Annual - Department of Biotechnology · 2019-01-08 · Annual Report : 2011-12 Contents Institute of Life Sciences 261 Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development 263 Rajiv

Bright field image of HeLa cells

grown in normal culture media

Health safari project implemented

at NDMC Schools

Rice leaffolder culture

Protein Nano medicine

Droplet based digital microfluidic platform

Betanodavirus assayprototype kit

National Facility for Marine Cyanobacterial

Repository

Anti-microbial peptides from wasp venom

Annual Report

2011-2012

Annual Report2011-2012

Department of BiotechnologyMinistry of Science & Technology

Government of India

CONTENTS

Chapter – 1 : Overview 1- 34

Chapter – 2 : Human Resource Development 35-48

Teaching 35Training Programmes 38Fellowships 39DBT Scholarships and Awards 43Rapid Grant for young Investigators Scheme 45DBT-CREST Award 46Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Student Teams 46Biotech Popularization and Promotion 47

Chapter – 3 : Biotech Facilities, Technology platforms & Research Resources 49-60

Centres of Excellence 49Programme Support 52Long term R&D Projects 55Biotech Facilities and Research Resources 55BUILDER Scheme 57

Chapter – 4 : Research and Development 61-168

Agricultural Biotechnology 61Biofertiliser Biotechnology 77Biopesticides and Crop Management 79Bioresource Development and Utilization 83Plant Biotechnology 92Medicinal and Aromatics Plants 101Animal Biotechnology-Production 103Animal Health 109Aquaculture and Marine Biotechnology 112Seribiotechnology 119Basic Research in Modern Biology 112

Contents Annual Report : 2011-12

Medical Biotechnology 127Stem Cell Research 134Bioengineering 136Human Genetics and Genome Analysis 140Environmental Biotechnology 143Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology 151RNAi Technology platforms 155Energy Bioscience Programme 159

Chapter – 5 : Biotechnology Programmes for Societal Development 169-185

Programmes for SC and ST Population 169Programmes for Rural Development 174Programmes for Women 180

Chapter – 6 : Biotech Product & Process Development 187-208

Small Business Innovation Research Initiative 187Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme 191Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council 194Biotech Product and Process Development 195Biotechnological Approaches for Food and Nutritional Security 198Biosafety Issues 202Patent Facilitation Cell 208

Chapter – 7 : Biotechnology Information System Network 209-219

Chapter – 8 : Biotechnology Parks and Incubators 221-223

Chapter – 9 : International Collaboration 225-244

Chapter – 10 : Autonomous Institutions 245-284

National Institute of Immunology 245National Centre for Cell Science 246National Brain Research Centre 249Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics 251National Institute of Plant Genome Research 258

Annual Report : 2011-12 Contents

Institute of Life Sciences 261Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development 263Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology 265Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine 268Translational Health Science and Technology Institute 270National Institute of Biomedical Genomics 272Regional Centre for Biotechnology 273National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute 275National Institute of Animal Biotechnology 283Bioclusters 283

Chapter – 11 : Public sector Undertakings 285-286

Chapter – 12 : International Centre for Genetic Engineering 287-291

and Biotechnology

Chapter – 13 : Promotion of Biotechnology in the North Eastern 293-298

States of India

Chapter – 14 : New Legislations & Regulations 299-300

Chapter – 15 : Administration and Finance 301-305

Annexures I – VII 307-330

Abbreviations 331-339

OVERVIEW

Rs. 23 crore in 1986-87 to Rs.1426.92 crorein 2011-12. The department moved with theprogress from its single institute, NationalInstitute of Immunology, New Delhi to 14autonomous institutions covering the areasof plant, human sciences, industrialbiotechnology, stem cell science andregenerative medicine, translational healthscience, biomedical genomics, agri-foodbiotechnology and animal biotechnology.The department is also committed toprovide nearly two-thirds of its budget toUniversities and non-DBT institutes.

India needs to increase quality Ph.Ds atleastby three folds. The generation of Ph.Ds andscientific publications from India are showinga major upward trend and high qualitypublication are increasing in number. Thebiotechnology industry has consistentlymaintained growth of approximately 28%

in the last decade and nearly 46 productshave been commercialized by the biotechindustry in the country. Our regulatorysystem has matured in its quality andtransparency and so has the ability to manageintellectual property, technology transfer,entrepreneurship and academia-industryrelationship.

Chapter 1

Preamble

The year 2011-12 has been very significant

in the life of the Department of

Biotechnology. This year the department was

rated as one of the Toppers amongst the

first three Ministries/Department, by the

Cabinet Secretariat in the Government’s

Performance Review. The department has

completed 25 years of its existence and is

celebrating the Silver Jubilee this year. It is

therefore a right occasion for reflection.

The department has grown into a major

national research and development agency

presently providing nearly two-thirds of the

research and development support in the

life science sector. The department’s initial

emphasis was on creating an institutional

framework for biological science and

biotechnology, human resources at Ph.D. and

Post Doctoral levels, creating and nurturing

scientific and technology leaders in the

country. The performance of department

supported universities and academia

institutions in this field have been par-

excellence. The budgetary allocation of the

department has increased from around

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Overview Annual Report : 2011-12

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From a few simple generic schemes, wenow have a large and diverse portfolio ofschemes to support people, institutions anduniversities, to promote excellence, to initiateand effectively manage R&D networksnationally and globally. While nurturingbasic and interdisciplinary science, DBT haseffectively intervened to make a differenceto the health sector, agriculture sector andin catalysing and supporting developmentand diffusion of affordable technologies.The DBT’s critical role in these sectors isto sustain high-end science, technologyinnovation and industry-academia inter-action, complementing the efforts of agencieslike ICAR and ICMR.

The department has implemented over 90%of the recommendations of the nationalbiotechnology development strategy, builtexcellence in basic and interdisciplinaryscience, and produced and nurtured humanresources for innovation. Highlights of thisare: establishment of seven new institutesdesigned to do both basic science andaffordable technology; three new bioscienceclusters in Faridabad, Mohali and Bangalore;full operationalization of two highlyacclaimed schemes of SBIRI and BIPP/BIRAC for supporting partnership.

Other highlights include Public-PrivatePartnership, with about a 120 such projectsin operation today, the cabinet approval

for establishing a science based totallyautonomous, biotechnology regulatoryauthority; initiation of special programmesto create interdisciplinary life science centresin universities with 50% of our R&Dexpenditure in the university system. Newinitiatives in system biology, plant genomicsand molecular breeding, human and animalvaccines, prospecting of bioresource fordrugs, stem cell research and regenerativemedicine, food fortification for nutritionallydeprived segments of the population;affordable health technology in implant anddevices using the biodesign approach areother key elements.

A device to manage faecal incontinence hasbeen developed by the Fellows of the firstbatch of the Stanford-India BiodesignProgramme implemented by DBT at AIIMSand IIT Delhi in collaboration with StanfordUniversity, USA.

The goals set in the biotechnology strategyof a globally connected nationally relevantbiotechnology sector are on its way of beingfulfilled with a remarkable increase in ourglobal partnership with almost every majorbiotechnology nation covering North America,Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, Canada,Russia and Cuba. The global partnership hasbeen strategically done to use and leverageIndia’s cost arbitrage for giving affordablesolutions to our people. The effect of these

Annual Report : 2011-12 Overview

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developments was visible in the last yearwhen Indian biotechnology industry recordedapproximately 25% growth and crossed US$4 billion despite global recession.

The public private partnership and theincreased availability of quality humanresources, the ready access to researchresources and our sophistication inmanaging technology transfer resulted in amajor push towards product development.Some of this includes commercialization ofthree new influenza vaccines, bivalent poliovaccine and pentavalent vaccine,meningococcal–B vaccine, low costdiagnostic for several infectious diseases,such as TB, Dengue fever, celiac diseaseand biogeneric drugs. Major push has beengiven to devices through the national bio-design alliance linking engineering andmedicine to produce locally relevant devicesfor patents and technology transfer.

The resurgence of research in application ofnew approaches in agriculture such asmolecular breeding and application of RNAistrategy and molecular sciences in cleanenergy areas by the small and mediumcompanies is evident from the analysis ofthe recent approvals in our public privatepartnership programme. Translationalresearch has acquired a new status in thecountry with our efforts, while basic sciencecontinues to grow in scale and quality.

The department has signed an MOU withthe partner institutions for creating “Bio-Cluster Board”, a legal entity for itsmanagement and to synergize theirintellectual strength and facilities to createa seamless campus. New schemes in North-Eastern region were implemented forstudents from North East region for RAfellowship and Biotech Industrial TrainingProgramme offering industrial training tofresh B.Tech/M.Sc./M.Tech students inbiotechnology in industry for a period of 6months. This program is being implementedby the Biotech Consortium India Limited(BCIL) New Delhi. Through a specialprogramme DBT has supported more than50 NER Scientists with OverseasAssociateship for undertaking researchtraining abroad.

The newly established institutes namely,InStem, THSTI, NIBMG, RCB, NABI andNIAB started functioning actively. Theseinstitutes are successfully generatingcompetitive extra mural research grants andpursuing projects in area of their research.The department has established a BiotechScience Cluster in the NCR region of Delhias an institutional model for cutting edgeresearch aimed at utilizing the variouscentres of excellence for developing newhubs. InStem is developing collaboratingprogrammes with other institutes utilizingthe infrastructure and facilities available in


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the cluster. The department is in the processof implementation of Shahid JameelCommittee’s recommendations forsupporting the projects under theCompetitive Grants Scheme and introducede-ProMIS system for online submission andmonitoring of proposals effective from1st September, 2011.

Human Resource Development

Skilled manpower is a key component forthe scientific and socio-economic developmentof the country. For achieving this objective,the department is implementing an integratedhuman resource development program inbiotechnology comprising of postgraduateteaching program, doctoral and post-doctoralfellowship as well as specialized trainingprogram for UG and PG teachers and mid-career scientists. The department is providingindustrial training to biotechnology studentsto develop skills required for biotechindustries in country. The department hasinitiated a Star College Scheme forimprovement of hands on training forundergraduate science students by providingsupport for infrastructure development withemphasis on faculty training pursuingprojects of day to day relevance andindustrial exposure to undergraduatestudents. Under the scheme ‘Star College’, 46selected colleges have been providedsupport for infrastructure development with

emphasis on faculty training, hands ontraining and industrial exposure toundergraduate students. DBT JRF and RAprogrammes have increasingly becomepopular with students, which is evident fromconsiderable increase in the number ofapplicants.

Department of Biotechnology jointly withTamil Nadu State Council for Science &Technology is supporting student researchprojects to develop and utilize the talentand potential of students and train them forsolving specific scientific and technologicalproblems relevant to society. Under thisScheme, financial support is provided toencourage the U.G. (Engineering) andPG students (Bio-engineering/Physics/C h e m i s t r y / M e d i c i n e / A g r i c u l t u r e /Veterinary/Environment /Social Sciences)enrolled in colleges and universities to takeup useful minor research projects as wellas dissertation work. In keeping with theadvancement of global networks for thedevelopment of biotechnology and thedepartment’s priority toward capacitybuilding in human resources, under therenamed CREST- Award (Cutting-edgeResearch Enhancement and ScientificTraining Award) scheme, 59 candidates wereselected for Specialized Training of YoungScientists in Niche Areas of Biotechnology.TWAS-DBT fellowships for Post Graduatesand Post Doctoral fellowship were awarded


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and five of the awardees completed thetraining successfully and obtained their PhDdegree. The Visiting Scientist from AbroadProgramme has also been enhanced.The department with Association ofBiotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) hassuccessfully conducted BiotechnologyEntrepreneurship Student Teams (BEST)programme to encourage young doctoralstudents in developing biotechnologyentrepreneurship and exposing them toissues in commercialization of bio-science.

Centres of Excellence and BiotechFacilities

The COE scheme provides provision forlong term support in specific areas to excel,innovate and create high quality intellectualproperty. The department has made atremendous progress in establishing andcreating the research related infrastructuralfacilities in several universities/institutions.The major facilities created are nextgeneration DNA sequencing, proteomics,platform for agriculture & veterinary science,service facilities like C-CAMP, Bangalore,and facilities for educational, teaching andtraining purpose. In addition, animalresource facility is expanded and theavailability of synchrotron beamline madepossible for the biological sciencecommunity. It led to the identification of 25novel Mtb-specific antigens, out of which 8antigens were found to be extremely

promising in terms of protection of micefrom TB infection. Studies undertaken atNII, New Delhi, led to identification of somehits to tackle bacterial, mycobacterial andmalarial affliction, characterization of novelmolecular mechanisms involved inbiosynthesis of mycobacterial virulent lipidsin M. tuberculosis has opened new avenuesfor drug discovery. High-throughput alleledetermination for molecular breeding wasdeveloped at ICRISAT, Patancheru, AndhraPradesh. SNP genotyping platforms formolecular breeding applications have beendeveloped in chickpea and pigeon pea.Efforts have also been made to deploymarker-assisted back-crossing and marker-assisted recurrent selection approaches forenhancing drought tolerance in chickpea andmolecular mapping of fusarium wilt andsterility mosaic disease in pigeonpea.Computational and System BiologyResearch undertaken at the NCBS, Bangaloreand IISc., Bangalore has led to creation ofdatabase of aligned protein domainsuperfamilies. A computational pipeline,Pocket Annotate has been developed. Agenome wise dsRNA screen for genesinvolved in endocytosis using a newmethodology for screening of perturbationhas been completed. A BSL-3 ContainmentFacility has been established at theUniversity of Hyderabad campus which isundergoing testing for certification.Immunomodulatory role of a novel protein-


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chorismate mutase essential for survival ofM. tuberculosis has been elucidated.

Programme Support has been given to theidentified institution / department to createand strengthen research capabilities atuniversity or institutional level forcategorical research in different disciplinesfor joint research efforts and to focus oncommon research problems and enhancingthe core competence of the institution/department in bioreactors and tissueengineering of liver and cartilage,development of chitosan based scaffoldsand silk nanofibres for bone and cartilagetissue regeneration. The department hasmade good progress in establishing andcreating the research related infrastructuralfacilities in several universities/institutions.The existing repositories and depositoriesare being strengthened.

Research and Development

The department supports researchprogrammes in basic and specialized fieldsof biotechnology across a wide range of areasand sectors to develop basic knowledge,technologies, processes and products relevantto health, environment, industry andagriculture. The department spends abouttwo-third of its budget on R&D activities outof which, one-third of funding goes on R&Dproject sponsored to various institutes/

universities and another one-third budget onits autonomous institutions for pursuingresearch and excellence. A two-tiermonitoring mechanism has been put in placeto evaluate proposals and the constantendeavour is to identify leads and take themforward to processes or products.

Agricultural Biotechnology

The department has spent about 16% ofits R&D budget for the agriculturalbiotechnology programme during the year.The projects supported under this areahave shown good progress in plantmolecular biology, genomics, genetictransformation, marker assisted breedingto target the important traits related tobiotic and abiotic stresses, productivityand nutritional enhancement in crops.Four agricultural products viz. Cotton,Corn, Mustard and Sorghum wereapproved for field trials under RCGM. Anetwork project on development andevaluation of salt and drought toleranttransgenic rice was pursued aimingtowards development of salt and droughttolerant “marker-free” rice. The studysuggested that the accumulation of hightrehalose provide drought stress toleranceto transgenic rice plants. In a collaborativeproject between DBT and IRRI, fifteenIndian institutions, including ICARInstitutes, State Agricultural Universities


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and Central Universities with NationalResearch Centre on Plant Biotechnology(NRCPB), New Delhi are participating ina network mode with NRCPB as the leadcentre. The programme envisagesimproving at least 12 popular rice varietiesgrown in the rainfed agri-eco systemsthrough marker-assisted backcrossbreeding for flood, drought and salttolerance.

Molecular cloning and characterization ofsalinity and/or drought stress-inducedhelicase from rice and its functionalvalidation is being carried out at ICGEB,New Delhi. A network programme onphysical mapping and sample sequencingof wheat chromosome 2A was continued.Other new projects on development ofmicronutrient enriched maize throughmolecular breeding, crop biofortificationof groundnut and pigeonpea were alsoundertaken. A screening facility for ironand zinc bioavailability has beenestablished. The department launched amajor translational project on cropimprovement where molecular markersalready available in public domain forimportant agronomic traits in wheat, rice,soyabean, chickpea and maize have beenvalidated and are being introgressed inthe high yielding cultivated varietiessuitable to specific agroclimatic zones andalso at all India basis by pyramiding

genes through Marker Aided Breeding(MAB).

Biofertilizers

The department supports programmes fordeveloping biofertilizers and technologypackages for their mass production. Thefocus of plant protection research is ondeveloping environmentally safe andeconomically feasible alternatives tochemical pesticides, using bio-technologicalapproaches. The department also focusedon conversion of industrial agriculturalwastes into biomanure and manage theorganic waste resources using low capitalinput protocols without expensivelaboratories and sophisticated industrialinstruments. With the departmentalsupports various biofertilizers andtechnology packages for mass productiondeveloped have already been transferred toindustry for commercial production andthese have contributed significantly to theagriculture production. Recently, mycorrhizabiofertilizer technology package has beentransferred to an industry for thebiofertilizers production and they aremarketing in India and abroad. Presently,the emphasis is on development ofintegrated nutrient management packagesfor plantation crops and development ofliquid biofertilizers and also ondevelopment of microbial consortia for the


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effective formulation of optimal strains ofplant growth promotion in rice and biocontrol against rice fungal and bacterialpathogens. Under an Indo-Swisscollaboration programme the bionoculants,a combination of consortia AMF and two ofthe Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria(PGPR) resulted in enhancement of rice yieldof by 26% and 30% with under field trials.The technology developed is under way forcommercialization. The department has setup a Centre of Excellence at AAU, Jorhatfor biopestide production and strainimprovement and new strains ofbioinoculates isolated & identified and theirproduction technology being standardized.

Bio-pesticides

A number of research projects have beensupported for the control of pests anddiseases of economically important crops,thereby enhancing the agriculturalproductivity for sustainable development.Metarhizium anisopliae conidia were foundto be effective in controlling mealy bug ingrapes. Four sex pheromone componentsand three aggregation pheromonecomponents were successfully isolated andidentified from Caryedon serratus. Synthesisof certain pheromone components has beenachieved which successfully trapped C.

serratus adults in laboratory cageexperiments. Patents have also been filed

for the mass production technologies andbio formulations of certain bio controlagents. Projects were implemented onformulation of mycorrhiza andagriculturally important microorganisms(AIMs). A comprehensive website on bio-pesticide has been developed for updation,up gradation and maintenance ofweb based knowledge resource onbiopesticides. The website updated withinformation on more than 250 completedprojects which benefits scientists,entrepreneurs and farmers.

Bioresources

Programme is being pursued onbioprospecting, inventorization andcharacterization, value addition andsustainable utilization of bioresources alongwith relevant training, capacity building andawareness generation. NBDB focusesprogrammes on the application ofbiotechnological and related scientificapproaches for R&D and development ofnew products and processes sustainablyutilizing the rich biodiversity. The largestcollections of nearly 250000 microbialcultures were screened for four differenttherapeutic targets. A total of 16123 threestars hits were obtained of which 518showed anti-cancer, 3643 showed anti-inflammation, 6676 showed anti- diabetic and5286 showed anti-infective activities. These


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potent cultures selected in the aboveexercise are being used to generate the listof 1000 cultures to be taken in the nextphase of the program for identification ofnovel drug scaffolds. In a programme ofprospecting of genes and molecules forproduct development, projects weresupported for prospecting of novel genes,molecules, enzymes etc. from plants,microbes, fungi, lichens for production ofpotential products of industrial importance.Novel genes/promoters, transcription factorswere identified so as to develop transgenicsfor biotic/abiotic stress and forunderstanding different metabolicengineering pathway(s) operative in asystem. In a project on bio-prospecting ofselected lichen and plant species for productdevelopment against cancer andtuberculosis, MSSRF has isolated four novelcompounds from lichen species The novelcompound isolated from mycobiont culturesshowed significant antitubercular activityagainst Multidrug resistant (Rifampicin andisoniazid resistant M. tuberculosis strains), ata concentration on 0.1mg/ml. MSSRF hasestablished lichen cultures of Roccella

montagnei, Dirinaria applanata, Parmotrema

prasorediosum Ramalina pollinaria, Trypethelium

eluteriae and Usnea complanata for thebiosynthesis of novel and known secondarycompounds. A biopesticide formulation(Bollcure) developed from eucalyptus hasbeen transferred to two industries. Central

Insecticide Board has approved theregistration of “TERI-DBT Bollcure” forcommercialization across India. Bollcure isenvironment friendly, suitable for bothorganic and IPM crop practices.

Plant Biotechnology

The department supported programmes inthe area of Plant Biotechnology on basicresearch, forestry, horticultural and plantationcrops, metabolomics etc. Nutritional andshelf life improvement programme wereundertaken to enhance nutrient levels suchas of flavonoids, carotenoids and folate, usinginduced mutations/ transgenic manipulationsand enrichment of Total Soluble Solids (TSS)in fruits for making tomato suitable forprocessing. Study is also being initiated ongenome analysis of SNP’s/mutations/transcriptome/proteome in cultivars and thewild accessions of tomato using wholegenome sequencing and reverse genetic toolsfor improving desired traits. Transgenictomato lines expressing polyamine genesunder fruit specific promoter for post-harvestquality developed have been tested for postharvest quality traits.

Two transgenic lines resistant to Tomato LeafCurl Virus (ToLCV) using antisense replicasegene have been developed and basicinformation generated is being taken furtherto develop tomato varieties with broad


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spectrum resistance to (ToLCV) and Tospovirus by appropriate gene deploymentstrategy through marker aided selection.

A network programme was initiated onMetabolomics focusing on crops like tomato,rice, potato, maize, Arnebia, Curcuma etc. todevelop complete metabolomics profile ofpotato, understand metabolomics of tomatowith reference to fruit quality, aroma,nutritional quality, study changes intranscriptome, proteome and metaboliteprofile in maize (as induced by Nitrogenand Phosphorus stress), secondary metabolitepathway related to shikonin synthesis(Arnebia), metabolomics related to stress anddisease resistance (rice) and assessment oftherapeutic properties in curcuma.

