Transcript BIOTECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN
NEPAL
A SYNOPSIS
Professor Dr. Sarbajna Man Tuladhar
Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST)
Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
BIOTECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL
A SYNOPSIS
Country paper presented at Expert Group Meeting
on “Biotechnology Information Network for Asia”
(BINASIA) 24-25 January 2006, Bangkok, Thailand
organized by UN APCTT, KRIBB in cooperation
with BIOTEC, Thailand.
1. INTRODUCTION
Biotechnology has been around us for centuries. In industrialized
countries, modern biotechnology has become well advanced.
In the last decade of the 20th century, Nepal witnessed several
biotechnology-derived products in the market :
• Human health care products
• Seeds and plants of high yielding variety of agricultural and
horticultural crops
• Food products and drugs
• Improved livestock
• Animal health care products
THEY ENTERED INTO THE COUNTRY FROM THE NEIGHBOURING
AND THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY HAS ENTERED
INTO NEPAL LIKE BANDWAGON AND
EVERYBODY IS JUMPING ONTO IT.
IN FACT BIOTECHNOLGY PROGRAMMES ARE
RUNNING WITHOUT ANY POLICIES AND
PLANS.
MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY IN NEPAL IS
STILL IN A STATE OF INFANCY.
2. THE CONCERNED MINISTRIES
 Ministry of Environment, Science and
Technology
 Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation
 Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operative
 Ministry of Health
 Ministry of Education and Sports
 Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply
3. PRESENT STATUS OF
DIFFERENT AREAS OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY
3.1 PLANT TISSUE CULTURE
• MAJOR BIOTECHNOLOGY ACTIVITY OF
PUBLIC AS WELL AS PRIVATE SECTORS.
• PUBLIC LABORAORIES DEVELOPED
PROTOCOLS FOR IN VITRO PROPAGATION
OF DIFFERENT PLANT SPECIES.
• PRIVATE LABORATORIES PRODUCED ELITE
PLANTS COMMERCIALLY USING
PROTOCOLS DEVELOPED BY PUBLIC
LABORATORIES.
3.1.1 PUBLIC SECTOR
INITIATIONS
PROMINENT LABORATORIES
1. DEPARTMENT OF PLANT RESOURCES
(DPR)
•
First tissue culture laboratory established at
Godawari to initiate and promote plant tissue
culture in 1976.
•
Developed protocols for tissue culture propagation
of more than 100 plant species including orchids,
agricultural and horticultural trees, ornamental
plants, and bamboo.
• Most important achievement is the development of
sand rooting technique – the tissue-cultured micro
shoots can be rooted in the non-sterile sand.
• Sand rooting technique is easy, cheap, less time
consuming, economic, conveniently done in
nurseries, can easily be established for field
plantation.
• Provides tissue culture training for entrepreneurs.
Consequently four private plant tissue culture
factories have been established.
2. NEPAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH COUNCIL
(NARC)
•
Potato Research Program (PRP) with the assistance of Swiss
Development Corporation has been producing virus-free pre-basic
seeds of potato at its tissue culture laboratories and green house
facilities at Khumaltar.
•
DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE BOTANY of NARC has initiated some
works on
anther culture of rice and wheat,
germ plasm conservation and diagnostic facilities
using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology.
•
Established tissue culture laboratories at regional agricultural
research stations at Dhankuta (Eastern development region) and
Lumle (Mid-western development region) to promote
micropropagaton.
3. HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT/
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Tissue culture propagation of apple
rootstocks
• Micro grafting of sweet orange (JUNAR) for
the production of virus-free and greening
free plants.
[The facilities remain unused at present]
4. INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL
SCIENCES (IAAS) / T. U.
• Established tissue culture facilities with the
grant assistance from Rockefeller
Foundation.
• Assisting thesis works for M. Sc. Degree.
3.1.2 UNIVERSITY SECTOR
ACTIVITIES
1. CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY/
TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY
•
Tissue culture propagation of different
medicinal plants.
•
Anther culture.
•
Rhizobium inoculation in leguminous
plants
3.1.3. PRIVATE SECTOR
INITIATIONS
1. BOTANICAL ENTERPRISES PVT. LTD.
•
In vitro propagation of many species of
orchid, potato, fodder, Chrysanthemum,
Gerbera, African violet, Lily etc.
