Sixth Regular Meeting of Inter-American

Committee on Science and Technology Commission

Science, Technology, Innovation and Investigation as tools to raise

productivity

Marco Fornasini, MD., Ph.DManaging Director

SENACYTSeptember, 2010

• Background• Tools to raise productivity

– Institute for Genomic Biology for the Conservation and Use of the Biodiversity of Ecuador (ECU-IBG).

– First call for scientific talent entrepreneurs

INDEX

Historically, Ecuador's economy has been based on the exportation of non-renewable primary goods. It has been a destructive and predator model to environment.

Scientific namePristimantis minimus

Common nameCutin diminuto

Ecuador´s mostimportant competitiveadvantage

BIODIVERSITY

• This economic model of production has limited the development of the country.

– It is necessary to introduce a new model of development adding value to primary goods.

HOW?– Forming qualified human resources.– Research to Preserve and Use Biodiversity

BackgroundAchievements in biodiversity activities.There are several countries where the study and

use of biodiversity has been part of their development:Costa Rica (National Biodiversity Institute )Ethiopia (Institute of Biodiversity Conservation)Singapore (Genomic Institute of Singapore)

Within this framework Ecuador will establish:

“The Institute for Genome Biology for the Conservation and Use of the Biodiversity of Ecuador.”

ECU-IGB

Objective

" To create a state of the art research facility to develop science to preserve and use the biodiversity of Ecuador“.

Institute for Genomic Biology for the Conservation and Use of the Biodiversity of Ecuador.

(ECU-IGB)

Mission

• The Institute will contribute to change present model of economic development of Ecuador from one that is based in the export of primary goods to one that will generate added value to our exports.

• The Institute will develop themes of research according to the “National Plan of Development

ECU-IGB

Vision• The Institute will become a reference research center

on biodiversity for the country, region and the world.

• The Institute will contribute to alleviate world wide problems such as climate changes, infectious diseases, energy alternatives, animal and human health, food security among others

ECU-IGB

Opportunities• Ecuador is located in one of the most biodiverse

hotspots in the world.

• It has been estimated that approximately 90% of drugs derived from plants have not yet been discovered.

• Living species to be discover are around ten million.

ECU-IGB

Microbes Plants Animals

1) Life Sciences (Health, Agriculture, Aquaculture)2) Environment (Bioremediation, Ecology recovery)3) Energy and Matter.(Bio-energy, Biomaterials)

Fields of Research

Raising Productivity with the ECU-IGB

The institute will be a source of endogenous generation of high qualified scientists.

Discoveries in basic sciences will allow the generation of new products for worldwide consumption.

ECU-IGB

First call for scientific talent entrepreneursPromoters:Senacyt and Ministry of Production

Objective• To stimulate Ecuadorian researchers by means of a business empowerment program that

allows to go from prototype to market.

Chilean Maqui Berry Blueberry Andina (Mortiño)

Location Central to southern Chile and Western Argentina

Northern South America. Elevations from 1800 – 3800 m.

Properties Antioxidant Antioxidant

Health Benefits

-Cure sore throat-Kidney pains-Ulcers-Fever-Inflammation

- Diabetes- Reduce Chronic Inflammation such as obesity and related conditions