A new variety IIHRP1 was developed andvalidated in farmers fields and it has beenapproved for release as ‘Arka Flame’ byKarnataka State varietal release committee.Around 73,000 certified disease free NagpurMandarin bud grafts have been released togrowers/nursery owners in Maharashtra,M.P, Bihar, Orissa and Southern State andmethod for production of disease freeplanting material.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Biotechnological intervention on medicinaland aromatic plants (MAP) was continued

for conservation, isolation andcharacterization of novel bioactive agents,development of herbal formulations,genomics and biosynthetic pathway studies.Important medicinal plants of Manipur hillssuch as Paris polyphylla, Curcuma angustifolia

and Zingiber zerumbet have been collectedand maintained in the germplasm bank atKrishi Vigyan Kendra – Sylvan, SenapatiDistrict, Manipur. A network project foridentification of high camptothecin yieldingclones and development of agrotechnologysustainable harvesting methods inNothapodytes nimmoniana is continuing atUAS, Bangalore, UAS, Dharwad (College ofForestry, Sirsi) and Research and Action inNatural Wealth Administration, Pune.Protocol has been standardized forextraction and estimation of camptothecinfrom leaf tissues of N. nimmoniana. Over5000 seedlings of N. nimmoniana wereintroduced into various agro-forestrysystems and development of coppicingtechnology to maximize camptothecin yieldhas been developed. Efforts were initiatedto develop diagnostics for bettermanagement of begamoviruses infectingMentha spp at CIMAP, Lucknow. In the workundertaken on genomics and biosyntheticpathways at University of Jammu, elevengenes involved in mucilage biosyntheticpathway identified in Isabgol (Plantago ovata),Jammu. Studies on designing andpreparation of microarray chip to analyze


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the terpene pathway in aromatic plants areprogressing at CIMAP, Lucknow.

Animal Biotechnology

Efforts were continued to improve theproductivity of livestock animals. Toenhance the reproductive efficiency ofMithun, techniques of artificial insemination,preservation of semen and embryo transferwere standardized and calves were born.Embryo transfer techniques and ovum pickup technique for harvesting Yak embryoswere standardized. Transgenic mice modelexpressing enhanced green fluorescentprotein (EGFP) gene in its mammary glandwas developed using construct with EGFPgene cloned under buffalo beta caseinpromoter and attempts are on to expresshuman proteins of therapeutic value inthe milk of buffalo. A knockout mice modelwas also developed by deleting Wdr13 genewhich plays an important role in obesityand metabolism. Sperm specific antigens ofdogs having immunocontraceptive potentialwere isolated, identified and characterized.The reproductive efficiency of local sheepbreed of Kashmir and Lonand strain ofDeccani sheep was enhanced byintrogressing fecundity B (FecB) gene andhigh litter size of FecB carrier sheep wasreported both at experimental and farmerslevel. Utilization of nonconventional oilcakes as an alternate to oil cakes as a source

of protein and energy supplement in feedwas studied. Suitable enzyme formulationsand their encapsulation process weredeveloped for improving the feedefficiency in poultry and pig. A newmethod of forced moulting in white leghornhens using Zinc and Chromium wasdeveloped which can be effectively used atthe commercial scale.

A “Translational Research Platform forVeterinary Biologicals” (TRPVB) has beenestablished at Tamil Nadu Veterinary andAnimal Sciences University (TANUVAS),Chennai in September 2011. This platformwould facilitate the translation of technologiesby performing product development,validation, obtaining regulatory approvalsfacilitate product commercialization and alsobe a referral center to strengthen linkagesand collaboration in the area of animalvaccine and diagnostics development,exchange of biological materials, technologyassessment, supporting training, consultationand IP development.

Aquaculture and MarineBiotechnology

Projects were supported on aquaculture feed,development of therapeutic feed,identification of novel bioactive molecules,marine extremophiles, molecularcharacterization, induced maturation in


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shrimp, production of male ornamental fish,development of molecular markers fordisease resistance, diagnostics and vaccines,in vitro model for viral replication anddevelopment of cell lines etc. An Indo-Norway joint collaborative programme onfish vaccine development was implemented.Technologies were developed and patentedwith the leads obtained along with a goodnumber of publications in this programme.Initiatives were taken for formulating a multicentric programme on whole genomesequencing of commercially importantfreshwater fishes - Labeo rohita and Clarias

batrachus. Another programme on marineactinobacteria was also formulated forexploring novel and product development.

Seribiotechnology

Programme continued on improvement ofproductivity, enhancement of silk quality,host-plants interaction and post-harvestprocessing of silk along with utilization ofby-products in sericulture. A new initiativeon application of silk protein wasundertaken as potential biomaterial. AConsortium Programme on MulberryGenomics has been initiated during the year.SNP discovery and trait specifictranscriptome analysis of Indian mulberryhas been taken up. A pilot plant for therecovery of sericin from the wastedegumming liquor of silk has been set up

with an industrial partner. A method forapplication of sericin to cotton knits to geta value-added finished product is underinvestigation with a local garmentmanufacturing company. BmNPV resistantstrains of silkworm (Bombyx mori) have beendeveloped using marker-assisted breedingjointly at Seribiotech Research Laboratory(SBRL), Bangalore and Andhra Pradesh StateSericulture Research and DevelopmentInstitute (APSSR&DI), Hindupur. Studies onethology and hybrid compatibility of variousecoraces of tasar silkworm (Antheraea mylitta)have been initiated at Kakatiya University,Warangal. A Consortium on MulberryGenomics (CPMG) involving fourinstitutions – CSRandTI, Mysore, CSGRC,Hosur, UAS, Bangalore and UDSC, NewDelhi has been continued. Genomic SSRmarkers have been identified and mappingpopulations segregating for root traits andWUE established for construction of linkagemap in mulberry using the co-dominant SSRmarkers. Silk based supermacroporouscryogel matrices have been synthesized bycryogelatin technology for exploring theirpotential in cell-material interactions at IIT,Kanpur. Silk fibroin-agarose cyrogelcomposites showed fast swelling kinetics,high-water uptake and good flow rates.These have shown good cell attachment andproliferation properties during interactionwith fibroblasts. Efforts have been initiatedon utilization of commercial silk waste as


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potential nano-biomaterial at RV College ofEngineering, Bangalore. Process forextraction and preparation of nano sericinmaterial has been standardized.

Basic Research in Modern Biology

The department through basic researchprogramme in Modern Biology has beensupporting a number of research projectsto increase the competency of basicresearch. Important leads obtained inmany of the basic research studies ledhave to strengthening of applied researchand better understanding of the basicprinciples. For the first time functionalexpression of full length channel rhodopsinin yeast expression system has beenreported at Delhi University. In anotherwork, IISc has shown a single mammalianmitochondrial translation initiation factorto functionally replace two bacterialfactors (IF1 and IF2). Studies atChittaranjan National Cancer Institute,Kolkata have revealed that dopamine cansignificantly inhibit lung tumor growth in-

vivo and in-vitro by targeting tumor bloodvessels. The department has initiated anetwork program under Systems Biologywith focus on resolving and understandingthe regulatory dynamics of interactionbetween Mtb and the cellular componentof the host using a systems level approachand combining experimental, theoretical

and computational approach. It isanticipated that such an approach mayreveal new strategies for the treatment ofTB infection.

Medical Biotechnology

The department has progressively increasedthe expenditure under the broad areas ofmedical biotechnology and health relatedaspects and spending around 30% of itsR&D budget. The medical biotechnologyand health related aspects includedinfectious disease biology, chronic diseasebiology, vaccine research & developmentand human genetics & genomics.

Infectious Disease biology

The department has promoted research anddevelopment activities in the area ofinfectious diseases specifically relevant tothe country caused by various pathogenicagents including bacteria, viruses, parasites,fungi and others. Programs were supportedto develop preventive, therapeutic anddiagnostic tools for infectious diseases suchas Tuberculosis, Cholera, HIV/AIDS,Hepatitis, Influenza, Chikungunya, Malaria,Leishmaniasis etc. A multiplex PCR baseddetection kit has been developed, validatedand patented for the rapid detection of STDscaused by Neisseria gonorrhoea and Chlamydia

trachomatis.


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Early pregnancy associated protein-1(Epap-1), isolated from the first trimesterplacental tissue, blood and urine ofpregnant women during first trimester hasbeen shown to inhibit HIV-1 entry and isfound to have affinity to HIV-1 gp120. Arapid IgM ELISA assay as a diagnostictool for dengue infection has beendeveloped and validated.

DBT-ICMR collaborative programme on“HIV/AIDS and Microbicides” wasimplemented for basic and translationalresearch on immunopathogenesis of HIVand development of therapeutic strategies.It has played an integral role in supportingthe transition of anti-viral candidates fromearly discovery to initial clinical testing.The 2nd phase of the programme has beenannounced aiming at accelerating researchthat will generate knowledge and developstate-of-the-art technologies to provide thebasis for the development of HIV vaccinesand novel therapies against HIV includingmicrobicides. In order to neutralize diverseHIV isolates, E coli expressed OuterDomain based immunogen (ODEC) hasbeen shown to be highly immunogenicwhich resulted in neutralization of B andC subtypes. Similarly CD4Bs, a gp120based fragment, was found to elicit betterneutralization than gp120. Attempts arebeing made towards patenting the CD4Bsimmunogens.

Chronic Disease Biology

The department is emphasising on thechronic disease area covering patho-biolgicalaspects of various cancer, pathwaydiscovery, drug-interventions, biomarkersetc. The curcumin clinical trials in cancerhave reached a critical stage. DBT had set-up a “Curcumin Clinical Pharmacology Lab”at ACTREC, Mumbai for pharmacologicalassessment of curcumin and its metabolitesin serum/plasma of patients on curcuminintervention. The first lot of analysis hasbeen done. The trials on oral-pre-cancerlesions have been completed. Thedepartment has funded a project to explorethe pathogenesis of idiopathic nephroticsyndrome of childhood and leads from thisstudy are likely to provide evidence forcytokine polarization of T-helper cells. Onthe long-term, this study might contributeto discovery of a biomarker for theNephrotic Syndrome disease course.

A project was pursued to determine thepresence of autoantibodies against factor Hin Indian children with Hemolytic UremicSyndrome and their relation to diseaseseverity, course and to characterize theantibodies and devise better treatments forthe future. The department has funded aproject towards the development of a rapid,indigenous test for diagnosis of celiacdisease. An ELISA kit has been developed


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under this project. The kit has been testedagainst well-characterized sera samples andalso on sera collected prospectively fromchildren diagnosed with celiac diseases.

An immuno-chromatographic, a rapid visualtest named “Crystal TB confirm” wasdeveloped by scientists at University ofDelhi South Campus (UDSC) for detectionof tubercle bacilli in culture. This testconfirms NTM versus MTB and providesresults in less than twenty minutes. The kithas been launched and is beingmanufactured by M/s Span Diagnostics Ltd,Surat.

Vaccine Research and Development

In vaccine development phase III trial of anoral rotavirus vaccine 116E is being carryingout at VIDRC. The laboratory has GLPcompliant QA/QC processes and fullyvalidated equipment. The vaccine efficacyassays are internationally cross-validatedand technicians are very well trained.Another activity relates to a researchprogramme pursued towards developingnovel vaccine delivery vectors. The groupis also focusing on immunogenicity of JEVenvelope protein in mice delivered usingOvine Adenovirus, development of chimericAdenoviruses for targeted delivery oftherapeutic molecules to brain, identificationof the JEV attachment and receptor system

on neuronal and non-neuronal cells via acombination of molecular biology andproteomic approaches, elucidating thecellular entry mechanisms of JEV using high-resolution imaging based studies,development of high throughput assaymethods (in vitro and ex vivo) to screen fornovel anti-virals effective against JEV andstudying the role of micro RNAs in JEVreplication and pathogenesis.

Stem Cell Research

A number of programmes on various aspectsof embryonic and induced pluripotent stemcells have been generated and implementedfor research. Programmes have also beenimplemented for basic and clinical researchusing adult stem cells and over 45institutions, hospitals and industry areinvolved in stem cell research in the country.An institute for Stem Cell Biology andRegenerative Medicine (InStem) has beenestablished at Bangalore with its translationalunits at Christian Medical College, Vellore.GMP and clean room facilities have beenestablished in various medical schools. Thecentre at Vellore is dedicated for translationalstem cell research in a medical environmentestablished with several basic and clinical(physician) scientists involved in stem cellresearch. Initiatives have been taken to enablerapid expansion of cutting edge scientificactivities at InStem and new research group


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have been identified for collaborative sciencechairs in the interdisciplinary areas togenerate a vibrant atmosphere of internationalexchanges especially for young researchersto work on joint projects with theirinternational collaborators. Three youngscientists are being trained on DBT overseasscheme in top laboratories in USA in specificareas of application to be developed at thecentre.

Bioengineering

A number of bioengineering projects havebeen initiated to address the challengesinvolved and provide new vistas requiredfor understanding the intricacies involvedin applied research. Some of the significantapproaches include investigation ofbiomechanical factors responsible forloosening and eventual failure of an implant,developing a novel microscopic techniquebased on photothermal detection of metallicnanoparticle labels, designing mechanisticmodel for predicting the growth ofaneurysms in an arterial bifurcation anddeveloping novel intelligent peptides fortargeting peptide nucleic acid into cell foran effective drug delivery vehicle. Otherinitiatives include development of a liverassist device for the temporary treatment ofpatients with acute and chronic liver failure,3-D cellular dermal matrices forreconstructive surgery in laboratory animal

models, evaluation of alginate, chitin andchitosan bandages based on hydrogels withnon-toxic ZnO/Herb Hemigraphis alternata

nanoformulations for wound dressingapplications and development of amicrofluidic device to study the aggregationof the β–amyloid peptide inneurodegenerative diseases.

Human Genetics and Genomeanalysis

Major projects have been initiated involvingclinicians, molecular geneticists andanthropologists in human genetics andgenome analysis. Genetic resources are beingutilized to develop baseline data on variousethnic groups for disease susceptibility andprovide genetic services to a large numberof families including prenatal diagnosis andcounselling to affected families includingtribal population and awareness amongpublic regarding prevalence of commongenetic disorders in the country likethalassemia, DMD, SCD, haemophilia etc.The department has focused on diseasebased human genome analysis program bysetting up genetic clinics anticipating thatthe HGP data will be available in publicdomain. A human DNA profiling Bill hasbeen formulated by the department and isbeing further revised based on thediscussion held with the experts to bringmore clarity on various issues.


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Environmental Biotechnology

Environmental biotechnology research anddevelopment programmes are focused on thedevelopment and use of biotechnologicaltools for management of environment andbiodiversity conservation. The focus was ondevelopment of mitigation technologies forclimate change, microbial technologies forenvironmental improvement, treatment ofindustrial effluent, bioremediation ofxenobiotic compounds and biodiversityconservation and characterization. Studies onmicrobial diversity of various environmentsand their genetic information were carriedout for isolating micro-organisms that couldbe used in the manufacture of enzymes anda wide range of bioactive compounds, aswell as in bioremediation processes. A pilotscale facility of bioreactor with workingvolume of 1000 liter has been established byTERI at Gualpahari. A study was carried outon utilization of biodiesel waste byPseudomonas sp. for production of phenazineantibiotics. A protocol of biologicalproduction of PCN comprising raw glycerolwas developed and standardized usingstandard culture NCIM 2141.

Nanoscience andNanobiotechnology

Nanobiotechnology is a rapidly growingarea of scientific and technological

opportunity that combines multidisciplinaryapproach and finds applications in a varietyof areas including drug delivery system,new therapeutics, imaging, multifunctionalintermediates in biomedical devices etc. DBTpromoted research activities in these areas.A process was developed for the deliveryof active molecules to nucleus and brain.Novel stimuli responsive graft copolymericnanoparticles based on polymers likechitosan and fibrinogen was synthesized asa promising smart material for the controlledcancer drug delivery applications.Multimodal contrast agent based on bio-mineral nanoparticles was developed withimage enhancing abilities for differentmedical imaging modalities such as nuclearmagnetic resonance, X-ray-CT and nearinfrared (NIR) fluorescence, and Ramanimaging, together with targeted drug orgene delivery properties. NaoZno film wasused as smart food packaging material withantibacterial properties. Extensive researchon Nanotoxicolgy is being continued tounderstand various physicochemicalparameters associated with toxicity ofdifferent nanomaterials.

RNAi Technology Platforms

RNAi approaches are extensively beingused as tool in understanding various genesilencing mechanisms. RNAi approach wasused in management of diseases of


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important crop and conferring attributes tothe plant to combat other biotic and abioticstresses. The department supported researchprojects on development and application ofRNAi approach in the management ofvarious diseases, pests, enhancing the shelflife of the fruits and vegetables and makingplants to withstand biotic and abioticstresses. Application of RNAi technologyhas proven as an excellent tool in the areaof therapeutics.

Energy Bioscience Programme

Energy Bioscience has been identified aspriority area. The department has taken alead role in developing a research base inour country in the area of Energy Bioscience.DBT has established network of more than50 universities, research institutes andindustry in close partnership, which areworking to realize the goals set in nationalbiofuel mission. Among various bio-fuels,bioethanol and biodiesel are being focusedfor scale up whereas others like bio-butanoland bio-hydrogen are still at R&D stages inIndia. Efforts are continuing for feedstockdevelopment, biomass production andoptimization of production technologies forscale-up to make them commercially viable.The DBT–ICT Centre for biosciences isgiving focus on developing biotechnologiesfor deriving energy from renewableresources. The DBT-IOCL Centre for

Advanced Bio-energy has been establishedat R&D IOCL Faridabad.

Biotechnology Progarmmes forSocietal Development

Programmes for SC/ST and RuralPopulation

The programmes were continued for the socio-economic upliftment of SC/ST rural andwomen population. Diffusion of technologicalknow-how in proven and field testedinterventions were disseminated on productionof quality planting material, bio-control agents,vermicomposting, organic pepper cultivation,lac cultivation, sericulture, activities relatingto animal husbandry like artificialinsemination, goat rearing, quail production,rabbitry etc to the target beneficiaries. Inaddition various programmes wereundertaken on aspects of health awareness,value addition and development of productslike soya milk, flour etc. Demonstrations andtrainings activities benefited a large numberof SC/ST and rural people. The departmentalso supported eight bio-events to exhibit ruralproducts and processes for promotion andmarketing at the rural level and creatingawareness among the target community totake up such activities for supplementationof their income. The division is promotingnew rural bio-entrepreneurship throughestablishment of rural bio resource complexes.


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Programme for Women

The Biotechnology based programme forwomen is intended to benefit a large numberof women by improving their socio-economic status through developing specificskills among them through variousbiotechnological interventions. The projectssupported under this programme covertraining, field demonstrations, extensionactivities, enterprise development etc. inareas such as horticulture, mushroomcultivation, biofertilisers, biopesticides,aquaculture, animal husbandry, poultryfarming, production of diverse value addedmarketable products. The department hastaken a major initiative during the year toaddress various R&D components onwomen health care, nutrition and hygienerelated aspects. The projects supported arebeing implemented at the community levelfor the benefit of large number of women.

Biotech Product and ProcessDevelopment

INDUSTRY SCHEMES

Small Business Innovation ResearchInitiative (SBIRI)

Small Business Innovation ResearchInitiative (SBIRI) is the pioneeringprogramme of the department that

supports R&D, process and productdevelopment in industry. During thepresent Plan Period, the SBIRI has madea mark in the biotech sector. The effortsof the department towards promotion ofsmall and medium enterprises focusingon scientific innovations have beenappreciated by the stakeholders. SBIRIhas helped many small and mediumenterprises to establish proof-of-conceptand to work on innovation R&D throughits Phase-I funding through which theindustries were supported primarily inthe form of grants-in-aid. The schemealso supported industries towards latestage R&D resulting into process andproduct development through its Phase-II funding. As in the earlier years, thisyear also three Road-Shows wereconducted at Kolkata, Mumbai andKochi. The participation of the privatesector was overwhelming. Suchpromotional activities and alsoadvertisement of the scheme in nationaldailies as well as in local newspapershas resulted in a continuous flow ofapplications from industries. Under thescheme, the department has so farreceived more than 900 proposals andhas sanctioned 105 projects. Around 540industries throughout the country haveapproached the department seekingsupport under the scheme. Currently 52projects are in operation.


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Biotechnology Industry PartnershipProgramme (BIPP) and BiotechnologyIndustry Research AssistanceProgramme (BIRAP)

BIRAP is well equipped with required staffto execute different programmes on capacitybuilding. It has initiated electronic journalconsortium with the help of DELCON tofacilitate access to experts and industry toover 900 journals and scientific literaturefor necessary research back up. BIRAP hasa mentoring programme for supportingtravel and other expenses of experts tofacilitate access to important workshops,meetings and conferences. The Cabinet hasaccorded approval for the setting up of“Biotechnology Industry Research AssistanceCouncil (BIRAC)” under BIPP scheme tosupport high risk futuristic technology andprocess development to make India globallycompetitive in biotech innovation andentrepreneurship and to create affordableproducts and services. BIRAC is being setup as a separate body for supportingproduct innovation and providing requiredinfrastructure and services at different stagesof the value chain for promoting innovationand product development and providingfunding/investment for early and late stage,including Small Business InnovationResearch Initiative (SBIRI), BiotechnologyIndustry Partnership Programme (BIPP) andIgnition grant, contract research in Industry

for public institution innovation, technologytransfer and acquisition in national priorityareas, promotion of entrepreneurship,incubators, parks and clusters and SMEempowerment measure and schemes.

R&D Scheme

Efforts continued towards optimization andscaling–up of research leads with an aimtowards commercialization of the biotechproducts and process development for thebenefits of the society. Various schemeshave been supported on creation of processanalytical technology based control fordownstream biotech processes, use of sub-critical CO2 for precipitation andstabilization of ultra-fine particles of activepharmaceutical ingredients forpharmaceutical applications. Otherapproaches include development ofmatrices using polyhydroxyalkanoates fromindigenous Pseudomonas sp. LDC-5, theprocess optimization for keratinaseproduction from Bacillus pumilus fordegradation of recalcitrant proteins, masscultivation of the fruiting bodies ofdifferent strains of Ganoderma lucidum atdifferent climatic conditions to formulateGanoderma powder as potential products ofnutraceutical importance and in vitro

biosynthesis of antimalarial drugartemisinin via metabolic engineering ofBy-2 cells.