•
Export directly to The Netherlands.
2. NEPAL BIOTECH NURSERY
•
Produce banana, orchid, and ornamental
plants by tissue culture and non-sterile
sand rooting technique.
3. RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR
AGRICULTURE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
BIOCHEMISTRY (RALBB)
• Tissue culture propagation for pine,
Artocarpus, Brassica.
• Anther culture of cold tolerant rice
• Modest facilities for DNA work by PCR
technology and enzyme analysis.
• Facilities used for research and teaching.
4. MICROPLANTS NEPAL PVT. LTD.
• Commercial propagation of banana, orchid, lily,
mums etc.
5. GREEN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(GREAT)
• Developing virus testing and elimination facilities on
horticultural crops such as potato, citrus, banana,
cardamom, strawberry, and some ornamental plants
using tissue culture techniques.
• Has modest screen-house facility for indexing
against citrus greening disease.
• Cleaned two potato cultivars of Bangladesh
namely Petronese and Multa from potato
viruses such as PVX and PVY.
• Cleaned three leading cultivars of large
cardamom (Amomum subutalum) namely
Ramshahi, Golshahi, and Dambarshahi from
Chhirke and Furke viruses.
• Virus-free plants derived from meristem
culture are available for further
multiplication.
6. HIMALAYAN BOTANICAL RESEARCH
CENTRE (HIMBORCE)
•
Established infrastructure for
micropropagation of medicinal and
ornamental plants indigenous to Nepal.
•
Embarking upon micropropagation of
Gladiolus.
3.2 BIOFERTILIZERS
1. ROYAL NEPAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY (RONAST)
•
Developed Rhizobium inoculant technology
for pulses (lentils).
•
Developed microbial inoculant technology
for composting.
•
Use of ecto and endomycorrhiza in
conservation of forest soils.
•
Quality production of organic fertilizers.
2. DIVISION OF SOIL SCIENCE / NARC
• Production and distribution of legume
inoculant packets for more than a decade.
• Distributed 2627 Rhizobium inoculant
packets to the farmers for important pulse
and pasture crops.
3. DIVISION OF PLANT PATHOLOGY / NARC
• Engaged in spawn production technology for
mushroom culture using two genera namely
Agaricus and Pleurotus.
4. RESEARCH CENTRE FOR APPLIED
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RECAST) / T.
U.
•
Improvement of traditional composting
technology.
•
An integrated approach for the utilization of
municipality solid wastes.
5. CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF
MICROBIOLOGY / T. U
AND
6. CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY / T.
U.
• Impact of industrial waste on land and water
pollution.
3.3 BIOPESTICIDES
1. ROYAL NEPAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY (RONAST)
•
Several isolations of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
from Nepalese soils for biological control of
Lepidoptera caterpillar in crucifer vegetables.
•
Field trial of indigenous pesticide plants like
Eupatorium adenophorum, Lantana camara,
Azadirachta indica etc. in collaboration with
Department of Agriculture (Ministry of Agriculture).
2. DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY / NARC
• Reported efficacy of Acorus calamus (Root
powder), neem oil (Azadiractin, 0.15%), and
neem seed extract (Azadiracta monotetala)
against storage insect like Sitophilus
zeamais.
3. RESEARCH CENTRE FOR APPLIED
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / T. U.
• Survey of plant pesticides for grain storage.
3.4 MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
1. THE LEPROSY MISSION, NEPAL
•
•
Determination of cytokines by ELISA for
blood immune response studies in leprosy
patients.
DNA diagnosis of Mycobacterium leprae by
PCR.
2. CENTRAL VETERINARY LABORATORY
•
Vaccine production against PPR (Pestes
des Petites Ruminant) using tissue culture.
3. NEPAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH COUNCIL
(NARC)
• Performing embryo transfer and artificial
insemination in cattle.
4. EVEREST BIOTECH PVT. LTD.
• Production of specific antibody required of
Human Genome Project, England.
5. CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY/
T.U.
• Antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic
activities of medicinal plants.
• Study of specific inhibitors for proteolytic
enzymes.
• Taxol from endophytes of Himalayan
conifers.
