities of Researchers

• A need to be develop code of conduct

• Initial studies (started since 2007-08 only)

indicate technical competence with

sensitive ethical compass : a required

element of all NT researchers

• 13 specific ethical responsibilities at 3

levels identified [ McGinn.2010.]

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Suggested Approaches • Current approaches to risk management for engineered

nanomaterials,

– engineering control,

– Administrative control,

– PPE and health surveillance,

• Parallel approaches already in practice in occupational health and

biosafety

• Further research and investigation is needed to evaluate the

effectiveness of these approaches

– across the spectrum of engineered nanomaterials being used and generated in

laboratories and industry.

• For agri-nanotechnologies-

– farmer /usergroups interaction a must

– With an aim to identify the risk implications of nanotechnology for worker health,

– and to devise ways to protect workers/farmers/end users

– from any identified adverse health effects of working with nanomaterials by

developing novel approaches to risk assessment and management.

.

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• Move away from generalised discussions

– towards a recognition of case specific differences

• Encourage better characterisation of nanomaterials with

– Requirement of reporting on their use

• Increase funding for research

– on (eco)toxicology and environmental fate and behaviour

• Use lifecycle perspectives when considering environmental impacts

• Develop international standards flexible enough

– to adapt to new methods and findings

• Include social and ethical considerations in policy making, especially

in the framing of priorities for risk research

• Commit to environmentally sustainable and socially robust

innovation

Suggested Approaches

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Thank you R.Kalpana Sastry

kalpana@naarm.ernet.in

Developing Safe agri-

Nanobiotechnologies through

Sound Science