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Biotechnological approaches to Food andNutritional Security

Severe acute malnutrition is an importantcause of morbidity and mortality inchildren below 5 years of age in India. Analliance has been formed amongDepartments of Health Research (DHR),Department of Biotechnology (DBT) andMinistry of Health and Family Welfare ofthe Government of India to supportresearch to generate evidence fordevelopment of practical and scalableregimens to medically rehabilitate childrensuffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition(SAM) without serious complications athome/community level and/or atperipheral inpatient facilities. Thedepartment has initiated development ofindigenous products suitable forrehabilitation of SAM for children anddevelopment of stable and acceptablemulti-micronutrient and mineral mixtureused as a part of regimes for managementof SAM.

Biosafety Issues

Bio-safety research programmes havefocused on facilitation and implementationof bio-safety procedures, rules andguidelines under Rules 1989, Environment(Protection) Act 1986 to ensure safety tothe users as well as to the environment

from the use of Genetically ModifiedOrganisms (GMOs) and products thereof.A three tier mechanism comprisingInstitutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)at the Institute/company involved inrecombinant DNA (rDNA) research, theReview Committee on GeneticManipulation (RCGM) in the Departmentof Biotechnology, and the GeneticEngineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)in the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) has been established forevaluation and approval of rDNA researchand development activities, monitoringand evaluation and environmental releaseof genetically engineered (GE) crops.

Applications in healthcare/agriculture forimport/ export/ exchange of GE materials,for conduct of pre-clinical toxicity studies,evaluation of pre-clinical toxicity studyreports and subsequent recommendationsto Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)for appropriate phase of clinical trials,contained/ confined field trials on GE cropsetc. were examined by the RCGM andappropriate decisions taken. Though cottonis the only GE crop approved forcommercial release in the country so far,several other crops like brinjal, corn,mustard, sorghum, cabbage, castor,cauliflower, groundnut, okra, potato, rice,tomato etc. are in the advanced stages ofdevelopment for environmental release.


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Biotechnology InformationSystem Network (BTISnet)

BTISnet has emerged as a potential scientificnetwork in the country comprising of morethan 165 institutions. In addition to thedevelopment of state of art infrastructure andhuman resource, the network has also provedits capability in carrying out intensiveresearch and development activities inbioinformatics and computational biology. Acompendium on “Research Publications inBioinformatics and Computational Biologyfrom India” was released and skilled humanresources are being promoted through thelong term and short term courses andtrainings. The BINC exam which is consideredas highly stringent national exam is pickingup well and 35 candidates have beenqualified this year and is expected to growmore numbers as the syllabus has been finetuned and courses are being conductedbased on the syllabus framed for the BINCexam. Eight new BIF centers have beenadded to the BTISnet and in fact the newgeneration Bioinformatics centres are doingexceptionally well and has brought in a lotof experimental component to theBioinformatics. NEBInet comprises of morethan 25 Bioinformatics centers in North Eaststates. Several new programmes like biotechhubs, overseas associateship, twinning R&Detc. are being implemented with the support

of NEBInet. Three major consortium projectson bio informatics in TB, Rice and Mangohave shown excellent progress.

Biotechnology Parks andIncubators

Biotechnology parks have been establishedto facilitate product advancement andinnovation through the development of abiotechnology industrial cluster and toproduce biotechnologists and entrepreneurshaving strong foundation in research andinnovation. The incubator facilities help startup companies, provide support to youngentrepreneurs who are not able to invest infacilities but have the capability to designnew products and processes. With manymultinational and bio-pharma companiesinitiating their R&D and manufacturingoperations in India the demand for biotechincubators has increased. Both Central andState Governments are making earnest effortsto promote biotechnology activities in thecountry by setting up biotechnology parks,incubators as well as pilot projects.Biotechnology parks and incubation centresset up in different states are progressing well.

International Collaboration

International Cooperation is an instrumentto address global challenges of food, health,nutrition and climate change. DBT has


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entered into bilateral and multilateralstrategic alliance with a focus on globalchallenges. These alliances promotescientific excellence through R&D andinnovation towards creating opportunitiesfor higher education training and capacitybuilding. Concerted efforts were madetowards expansion of strategic bilateral andmultilateral cooperation with Australia,Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Norway,Sweden, Switzerland, UK, EU and USA. Thedepartment in partnership with ABLE hassuccessfully conducted BiotechnologyEntrepreneurship Student Teams (BEST)programme for development of enterpriseamongst young doctoral students andtraining them in techno-managerial issues.

A ‘Programme of Co-operation’ (POC) wassigned between the Republic of India andRepublic of Tunisia in 2006 for five years inthe area of biotechnology with an objectiveto develop and support collaborativeresearch activities in the area of agricultureand health care. The POC was extendedrecently for another five years on mutualagreement with a commitment to cooperatefor fruitful outcomes. A ‘Memorandum ofUnderstanding’ (MOU) signed between Indiaand CNRS; France was recently renewedwith an objective to establish InternationalAssociated Laboratories (LIA) in the area ofbiotechnology as well as to launch a newinternational Masters’ and Ph.D. programme

in ‘Systems Immunology and Genetics ofInfectious Diseases (SIGID).

Autonomous Institutions

Presently the department has 14 autonomousinstitutions engaged in various activities ofR&D innovation and excellence at par withinternational standard. It allocated about 25%of its total budget during the year for theseinstitutions. The salient achievements arehighlighted below:

National Institute of Immunology (NII),New Delhi

NII, New Delhi continued its activities inconducting high-quality research in the areaof immunology and related sciences. Thecore areas of research include infection andimmunity, molecular design, reproduction,development and gene regulation. Anumber of promising leads were reportedon the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.HisB, an important protein in the histidine-biosynthetic pathway of Mycobacterium

tuberculosis was crystallized and preliminaryX-ray crystallographic analysis reported. Anagreement was signed with the NationalCancer Institute in the US for undertakingclinical trials at the Sloan KetteringMemorial Cancer hospital in New York tofocus on cervical cancer and check the


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vaccine efficacy against ovarian cancer. Theinstitute has been involved in clinical trialof rotavirus vaccine developed to reducethe incidence of diarrhoea or its severity inneonatal children.

National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS),Pune

The NCCS has given emphasis in the areasof cell biology, signal transduction, cancerbiology, diabetes, biodiversity, infection andimmunity, chromatin architecture and generegulation, stem cell, proteomics,bioinformatics and regenerative biology. Italso serves as a National Cell Repositoryand a training centre for animal cell andtissue culture. As the National Repository,NCCS procures and maintains various celllines and distributes them to differentUniversities and Research institutions inIndia. In the previous year, NCCS suppliedover 2300 cell lines to 120 organizations. Itis committed to its contribution towardshuman resource development, by way ofreaching out to individuals at all levelsincluding students, teachers and researchersin India. The procedures for isolation,expansion, cryo-preservation anddifferentiation of stem cells into specific celltypes have been optimized. The institute ismaking efforts in understanding the cellularand molecular mechanisms defining stemcell niche in normal organs.

National Brain Research Centre (NBRC),Manesar, Haryana

NBRC continued its focused activities oninter disciplinary science from molecularbiology and genetics through psychologyto neuro-medicines and bio-engineering.Scientists at NBRC focus on majorclasses of brain disorders, such asneurodegenerative, neuro-oncological,infective, developmental and neuro-psychiatric and conducting research oninfectious agents including Japaneseencephalitis, HIV and Prion diseases. Asneuron-glia crosstalk is recognized to bepivotal to normal brain functions, theNeuroAIDS laboratory has broken newground by establishing a well characterizedhuman neuron-glia co-culture system thatis used for unravelling intricacies of neuron-glia communication. Researchers areexpected to develop capabilities with humanbrain cell culture system to understandbetter the HIV-1 proteins that modulateneurocognitive functions in HIV/AIDSpatients. As a deemed university, NBRC iscontinuing its M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes.

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting andDiagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad

CDFD is continuing its basic research inrelated areas along with providing servicesfor DNA fingerprinting and diagnostics.


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The institute is regularly receiving anddealing with the referred cases from thejudiciary and law enforcing agencies.During this year, the centre providedgenetic evaluation and counselling to 1650patients. 112 cases of judiciary and lawenforcing agencies examined related toidentification of deceased, maternity /paternity dispute and other related criminalmatters. APEDA-CDFD centre for BasmatiDNA analysis centre has analyzed 205Basmati samples for certifying the qualityand authenticity of Basmati Rice. Theinstitute has taken new initiatives in DNAprofiling to demonstrate the power ofexpanded application of the technologyimproving the system of criminal justicedelivery in the country. The Centre hassigned an MoU with the Institute of LifeSciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar and the StateGovernment of Orissa, to establish itslaboratory in ILS and collaborate with theGovernment of Orissa to provide DNAprofiling services in the state.

National Institute of Plant GenomeResearch (NIPGR), New Delhi

NIPGR is working on computational biology,genome analysis, molecular mapping,molecular mechanisms of abiotic stressresponse, nutritional genomics, plantdevelopment and architecture, plantimmunity, and other emerging areas. An

automated procedure was developed foridentification of terpene synthase (TPS) orprenyl transferase (PT) proteins in plantsusing Profile Hidden Markov Model. Inchickpea, interspecific linkage map has beenconstructed for ICCV-2 x JG-62. In the Indo-Canadian Pulse Genomics Initiative, a totalof 536 SSR primers were designed from lentil,of which 196 were validated. In anotherlegume Trifolium alexandrinum, a microsatelliteenriched library was constructed which ledto the development of 692 SSR markers. Itwas observed in rice that the induction ofphytoalexin biosynthesis genes by UV-B rayswas linked with the activation of MAP kinase.The transgenic tobacco lines over expressingCaZF produced phenotypes with improvedroot and shoot growth along with stresstolerance. Two stress-inducible promoterswere evaluated for their activity and raisingtransgenics with selected target genes. In thenutritional genomics programme, stable linesof AmA1 potato developed were grown andevaluated. The transgenic potatoes haveincreased protein content and are safe forconsumption. In rice, functional analyses ofseed-specific genes and anther-specific genepromoters were undertaken to understandthe crucial controls of reproductivedevelopment connected to the yield. NIPGRresearchers published 61 papers in highimpact journals. Three patents were filed andtwo technologies developed at the Institutewere transferred for product development.


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Institute of Life Sciences (ILS),Bhubaneswar

The institute continued its focus oninfectious diseases biology, gene functionas well as regulation and translationalresearch activities. Work on identificationand characterization of an immunoregulatoryhelminth glycoprotein was taken to itslogical end. The active moiety that binds toTLR4 on the surface of mononuclear cellsand inhibits endotoxemia in animals wasidentified to be a hexasaccharide,Chitohexose, which offered insights intoevolutionary relationship betweennematodes and sepsis in human population.The research on TLR polymorphism inhuman filariasis revealed an association ofTLR2 mutants (ins/ del + del/ del) andminor allele (del) for increased risk ofelephantiasis development. Studiesundertaken on pathogen vibrio isolates haverevealed details of genes regulating toxicityand virulence and ability to form biofilms.Molecular analysis of toxigenic V. cholerae

strains indicated the presence of multiplectxB genotypes. The comparative modellingapproach to define the structural features ofall known variants of ctxB found in V.

cholerae including 0139 serotypes suggestedsubtle variations in the binding ability ofctxB variants to carbohydrate ligands of GM1viz. galactose, sialic acid and N-acetylgalactosamine. These findings shed light on

the molecular efficiencies of pathogenicisolates of V. cholerae harbouring naturalvariants of ctxB in causing the disease,suggesting the need to consider ctxBvariants in designing vaccines againstcholera.

Institute of Bioresources and SustainableDevelopment (IBSD), Imphal

IBSD continued its efforts on sustainableutilization of bio-resources focusing onmedicinal, aromatic and horticultural plants,microbial, aquatic and insect bioresourcestoward economic development of North EastRegion. Germplasm repository ofZingiberales has been further enriched byaddition of 27 more species raising thecollection to 289 accessions belonging to 73species. Bambusa manipureana andDendrocalamus hamiltoni have been selectedas superior edible bamboo due to their lowcynogenic glycosides content, highantioxidant properties and high level ofnutrient content. Kachai lemon found as apotential root stock for production ofbudded mandarin orange was studied toincrease yield, reduce moisture stress andPhytophthora disease incidence. A strain ofBacillus subtilis MTCC 548 from fermentedsoybean was found to exhibit very highfibrinolytic casenolytic ratio indicating highaffinity to fibrin. A total of 1857 bacterialstrains from NE region soil have been


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found to exhibit anti-cancer, anti-diabetic andanti-inflammatory property. Bio-pesticideformulations comprising Trichoderma sp T-86 and Pseudomonas fluorescent IE 161strains have been tested at field level forthe control of soft rot disease in ginger. Alow cost technique for conversion of floatingaquatic biomasss of Loktak Lake intocompost was demonstrated to farmingcommunity of Bishnupur district andtraining-cum-demonstration programme onfermented soybean production technologyorganized through KVK, Imphal

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology(RGCB), Thiruvananthpuram, Kerala

The major emphasis of the RGCB is onresearch programs in Disease Biology andMolecular Medicine. Employing cutting edgetechnologies, the centre is exploring thebiological systems with a mission tounderstand the diseases processes focusingon cancer, infectious diseases, neuronaldisorders, reproductive and cardiovasculardiseases. A new program was started indisease biology of diabetes by taking up themanagement of the Institute of Diabetes, aspecialty medical center belonging to theGovernment of Kerala. Scientists haveidentified a secretory factor, Cyclophilin A, apeptidyl prolyl cis-trans-isomerase inmonocytic cells of THP-1 cells as well asfrom patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

which is released by monocytes in responseto oxidative stress induced byhyperglycemia. Cyclophilin A (CyPA) isknown to have paracrine and autocrinestimulatory effect on endothelial cells. CyPAsecreted by monocytes could have importanteffects on enhancing monocyte adhesion toendothelial cells and thus in the pathogenesisof atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes. Attemptshave been made to understand at the genelevel, if timing of surgery during a particularphase of the menstrual cycle plays asignificant role in survival of a pre-menopausal woman with breast cancer.Important molecular events/ patterns thatoccur might help to determine a long termprognosis by appropriately timing thesurgery and hence save lives. A number ofnovel mutations, in both structural and non-structural protein coding regions, wereidentified in CHIKV isolates by wholegenome sequence analysis. The institute isalso providing service facilities for moleculardiagnostics for infectious diseases, cancer andcardiovascular disease, DNA fingerprintingto cater to social and criminal justice systemsand DNA barcoding for plants and wildlife.

Institute for Stem Cell Science andRegenerative Medicine (InStem),Bangalore

InStem has given emphasis on building astrong foundation for core research and


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educational activities in the area of stemcell biology and regeneration. The corescientific program was initiated with theappreciation that understanding stem cellfunctions will require fundamentalinvestigations into basic, molecular andcellular processes. Several projects are beingpursued collaboratively on protein-proteininteractions, quiescence and cell cycle,signalling pathways, embryonic stem (ES)cell self-renewal, RNA biology, chromatinbiology and regulatory networks. InStemcore group are collaborating with scientistsand clinicians internationally and withinIndia to work on cardiac function, iPStechnology, biophysics and cell biology totackle core problem-generating cellularmodels of cardiac disease. Another focusof the institute is on epithelial stem cellsand development, mechanisms of tumorformation and networks that controlsignalling and adhesion in tissuearchitecture.

Translational Health Science andTechnology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad

THSTI is an autonomous institutionestablished by the department to conductinnovative translational research anddevelop research collaborations acrossdisciplines and professions to accelerate thedevelopment of concepts into tangibleproducts to improve human health. THSTI’s

research activities are focused in three broadareas, namely, vaccine and infectiousdiseases centre, paediatric biology centre,and centre for bio design and diagnosticsdevelopment. A Clinical DevelopmentServices Agency (CDSA) has beenestablished as an extra-mural Centre ofTHSTI. Vaccine and Infectious DiseaseResearch Center (VIDRC) research wouldfocus on infectious disease biology,development of animal models, and naturalhistory of disease in population giving newinsights into protective host responses andbiomarker discovery for screening vaccinecandidates, for novel vaccine development.The centre for Bio Design (CBD) has beenset up to create medical technologyinnovation in India for affordable health careand to support services that extend fromstrategic bench work to commercialization.The primary objective is to develop a cadreof investigators of global standard inregulatory product evaluations through acomprehensive and sustained trainingprogram.

National Institute of Biomedical Genomics(NIBMG), Kalyani, West Bengal

NIBMG was established to provide animpetus to research and translation to enablean understanding of the aetiologies,prevention and treatment of diseases and areduction in public health burden.


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Inadequacy of formal training programmesin human genetics has been a seriousimpediment to the development ofbiomedical genetics in our country. NIBMGis able to fill this gap by initiating courseson genetics in medicine. The institute hasbeen able to recruit the faculty and thefaculty members are currently engaged inresearch, training and outreach programmes.Three core areas are developing in NIBMG– cancer genomics; genomics of commondiseases and traits, including susceptibilityto infections; and statistical and populationgenomics. The Institute has successfullygenerated eight competitive extra-muralresearch grants, including one from the U.S.National Institutes of Health. NIBMG hasdeveloped collaborations with manynational and international institutions,including medical colleges and hospitals.The Institute’s flagship project, theInternational Cancer Genome Consortium –India Project, is progressing well. Thisproject attempts to identify genomicalterations that cause gingivo-buccal oralcancer, which has the highest prevalence inIndia, using massively-parallel next-generation DNA sequencing technologies.

Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB),Gurgaon

RCB was established under the auspices ofUNESCO to be an important member institute

of the Biotech Science Cluster (BSC) atFaridabad, NCR where construction activitiesare under progress. Presently it is undergoingdifferent phases of growth. Currently, thecentre is functioning from its interimlaboratories. A new Bill has been introducedfor the establishment of the Regional Centrefor Biotechnology, Training and Education asCategory-II institution under the auspices ofUNESCO to undertake research in the field ofbiotechnology and to provide for mattersconnected therewith or incidentally thereto.The Regional Centre having the futuristicvision of providing biotechnology education,training and research is planned to be withinBiotech Science yet broad-based and multi-disciplinary. Its proposed research andeducational activities are focussed to be atthe interface of different disciplines of sciencewith Biotechnology as a platform ofconfluence. Attempts are being made toestablish a wide range of disciplines thatinclude Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering,Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences, ClimateScience, Agriculture and Environment,Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs, IPR andPolicy.

National Agri-Food BiotechnologyInstitute (NABI), Mohali, Punjab

NABI has taken new initiatives to study theeffect of diet and its constituents onadipogenesis. Fractionated constituents of


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selected cereal grains (wheat, finger millet,kodo millet and buck wheat) is beingexamined in human (preadipocytes/adipocytes) HPAd/ HAd and murine (3L3-L1 preadipocytes/adipocytes) cell culturemodels and in-vivo diet-induced obesemurine models to study the molecular basisof adipogenesis. Another study was targetedon mutagenesis for modification of plantgenes to design sequence specific zinc fingernucleases (ZFNs), synthetic proteinsconsisting of an engineered sequencespecific zinc finger DNA-binding proteinsused to induce double-stranded breaks(DSBs) in specific DNA sequences andthereby promote site-specific recombinationand targeted manipulation of genomic lociin a variety of different cell types fordeveloping novel traits in crop plants.

National Institute of AnimalBiotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad

NIAB, a new autonomous institution of DBT,is being established within the campus ofthe University of Hyderabad. The institute isaiming to harness novel and emergingbiotechnologies and take up research in thecutting edge areas for improving animalhealth and productivity. It focuses researchon infectious diseases, breeding, reproductionand nutritional enrichment and aims attranslational research leading to thedevelopment of novel vaccines, diagnostics

and improved therapeutic molecules for farmanimals along with promotion of bio-entrepreneurship for farm animal basedproducts. To initiate R&D activities NIABhas hired a building very close to the siteallotted to NIAB and the recruitment processfor scientific, technical and administrativepositions is in progress.

Bio-clusters

The department has established a BiotechScience Cluster at the NCR region of Delhi.The heads of four founding institutionsnamely, the National Institute of Immunology;the Regional Centre for Biotechnology; theTranslational Health Science and TechnologyInstitute and the National Institute for PlantGenome Research signed a MoU to create anew entity called the Cluster Board. TheCluster Board is an enabling mechanism bywhich these institutions, while maintainingtheir own autonomy can address not onlycommon infrastructural and cluster-relatedadministrative issues but also synergize theircomplementary intellectual strengths andfacilities to create a seamless campus. ThisCluster will coordinate the development ofthe new campus at Faridabad. Efforts arebeing made to create this Cluster as a legalentity. A “Centre for Molecular Medicine” hasbeen established at this Cluster. The focus ofthis Centre is on infectious diseases, cancer,cell therapy and drug design.


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The Bangalore Bio-cluster comprises theNational Centre for Biological Sciences(NCBS), the Institute for Stem Cell Biologyand Regenerative Medicine (InStem) andCentre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms(C-CAMP). These three institutions areinteracting, sharing knowledge and resourceson a regular basis to enrich research. C-CAMPis acting as provider, developer and enablerof technology development, scientific activityand entrepreneurship. This is an institutionalmodel for cutting edge scientific researchaimed at utilizing various centres ofexcellence for developing new hubs. InStemis developing collaborative programmes withother institutes utilizing the infrastructure andfacilities available in the Cluster.

Public Sector Undertakings

Bharat Immunologicals and BiologicalsCorporation Limited (BIBCOL) wereestablished to manufacture Oral PolioVaccine (OPV) to meet the tOPVrequirement for Universal ImmunizationProgramme (UIP) of Government of India.The company established in the TechnologyMission of Immunization to achieve selfsufficiency for the nation with respect toproduction and supply of high quality OPV,contributed significantly to the eradicationof Poliomyelitis in the country throughPulse Polio and routine ImmunizationProgrammes.

The Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited(IVCOL) was started as a joint venturecompany to undertake research anddevelopment and manufacture of viralvaccines. Concerted efforts have been madeto finalize the restructuring process with newactivities. After taking necessary approvalsfrom competent authority the company hassigned lease agreement with IPCL/RelianceLifesciences, one of the promoters of thecompany, to initiate new activities includingproduction of vaccines, biopharmaceuticalsand set up superspeciality hospital to initiatetranslational research in collaboration withNBRC. To initiate the proposed activities,Reliance Life Sciences (RLS) finalized themaster plan for setting up integrated lifescience unit along with a super specialtyhospital for neuro and cardio at Manesar.