6. CENTRAL DEPARTMENT OF
MICROBIOLOGY / T. U.
• Antimicrobial activities of some plant
extracts.
7. RESEARCH CENTRE FOR APPLIED
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY / T. U.
• Bioprospecting of ethno medicinal plants of
Nepal for the conservation of biological and
cultural resources.
3.5 DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS
1. ROYAL NEPAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY (RONAST)
•
Diagnosis of Asian citrus greening
diseases or Huanglongbing of citrus using
PCR based technique.
•
Diagnosis of Citrus tristeza virus disease
using Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme
Linked Imunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA)
technique.
2. INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL
SCIENCES (IAAS) / T. U.
•
Diagnosis of viral and bacterial diseases in
rice using PCR technology.
3. GREEN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(GREAT)
•
Use of PCR technology for routine
diagnosis of citrus-greening disease
(Huanglongbing).
•
Provides training on virus testing using
DAS-ELISA and biological indicator plants
for the diagnosis of Huanglongbin on
citrus.
3.6 BIOENERGY AND
BIOCONVERSION TECHNOLOGY
1. RESEARCH CENTR FOR APPLIED
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RECAST) / T.
U.
•
Improvement of biogas production by using
weeds such as Eupatorium adenophorum
and water hyacinth.
•
Biofuel from the Physic nut (Jatropha
curcas L) for running diesel engine.
3.7 MOLECULAR
CHARACTERIZATION
1. NEPAL AGRICULTURE AND RESEARCH
COUNCIL (NARC)
•
•
Genetic diversity analysis of Fagopyrum
spp. (wild sweet and bitter buckwheat)
using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic
DNA (RAPD).
Genetic diversity analysis of isozymes in
indigenous crops like rice, finger millet,
barley, pigeon pea, buckwheat, taro,
cucumber, sponge gourd, citrus, and
Swertia spp.
2. ROYAL NEPAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY (RONAST)
• Initiated research work on molecular
characterization of medicinal plants like Swertia
chirata, Camellia sinensis etc. and microorganisms
such as Bacillus thuringiensis.
3. RESEARCH CENTRE FOR APPLIED SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY (RECAST)
• Selection of appropriate genotypes of Mulberry and
exploitation of genetic yield potential of common
buckwheat ecotypes.
3.8 FERMENTATION
MAJOR TRADITIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
NATIONAL HERITAGE OF NEPAL.
SIGNIFICANT ANCIENT BIOTECHNOLOGIES STILL
SURVIVING IN NEPAL ARE CONFINED TO
COTTAGE INDUSTRY SCALE
OR
INDIVIDUAL FAMILY CONSUMPTION ARE:
• Fermentation and distillation of characteristic
alcoholic drinks from millet (KODO), rice, brown
sugar (SAKHAR) by using indigenous yeast.
The traditional process of making yeast is still a
closely guarded secret.
• Fermentation of leafy vegetables into GUNDRUK, the
favourite food specialties of rural Nepalese.
• GUNDRUK from the leaves of mustard, radish or
cauliflower.
• SINKI from radishes cut into pieces.
• SINAMANI from the whole radishes without their
leaves cut out.
• Browning of rice into HAKUWA or HAKUJAKI
(literally meaning black rice) by indigenous
fermentation.
• Production of jute (NALU) from the bark of
the hemp through fermentation process.
• Production of yogurt (DAHI) and hard cheese
(CHHURPI).
• Dungs used as fertilizers and dung cakes
used as fuel for cooking.
Interesting to note that traditional
biotechnology is being conserved
predominantly by womenfolk.
3.9 PRACTICAL APPLICATION
OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS/ PROCESSES
1.
COMMERCIAL / SEMI-COMMERCIAL
•
Tissue culture raised plantlets of sisso tree, orchids, medicinal
plants, ornamental plants, and virus free banana and citrus.
2.
COTTAGE INDUSTRY LEVEL
•
Characteristic alcohol from millet (KODO), rice, and brown sugar
(SAKHAR).
•
Fermented vegetables – GUNDRUK, SINKI, SINAMANI.
•
Yogurt (DAHI) and Hard Cheese (CHHURPI).
3.10 BIOTECHNOLOGY IN
ACADEMIA
1.
AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
•
Biotechnology is taught only as a small part of the
course unit.
2.
AT GRADUATE / POST-GRADUATE LEVEL
•
Central Department of Botany, T. U. – M. Sc. Thesis
works in tissue culture.
•
Central Department of Microbiology, T. U. – M. Sc.
thesis works in agriculture biotechnology, medical
biotechnology, environmental biotechnology,
genomics, and proteomics.
• Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, T. U. –
thesis works in diagnosis of viral and bacterial
diseases in rice using PCR technology.
• Two year M. Sc. in Biotechnology –opening soon in
Tribhuvan University, the oldest and largest
university of Nepal.
• Kathmandu University – B. Sc. with specialization in
Biotechnology.
• Purbanchal University – B. Sc. with specialization in
Biochemistry (with more emphasis on Biology).
• Pokhara University – B. Sc. with specialization in
Biochemistry (with more emphasis on Chemistry).
3.11 HUMAN RESOURCES
• Persons specialized in biotechnology are only nominal.
• Most biotechnology activities are due to personnel specialized
in Agriculture and Botany.
3.12 NATIONAL ORGANISM BANK
• Established in 1985 at Royal Nepal Academy of Science and
Technology.
• Objectives: Isolation, identification, and maintenance of the
microorganisms (fungi and bacteria).
• Acts as a depository to supply authentic microbial cultures for
the use in various research activities of research organizations,
universities, and industries. This is an attempt to conserve and
utilize microbial genetic resources of the country.
3.13 BIOTECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION NETWORK
• Biotechnological research findings and activities are
communicated through occasional papers and
annual reports published by respective
organizations or national journals.
• Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
plans to develop the information networking in
Biotechnology.
• A resource centre as the focal point of SAARC
Technical Committee on Science and Technology
will be developed in due course of time.
3.14 REGULATORY
PROCEDURES
• Nepal has signed the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety on March 2, 2001.
• Focal point for the Biosafety Protocol – Chief
of the Environment Division in the Ministry of
Forests and Soil Conservation.
• Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation
has enforced BIOSAFETY REGULATIONS
2062 BS throughout the Kingdom of Nepal on
and from May 25, 2005.
• OTHER PERTINENT LEGISLATIONS
- Export Import (Control) Act, 2013 BS.
- Food Act, 2023 BS.
- Plant Protection Act, 2029 BS
- Livestock Feed Products Act, 2033 BS
- Medicine / Drug Act, 2035 BS
- Seed Act, 2045 BS
- Livestock Health and Livestock service act,
2055 BS
3.15 REGULATORY MECHANISM
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY
RESPONSIBILITY
•
Ministry of Forests and Soil
Conservation
•
National Focal Point for the
Biosafety Protocol.
•
Department of Livestock,
Animal Quarantine Section and
25 Quarantine check posts /
Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives.
•
For enacting The Livestock
Health and Livestock Service
Act.
•
Plant Quarantine Office,
Department of Agriculture/
Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives
•
For enacting The Plant
Protection Act and The Seed
Act.
•
Department of Food Research
and Quality Control
•
For checking whether any food
products are polluted or of
quality below the permissible
standard for human
consumption.
• Department of Drug
Administration / Ministry of
Health
• For issuing permission for
production, import, export,
and clinical trial of new
medicines.
• Department of Industry /
Ministry of Industry,
Commerce and Supply
• For issuing license to
establish industry and for
export and import of goods.
• Department of custom /
Ministry of Finance
• For issuing of custom
clearance of goods only
after seeking
recommendation or
permission letter from the
concerned Departments.
For dealing with the issues of the LMOs / GMOs, capacity of the
above-mentioned ministries should be increased.
CAPACITY BUILDING refers to:
• Human resources development
• Infrastructure (laboratory and equipments) development
• Development of administrative mechanism
• Networking of concerned ministries
• Formulation of legislation
3.16 INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENTS
Nepal has always expressed its solidarity and
commitment toward several international efforts
related to the environment conservation.
Consequently it has become a signatory to a
number of international legal instruments.
LEGAL INSTRUMENT
• Plant Protection Agreement for
the South-East Asia and Pacific
Region.
