COUNTRY PAPER on "BIOTECHNOLOGY" presented in the

1. COUNTRY PAPER on "BIOTECHNOLOGY" presented in the SECOND EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON BINASIAHELD IN BANGKOK, THAILANDFROM JANUARY 24-25, 2006 PREPARED BY PROF. DR. S. RIAZUDDINDirectorCentre Of Excellence Molecular BiologyThokar Niaz Baig, Canal Bank RoadLahore

2. GENES CAN BE ISOLATED FROM BACTERIA, VIRUSES, FUNGI, PLANTS OR ANIMALS AND MADE TO EXPRESS IN CHOICE HOSTS

3. 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

4. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY ARE EMERGING AS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL REVENUE-GENERATING SOURCE FOR THE ECONOMIES OF DEVELOPED NATIONS

5. BIOTECH MARKET ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT BIOTECH SECTORS • Genetically Modified (GM) Crops b) Biopharmaceuticals c) Molecular Diagnostic

6. CURRENT STATUS OF BIOTECH RESEARCH IN PAKISTAN

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING COMMERCIALIZATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES

11. IMPACT ON TRADE OF ASIAN COUNTRIES 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.

12. INHERENT CONSTRAINTS IN THE PROMOTION OF APPLICATIONS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY IN ASIAN COUNTRIES

13. 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 Legal Protection/ Patent Upscale; Fermentation 3 Chemical Engineers (Economy, bye-product, other products) Formulation Ease of Distribution (Shelf Life; persistence, mode of application) 4 Field Trial Compliance with approval/ Regulatory Procedure 5 Packaging & Marketing 6 By the Non–biologists, Attractive/ aggressive VARIOUS SEGMENTS INVOLVED IN MARKETING LABORATORY RESEARCH

14. PROPOSED STRATEGY TO REAP A HARVEST OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

15. BIO-FORUM 2006 MARCH 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

16. VENUE National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology University of the Punjab 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig LAHORE-53700, Pakistan Tel: 042-5421235 Fax: 042-542-1316 Email: camb1@wol.net.pk

17. PROGRAMME www.cemb.edu.pk/Bioforum2006

19. THE CENTRE FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY COORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BIOFORUM EXHIBITION MARCH 13-15, 2006 LOCAL HOSPITALITY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZORS

20. IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXHIBITION please complete the following information for your product/ process

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

22. THANK YOU