International Centre for GeneticEngineering and Biotechnology(ICGEB), New Delhi

ICGEB is promoting high quality basicresearch and training of young scientists inbroad areas of genetic engineering andbiotechnology including infectious diseases,agriculture and bio-energy. Several newinitiatives were undertaken during the lastone year through funding from differentsources including funding from DBT forCenter of Excellence (CoE) and Bill GatesGrand Challenge Exploration grant for the


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second phase of research. The Malaria Groupreceived CoE funding to undertake novelinterdisciplinary approaches using cuttingedge technology to address importantproblems in the biology of blood stagemalaria parasites which will generate crucialfield data that will help in designing a malariavaccine for the Indian population. TheVirology Group, focusing on hepatitisviruses, HIV, Influenza virus and multiplexvirus detection strategies, initiated a studyduring the last year to understand the roleof oncogenic viruses (using hepatitis B virusas a model) in regulating origin licensing asa model for cellular transformation. The DBThas recently approved and funded theextension of Centre of Excellence Programon TB research into Phase-II to develop novelintervention strategies for tuberculosis. A newinitiative was undertaken by DBT and ICGEBto establish a DBT-ICGEB Centre forAdvanced Bioenergy Research at ICGEB NewDelhi to take the bioenergy research to agreater height. The DBT-ICGEB collaborativecentre shall be expanding its activity towardsgenomic, metagenomic, synthetic and systemsbiology areas for addressing some of thekey issues of biofuel development such asfinding efficient cellulolytic enzymes,developing biocatalysts for C5/C6fermentation, generating advance biofuelmolecules, and developing robust algalstrains for biodiesel production.Investigations continued for exploring insect

genomes for identification of proteins thatcould be useful as insecticidal agents andtwo pro-region peptides that specifically killneonate larvae of Helicoverpa armigera havebeen identified. The ICGEB has filed 8patents, developed 3 technologies along with120 publications in high reputed journalsduring the year.

Promotion of Biotechnology inthe North Eastern States of India

The department has followed the governmentpolicy of contributing 10% of its total budgetfor the year 2011-12 to promote Biotechnologyactivities in the North Eastern Region of India.The department has taken several new majoractivities for the benefit of North East States.Under Twining R&D programme a total of117 proposals have been approved towardsintegrated technology and productdevelopment. More than 1400 farmers havebeen trained on organic farming technologyusing bio inputs for 9 horticultural groups.A Consortium project on biotech interventionon selected medicinal and aromatic plants ofNER for their effective utilisation has beenimplemented. Towards institutional capacitybuilding the department launched severalinnovative programmes under which so farmore than 90 Biotech Hubs have beenestablished at various institutions of eightNER States. NEBInet is spreading across theNorth Eastern Region with more than 25


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Bioinformatics centres providing lot of newavenues in the Biological Sciences for thisregion. Altogether 15 institutions are a partof NER DeLCON for accessing more than900 important journals. Through a specialprogramme DBT has supported more than50 NER Scientists with OverseasAssociateship for undertaking researchtrainings in abroad. The DBT AAU Centrewhich has been established at AAU, Jorhathas shown excellent progress towards R&Din crop sciences, human resourcedevelopment and promotion of technology.Under the capacity building of NERprogramme a number of lab staff and PIhave received short-term training in leadingresearch labs in the country and a number ofworkshops and symposia have beenorganized in the region. A series of hands-on wet lab workshops are planned for theyear 2012 to provide training in molecularbiology, medical genetics and immunology.

New Legislations andRegulations

Human DNA Profiling Bill has beenformulated by the department inconsultation with the Centre for DNAFingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad,to regulate the use of DNA analysis of bodysubstance profiles; making provision forestablishment of DNA Profiling Board tolay down standards for laboratories,

collection of body substances; to establish aNational and /or State DNA Data Bank/Banks; to create policies for use and accessto information from data bank, etc. and formatters connected therewith or incidentalthereto. The Draft Bill was circulated to theministries concerned and departments of thecentral government to obtain their commentsand has been revised, wherever necessary,keeping those comments in view. Draft Billhas been sent to the chief secretaries of allthe states for information and feedback.

Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) Billis for an international nodal point forbiotechnological sciences at the interface ofmultiple disciplines that would be anautonomous body under statute ofparliament as an institution of internationalimportance for biotechnological education,training and research. A new Bill has beenintroduced for the establishment of aninstitution of national importance to beknown as the Regional Centre forBiotechnology, Training and Education asCategory-II institution under the auspicesof UNESCO to undertake research in thefield of biotechnology and to provide formatters connected therewith or incidentallythereto.

Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India(BRAI) is proposed as an independent,autonomous, statutory agency to be


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established through the Act of Parliamentby the Government of India to safeguardthe health and safety of the people of Indiaand to protect the environment byidentifying risks posed by, or as a result of,modern biotechnology and managing thoserisks through regulating the safedevelopment and deployment ofbiotechnology products and processes. TheAuthority will be responsible for regulatingthe research, transport, import, manufactureand use of organisms and products in healthcare, agriculture, veterinary andenvironment. The BRAI Bill after cabinetapproval has been sent to the Lok Sabha forintroduction.

Administration and Finance

Administration and finance divisions of the

department rendered support in theimplementation of various programmes.Modern multimedia equipment wereprocured and installed for effectivepresentation. An effective video conferencingsystem has been operational in thedepartment. To keep pace with the growthof the department, new positions ofscientists and other technical staff createdlast year were fulfilled. Scientists/Staff werealso deputed for various trainingprogrammes to enhance their skills inrelevant areas. The department alsoparticipated in extracurricular activities andperformed well in various events. A Hindifortnight was organized in the Departmentfrom 14th-30th September, 2011. Thedepartment was allocated under budgetestimates an amount of Rs.1400 crores forthe year 2011-12.

❖ ❖ ❖

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 2

Skilled manpower is an important keycomponent for the scientific andsocioeconomic development of the country.For achieving of this objective, theDepartment of Biotechnology (DBT) isimplementing an integrated human resourcedevelopment program in biotechnologycomprising of postgraduate teachingprogram, doctoral & post-doctoral fellowshipand specialized training program for UG andPG teachers and mid-career scientists. TheDepartment is providing industrial trainingto biotechnology students to develop skillsrequired for biotech industries in country.The Department has initiated Star CollegeScheme for improvement of hands on trainingfor undergraduate science students byproviding support for infrastructuredevelopment with emphasis on facultytraining pursuing, projects of day to dayrelevance and industrial exposure toundergraduate students etc. A few newinitiatives viz., an online system for feedbackby students of DBT supported teachingprogram and setting up of Biotech educationand skill development council are underconsideration of the department. Significantachievements under different programs aregiven below:

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Teaching

Post Graduate degree program (M.Sc./M. Tech./M.VSc.)

Department initiated postgraduate teachingprograms in six universities in 1985-86 toensure high standard of teaching and togenerate critical mass of trained manpowerin country. The programs have beenexpanded to 70 universities keeping in mindregional distribution of universities, needfor general and specialized courses such asagricultural, medical, pharma, food,veterinary, industrial biotech etc. Locationof institutes running these programs isdepicted in Figure 2.1 & 2.2. Students forDBT supported teaching programs areselected on All India basis through commonentrance test conducted by JNU at over 70centres in all parts of country or IIT-Jointadmission test or University examinationtest. Selection process is very stringent andapproximately 1 out of 60 applicants isselected. All selected students are paidstudentship. Department is developing anindependent on-line feedback mechanism bystudents for DBT supported teachingprograms.

Human Resource Development Annual Report : 2011-12

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Department provides grants for purchase ofequipment routinely required for class roomteaching and liberal recurring grant forconsumables, books and journals, travel,contingency, equipment maintenance grant,summer/winter training. It has beenmandatory to have in-house dissertation anddepartment is providing thesis grant of Rs.50,000/- per student to ensure their practicaltraining. A few research articles and reviewsin journals of national and internationalrepute have come out as a result ofdissertation of M.Sc./M.Tech. students.During 2011, a program in MedicalBiotechnology has been sanctioned to M.D.University, Rohtak and proposal for startingM.V.Sc. in Animal Biotechnology course atSher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural

Sciences & Technology of Kashmir,Shuhama, Srinagar, J & K is under processfor providing financial support.

Fig: 2.1. Map showing location of Universities/institutesrunning DBT supported M.Sc. programmes

Fig. 2.2. Map showing location of Universities/institutesrunning DBT supported M.Tech and M.VSc. programs

Monitoring of PG teaching programs &ranking of Universities/institute runningDBT supported PG programs:

To ensure uniform standard of teaching, DBTsponsored teaching programs are periodicallyreviewed by expert committees viz., in-houseadvisory committee, course coordinatorsmeeting and DBT–HRD Task Force. Theprogress of DBT supported post graduateteaching programs has been evaluated basedon number of criteria such as core facultystrength, mode of admission, filling up ofsanctioned seats, in-house dissertation,placement of students publications during

Annual Report : 2011-12 Human Resource Development

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last five years, infrastructure created, R & Dgrants received by their department etc.Mentors have been identified for programsranked low to help them to improve.

Star Colleges

“Star College Scheme” has been initiated byDBT to support colleges and universitydepartments offering undergraduateeducation in life sciences to improveteaching of biotechnology component. Theprogramme aims to improve the skills ofteachers by organizing faculty training,improved curriculum and emphasis onpractical training to students by providingaccess to specialized infrastructure andconsumables. Star college scheme has beendivided in two categories viz. strengtheningof support for undergraduate education andStar college status. Criteria for selection as a“Star College” are very stringent and budgetprovision is double for colleges accordedstar college status. One time non-recurringgrant for equipment and annual recurringgrant is provided for life science departmentsin selected colleges. So far, 56 colleges havebeen supported under the “strengthening ofsupport” category (Figure 2.3). None of thecolleges have been accorded “Star College”status. The support has strengthened physicalinfrastructure in laboratories, library, teachingaids, and promoted networking withneighboring institutes. Hands-on training and

projects of day to day relevance haveenhanced interest among students to pursuescience courses.

During 2011, advertisement seekingproposals from colleges in North EasternRegion was issued and 17 new proposalswere received. In response to another callfor proposals from all parts of country, 38new proposals were received which havebeen evaluated by expert committee. Tomonitor the progress of colleges supportedunder the scheme, mentoring committeeshave been constituted to provide guidance,formulate and implement detailed plan andgive suggestions to identify theshortcomings and gaps to strengthen theongoing colleges.

Fig 2.3: Map showing location of colleges supportedunder Star College Scheme


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Training Programmes

Short term training courses for mid-career scientists, faculty involved inundergraduate and postgraduate teaching

DBT is supporting a number of short termtraining courses for mid-career scientists,faculty involved in undergraduate andpostgraduate teaching for upgrading skillsof existing people. During 2011, 41proposals were received and 19 wererecommended for financial support byexpert committee. These courses areextremely beneficial in upgrading skills ofexisting faculty. These specialized coursesare organized in premier researchinstitutions for duration of 2-3 weeks for12-15 participants and provide hands onexposure to UG and PG faculty and midcareer researchers on latest techniques. Thelist of the courses conducted during theyear with support from the department(Annexure-I).

Biotech Industrial Training Programme

Biotech Industrial Training program (BITP)was initiated in 1990 for providing 6 monthsindustrial training to fresh M.Sc./M.Techbiotechnology students. The program hasbeen extended to B.E./B.Tech biotechnologystudents from 2007. The program is being

implemented through Biotech ConsortiumIndia Ltd., New Delhi. BITP providesindustry-specific training to Biotech studentsfor skill development and enhancing theirjob opportunities in biotech industriesengaged in R & D, quality control & analysis,production & manufacturing, marketing,regulation and IPR. This program hascompleted 22 years and has becomeincreasingly popular among students (Figure2.4). There is a stringent process for screeningand selection through interview by expertcommittee comprising of representatives fromacademic and industries. 652 candidatestrained in 146 biotech companies (Annexure-II). About 25-30% students trained under thisprogram are offered regular placement. 150industries are involved in training. There isprovision to place 700 candidates inindustries during 2011-12.

Fig. 2.4 : Number of applicants and selected candidatesfor industrial training during last five years

Student Research Projects

Department of Biotechnology jointly withTamil Nadu State Council for Science and


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Technology is supporting student researchprojects to develop and utilize thetremendous talent and potential of studentsand train them for solving specific scientificand technological problems relevant tosociety. Under this Scheme, financialsupport is provided to encourage the U.G.(Engineering) and PG students (Bio-engineering / Physics / Chemistry /Medicine / Agriculture / Veterinary /Environment / Social Sciences) enrolled incolleges and universities to take up usefulminor research projects as dissertation work.Candidates present their findings before anexpert peer group in a seminar cumexhibition. Selected projects and models areawarded.

Entrepreneurship DevelopmentProgramme (EDP) in Biotechnology

Department is providing support fororganizing EDP workshops inBiotechnology for setting up of new viablebiotech enterprises by prospectiveentrepreneurs in North Eastern region. Athree day workshop was organized inGuwahati by Association of BiotechnologyLed Enterprises (ABLE) which was attendedby 44 participants. Training mainly focusedon awareness of biotech entrepreneurshipincluding overview of Indian biotech sector,IPR and patenting, HR aspects, businessplan, funding and financing, basic of

accounting, statutory and legal requirement.An entrepreneurship development program(Phase II) for advance training and settingup small biotech industry in North Easternregion has been sanctioned to BiotechConsortium India Ltd, New Delhi. Thisprogram is designed to provide theentrepreneurship development training, allthe technical assistance and hand holdingsupport for enabling entrepreneurs to setup successful industrial units in areas suchas (i) Aromatic & Medicinal Plant Extraction(ii) Micropropagation (iii) Bio-fertilizers andBiopesticides (iv) Orchid culture and (v)Aquaculture/Probiotics.

Fellowships

DBT Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-JRF) Program

DBT JRF programme was initiated in 2004to provide fellowships for biotech studentspursuing research in universities and / orresearch institutions in the country. Studentsare selected through BiotechnologyEligibility Test (BET) conducted at tencentres by University of Pune. Fellowshipis provided in two categories: Category Aand B. Category A fellowship: Top 100students can avail fellowship in anyUniversity/Institute in India. Category Bfellowships (150 in numbers) can be availedat the DBT-Supported University/Institute


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conducting teaching programs or any of DBTautonomous Institutions. The program hasbecome increasingly popular with studentsas is evident from increased number ofapplicants during last few years (Figure 2.5).

interview. The fellows find placement inleading academic and research institutionsin the country. The program is fairlypopular with the students as is evident fromincrease in number of applicants over lastfew years while its selection process is verytransparent and stringent (Figure 2.6).

Fig. 2.5. Number of applicants for DBT-JRF during lastfive years

Fig.2.6 : Number of applicants and selected candidatesfor DBT-RA during last five years

DBT Research Associateship (DBT- RA)Program

DBT Research Associateship program wasinitiated in 2001 to train post-doctoralstudents in frontier areas of research inBiotechnology and life sciences at premierinstitutions in India and is beingimplemented by Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore. The fellowship is initiallyawarded for a period of two years and canbe extended based on review of progress.There is a provision for 100 fellowships peryear. During the year 2011, in response totwo advertisements, 354 applications werereceived and 80 candidates were selectedout of 170 candidates who appeared for

DBT-TWAS Fellowship

The DBT-TWAS (Third World Academy ofSciences) Fellowship Programme for PostGraduate Research offers two categories offellowship (Regular and Sandwich) to youngscientists from developing countries otherthan India who wish to obtain all or part oftheir Ph.D in biotechnology. While theregular programme is for those desiring toregister for Ph.D in an Indian University,the sandwich fellowship is intended forapplicants who have registered for Ph.D intheir own country and would like to getadvanced training in their field ofspecialization from an Indian researchinstitute / university. This fellowship grant


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is for a minimum period of 12 months anda maximum period of two years. CICS,Chennai has been co-ordinating this activity.During 2007-10, nine Post Graduate and onePost Doctoral fellowship were awarded.Five of the awardees have completed thetraining successfully and also obtained theirPh.D degree.

Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship

The scheme was initiated in 2006 by thedepartment for scientists working inoverseas Institutions/ Universities whowould like to return to India to pursuetheir research interests. Under the schemeeach awardee receives a fellowship amountof Rs. 75,000/- pm from (consolidated),House Rent Allowance @ Rs. 7,500/- pm(consolidated). The host institute where theytake up the fellowship may consider givingother benefits provided to regular facultyof the institute. So far 97 scientists fromoverseas institutions have been awarded thisfellowship and 75 have already relocated toIndian host institutions. There is a provisionof selecting up to 50 fellows per year. Thisscheme has been very well received by thescientific community and more and morescientists are interested in returning to thehome country. This year 50 candidates havebeen selected. Nearly 50% of the candidatesselected have joined as faculty at same ordifferent institute. 74% of the selected

candidates have come from USA, 7%, UK,Canada 4%, Germany 3%, and 1-2% fromThe Netherlands, Ireland, France, Italy,Singapore, Switzerland, Australia, Japan etc.Most of the candidates selected are in theage group of 31-40 years.

Tata Innovation Fellowship

The DBT initiated “Tata InnovationFellowship” scheme in the year 2006 toreward the scientists engaged in innovationin the pursuit of path breaking solutions tomajor challenges, interdisciplinary work andan emphasis on translational research in lifesciences, agriculture, biomedical science andrelated areas of biotechnology. The awardeesare provided a fellowship of Rs. 20,000/-per month in addition to regular salary andcontingency grant of Rs. 5,00,000/- perannum. The duration fellowship is initiallyfor three years, extendable further by twoyears on a fresh appraisal. During the currentyear four scientists were selected for theaward of the fellowship. So far, 23 scientistshave been awarded the fellowship.

Biotechnology Career Advancement andRe-orientation Programme for WomenScientist (Bio-CARe)

In an attempt to enhance the participationof Women Scientists in BiotechnologyResearch, the Department of Biotechnology


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launched a Biotechnology CareerAdvancement and Re-orientationProgramme (Bio-CARe) for womenscientists. The programme is mainly forCareer Development of employed/unemployed women scientists upto 55 yearsof age for whom it is the first extramuralresearch grant. The scheme is open for allareas of Life Science / biology (includingagriculture, veterinary science andmedicine).

There is a Research Grant Opportunity(RGO), under which a 3-5 year research grantis provided. The purpose is to buildcapacities for women scientists employedfulltime in Universities and small researchlaboratories or unemployed women scientistafter a career break so as to help themundertake independent R&D projects. Underthis scheme the women scientists who areunemployed will be provided a monthlyemoluments ranging from Rs. 35,000/- to45,000/- p.m. The employed womenscientists in addition to salary will get anamount of Rs.5,000/- p.m as an incentive.A research grant of Upto Rs. 50.00 lakhs isprovided

In addition there is a Career Re-orientationFellowship (CRF). This scheme is mainlyfor women scientists who are trained in aparticular area, but leave their permanentjobs / or are unemployed and would now

like to change their career path to take onnewer areas. Specialized skills would beessential and this would require training inthe relevant field such as – IP management,Bioinformatics, Policy research and analysis,Translational research, Regulation etc. Thetraining cost are borne by the Departmentupto maximum amount of Rupees one lakhon this training could be for a periodranging from 3 months -12 months. Underthis scheme the women scientists who areunemployed will be provided a stipend ofRs.25,000/- p.m. and employed scientistswill get an amount of Rs.5,000/- p.m as anincentive in addition to their salary.

There was an encouraging response andnearly 1000 applications were received.Candidates short listed based on scientificmerit, academic qualification, publicationswere selected under the scheme. Forty threeWomen Scientists have been awarded theBioCARe Research Grant Fellowshipduring the year in all areas of Life Science/biology. Early Career Fellowship for WomenScientists who have completed their Ph.Dduring last two years are also beingconsidered to help them undertakeindependent R&D projects. 45 womenscientists have been awarded the fellowshipduring the year.

Mentorship Workshops were organized infour regional centers for Women scientists


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to help them to improvise their projectplans and details. The workshops wouldalso capacitate the women scientists in goodgrant writing and bring confidence to applyfor Research Grant to different agencies.Nearly, three hundred fifty scientists havebenefited from these workshops.

Distinguished Biotechnologists ResearchProfessorship

Under the scheme “DistinguishedBiotechnology Research Professorship”launched by DBT during 2008-2009 torecognize eminent scientists who hadsuperannuated and have made outstandingcontribution in their respective fields fourdistinguished Professors selected earlier areavailing the scheme. This scheme comprisesof an award of Rs.60,000/- per month and aresearch grant upto Rs.20.00 lakh for a periodof five years or till the awardee attains theage of 70 years whichever is earlier.

Programmes for North Eastern Region

The Department has started DBT-RAprogramme for students from North Eastregion (domicile or have studied for past 3years in university / institute in NorthEastern states). The program is beingimplemented by Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore. During the year, total 20applications were received, 12 applicants

appeared for interview and 10 candidateshave joined the RA program. BiotechIndustrial Training Programme for NorthEastern region offers industrial training tofresh B.Tech /M.Sc./M.Tech students inbiotechnology in industry for a period of 6months. This program is implemented byBiotech consortium India Limited, NewDelhi (BCIL). Advertisement for seekingapplications has been inserted in nationaldailies for candidates from North EasternRegion. There is provision to place 100candidates in industries for 6 month duringthe year.

DBT Scholarships and Awards

Biotech Product, Process Developmentand Commercialization Awards

DBT gives awards in recognition ofoutstanding contributions of scientists /innovators / entrepreneurs / Indianinstitutions & companies both in publicas well as private sector for a newprocess, product development andcommercialization of a technology or aproduct in the areas of biotechnology andbiological sciences including agriculture,biomedical and environmental sciences. Upto five awards are given every year. Eachaward carries a cash amount of Rs. 2.00lakh along with a citation. Rs. 5.00 lakhwould be given if the product is


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commercialized and has much higherimpact of utilization in the country. Theawardee should be a citizen of India, andIndian institution or an Indian companyactively involved in the development ofbiotechnology processes and products andcommercialization of technologies orproduct based on indigenous research.During the year 2011, out of 12 nominationsreceived, one awardee was selected for theAward of Rs. 2.00 lakh.