DATE SIGNED
• 27 February 1956
•
2 February 1971
Convention for the Protection of
the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage.
•
23 November 1972
•
Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora.
•
3 March 1973
•
World Conservation Strategy
•
1980
•
World Charter for Nature
•
1982
•
Convention on Wetlands of
International Importance
Especially waterfowl Habitat.
•
• International Tropical Timber
Agreement.
• 18 November 1983
• Agreement on Network of
Aquaculture Centres in Asia
and the Pacific.
• 8 January 1988
• Conservation on Biological
Diversity.
• 22 May 1922
• The Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety.
• 2 March 2001
• World Trade Organization
(WTO) member [147th].
• 23 April 2004
4. MAJOR CONSTRAINTS
• Acute lack of national programme on biotechnology.
Biotechnology programmes are usually dependent on the
initiative of a few foreign-trained scholars and enthusiast
scientists at home.
• National Biotechnology Policy is non-existent as yet. Draft of
the Policy prepared by Ministry of Environment, Science and
Technology has been years in gestation in the Cabinet.
• Lack of qualified and properly trained research and
development manpower – the limiting factor both for private
and government sectors.
• The availability and quality of infrastructures relevant to
biotechnology research is negligible.
• Lack of public sector-private enterprise links, universityindustry interaction, and university-university cooperation.
5. PROSPECTS
Despite serious handicaps, the prospects for growth of
biotechnology in Nepal are numerous.
Biotechnology potentials worth mentioning are:
1.
•
•
•
•
AGRICULTURE / FOOD SECTOR
Plant tissue culture
Biofertilizer
Biopesticide
Animal feeds and supplements from agricultural products
2.
•
•
•
INDUSTRY SECTOR
Food and industrial enzymes
Fermentation products
Bioenergy, biofuel and bioconversion
3.
•
•
•
•
•
HUMAN HEALTH CARE SECTOR
Development of rapid diagnostic kits and
techniques
Production of culture media
Production of monoclonal antibodies
Vaccines against malaria, measles, diarrhoea,
jaundice, cholera etc.
Therapeutic agents from local plant resources, for
example, anticancer / antitumour drugs,
sweeteners, dyes, flavours, fragrances etc.
4.
•
•
•
ANIMAL HEALTH CARE SECTOR
Veterinary diagnostics and vaccines
Immunology
Embryo transfer
5.
•
MINING SECTOR
Mineral leaching is particularly important in the
context of Nepal having several mineral deposits
scattered all over the country in relatively lower
volume of mineral deposits.
6.
•
•
•
•
•
DNA TECHNOLOGY
Identification and isolation of genes for use in
molecular hybridization.
DNA fingerprinting for forensic, diagnosis of
genetic disease, paternity analysis, immigration,
and citizenship record.
Studies on polymorphism and molecular mapping
of endangered and commercial crops.
Development of diagnostic kits.
Selection in breeding programme.
7.
•
•
Feeds
Diagnostics
AQUACULTURE
8.
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
•
Introduction of biotechnology and bioinformatics
at the graduate and post graduate levels in
universities.
•
More Ph. D.s at home and abroad.
•
Academic collaboration with leading universities in
the neighbour and abroad.
•
Develop programmes to foster biotechnology
entrepreneurship.
9. ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
•
Biological control agents
•
Urban waste management
•
Industrial waste treatment
•
Monitoring tools and biosensors
6.POSSIBLE ROLE OF BINASIA
• A SERIOUS CONSTRAINT IS THE LACK OF
INFORMATION ON BIOTECHNOLOGIES
• NO INSTITUTION HAS DEVELOPED
CAPABILITY IN INFORMATION COLLECTION
RETRIEVAL & DISSEMINATION
• THEREFORE IT RELIES ON INDUSTRIALISED
COUNTRIES FOR SPECIALIZED
INFORMATION
SOLUTION TO INFORMATION
SHORTAGE
• to conduct a thorough literature search on the existing
information, which should then be stored in the institutes
having the capability to manage information and make it easily
accessible to biotechnology researchers.
OR
• to set up a biotechnology information centre and establish a
computer link with institutions in the industrialized countries.
However this depends on the willingness of the institutions in
the North to share their biotechnological information with those
in the South.
PIVOTAL ROLE OF BINASIA
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