National Women Bio-scientists Award

The National Women Bioscientists Awardsare given every year under two categories.These are (i) National Women BioscientistsAward (Senior Category) (One) –awardedto senior woman biologist for life timecontributions, who has done excellentresearch work in the country and hasapplied the results for the benefit ofstudents and society, and (ii) NationalWomen Bioscientists Awards (YoungCategory) (Two) – given for outstandingcontributions of women scientists below 45years of age in basic and applied researchin the areas of biosciences andbiotechnology including agricultural,biomedical and environmental sciences withpotential for product and technologydevelopment. Contribution made duringlast 5 years, is the main consideration. EachAward carries a cash prize of Rs. 1.00 lakh

along with citation and a medal. NationalWomen Bioscientists Award for year 2011is in progress.

National Bioscience Award for CareerDevelopment

National Bioscience Awards for CareerDevelopment are awarded in recognition ofoutstanding contributions of young scientistsbelow 45 years of age in basic and appliedresearch in the areas of biosciences andbiotechnology including agricultural,biomedical and environmental sciences withpotential for application/product andtechnology development. Each Awardcarries a cash prize of Rs. 1.00 lakh and acitation along with project research grant ofRs. 9.00 lakh @ Rs. 3.00 lakh per year for aperiod of three years for careerdevelopment. Upto 10 Awards are givenevery year, subject to the availability ofsuitable candidates. Out of 55 nominationsreceived, 10 awardees were selected for theyear 2011.

DBT Biology Scholarship

DBT Biology Scholarships are awarded tostudents from the combined merit list ofBiology/ Biotechnology at HigherSecondary/Intermediate/ 10+2 level eachyear to encourage students to pursuestudies in biological sciences after 10+2


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level. From year 2007-08, the amount ofscholarship has been enhanced to alumpsum @ Rs. 20,000/- per scholarshipand the total number of students has alsobeen increased to 100 i.e. 44 students fromCentral Board of Secondary Education(CBSE), 4 from the Council for Indian SchoolCertificate Examinations (CISCE) and 52from State Boards (2 scholarships each from26 State Boards). The Award also carries amedal and a certificate of merit. For theyear 2010-11, 89 Students (43 scholarshipsto students from CBSE, 4 scholarships tostudents from CISCE and 42 scholarships tostudents from State Boards) were selectedfor the DBT Biology Scholarship, while forthe year 2011-12, details from State Boardsare being obtained.

Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award(IYBA)

The Innovative Young BiotechnologistAward (IYBA) scheme was instituted byDBT in the year 2005. The award is anattractive career oriented scheme to identifyand nurture outstanding young scientistswith innovative ideas and desire to pursueresearch in frontier areas of biotechnology.This award provides an excellentopportunity for the young scientists whowish to start research carrier even if theydo not hold a regular position. So far inlast six years, 61 young scientists have been

awarded and are pursuing excellentinnovative research independently which arebeing reviewed every year by the IYBAexpert committee. These awardees havepublished 18 publications in indexedjournals showing the impact factor greaterthan 7, out of which one publication inNature Nanotechnology has the impactfactor 26.31.

A total of 127 applications were receivedfor the year 2011 awards. The short listingwas carried out through online with theIYBA Experts and out of 110 eligiblecandidates, 52 were short listed based onthe scoring of marks of 40% & above and17 candidates were selected for the IYBAAwards.

Rapid Grant for YoungInvestigators (RGYI) Scheme

Rapid Grant for Young Investigators fosterscreative research in various fields ofbiotechnology (Medical, Agriculture, AnimalBiotech, Environment and Industry etc.) toenhance early career development of younginvestigators below 40 years of age. Theprogramme aims to provide first grant toestablish the lab and initiate research in thefrontier areas of biotechnology. The schemeis under implementation since 2005-2006, itwas initiated with an endeavor to releasefunds to young investigators within eight


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weeks of the submission of the proposal.Under this scheme numerous younginvestigator have been supported. RGYI hasbeen receiving overwhelming responsethrough “Call for Proposals” and more than2000 proposals have been received andabout 320 projects recommended andsanctioned by the department based onmerit for implementation. RGYI hasprovided start-up grants to younginvestigators across the country working indifferent settings such as central governmentfunded institutions, State Governmentfunded University departments, scientists atDSIR approved private institutions etc.About 100 proposals were evaluated andsignificant progress was observed in variousprojects supported on various prioritiesresearch areas.

Cutting-Edge Research Enhance-ment and Scientific TrainingAward (DBT-CREST Award)

In keeping with the advancement of globalnetworks for the development of scienceand the Department’s priority towardcapacity building in human resources, the‘Biotechnology overseas associateshipaward’ and ‘Associateship for specializedtraining of young scientists’ in niche areasof biotechnology has been revised andrenamed as the “Cutting-edge ResearchEnhancement and Scientific Training Award”

(DBT-CREST Award). Under this programme57 candidates were selected for the awardof fellowship during 2011-12. 50 fellowshipsare proposed to be awarded during the nextfinancial year 2012-13.

Biotechnology EntrepreneurshipStudent Teams (BEST)

In an effort to encourage enterprise andentrepreneurship the Department with ABLEhas initiated BiotechnologyEntrepreneurship Student Teams (BEST)programme. The programme aims toencourage young doctoral students indeveloping biotechnology entrepreneurshipand exposing them to issues involved incommercialization of bio-science. They areencouraged in a competitive mode, tosubmit as teams business plans for scientificideas which can be commercialized.

About 200 concepts were received and top21 teams were selected for a 4 dayresidential workshop on the topics like-Role of the Entrepreneur, Qualities of anEntrepreneurial Mind, Intellectual Property- Protecting Your Idea, Teams to analysethe market opportunity of their own plans,Plenary – Market Opportunity, Validatingthe Market Opportunity etc.

A jury comprising academicians, managers,entrepreneurs, industry and investment


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groups choose for best teams. First prizewas secured by Sastra University,Thanjkavur; second prize by ICGEB, Delhiand third prize was shared by IIT, Bombayand ICGEB, Delhi

Biotech Popularization andPromotion

Online System for Financial Support toConferences, Travel, Exhibitions &Popular Lectures (CTEP)

The department in addition to fundingresearch projects on biotechnology andrelated subjects has been encouragingresearch professionals, academicians andstudents to enable them to organizeconferences, participate in internationalevents, arranging lectures by eminentscientists and promoting exhibitions inthe subject of biotechnology. DBTearmarks a sizeable budget towardsorganizing these activities annually. Thescheme has been renamed as Conference,Travel, Exhibition and Popular Lecture(CTEP).

Keeping in mind the objective of providingeasy access to the professionals throughoutthe country to these grants, DBT hasautomated the entire operation through theon-line system named OSMoSys (OnlineSubmission and Monitoring System).

Online Submission and Monitoring System(OSMoSys) helps expediting the release ofgrants in aid to the beneficiary institutionsto promote Bio-Technology in India. TERIhas been selected as an associate partner tocarry out the management of this programas a complete out-sourcing assignmentincludes development, hosting, adminis-tration, maintenance of the system andoperating it for three years.

The system has automated processes ofproposal submission till the release of fundfor financial support to the applicant’sorganization. The online system is hosted atURL (http://www.dbtctep.gov.in) enablingapplicants to raise proposals to DBT seekingfinancial assistance for organizingConferences; Seminar; Symposia; Workshop,Travel support for presenting research papersin the International Conferences which arebeing held outside India.

Proposals are also invited for organizingexhibitions and arranging popular lectureswithin India. Instructions for each type ofproposal are provided to users to facilitatesuccessful submission of proposals to DBT.The following four types of online applicationforms are available to seek grant from DBT.

• Financial assistance for holdingnational/ international Conference/Seminar/ Symposium/ workshop


48

• Travel support for attendinginternational conference/seminar/symposia/workshops

• Participation charge in organizingexhibition by DBT

• Financial assistance for organizingpopular lectures on Biotechnology byexperts

The TERI, New Delhi has been identifiedas an associate partner to carry out the

management of this program. From January2011 to December 2011, the online systemhas received 361 proposals for Conferencesupport while 739 proposals for TravelGrants and 7 proposals for popular lecturesout of which 255, 491 and 7 proposals weresupported respectively. Support has alsobeen provided to DBT funded institutionsfor celebration of National Science Day 2011.Moreover, the department participated in 3exhibitions in India and represented Indiain the India International Trade event heldin Washington D.C, USA.

Fig. 2.7: Departmental participation in International Trade Exhibition held in Washington D.C, USA

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BIOTECHNOLOGY FACILITIES, TECHNOLOGYPLATEFORMS AND RESEARCH RESOURCES

Chapter 3

49

each Nistari and CSR-2 and six of theirhybrids (polyvoltine x bivoltine) insilkworm using RNAi approach have beengenerated. Multilocational field trials of thetransgenics are planned to be undertakenafter obtaining RCGM clearance. Four viralmiRNA have been validated for theirpossible involvement in inter-pathogeninteraction. Two downstream regulators ofsex-deterimination pathways genes inmulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) and non-mulberry silkworm (Antheraea assama andA. mylitta) have been characterized insilkmoths.

Co-ordinated research on tuberculosis

In a collaborative project on tuberculosisresearch implemented by InternationalCentre for Genetic Engineering andBiotechnology, New Delhi and Universityof Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, severalMtb target proteins were shown to beessential for growth for pathogen and animalmodels. An auxotrophic mutant ofMycobacterium tuberculosis with multiple genedisruptions as a vaccine candidate has beendeveloped and evaluated for its efficacy inanimal models. About 25 druggable targets

Centres of Excellence (COEs) inBiotechnology

The programme provides a flexible modelof long term support for highly innovativeresearch, both basic and translational tocreate high quality state of art facilities forR&D and promote quality publications andintellectual property. During the year a totalof 126 letters of intent/ concept werereceived in response to the call forestablishment of Centres of Excellencethrough an open advertisement. Six newproposals funded under the “ProgrammeSupport” and two new proposals wereunder the category of Outstanding ScientistResearch Programme.

The salient achievements of the “Center ofExcellence” supported so far are as follows:

Genetics and genomics of silkmoths

In a network programme on Genetics andgenomics of silkmoths implemented byCDFD, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh StateSericulture Research and DevelopmentInstitute, Hindupur and Seribiotech ResearchLab, Bangalore, three transgenic strains of

Biotechnology Facilities, TechnologyPlateforms and Research Resources

50

Annual Report : 2011-12

have been identified. Various inhibitorsagainst three of these targets have beentested in collaboration with an industrialpartner – M/s Sphaera Pharma.

A BSL-3 Containment Facility has beenestablished at University of Hyderabadcampus which is undergoing testing forcertification. Immunomodulatory role of anovel protein-chorismate mutase essentialfor survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis hasbeen elucidated. A potent chemical inhibitorof this enzyme has been developed.Epidemiological studies have shown theuniqueness of the strains of M. tuberculosis

circulating in the Indian subcontinent andcould be potentially used to designintervention strategies to be adopted tocombat tuberculosis in the country.

Novel paradigms of inhibitor design

Work undertaken on inhibitor design againstkey metabolite pathways to decimateinfectious agents was undertaken at NII,New Delhi. Investigations led toidentification of some hits to tackle bacterial,mycobacterial and malarial affliction.Characterization of novel molecularmechanisms involved in biosynthesis ofmycobacterial virulent lipids in M.

tuberculosis has opened new avenues fordrug discovery. The role of carbohydratesin biological activity of the glycopeptidyl

antibiotics and designing strategies forantibiotic peptidomimetics using surrogatereceptors of peptide / glycopeptideantibiotics of intake immune origin has beenelucidated.

High-throughput allele determinationfor molecular breeding

At ICRISAT, Patancheru, Andhra PradeshSNP genotyping platforms for molecularbreeding applications have been developedin chickpea and pigeon pea. Efforts havebeen made to deploy marker-assisted back-crossing and marker-assisted recurrentselection approaches for enhancing droughttolerance in chickpea and molecularmapping of fusarium wilt and sterilitymosaic disease in pigeonpea. A total of 182Indian scientists have been trained inmolecular breeding of crops.

Research on Hepatitis C Virus

In the work undertaken at IISc., Bangalore,ICGEB, New Delhi, UDSC, New Delhi,ACTREC, Navi Mumbai and Center forLiver Research & Diagnostics, Hyderabadbioactive compound from Phyllanthus

amarus plant has been found to efficientlyinhibit Hepatitis-C Virus (HCV)-NS3protease and block replication of viralRNA without showing cytotoxicity. Amolecular switch for translational to

51

Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Facilities, TechnologyPlateforms and Research Resources

replication of HCV RNA which wassuccessfully targeted with a small peptideto inhibit HCV RNA replication has alsobeen identified.

Genome Science and PredictiveMedicine

In a network project implemented by UDSC,New Delhi, NII, New Delhi, University ofDelhi, Delhi, Indian Agricultural StatisticsResearch Institute, New Delhi, AIIMS, NewDelhi, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhianaand Sri Venkateshwara College, New Delhi,new genes / loci for rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and ulcerative colitis (UC) have beenidentified after Genome Wide AssociationStudies (GWAS) carried out on 1500 caseseach and 2000 control subjects of NorthIndian origin in two-stage study designnamely discovery phase and replicationphase. Differential contribution of multiplegenes, their epistatic interactions and therole of metabolic networks in these twoinflammatory disorders is the current focusof the centre.

Microbial Biology Research

Work undertaken on Microbial Biologyaspects at CDFD and CCMB, Hyderabadled to delineation of a spectrum oftranscription termination efficiencygenerated by perturbations of Rho, Nus G,

Nus A and the H-NS family of proteins inE. coli.

High-throughput approaches

To understand molecular basis of heterosisin rice, work undertaken at UDSC, New Delhiin collaboration with Maharashtra HybridSeeds Company Ltd., Jalna on transcriptomicanalysis in rice. A set of seven genes hasbeen short-listed for validation of gene /promoter function by transgenic approach.About 25 transgenic events have beenobtained from two genes and the plants arebeing analyzed for functional aberrancies.Nine more genes have been selected formaking over-expression and RNAi constructs.Initial cloning of these genes in primaryvectors has been completed.

Genome Mapping and MolecularBreeding

Four mapping populations from crossesinvolving parents contrasting for variableamount of oil content of Brassica juncea havebeen developed at UDSC New Delhi. Metaanalysis has identified one consensus QTLin a confidence interval of 2.4cM between32.5 to 35.9 Cm. Molecular maps of threepopulations have been developed and thesemaps have been further saturated with morenumber of microsatellite and other PCRbased markers.


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Computational and System BiologyResearch

A database of aligned protein domainsuperfamilies, the superfamily alignmentdatabase update has been developed byNCBS, Bangalore and IISc., Bangalore. Acomputational pipeline, Pocket Annotate hasbeen developed to identify potential ligand-binding sites by comparing pockets in aprotein with a library of well-known ligandbinding pockets, given the three-dimensional structure of a protein. Agenome wise dsRNA screen for genesinvolved in endocytosis using a newmethodology for screening of perturbationhas been completed.

Epigenetic Research

Genome of Indian isolate of Hydra

vulgaris has been sequenced and also itstranscriptome has been characterized for thefirst time at IISER, Pune, CCMB, Hyderabad,ARI, Pune, CDFD, Hyderabad and TIFR,Mumbai. A database of histones andtheir modification and modifiers has alsobeen developed and made freely availableonline. The state-of-the-art breedingand transgenesis facilities for Hydra

and Zebrafish have been created. High-throughput studies for under-standinggenome-wide epigenetic patterns usingneural stem cells / neural progenitor cells

in mouse models of depression and relateddisorders are in progress.

Programme Support

Programme Support is given to anidentified institution / department (eitheras single institutional or multi-institutionalprogramme) with multiple investigators invarious disciplines to create and strengthenresearch capabilities at university orinstitutional level for categorical researchfor different disciplines through jointresearch effort to focus on common researchproblems. The mode of support contributestowards enhancing the core competence ofthe institution/department in biotechnologyresearch.

The salient achievements of the ongoingactivities are:

Bioreactors for tissue engineering ofliver and cartilage tissue engineeringhave been developed and validated atSree Chitra Tirunal Institute of MedicalSciences, Trivandrum. An electrospinningfacility has been set up for the fabricationof polymer nanofibers for varioustissue engineering applications. Newbiometerials such as polymers, honey-comb structured polymer membranesbioceramics and components have beenprepared.

53


Real-Time PCR based diagnostic tests havebeen developed for non-invasive pre-nataldiagnosis of β-thalassemia using cell freefetal DNA in maternal plasma with anoverall sensitivity of 83% and specificity of71% at AIIMS, New Delhi. Out of 120 SteroidResistant Nephrotic Syndrome (SRNS)patients, homozygous and compoundheterozygous mutations were seen in 8patients while single heterozygous variantswere found in another eight patients.

An antigen detection kit using monoclonalantibodies against filarial candidate antigenSxP for field based diagnosis of filariasishas been developed at Anna University,Chennai. A more sensitive, reazurin-basedfluorimetric method has been developed fordetection of Shigella.

A serum-based biomarker for stroke hasbeen identified through large-scaleproteomics study carried out jointly atInstitute of Bioinformatics, Bangalore andNIMHANS, Bangalore. The biomarker hasbeen validated using ELISA on a largerpatients cohort. Clinical utility of thisbiomarker is being investigated.

Chitosan / Wollastonite, chitosan / b-TCPand PVA / TiO2 3D scaffolds and silknanofibres for bone and cartilage tissueregeneration have been developed atNational Institute of Technology, Rourkela.

A cryopreservation protocol has beenestablished for prevention of MononuclearCells (MNCs).

New techniques for In-gel detection ofproteins, purification of novel enzymes andcharacterization of biofilm formation by forcespectroscopy have been developed jointly atAnna University, Chennai and MaduraiKamraj University, Madurai. Patents havebeen filed for new electrophoretic technique,for production of novel media, process forprotein purification and for bacterial cellimaging.

Sixty-one SNPs have been genotyped in 500coronary artery disease (CAD) patients witha strong family history of cardiovasculardisease and 500 asymptomatic controlsenrolled from the community at ThrombosisResearch Centre, Bangalore. Eleven SNPshave shown significant association withCAD.

A hybrid cytosine deaminase / uracilphosphoribosyl transferase, a suicide genetherapy system to induce cell death throughapoptosis has been established at IIT,Guwahati. A chitosan based nanocompositehas been developed for cellular delivery ofproteins and nucleic acids.

Pilot microarray studies utilizing humansubcutaneous and visceral fat biopsies


54


revealed differentially expressed genes andtheir functional defects in patients with Type2 diabetes at Madras Diabetic ResearchFoundation, Chennai.

FTIR imaging method has been developedfor early and rapid diagnosis of druginduced liver injury at IISc., Bangalore. Themethod is more rapid and sensitive ascompared to biochemical assays used todiagnose liver damage. Method will befurther validated with clinical samples.

A human BAC library from the DNA ofan ethnic Indian male (IMBL4) of normalkaryotype covering the haploid humangenome more than three times has beenconstructed at Manipal University,Manipal. IMBL4 BAC library representsthe first catalogued Indian genomeresource for applications in basic andclinical research.

A miRNA expression signature that canpredict glioblastoma patient survival hasbeen identified at IISc., Bangalore. Thisfinding may be useful in development oftargeted therapy and selection of high riskcancer patients for adjuvant therapy.

Transgenic high iron Indica rice has beendeveloped using rice ferritin gene driven byendosperm specific glutelin promoter atUniversity of Calcutta, Kolkata. Low phytase

rice has also been developed by RNAimediated silencing of mips and ipk1 genes.Molecular and biochemical analysis of T2transgenics are in progress for selecting ricewith reduced level of phytic acid.

T-3 progenics of leaf hopper resistant Allium

sativum leaf lection (ASAL) expressing IR-64rice plants have been established at BoseInstitute, Kolkata. A full-length candidatemungbeen yellow mosaic India virusresistant gene (MYMIV-R) has been isolatedand characterized from Vigna mungo. Areference proteome map of MYMIV resistantV. mungo has been generated and 109identified proteins have been registered inPRIDE database.

Co-expression of transcription factors clonedfrom Eleucine corocona enhanced droughttolerance in rice at UAS, Bangalore. A fewmarkers associated with root, water useefficiency (WUE) and yield in rice have beenidentified. These have been used formarker-assisted selection to introgress traitsinto an elite variety of rice. Introgressedline KMP-175 of rice with superior adoptionfor aerobic cultivation has been transferredfor multi-locational trials to the rice breedingunit at Mandya, Karnataka. An agreementhas been signed with M/s Ankur Seeds tointrogress the markers identified in rice byinitiating a focused marker-assisted selectionprogramme.

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Several genes associated with pathogenesisof Magnaporthe oryzae – blast fungus in ricewere identified at MS University of Baroda,Vadodara.

Biotech Facilities and ResearchResources

The department has made a tremendousprogress in establishing and creating theresearch related infrastructural facilities inseveral Universities/ Institutions. Variousareas supported are animal house, genebanks, repositories for microbes, plants,model organisms and infectious organisms,centres for genetic engineering etc. atdifferent institutes and universities acrossthe country. Along with these facilities, newfacilities in the form of NMR, fMRI, greenhouses, phytotrons, DNA sequencingfacilities for x-ray crystallography, molecularmodelling and microarrarys were alsoestablished. The main research highlightsof the support are follows –

DBT supported ‘Primate Resource andResearch Center and Facility on SmallAnimals, an incubator for translationalresearch’ has been established at NII, NewDelhi. The R&D work at the facility leadsto the identification of full length promoterof buffalo beta-casein gene from buffalogenome and new process of amplifying along length of amplicon (long PCR) from

Long Term R&D Projects

Long-term R&D support was provided toindividual investigators of high scientificcaliber with publications and / or patentsrecord at the highest level in recognition ofinvestigators for their recent performanceand future work plan. The salientachievements of long-term R&D projectssupported so far under this category aresummarized below:

A drug combination of curcumin andarteether was found to preventrecrudescence completely in Plasmodium

berghei (ANKA) infected mice model at IISc.,Bangalore. The combination has potentialto prevent recrudescence in falciparummalaria and relapse in vivax malaria.

A new pathway for the aggregation of theprion protein has been discovered at NCBS,Bangalore. Aggregation of the prion proteinleading to the formation of amyloid fibrilsis a characteristic feature of prion-relatedneurodegenerative disorders.

Protein-protein interactions with RNApolymerase core enzyme lead to its reducedsusceptibility to rifampiain used for activetuberculosis at IISc., Bangalore. A novelRNA polymerase-binding proteindiscovered could mitigate the effect ofrifampiain on RNA polymerase activity.


56


genomic DNA of Indian River Buffalo. Thepromoter is cloned, sequenced andcharacterized in terms of its activity. Theprocedure will provide the basis for cloningthe desired gene of therapeutic interestunder the buffalo beta-casein promoter forcreating the transgenic buffalo(s).

At ‘National Repository for Filarial Parasites& Reagents, “Sevagram Maharashtra”, aSXP/RAL2 family protein WbL2 is identifiedas diagnostically important candidate with100% sensitivity and 90% specificity fordetection of filarial infection. Filarialderived recombinant proteins viz., BmALT-2, BmCys and WbL2 suppressed theimmunopathologies associated with diseasesprogression, induced anti-inflammatoryeffect and showed therapeutic potential inrodent model of autoimmune diseases viz.,Type-I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis andcolitis. The filarial serum bank has acollection of more than 500 bancroftianfilarial sera of different patients groups ofdifferent endemic zones.

DBT provided infrastructure support forBasic Biology Research at IISc, Bangalore.As a result of the support, IISc hasperformed research in many directionsunder the major heads of ‘Pathogenbiology, Biological Signalling Mechanismsand Biomolecular Architecture andInteractions’. Curcumin was shown to be a

potent antimalarial and in combinationwith Artimisinin, prevents parasiterecrudescence in mice. Efforts are beingmade to generate recombinantgonadotropins for therapeutic purpose.These include production of host strainscapabale of producing glycoproteins withhuman like glycan moieties byglycoengineering the host organisms.Expression profile chaperone proteins ofPlasmodium falciparum in malaria proteinwas shown to correlate with distinctphysiological states of the parasite. Heatshock protein 90 form P. falciparum andT. evansi were shown to be suitable drugtargets against protozoan infections. Alsoan inhibitor was recognized as a candidatedrug.

A new algorithm ‘PocketAlign’ is availableas a web service at http://proline.physics.iisc.ernet.in/pocketalign/ forstructural superposition of binding sites.Similarly, a new classifier incorporating tenfeatures at the protein-protein interface wasdeveloped to further improve thediscrimination between biological and non-biological contacts at the protein interface.The work helped the internationalcommunity to bridge the gap in theautomated availability of true quaternarystructures from the PDB for all affinitiesand the method is freely available at http://pallab.serc/iisc.ernet.in/IPAC/.

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For the first time, it has been shown thatthe volatile signals produced by fruit canshow diel differences based on the activityperiod of the dispersal agent. Similarly, anexperimental system for successfuldifferentiation of in-house derivedpluripotent stem cells viz. ES-cells and iPS-cells to cardiac lineage is developed andmolecular and epigenetic regulation of itsdifferentiation is studied. The BRIT1 (BRCT-repat inhibitor of hTER expression 1) isshown as inhibitor of cell proliferation i.e.having anti-proliferative activity.

During the 11 plan, the institute has trained90 Ph.D. students and 209 numbers ofstudents are undergoing training for Ph.D.The institute published about 400publications under the programme support.

A DBT-BM14 program coordination unit(DBT-BM14-PCU) has been established atNII, New Delhi with an objective to acquireand maintain synchrotron X-ray beam line(BM14) in partnership with MRC, EMBL andESRF to enrich biomedical researchby providing access to the synchrotronbeam line to the macromolecularcrystallographers. So far more than 60proposals have been processed fromdifferent institutions across India. More than500 crystals were subjected to thesynchrotron beam exposure and data setwere collected for about 200 protein crystals.

Of these 30 datasets were meant for ab-initio

SAD/MAD phasing. Till now, 28international publications came out as partof this project.

Boost to UniversityInterdisciplinary Life scienceDepartments for Education &Research (BUILDER) Scheme

During the 11th five year plan, thedepartment launched a scheme i.e. DBT-Boost to University InterdisciplinaryDepartments of Life Sciences for Educationand Research (DBT-BUILDER) for advancededucation and research for the upgradation/reengineering/remodeling/ creation of LifeScience departments in central and stateuniversities. From 2007 onwards almost 14universities have been supported so farunder the aegis of this scheme.

During the last financial year, 11 universitiesviz. Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai;University of Calcutta, Kolkata; The M.S.University of Baroda, Vadodara; PondicherryUniversity, Pondicherry; KarnatakaUniversity, Dharwad and University ofRajasthan, Jaipur; Mahrshi DayaynandUniversity, Rohtak; Shivaji University,Kolhapur; Patna University, Patna; PunjabiUniversity, Patiala; and BarkatullahUniversity, Bhopal were supported. Theseuniversities have been provided financial


58


support in terms of infrastructure;fellowship; faculty appointment; advancedtraining programmes for faculty, studentsand staffs. This year, after the advertisement,the department received 19 proposals underthis programme which were initiallyscreened by the Screening CommitteeExperts and finally four universities viz.Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi;Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh;Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam; andGuru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspurwere selected for the further processing.Some of the achievements in some of theuniversities supported so far include:

DBT-Madurai Kamaraj UniversityCentre of Life Sciences for AdvancedResearch and Education; MaduraiKamraj University, Madurai

Introduction of 5 year integrated M.Sc - Ph.Dprogramme in Genomics Sciences in theSchool of Biological Sciences, MaduraiKamaraj University. 21 students have beenselected and the course commenced.Teaching, technical and supporting staffpositions were appointed following theUniversity rules and regulations. Therenovation work in the laboratory facility,computer lab facility, sophisticatedinstrument rooms etc. was completed andthe first batch students and staff are usingthese facility.

DBT-Calcutta University Interdisci-plinary Life Science Programme forAdvance Research and Education

An innovation program on SymbioticNitrogen Fixation has been initiated. PG labshave been renovated. Sophisticated instru-ments like ITC isothermal calorimeter,phosphor and fluorescence imager, atomicforce microscope and total internal reflectionmicroscope have been installed. 3 M.Sc. and8 Ph.D. students have been registered and5 technical staffs have been recruited.

Scientific progress

Group-1: Biomedical Science

Molecular mechanism of diseases: Under thePathophysiology and molecular mechanismsof cigarette smoke-induced degenerativediseases study, a major long-lived radicalfrom cigarette smoke was isolated andcharacterized as p-benzosemi-quinone whichis responsible for cigarette smoke-induceddegenerative diseases.

Biomarkers: In order to identify diagnosticmarkers in diabetes mellitus associatedcardio-vascular disease, the participatinggroup studied the effect of oralhypoglycemic agent metformin on the statusof some important oxidative stress markersviz. ROS, AOPP and pentosidine.

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Drug-development and nano-based drug

delivery: Chandipura virus (CHPV) hasrecently been classified as an emerginghuman pathogen in the Indian sub-continent. Recent work focused on thedevelopment of effective peptidomimeticapproaches towards the inhibition of viralreplication cycle of CHPV in culture cells.

Group-2: Pathogenic host-microbe

interaction

Fungal infection by Macrophomina phaseolina

severely affects the production of jute. Theyhave identified and isolated thedifferentially expressed transcripts inducedupon Macrophomina phaseolina infection injute by differential display analysis.

Under phyto-remediation study, twelveendophytes were isolated from surfacesterilized Typha angustifolia plants collectedfrom the uranium mines of jaduguda.

Group-3: Microbial ecology

Microbial-diversity: In order to understandthe vast microbial diversity of Sunderban,a large-scale metagenomics study has beencarried out on both water and soil samplescollected from Jharkhali area.

Bioremediation: A new Pseudomonasstrain having Polyethylene succinate (PES)-

degradation ability had been isolated fromsoil rich in recalcitrant materials that canefficiently degrade PES and use it as solecarbon source for survival.

Industrially important enzymes: Celluloseand Xylanase producing Penicillium citrinum

and Simplicillium obclavatum bacterium fromsoil has been isolated.

DBT-Centre for Cellular and MolecularBiology, University of BarodaInterdisciplinary Life ScienceProgramme for Advance Research andEducation, Vadodara

The foundation of Central Building namedas Vikram Sarabhai Science Block, is laidand construction has started. Sophisticatedinstruments like FACS, Confocalmicroscope, fluorescent microscope andultracentrifuge have been installed in atemporary facility and are being used bythe research scholars of the University.Efforts are initiated to start a five yearintegrated programme in Cellular andMolecular Biology by academic year 2012in collaboration with NCBS-TIFR,Bangalore, TIFR, Mumbai and visitingfaculties. Faculty level syllabus Committeehas been constituted.

In order to use stem cells as therapeutics,an interesting aspect has been worked out


60


under the project micro RNA profiling ofcord blood derived mesenchyme stem cells(MSCs) and differentiated cells and its role

in lineage differentiation and homingpotential.

Fig.3.1: Stem cell differentiation and islet neogenesis

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 4

61

salinity and/or drought stress-inducedhelicase from rice and its functionalvalidation is being carried out at ICGEB,New Delhi. Stress-responsive helicase(1.3 kb) called BATI helicase from rice hasbeen cloned and found to be up regulatedin response to salinity and cold stresses.The expression and purification of the BATIprotein is in progress.

In another project of basic nature,suppression of innate immune response ofrice by bacterial effector proteins has beenstudied at CCMB, Hyderabad. Xanthomonas

orzae pv. Oryzae (Xoo) uses a type 3 secretionsystem (T3S) to suppress rice innate immuneresponses. Using Agro-bacterium mediatedtransient transfection assays, it was shownthat the XopN (Xanthomonas outer proteinN) protein suppresses the rice immuneresponses like, innate immune responseassociated programmed cell death (PCD)reactions; innate immune responseassociated callose deposition in rice leavesthat is induced by Xoo LipA or a T3S Xoomutant; resistance against Xoo infection thatis induced by prior treatment with T3Smutant of Xoo. The group has cloned genesfor 15 other T3S secreted proteins of Xoo

Support to research and development indifferent sectors is a major activity of theDepartment. While potential investigatorsroutinely submit R&D proposals to theDepartment for funding, projects are alsogenerated in priority areas through brainstorming sessions and expert consultationsheld under the aegis of various task forcesand other expert committees. TheDepartment has launched a new onlineproject submission and monitoring system(e-ProMIS) and has adopted a newcompetitive research grant process. Theprojects are funded for basic and appliedresearch for cloning and characterizing genesof importance, promoters, QTLs, developingenabling technologies, value added bio-massand products from natural resources andprocesses for improving productivity,healthcare, remedies for environmentalproblems and industrial production.


Crops

Rice

Molecular cloning and characterization of


62


into Agrobacterial vectors and introducedthem into plant cells via transfer.

In a project for enhanced nutritional contentat UAS, Bangalore, nearly 100 segregantsshowing high protein content (12-15%) thatwere identified in the F6 population wereanalyzed for lysine and methionine contentand cooking quality/nutritional parameters.Several promising inbreds with preferredplant type and enhanced nutrition and goodgrain quality have been identified withmedium to early duration. These promisinginbred are being evaluated in multipleenvironments and under contrastingmoisture regimes. Also high protein inbredlines for drought, aerobic and puddledconditions were identified. Several highprotein introgression lines in popularbackground are being developed throughmarker assisted backcrossing using MAS.

For developing two line hybrids in rice(Oryze sativa L.) good results were obtainedat TNAU, Coimbatore. Thirty suspectedTGMS lines were identified for TGMSsterility under high temperature regime andreversion to fertility under low temperatureregime. Eight promising TGMS lines viz.,TS0912, TS0914, TS0915, TS0917, TS0924,TS0925, TS0926 and TS0928 werecharacterized for CST/CFT, sterile and fertilephase, critical stages of thermosensitiveness, safe period for hybrid seed

production and TGMS multiplication. Thesepromising TGMS lines will be utilized fortwo line hybrid development programme.

Wheat

In a project on improvement of biscuitmaking quality of Indian wheat, studies wereundertaken on genotype utilizing soft wheatgermplasm lines including Indian land raceof wheat, Nap Hal, and synthetic hexaploids.Nap Hal, a unique Indian land race of wheat,was identified for possessing both weakgluten and soft grain characteristics. Weakgluten is caused by double null trait at Glu-

Di locus where both the subunits of HMWglutenins coded by the locus are absent.Double null trait Glu-DI locus has beentransferred into high yielding backgroundsusing molecular approach for improvingbiscuit making quality of Indian wheat.

In another project, identification andcharacterization of differentially expressedgenes during heat stress in wheat has beenundertaken at UDSC, New Delhi. Some ofthe heat stress-related ESTs chosen for adetailed characterization are the TaHSF,

TaHSP26, TaMIPS2 and a TaMP. Real timeanalysis found HSF to be induced bycalcium, salt ABA, PEG and heat stress,particularly in various flower and seedtissues. Arabidopsis T4 lines over expressingthese ESTS are being characterized.

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Annual Report : 2011-12 Research and Development

Maize

In a project on molecular characterizationand introgression of QPM for maize qualityimprovement through marker assistedselection, the non-QPM inbred lines arebeing converted into QPM version. Recoveryof homozygous plants carrying o2 locus hasbeen achieved. These lines are now beingfixed for the o2 allele before using them forgeneration of QPM hybrids.

Sorghum

Study is being carried out at NRCS,Hyderabad towards establishing the role ofvolatile cues in oviposition preference ofsorghum shoot fly, and identifyingassociated QTLs. The role of volatiles andepiculture waxes in oviposition behavior ofshoot fly on sorghum plants has beenidentified. Further the volatile compoundswere identified in the shoot fly susceptibleparent 296B and susceptible RILs. Inaddition to the pronounced quantitativevariation, substantial qualitative variationwas also noticed among the parents.

Pearl Millet

In a study towards generation of mappingpopulations and identification of QTL(s) forDowny Mildew Resistance in Pearl Millet,lines were screened for downy mildew

resistance against three isolates Sg384, Sg445and Sg561 representing three locationsBarmer, Rajasthan, Banaskantha, Gujarat andIARI, New Delhi respectively. Resistantand susceptible lines were selected forcrossing to generate mapping populationssegregating for isolate-specific DMresistance.

Ragi

Isolation and validation of salt tolerantgenes in Ragi (Eleusine coracana L.) is beingcarried out at TNAU, Coimbatore. Extremerice and ragi genotypes exhibitingcontrasting level of salinity tolerance havebeen identified. Physiological studiesrevealed the superiority of Trichy 1 ragi interms of salinity tolerance. Protein profilinghas resulted in the identification of keyprotein exhibiting contrasting behavior inthe extreme ragi genotypes. Rice homologsof putative candidate genes controllingsalinity tolerance have been isolated andcloned.

Plant Molecular Biology Programme

Stress-associated proteins (SAPs) that interactwith self and kinase in different sub-cellularlocations, viz OsSAP11 and OsRLCK253 havebeen identified. These have been shown toconfer stress tolerance on transgenic riceseedlings. Two stress-responsive promoters


64


have been characterized in transgenic rice.CRY1 over-expression regulates plant heightby altering the expression of gene involvedin GA metabolism, auxin signaling andtransport and cell wall modification. Theresponse regulator, OsRR6, a component oftwo-component sensor regulator system,functions to intergrate hormone, light andstress signaling pathways, as revealed byover-expression in Arabidopsis. Full lengthcDNAs of five TaSERKs from wheat havebeen cloned for functional analysis. Doubledhaploid transgenic of wheat over-expressingHVA1 gene conferring drought tolerancewith faster seed germination and seedlingestablishment have been identified. RiceClpB/Hsp100-cyt protein gene family hasbeen characterized.

Network Programmes

Physical Mapping and Sample Sequencing

of Wheat Chromosome 2A

BAC libraries were developed from flowsorted chromosomes of Chinese Springdouble ditelocentric stocks (2n = 42+2ASt’’+2Alt’’) in collaboration with Instituteof Experimental Botany, Czech Republic.Both short arm and the long arm ofchromosome 2A have been sequenced usingtwo NextGen sequencing platforms Illuminaand Roche 454, in collaboration with TGAC,Norwich, UK. For 2AS, about 131, 603Mb

(>300x) and for 2AL about 50,000Mb (96x)sequence is already generated. As many as264,555 contigs for 2AS and 321,517 for 2ALhave been generated. N50 values for 2ASand 2AL assemblies are 2398bp and 2688bp,respectively. As many as 1908 genes havebeen predicted form 2AS and 2872 genesfrom 2AL. Using this data more than 6000SSR markers have been identified, whichare now being validated. Further, sequencingof 4608 BAC clones has been completedfrom both the ends and nearly 46,00,000 bpof wheat genomic sequence has beengenerated. An average read length of ~500bp per BAC end has been achieved. TheBAC end sequences were searched for anysignificant homology in the assembled ESTdatabase. As many as 3702 BAC ends findhomology in the clustered-ESTs and 96 BACends showed positive hits with the proteindatabase Uniprot-Swissprot.

Functional analysis of gene regulatory

networks during flower and seed

development in rice

While working towards delineation of generegulatory network leading to reproductivedevelopment in rice, substantial progresshas been made towards characterization ofkey components and their down- and up-stream interactors. For floral transition andearly flowering events, orthologs of variouscomponents of Arabidopsis photoperiod,

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vernalization, GA and autonomouspathways have been identified from rice withthe eventual aim to decipher uniquecomponents, if any, involved in regulatingflowering in a dicot and monocot speciesand that too with contrasting photoperiodicsensitivity. Four promoter elements, Pan3-CRP, PP12, M2 and RP6, have beenvalidated for their expression inreproductive tissue-specific. Pathwayanalysis of differentially expressed geneshas implicated hormone biosynthesispathways as major regulators of early seeddevelopment. The marker-free, transgene-stacked rice plants for two traits (Chitinaseand Osmotin genes) were generated bysequential retransformation. These plantsdisplayed more than 60% resistance to thesheath blight disease caused by Rhizoctonia

solani. A pMVIGS system has been used tocarry out virus induced silence the rice genephytoene deaturase.

Identification and functional analysis of

genes related to yield and biotic stresses

At DRR, Hyderabad fine mapping andintrogression of yield QTLs from wildspecies is being pursued. Yield QTL yld2.1

from O. rufipogan has been introgressed intoa parental line KMR3 for fine mapping thisQTL. In another study on mapping of densepanicle trait is being followed using twointrogression lines derived from Swarna X

O. nivara: 166-30 with dense panicle and166-2-1 with lax panicle of Swarna x O.

nivara) at 5 locations was in top 5 of 16entries and was promoted to AdvancedVariety Trial 2-IM 2011.

At NRCPB, IARI, New Delhi, a major effectQTL for grain number qGN4-1 on the longarm of chromosome 4 localised with flankingmarkers HvSSR04-41 and HvSSR 04-46 istargeted for fine mapping, identification ofcandidate genes and functional validation.The full length GN4-1 gene is being clonedand mobilised into pCAMBIA vector forpossible trasformation of rice lines.

At PAU, Ludhiana, Xa30(t) gene identifiedfrom Oryza nivara and transferred to O. sativa

L has now been redesignated as Xa38. Thisgene has been mapped based on sequenceinformation and gene specific markers havebeen developed for use in MAS. Two moreBB resistance genes, xa-g from O. glaberrima

and xa-b from O. barthii have been mappedon chromosome 6S and linked markersdeveloped for use in MAS. Inheritance ofbacterial blight resistance in an accession(100098) of O. rufipogan is being studied here.

At NRCPB, blast resistance studies wereperused in TP-Pi54 rice transgenic plant.After inoculation with the blast spores Pi54

gene expression was found higher intransgenic Pi54 plants. At DRR, Hyderabad,


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two or three of the blast resistance genesPi1, Pi2 & Pi54 have been introgressed inthe background of BPT5204 and Swarna.

In area of gall midge resistance, at DRR,Hyderabad, two of the gall midge resistanceGm8 and Gm4 conferring wide spectrum ofresistance have been mapped. They are nowbeing fine mapped, clone and validated fortheir function in collaboration with ICGEB,New Delhi.

At DRR, Hyderabad, brown plant hopperresistance studies in two mappingpopulations showed that resistance for thetrait polygenic.

Generation, Characterization and use of

EMS induced mutants of upland variety

Nagina -22 for functional genomics in rice

During this period, a total of 507 selectedmutants have been grown in the mutantgarden and all these have been describedby distinctness, uniformity and stability(DUS) parameters. These data along withother valuable information including DNAfingerprints have been entered in the RiceMutant Database. About 4120 mutagenisedlines have been maintained at NRCPB, NewDelhi. Characterization of 15 lines fordrought tolerance, gene expression profilingusing microarrays to identify genes for seedsize, plant architecture, and drought

tolerance, fine mapping of genes and allelemining for DREB1, Hd3a and PTF1 genesby TILLING has been done. DUScharacterization of 89 mutants, phenotypicevaluation of 295 mutants contributed bydifferent centers has been done.

Puccinia triticina - Genomics Network

The sequencing of Puccinia triticina was doneusing 454 GS FLX sequencers. Assembledlarge contigs represented 102 MB of genome.Assembled data consists of 12984 largecontigs and 2301 scaffolds. A total of 24005genes were predicted out of which 17528genes were protein coding while 3114 geneswere TE related. A total of 16373 SSRs werefound in the genome which includes 64%of mono-nucleotide.

In another experiment, behavior of selectpathotypes was observed on Near Isogeniclines or lines with known resistance genesat two temperature regimes. Some of theresistance genes have shown effect oftemperature on the expression of hostpathogen interactions. At TNAU Centre, therust reaction of the lines carrying leaf rustresistance genes Lr24 and Lr9 has beenstudied. Three wheat genetic stocksincluding one leaf rust susceptible (PBW226)and their resistant NILs (HW 2016+Lr24 &HW2057+Lr9) were used for comparativetranscript profiling.

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cultivars, landraces, wild species etc. have beenscreened for grain Fe, Zn and yellow pigments(in durum). Accessions/lines having grain Feand Zn concentrations two to three folds higherthan in the modern wheat cultivars identified.At IARI, New Delhi, synthetic derivatives andT. spelta accessions have been used incollaboration with HarvestPlus. At IIT, Roorkee,the non-progenitor genomes carrying accessionsof Ae Kotschyii, Ae. peregrine and Ae longissima

etc., have been used as donor sources whilePAU have primarily used T. monococcum andT dicoccoides as a high zinc and iron source todevelop introgression and addition lines. Thework in Phase I also highlighted that thechromosomes 2 and 7 harbor genes/segmentsfor higher iron and zinc concentration andphytosiderophores. Five different QTLs linkedto yellow pigment were identified onchromosome 1A, 3B, 5B, 7A and 7B in durum.

Rice Bio-fortification with Enhanced Iron

and Zinc in high yielding non-basmati

cultivars through marker assisted breeding

and transgenic approaches

Procedures for precise estimation of iron andzinc concentration in grains werestandardized using Atomic AbsorptionSpectrometer and 2, 2-dipyridylyl agent.Necessary infrastructure facilities have beencreated for accurate screening ofmicronutrients. More than 3500 riceaccessions including ~252 rice landraces of

Generation of salt-tolerant rice plants: A

translational approach

At Bose institute, Kolkata; advancement ofthe earlier transgenic plants harboringPcINO1 (both in PB1 and IR64 var.) havebeen done upto T4 stage and molecular andphysiological characterization carried outfollowing identification of salt-tolerant lines.From growth pattern in presence of salt andthe photosynthetic efficiency analysis it wasfound that the transgenics were salt-tolerantand photosynthetically as efficient as thecontrol plants, sometimes more efficient thanthe control.

Identification of candidate genes for

enhanced water use efficiency in rice

through activation tagging

Transformation work was initiated in all thefour network centres viz., HCU, OsmaniaUniversity, DRR and ANGRAU, with thevariety BPT5204 with the gene pSQ5.Confirmation studies for these transgenicsare underway.

Crop Bio-fortification

Biofortification of wheat for micronutrients

through conventional and molecular

approaches

A large number of germplasm lines including


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CG collection known for high grain nutritivevalue, ~100 popular rice cultivars and ~650advanced breeding lines developed throughvarious breeding populations has beenscreened. Low genetic variations for grainFe levels were observed compare to that ofgrain Zn contents. About 14 genotypes havebeen identified with high Zn content inpolished grains ranging from 26ppm to32ppm.

Development of micronutrient enriched

maize through molecular breeding

Extensive evaluation of maize genotypesindicated the availability of large variationfor kernel Fe and Zn concentration in maize.The promising inbreds thus identified havegreat potential as donor in the breedingprogramme. Research efforts presently underprogress to identify QTLs for kernel Fe andZn would further help in expediting theenhancement of micronutrient concentration.The project is thus expected to result in thedevelopment of maize inbreds and hybridsenriched with higher iron and zinc content.

Crop biofortification of Groundnut and

Pigeonpea

Over 90 primary transgenic events ofgroundnut (var. JL 24) carrying maizephytoene synthase gene (psyI) driven by anAt oleosin promoter (for seed-specific

expression in oil bodies) were characterizedat the molecular level to study theintroduction, expression and stabletransmission of the transgenes. Inheritancestudies indicated a Mendelian segregationin most of the transgenic events. Theselected positive transgenic events wereadvanced to T2 generations for biochemicalanalysis. These events were characterizedbased on their carotenoid profiles, severalof which showed a multi-fold increase inthe levels of β-carotene when compared tountransformed control (1.2 to 5.4 μg/g).

Establishment of screening facility for iron

and zinc bioavailability

A state-of-the art facility for screening iron,zinc and β-carotene bioavailability usingsimulated in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cellmodel have been developed in NIN. Thefacility is now ready for taking up screeningof micronutrient bioavailability from biofortified rice, wheat and maize for itsselection and breeding.

Accelerated Crop Improvement Programme

Department launched a major translationalproject on crop improvement wheremolecular markers already available inpublic domain for important agronomictraits in wheat, rice, soybean, chickpea andmaize have been validated and are being

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introgressed in the high yielding cultivatedvarieties suitable to specific agroclimaticzones and also at all India basis bypyramiding genes through Marker AidedBreeding (MAB). The various biotic stresstraits being undertaken in wheat are Leafrust, Strip rust, Stem rust, Brown and Yellowrust. Varieties of both Triticum (17 varieties)and Durum wheat (2 varieties) are beingtargeted and efforts are being made to bringresistance to almost all races of these rustprevalent in the country by pyramidingthese genes. Similarly quality traits of wheatnamely, high grain protein content (HGPC),low amylose content, high gluten strengthand grain hardness in 13 Triticum varietiesand HGPC, high yellow pigment contentand lipoxynase activity in two Durum

varieties are being brought through MAB.

In rice 14 varieties for traits like Bacterialleaf blight (5 genes), Blast (5 genes), Gallmidge (3 genes) and Brown plant hopper (3genes); 3 varieties for salt resistance (Saltol

gene), 4 varieties for submergence tolerance(Sub 1 gene), 5 varieties of chickpea forresistance against Ascochyta blight (prevalentraces) and Fusarium wilt (2 races); 5 varietiesof soybean for kunitz trypsin inhibitor andrapid conversion of 8 hybrids into QualityProtein Maize are being developed bypyramiding genes mentioned above. At thetime of project completion, about 45 highyielding varieties of wheat, rice, soyabean

and chickpea; and 8 QPM hybrids will be infinal stage of development. Forty one centresare participating under this programme.

SAUs Programme Support

The Department extended programmesupport for R&D in agriculturalbiotechnology to four state agriculturaluniversities. Highlights of theirachievements are as follows:

UAS, Dharwad

Three transgenic pigeon pea events carryingCry1Ac gene for pod borer resistance havebeen selected based on repeated insectbioassay results and southern hybridizationdata. Currently these events are beingcharacterized for expression levels of targetprotein in leaf, flower and tender pods.

Four different genes coding for chitinase 3genes for endoglucanase were cloned fromTrichoderma and expressed in yeast. Isolatesof B. thruingiensis with 100% toxicity at endof 48 hours on Plutella xylostella have beenidentified. Mutants of cry1Ac and cry1AcMhave been developed. Two mutants showedenhanced mortality (10 and 20% more thanoriginal cry1Ac). A more efficientAgrobacterium-mediated transformationmethod to transform tomato cultivars, PusaRuby and DMT2 has been developed.


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Transformation of native and codonoptimized (synthetic) cry1Ac to tomato plantswas attempted and the plants are at variousstages of development.

In sorghum BC3F3 homozygous Near IsogenicLines (NILs) carrying different combinationsof charcoal rot (CR) resistant qCR1, qCR2 andqCR3 QTLs from E36-1 in the background ofM35-1 and SPV86 were field evaluated andfound to be resistant to the disease. Thesevarieties carrying all the three QTLs, togetherwith other combinations are being multipliedin the field for station trials and large-scalefield demonstrations. Three stable QTLs forstay green, one for water use efficiency andten other drought and yield related traits insorghum were also mapped. M35-1, SPV86and SPV570 were rabi varieties introgressedwith these QTLs. The BC3F3 NILs carryingdifferent combination of QTLs are currently(rabi 2011-12) being field evaluated.

A set of 17 advanced breeding lines of PigeonPea developed through MAS for resistanceto Fusarium wilt and another set of 41additional progenies selected based on DNAmarkers (SCAR) linked to recessive allele ofa Fusarium wilt resistant gene from F5

generation population derived from variouscombination of parents were field evaluatedand the superior lines will be forwarded tofurther evaluations and selections to includeinto multi location trails.

In pigeonpea, one mapping population eachfor Fusarium wilt-GS1 x ICPL8863 and SMD-ICPL8863 x BSMR 736 were forwarded to F6

generation. The subsets of RILs were subjectedto SSR markers segregation testing and theywere found to be segregating into expected1:1 ratio. Currently the F7 seeds from selfedindividual RIL are being harvested from field.

Maize Ac and Ds transposons were usedfor generating tagged mutants in M 35-1, apopular rabi genotype of sorghum for itsfunctional genomics. One mutagenic plantand one Ds-tagged mutant was obtainedwith transiently expressed transposasesystem. In addition, 4 plants withtransposed Ds containing iAc were obtained.

Conformation of homozygosity of QTLs with differentcombination in BC3F3 progenies in SPV86 background

Seed multiplication of CR resistant QTLsintrogressed M35-1 and SPV 86 -rabi-2011-12

Fig. 4.1

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Fig.4.2: BC2F3 population derived from crosses with Ae. speltoides in the field

PAU, Ludhiana

As part of effort to develop heat tolerance inwheat, a linkage map has been generated fromC306 X PBW534 with SSR markers. Variouscomponents of heat tolerance are beingmapped onto this linkage map. In addition,introgression profiling of T. durum- ae speltoides

is being done to develop a panel ofchromosomal segment substitution lines(CSSL) of ae. speltoides in T. durum background.

In rice to enhance water use efficiency, thegenerated RIL population has been evaluated

for various traits suited to direct seedingand for yield and yield components. Somehigh yielding lines have been identified fortesting in replicated multi-location trials.These RIL populations are being furtheranalyzed for mapping QTLs associated withyield and yield component traits suited toaerobic conditions. For developing resistanceto stem borer and tolerance to abioticstresses, ZAT12 and Cry1Ac genes have beenintroduced into maize inbred LM5 and LM13,respectively, through particle bombardmentusing immature embryos and confirmedthrough PCR.

Fig.4.3 : Transgenics ofmaize confirmed throughPCR


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The glyoxalase gene (Gly I) to inducesalinity tolerance is being used for roughlemon transformation. Protocols have beendeveloped for direct regeneration of plantsfrom cultured epicotyl segments and factorsaffecting success of biolistics basedtransformation have been standardized.

TNAU, Coimbatore

A reproducible genetic transformationprotocol has been standardized for hillBanana ecotype ‘Virupakshi’ and 25 putativetransgenic hill banana plant lines have beendeveloped exhibiting resistance againstBanana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), whichare being maintained in the transgenic greenhouse. An interspecific mapping populationwas developed between mung bean (Vigna

radiate Wilzck) and rice bean (V. umbellata)and an introgression line VGG RU 1 wasidentified to exhibit complete resistanceagainst MYMV.

In rice a QTL near RM8085 on chromosome1 linked to grain yield under drought stressexplaining 11.8, 14.7 and 20.9 per centphenotypic variation in 3 different trials hasbeen identified. Preliminary QTL analysisin cotton led to identify several QTLsincluding two major QTLs on chromosome19 and 25 for fiber quality traits across themapping populations and geneticbackgrounds. In rice, NILs introgressed withQTLs associated with root traits have beendeveloped, and also identified proteins co-segregating with root penetration abilityhave been identified. Drought tolerant ricelines developed through MAS are underevaluation.

Low Phytate maize inbreds are in theadvanced stage of backcrossing. In addition,transformation protocol for tropical maizehas been standardized and gene encodingfor Phytase is being used for developingtransgenic maize lines.

Transgenic hill banana plants maintained in net house

Fig. 4.4

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GBPUAT, Pantnagar

Under the programme, utilizing Arabidopsis

thaliana as model plant, it was observed thatMAPK 3 plays a role of prime importanceduring Alternaria pathogenesis process. It’sfull length gene was isolated and clonedfrom Brassica for development of knockoutas well as over expression in Brassica. Inrice, unique markers associated with salttolerance were identified which can be usedfor breeding salt tolerance. In order toidentify genes for blast resistance, four linesshowing blast resistance were selected as donorparents and crossed with traditional varieties.Chi-square analysis of the segregation datashowed that a major dominant gene wasconferring resistance to blast and wassegregating in a Mendelian fashion.

A full-length gene sequence of a class ofcalcium sensor in plants known as

calmodulin ‘CaM’ was isolated from fingermillet that highly expresses during the grainfilling stages suggesting that it might beinvolved in the activation of CaM dependantcalcium ATPase transporter that pumps thecalcium during grain filling.

In silico experiments identified a keyantioxidant enzyme, namely apx1, that hasfurther been characterized and fully lengthgene isolated and cloned. One noveldrought inducible gene ‘IDIP’ (ImportantDrought Inducible Protein) has also beenidentified.

Network project on development and

evaluation of salt and drought tolerant

transgenic rice

This project is aimed at the development ofsalt and drought tolerant “marker-free” rice.For this, fusion gene containing both

Fig. 4.5 : Molecular cloning of full length Calmodulin ‘CaM’ gene from Finger millet


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trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) andtrehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP)together was over expressed in a saltsensitive rice variety, IR64 at ICGEB, NewDelhi and DRR, Hyderabad. Fourindependent transgenic events that weresouthern positive and showed enhanced salttolerance were transferred to the Central SoilSalinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnalfor further testing under saline and sodicsoil conditions. Preliminary observationssuggested that overexpression of trehalosebiosynthesis genes confers enhanced

tolerance towards salinity and sodic stressin transgenic IR64 rice. Screening of theselines for the next two generations undernormal, saline and sodic conditions at CSSRI,Karnal, revealed that some of these linesare promising in terms of early vigour,spikelet fertility and overall yield than thecontrol non-transformed IR64 and the bestlocal check for salinity and sodicity.

The investigators are now seeking RCGMpermission to conduct strip trials of thesetransgenic lines.

Fig.4.6 : Evaluation of drought stress tolerance of TPSP transgenic IR64 rice vs WT IR64 rice at the vegetative stagecarried out at ICGEB, New Delhi.

Transgenic (SL1)Control Drought

Transgenic (SL2)Control Drought

WTControl Drought

15 d

aft

er s

tres

s30

d a

fter

str

ess

7 d

aft

er r

e-w

ater

ing

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DBT-IRRI Project

From QTL to Variety: Marker Assisted

Breeding of abiotic stress tolerant Rice

varieties with major QTLs for drought,

submergence and salt tolerance

The project has been initiated for transferringmajor genes/QTLs for drought, sub-mergence and salt tolerance into popularIndian rice varieties through marker-assistedbackcross breeding (MABB). The networkinvolves fifteen Indian institutions, includingICAR Institutes, State AgriculturalUniversities and Central Universities withNRCPB, New Delhi being the lead centre.The main objectives of the project are: (i)improved varieties of rice tolerant to drought,submergence and salinity, (ii) advancebreeding lines of rice with these traits, (iii)trained human resource for MABB; and (iv)information generation on markers for theQTLs and their validation in the recipientrice cultivars and genotyping. The projectenvisages to improve at least 12 popularrice varieties grown in the rainfed agri-ecosystems within the country through marker-assisted backcross breeding for flood, droughtand salt tolerance.

Challenge Programme on Chickpea

Genomics

At NIPGR, New Delhi, nuclear genome of

chickpea ICC4958 is being sequenced. TheSOLiD platform was used for sequencingof ICC4958 as well as the wild varietyC.reticulatum PI489777 (parent of themapping population) and used to identifyunique SNPs. About 4000 SNPs have beenselected and are being genotyped forgenerating a high density linkage map ofchickpea. Additionally, 2000 SSR markerspolymorphic between the parents have alsobeen identified for mapping.Simultaneously, deep sequencing of thechickpea transcriptome has been doneusing both the short and long read NGSplatforms and assembled into 34,760tentative consensus (TC) transcriptsrepresenting 35.5 Mb of the sequence.These have been functionally annotated andidentification of new genes, analysis ofgene families and gene content has beendone. The analysis of abundance ofchickpea transcripts within a tissue sampleled to the identification of differential andtissue-specific transcripts. Moreover, 4,111SSRs have been identified. The chickpeatranscriptome has been published andmade publicly available through thedevelopment of the ChickpeaTranscriptome Database and transfer to theindustry for the development of “ChickpeaExpression Microarray”. The wholeGenome Browser for chickpea is underdevelopment, currently using one of thelargest available contigs of the nuclear


76


genome and contains the following tracks:Gene (Overview), GC content (Region), andCDS, Exon, Intron, 5’UTR, 3’UTR, ComplexRepeats, tRNA, and Translation.

For manipulation of root architecture toimprove abiotic stress tolerance, a putativeCBL-interacting protein kinase (CIPK/sos2-like protein kinase, PKS) was identified. Theroots of the T1 seedlings were found longerthan the vector-control seeds.

Functional analysis of inositol biosyntheticgenes is being done for which homozygousArabidopsis transformed lines for each gene(CaMIPS1 & 2) were generated and growthpatterns under saline environment wereanalyzed.

The water-deficit stress responsiveproteome of chickpea was analysed whichled to the identification of 773 proteins.

Of these, 104 annotated proteins matchedwith Arabidopsis and 75 with rice, whilemost other proteins were found indifferent legumes [C. arietinum (91),Medicago (131), G. max (27), and P. sativum

(42)]. Further, 103 membrane associatedproteins were identified from themembrane proteome.

Transcriptome sequencing of chickpeaplants, inoculated with Ascochyta rabiei wasdone using the Roche 454 platform. Thedata was assembled to generate 68,942unigenes, with average contig length of 747bp, N50 of 963 bp.

To unravel the molecular events at variousstages of seed development and itsnutritional status, transcriptome sequencingof developing chickpea seeds at variousstages (10, 20, 30, and 40 DAA) was carriedout using the Roche/454 platform.

Fig. 4.7: Differential and tissue specific expression analysis of chickpea transcriptome. (A) Transcripts preferentiallyexpressed in each tissue sample as compared to others in tissue by tissue comparison For the transcripts in each cell,there is preferential expression in the column tissue than the row tissue sample. (B) Heatmap of the transcriptspreferentially expressed in various tissue samples. The color scale (1100) represents RPM value. ML, mature leaf; FB,flower bud; YP, young pod.

(A) (B)

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Functional annotation was done and contigswere categorized as biological process,cellular component and molecular function.Molecular analysis of important families isin progress. Currently, the development ofcomparative seed cytosolic proteome is inprogress.

National Plant Gene Repository

The Department has set up a NationalPlant Gene Repository (NAPGER) atNational Institute of Plant GenomeResearch, New Delhi. It is a Nationalfacility for (i) storage and distribution ofplant genes, promoters and ESTs in formof DNA clone, library, etc. and (ii) todevelop a database for all stocks and otherinformation. The institute has procuredthe necessary equipments, createdinfrastructure for setting up the facilityand also recruited the sanctionedmanpower. The research protocols to befollowed in NAPGER have beendeveloped. A web page has beendeveloped and shortly an advertisementwould be issued to publicize the NAPGERactivities so that large section of scientificcommunity is aware of it and getsbenefitted.

Biofertiliser Biotechnology

The Department has supported programmes

for developing various bio-fertilizers andtechnology packages for their massproduction and also focused on conversionof industrial agricultural wastes intobiomanure and manage the organic wasteresources using low capital input protocolswithout expensive laboratories andsophisticated industrial instruments.

Microbial Consortia

Jaypee Institute of Information Technology,Noida project studied plant growthpromoting microbes with Biofertilizer andbio control properties to build a consortiumcomprising both bacterial and fungi spp.Sampling of microbes was done from therhizosphere of different plant sp. such asbanana, sorghum, millets, pumpkin, potatoand grasses. Isolates collected from therhizosphere of sorghum and grasses wereparticularly interesting as they were notonly withstanding high pH, but alsoshowing tolerance to temperatures in uppermesophilic range of 35-400C. Theantagonistic effects were confirmed todevelop a consortium.

Manipur University also developedmicrobial consortia for the effectiveformulation of optimal strains of plantgrowth promotion in rice and bio controlagainst rice fungal and bacterialpathogens. Actinomycete, Bacillus and


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Pseudomonas sp were the focus of thestudy. After screening of the best strainsin lab/greenhouse test, individual ormixtures of strains were subjected tosingle or multi-site pot/field studies tolearn feasibility for deployment ofconsortia of beneficial microorganism forrice. Four isolates were identified. Theculture filtrates did not show anyinhibition against the fungal pathogens.In in vitro seed germination (vigor index)test was performed for three of the selectedstrains.

Vermicomposting

Timber lignocellulosic wastes wereinoculated with different combinations of thefungi Phanerochete chrysosporium, Trichoderma

reesi, Aspergillus niger and the bacteriaAzotobacter chrococcum. Out of 10 microbialcombinations tested for pre-decomposition,the combination of P.chrysosporium + T.reesei

was found best in terms of lingo-cellulosicdegradation prior to vermicomposting. Thefeasibility of bioreactive timber solid wastevermicompost (TSWV) had also beenvalidated for the first time.

Fig 4.8: View of vermi- entrepreneur using wood wastes as substrates

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Formulation of Mycorrhiza andAgriculturally Important Micro-organisms (AIMs)

The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), NewDelhi revalidated the PGP/BCA strains suchas actinomycete isolates LSCh-10C, NRPI-18and NRPI-18 and NRPI-26 and putativeBacillus isolate CHDR. They established theco-habitation of AIMs with ArbuscularMycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) to synergies theirbeneficial effects by developing a single bio-inoculants product that can improve plantgrowth by supplementing with nutrients.Six new unculturable endobacterialsequences were detected by the DGGEanalysis and 5 more after cloning of 16Sproduct directly. Endobacterial diversitycomprised both Bacillus related species aswell as bacterium-like organisms (BLOs).

In case of termicomposting, PondicherryUniversity, Pondicherry has completed thesystematic survey of termite species withthe species available and there relativeabundance has been established. Two typesof multi-compartment termireactorsdesigned. The multiple compartmentswould enable to use different substancessimultaneously at each location and see therelative preference of termites at thatlocation for different feeds. Study has beenundertaken towards captive colonydevelopment and preliminary designs of

alate traps, in situ termireactors, and termiteharvesters. Pondicherry University had setup an interactive web-based repository ofall the information and the resources ofinformation on termites-systematic,distributions, niche, habitat, biology,substrate preference, role in naturalenvironments, control methods etc.

Biopesticides and CropManagement

A number of research projects have beensupported in the highly specific area forthe control of pests and diseases ofeconomically important crops, therebyenhancing the agricultural productivity forsustainable development. Highlights ofsome of the project achievements are asfollows:

Microbial Pesticides and NaturalEnemies

At NCL, Pune Enzymes from a killedfungus (Myrothecium verrucaria) and conidialpreparation of entomopathogenic fungi(Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana andVerticillium lecanii) were produced in thelaboratory to control mealy bug for 2consecutive years (2009-2010 and 2010-2011).In addition to the control of mealybug (50-75%), M. verrucaria formulated enzymepreparation reduced the infection level of


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downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) andpowdery mildew (Uncinula necator) by 71%and 76%, respectively in grapes. AtKuvempu University, Karnataka Survey ofPest incidence as well as egg parasitoid onCylopelta siccifolia was completed. Laboratoryexperiment were carried out to know aboutthe hatchability and surveillances of C.

siccifolia. Aggregation and separationbehavioral study of C. cissifolia will be donein the field.

Data on compatibility of nematophagousfungi Paecilomyces lilacinus and antagonisticbacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens with AMfungus (Glomus bagyaraje) was developed in

vitro and in vivo at IIHR, Bangalore. Astrategy of management of wilt diseasecomplex in tomato and capsicum using P.

fluorescens and P. lilacinus with AM fungus

(Glomus bagyaraje) was developed. Data oncompatibility of nematophagous fungiPochonia chlamydosporia and antagonisticbacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens with AMfungus (Glomus bagyaraje) was developed in

vitro and in vivo. Again at IIHR, Bangalorea strategy was developed for themanagement of disease complex incapsicum, okra, carrot, papaya, banana,gladioli and gerbera. Protocol of massproduction of combination formulations ofPseudomonas fluorescens with Paecilomyces

lilacinus and Pseudomonas fluorescens withPochonia chlamydosporia was standardized.Strategy of enrichment of vermicompost orneem cake for the application in the mainfield was also developed. Toxicologicaldata, shelf life data and bio-efficacy data ofbio-pesticide formulations was alsogenerated.

A

B

Fig. 4.9: A. Evaluation of bio-efficacy in gerbera underfarmers field conditions being verified by member DBTtask force along with the beneficiary farmer,B. Distribution of bio-pesticides to the farmers for fieldevaluation of bio-efficacy and C. Evaluation of bio-efficacyon Papaya under farmers field conditions

C

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Under tulticentre project implemented atIARI, Pasighat and Mysore soil, plant andseed samples were collected from differentlocations of Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh)and North India after recurrent fieldsurveys. A total of 97 isolates of PGPRwere taken up for further characterization.A set of isolates were screened against seedborne pathogens of cabbage, cauliflowerand chilli from North east (Pasighat). Basedon multiple screening, four isolates fortomato and six isolates for cabbage wereobserved to be beneficial in bettergermination and seedling vigor. After asequence of screening in laboratory andpot culture, four best strains wereidentified and are being tested for seedlingpriming under field conditions. Best strainswere given to Pasighat for furtherevaluation and Mysore centre for molecularcharacterization. In Pasighat centre, the beststrains received from IARI are beingevaluated under pot culture and field.Citrus seedlings were also raised to testPGPR. The collaborating centre at Mysorehas completed the biochemical tests and

confirmed the cultures belong toPseudomonas and Bacillus group.

Botanical Pesticides

Study at Manonmanium SundaranarUniversity, Tamil Nadu studies werecarried out for understanding the within-plant preference in the rice leaffolder (RLF),Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenée)((Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and itsconsequences for offspring performance onthe host-plant Oryza sativa L. (TN, Ambai16,and IR20 varieties) concerning the role ofinduced resistance of rice plants to RLFfeeding. The present study examined theeffects of induced resistance on the feeding(food assimilation and digestion) in greenhouse and also the field cages. This studyalso observed C. medinalis food utilization,in order to estimate the possible influenceof induced resistance on C. medinalis feedingbehavior. These results indicate that JAapplication induces systemic defenses inrice that have a direct negative impact onC. medinalis survival.

Fig. 4.10: A. Field Cages, B. Rice leaffolder culture C. Effect of JA on rice leaffolder larvae (3 Mm)

A B C


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Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPN)

At TFRI, Jabalpur seven native isolates(TFRIEPN-08, TFRIEPN-15, TFRIEPN-23,TFRIEPN-49, TFRIEPN-50, TFRIEPN-56 andTFRIEPN-57) from banana, mango and twoknown isolates (Heterorhabditis indica andSteinernema carpocapsae) were maintainedround the year. Laboratory culture offictitious host waxmoth, Galleria mellonella

was maintained round the year, so as toobtain 300 mature larvae per day. The whitegrubs and their adults of three species(Holotrichia rustica, H. mucida and H.

consanguinea) were collected from the forestnurseries from central India. Fieldevaluation of the native EPN isolates wasinitiated in the institute campus and in theselected termite mounds in the teakplantation areas. Experiments for bioefficacyof native species/ strains TFRIEPN-23,TFRIEPN-49 and TFRIEPN-50 were carriedout against white grub species, Holotrichia

rustica, H. mucida and H. consanguinea inlaboratory.

Molecular Studies on Biocontrol Agents

At S V University, Tirupati, the JHEH genewas amplified, cloned and sequenced. A~800 bp sequence of Bihar hairy caterpillarJHEH was obtained and analysed. Thispartial JHEH sequence was found to havehomology with other lepidopteron JHEH’s.

At TNAU, Coimbatore the survey wasconducted under different agroclimaticzones comprising major Mango and Bananagrowing areas and markets of Tamil Nadu.Polyclonal antibody produced against 40and 65 kDa mycelial protein exhibited thespecific reaction with C. gloeosporioides andC. musae isolates respectively. By utilizingthese PCA, presence of latent infection wasdetected both in vitro and in vivo. RAPD-PCR technique was utilized to determinethe per cent similarity between the isolatesof the pathogen. The SCAR primers wereable to detect the pathogen in fruit peeltissue at 30 ng of infected DNA tissues.

The crude extracts prepared from threecommon cultivars, three wild relatives (ICP15774, ICP 15815 & ICP 15868) and thirteenwild accessions (ICPW 60 to ICPW 72) ofpigeonpea were tested for their proteinaseinhibitory (PI) activity against bovinetrypsin, chymotrypsin and midgut trypsin-like proteinases of the followinglepidopteran insects: Helicoverpa armigera,Achaea janata, Spodoptera litura, Papilio

demoleus, Amasacta albistriga and Daphnis nerii.All the varieties of pigeon pea chosen inthe present study possessed both trypsininhibitory (TI) and chymotrypsin inhibitory(CI) activity. The trypsin-like proteinaseinhibitory activity of two wild relatives ICP15815 and ICP 15868 were found to behighest in the following order: A. janata (>

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800 AJTI units), H. armigera (> 500 HATIunits), A. albistriga (> 35 AATI units) and P.

demoleus (< 10 PDTI units).

Development of comprehensive websiteon bio-pesticide

A comprehensive website on “Bio-pesticides” has been developed. Salientachievements compiled from more than 250completed projects have been includedwhich will benefit scientists, entrepreneursand farmers. The website is under securitycheck in NIC.

Bioresource Development andUtilization

The National Bioresource DevelopmentBoard (NBDB) accelerated R&D usingmodern tools of biosciences fordevelopment of new products and processesutilizing the rich biodiversity of our country.

Bioprospecting and product development

Mission programme on microbial

prospecting: drugs from microbes – a public

private partnership

A Mission programme was launched in theyear September, 2007 which involvedpartnership of 9 National Institutes &Universities alongwith Piramal Life Sciences

Ltd., (PLSL) as an Industry Partner in aunique public-private partnership model.This program has contributed to thecollection of microbes from differentbiodiversity from all over India (theWestern Ghats, North East, mangrove,marine environment, polluted sites etc.). Thelargest collections of microbial cultures(nearly 2,50,000) were screened for fourdifferent therapeutic targets. A total of 16123three stars hits were obtained of which 518anti cancer, 3643 anti inflammation, 6676anti diabetic and 5286 were anti infectiveactivities. These potent cultures selected inthe above exercise are being used to generatethe list of 1000 cultures to be taken in thenext phase of the program for identificationof novel drug scaffolds.

In Phase II activity i. e. chemicalcharacterization of selected hits of bioactives,randomly selected 150 extracts wereprepared and analyzed for chemicalcharacterization. Additional 150 extractshave been prepared; analysis is in processand taxonomically diverse bacteria basedon ~4000, 16S rDNA sequences have beengenerated. UPLC analysis and thedendrogram were obtained by identifyingsimilar clusters of the chemicalfingerprinting analysis.

Action was initiated to explore the microbesfor many other biotechnologically useful


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products of industrial importance such asproduction of industrially importantenzymes (i.e. Adenosine deaminases, nitrilehydratases, hydantionase, nitralases),screening for extracellular protease activityfor commercial purpose and identificationof PKS genes from mangrove microbes etc.

Microbial Culture Collection Centre

The Microbial Culture Collection center(MCC) established at the National Centrefor Cell Science (NCCS), Pune by theDepartment of Biotechnology as the largestculture collection is now an affiliate memberof the WFCC and is registered with theWDCM. The MCC was recognized by theWIPO Geneva as an IDA in April 2011.Currently, it holds greater than 2 lakhcultures under various categories, such asnormal, three-star, re-fermented, scale-upand have been categorized based on thedegree of bioactive properties shown bythem against cancer, diabetes, inflammationand infection. Majority have been tentativelyidentified based on partial rRNA genesequencing. MCC has launched its ownwebsite housed on the NCCS webpage.MCC has begun to provide services toacademic and industrial establishments formicrobial identification. The information ofthe molecular finger printing of the cultureshas been added to the database. In the 12th

plan it is proposed that the Microbial

Repository would be set up as anindependent Autonomous Institute forMicrobial Culture Sciences and Researchand provide highest-standard services withfocused research on microbial ecology andsystematics.

Prospecting of genes and molecules for

product development

Projects have been supported for prospectingof novel genes, molecules, enzymes etc. fromplants, microbes, fungi, lichens forproduction of potential products of industrialimportance. Novel genes/promoters,transcription factors were identified todevelop transgenics for biotic/abiotic stressand for understanding different metabolicengineering pathway(s) operative in asystem. Some of the technologies andproducts developed from projects andimportant leads are mentioned below:-

• In a programme aimed to prospect plantand insect resources of the WesternGhats for important metabolites,promising species from Icacinaceae

shown to produce high camptothecinhave been undertaken for domestication.Alternate sources of shikimic acid fromplants of the Western Ghats have beenidentified and spatially mapped. Amongthe angiosperms, only two or threeplants Calophyllum apetalum had the

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highest level of shikimic acid.Gymnosperms species evaluated haddetectable levels of shikimic acid. Oneof the species belonging to thearaucariaceae family yielded the highestlevels of shikimic acid (5.02%). Isolationof anti-microbials from crude extracts ofinsect systems from the Western Ghatshas been carried out (Fig. 4.11).

Fig. 4.11: Anti-microbial peptides from wasp venom

• A network project with eight institutionswas initiated to bio-prospect for novelbioactive molecules from forestresources of the country. Populations ofDysoxylum binectariferum have beenidentified in Western Ghats and theirdistribution mapped. Significantvariation in rohitukine have beenobtained (0.15% to 7.62%) andderivitization of rohitukine andbioactivity against anti-malarial CDK’sin progress. Similarly, variation in

corosolic acid has been established inLagerstroemia speciosa and studies areunderway to evaluate the plant extractsfor anti-diabetic activity. Plant extractsof Saraca asoca are being evaluated fortheir anti-inflammatory activity.Microsatellite markers have beensuccessfully developed and primers arebeing designed to undertake populationgenetic study.

• In a programme aimed at Bioprospectingof selected lichen and plant species forproduct development against cancer andtuberculosis, MSSRF has isolated four novelcompounds from lichen species (Fig. 4.12).

Fig. 4.12: Ultra - structure of Lichen thallus- Secondarycompounds – deposited on the hyphal wall

• A biopesticide formulation (Bollcure)developed under DBT support from


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Eucalyptus has been transferred to twoindustries. Central Insecticide Board hasapproved the registration of “TERI-DBTBollcure” for commercialization acrossthe India. Bollcure is environmentfriendly, suitable for both organic andIPM crop practices, suitable forconventional as well as Bt cotton, costbenefit ratio for cotton in 1:4.15 , costbenefit ratio for chickpea in 1:17.1.

• Under studies on cold tolerant strainsprofile of the tolerance of altogether10 cold-tolerant strains and 4mesophilic strains to variousenvironmental stress factors (viz, hightemperature, freezing, high salt, highand low pH, oxidative stress, UV-radiation) were obtained. Remarkablevariation was observed in the stress-tolerance of cold-tolerant strains,obtained from the same environmentalniche of Antarctica and also betweenthe stress-tolerance of the mesophilicand Antarctic strains

• Five Muscodor species have beenisolated from stem internal tissue of theplant Cinnamomum malabaricum,

C.camphora and from leaf of Aegle

marmelos collected from Western Ghatsand North Eastern Himalayas. PatentApplication has been submitted on thenew species of Muscodor with

mycofumigation potential andcollaboration for product developmentis being finalized with Pest Control IndiaLtd. using the indigenous Muscodor spp.

• Under the project on mapping of marinegreen sulfur bacteria of India, eighty onesamples from marine habitats of Goaand Gujarat were analyzed for geneticculture and diversity of green sulfurbacteria.

Characterization and DigitizedInventorization

Indian Bioresource Information Network

(IBIN) portal

The IBIN was approved for Spatial Node,Jeeva Manchitra at NRSC, Hyderabad andSpecies node, Jeeva sampada at UAS, Banglore.A set of six laboratories which linked theirdatabases with the IBIN have been identifiedas BRICs of IBIN. The entire spatial andnon-spatial data and also other relatedprimary and secondary data is being hostedon a special portal Indian BioresourceInformation Network. At IIRS Dehradun/NRSC, Hyderabad, national seamlessdatabase of vetetarian type map,biodiversity modeled outputs offragmentation, disturbance index andbiological richness at national level havebeen prepared.

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Spatial Characterization

Biodiversity characterization studiesthrough satellite remote sensing andgeographic information system wascompleted under the DBT-DoS project in3 phases covering nearly 84 % of forestarea. In Deccan Peninsula, 589 plantspecies recorded by information collectedfrom spatially explicit, GPS tagged 1725field plant inventory plots anddistribution and abundance information of881 species in Rajasthan, 313 species inGujarat and 103 species in Lakshadweephave been done.

Quantitative assessment of plant resources

in hot-spots of the country

The programmes on mapping andquantitative assessments of geographicdistribution and the population status ofplant resources were completed for thehot spots- Western Ghats, Eastern Ghatsand North Eastern and Eastern HimalayanRegions with significant achievements. Afirst ever systematic attempt has beenmade for quantitative assessment of plantresources of Andaman and Nicobarislands. Several layers of Andaman andNicobar Islands such as boundary, roads,rivers, places, water bodies etc weredigitized. Data inputting system wasdeveloped to load the data sheets from

different teams. This assessment has beendone in a grid based manner and thedata has been compiled in the form ofdatabase.

DNA Barcoding

DNA Barcoding programmes weresupported for generating barcodes forspecies of plants, insects and animals. InDNA Barcoding of the birds,approximately 1200 samples of birds havebeen collected from various parts of India.DNA barcoding of 17 Phyllanthus speciesusing the psbA-trnH region, 53 rattanspecies were successfully completed. Adigital database of Phyllanthus and Rattansspecies was developed which includes adiagnostic key to the different Phyllanthus

species alongside their respective barcodes.

Resource Based Network Programmes

Several programmes have been launched toscreen, characterize and improve importantresources. Some important resources andinterventions made are as follows:

Honey Bee

Under the ongoing network programme inthe Apiculture sector with focus on qualityimprovement, study of genetic diversity and


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development of molecular markers in Indianbee species, multiplexing of shortlistedmicrosatellite markers has beenstandardized. Two new lures have beendeveloped and effectiveness of these novelplants based as well as the pheromonebased honeybee attractant formulations isbeing evaluated.

Seabuckthorn

Under the coordinated network project ongermplasm characterisation ofSeabuckthorn from different regions of thecountry, collection of accession continuesfrom across the country. Overall 488accessions of three Hippophae speciesspread across Himalayas, namely,Hippophae rhamnoides, H. salicifolia and H.

tibetiana have been characterizedmorphologically for various descriptorsand are being compiled for developmentof a descriptor database. Chemicalcharacterization of Hippophae leaf and fruitsamples is being undertaken.

Hippophae Germplasm Resource Centre hasbeen established at Lahaul (HP) by IHBT,Palampur in collaboration with the ForestDepartment of HP.

Coffee

The thrust of the study was on developing

trait specific molecular markers, diseaseresistance, low caffeine varieties. A networkproject involving CCRI (Coffee Board),CCMB (Hyderabad), UAS (Bangalore), MKU(Madurai) and CFTRI (Mysore) wassupported. A few stress responsive geneswere cloned and validated for stressresponse.

Tea

Tea network was started with eightinstitutes for improvement of tea, takingTea Board along in all the programmeswith the institutes include, IHBTPalampur, TRA Jorhat, UPASI,Coimbatore, RRL Jorhat, NEHU Shillong,IIT Delhi, Delhi University and TERI,New Delhi. 1286 microsatellite primerswere designed by sequencing of thepositive clones derived from enrichedgenomic libraries and publicly availableexpressed sequence data in tea (Fig. 4.13).622 of the identified microsatellitemarkers were successfully validated inselected tea accessions and relatedCamellia sps for their wider applicability.More than 3000 crosses were made forblister blight and drought resistance. 1058mature seeds were germinated and thesepopulations established at the nurseryconditions. 644 F1 progenies derived from32 different crosses were established inthe field condition.

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Fig. 4.13: Characteristics of microsatellite markers identified in tea

Zingiber

Multilocation trials for turmeric werecompleted in Sikkim, Assam, Meghalayaand Manipur. Technology for micro andmini rhizome production from ginger,turmeric and Kaempheria sp. has beenoptimized and transferred to AVS, Kottakkalfor mass production for medicinemanufacture. All the collected samples havebeen analyzed for their chemicalcompositions. The curcumin content of thecollected turmeric varieties ranged from 1to 11% and trans-geraniol content forcollected varieties of ginger ranged from 23to 36%. 1252 plantlets of ginger for Nadia

variety have been micro propagated. Microrhizome induction has been observed in 266plantlets and 150 are under primaryhardening stage.

Sugarcane

The genomes of potyvirus isolates (SCMV& SStMV) infecting sugarcane and sorghumwere partially sequenced. The full lengthgenome of SStMV is determined and itsgenome organization and phylogeneticrelationships were elucidated. Tissue cultureprotocols for development of somaticembryogenesis by different mediacombinations have been optimized.


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Antibiotic sensitivity test was conducted todetermine optimum concentration forselection of putative transplastomics usingdifferent antibiotics. 30 novel functionalmarkers based on conserved intron scanningprimers were developed for the first time,through the comparative analysis of publiclyavailable expressed-sequence data ofsugarcane, sorghum and barley and, thewhole rice genome-sequence survey. 80EST- SSR primers were synthesized basedon the sequences available in public domain103 genomic SSR (gSSR) primers weresynthesized based on the sequences.

Gums and resins

The protocols were standardized formetabolite profiling of C. wightii. A rangeof chemically diverse metabolites includingorganic acids, fatty acids, amino acids,sugars and carbohydrates, sterols, cyclitolsand terpenes were characterized using GC-MS. Most of the metabolites identified inthis study are not reported earlier in C.

wightii. Using high-field NMR spectroscopy43 metabolites were identified from differentplant parts of C. wightii which includesprimary, secondary and intermediates ofpathways. Some of the identifiedmetabolites (other than guggulsterones) mayhave high commercial value. Germplasm of78 accessions has been collected fromdifferent locations from Commiphora growing

regions (three different states viz. Haryana,Rajasthan and Gujarat) of the country.

Bamboo

Under the network program, 9 major states(Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu,Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal,Kerala, Rajasthan and Haryana) and all the7 states of North East were covered.Demonstration programme completed itstenure in 18 states covering 978 ha andefforts are being made to consolidate theperformance data from all demonstrationprojects in the form of a booklet detailing apackage of practices for Bamboo cultivation.Tissue culture/micro propagationtechnologies have also been developed atvarious R&D institutes for different species.

Capacity Building

DBT’s Natural Resource Awareness Club

DBT Natural Resource Awareness Clubs(DNA Clubs) Program is aimed givingyoung school students (Class 6-12) a wellrounded exposure to the fascinating worldof bio-resources by implanting a suite ofmutually complimenting set of activities thatfocus on various dimensions of bio-resources and seamlessly blend with formalschool curriculums. DNA Clubs program isbeing implemented in 190 schools spread

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across 20 States/UTs involving more than11,400 student members each year. DNAProgram has designated coordinator(s)nominated by the school management foreach partner school. The RRAs aresupported by a dedicated ProgramManagement Unit set up by DBT formanagement of the programme.

DNA Clubs Program activities across 190

schools

S. Activity (2010-11) Number

No.

1 Guest Lectures 745

2 Institutional Visits/ 952Field Trips

3 Audio Visual Shows 966

4 Laboratory Experiments 1828

5 Vacation Training 18Programs

DBT-TERI Mentoring Schools for North-

East Region of India

The DNA clubs: DBT-TERI mentoringschools of northeast is being implementedthrough partner institutes in 361 highschools. Two days orientation forcoordinating teacher has been completed for7 northeastern states. 22650 students of Class

VI-X from 8 northeastern states are directlyinvolved through 249 lectures, 830experiments and hands on activities, 121Audio Video shows, 160 field visits todifferent biodiversity rich areas andinstitutes of higher learning.

Rural Bioresource Complexes

The Department has established Rural Bio-resource Complexes to demonstrate viableand ecologically compatible technologies tothe rural people for adoption in a holisticand sustainable manner. In the first phase,projects have been funded at five StateAgricultural Universities (SAU). Anindependent study on the Impactassessment of Rural Bioresource Complexesin terms of its socio-economic benefits thathave been transferred to the community wascommissioned by DBT to Mott MacDonaldPvt. Ltd., Noida. The planned interventionsof respective SAUs and the implementedinterventions, as observed in field have beencompared, which revealed that the numberof activities have increased in almost all theinstitutes. Most of the institutes haveconducted baseline study at the initial phaseof the project. From this evaluation studyit was found that the Bio-resourcecomplexes have made major impact inextending certain recent interventions to thecommunity and all the research instituteshave done their work precisely. The Rural


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Bio-resource complexes have initiated andpopularized a progressive approach inintegrated farming based livelihoodgeneration.

Rural Bioresource Complex in North-East India at North-Eastern HillUniversity, Shillong

The Rural Bioresource Complex in North-East India at North-Eastern Hill University,Shillong has been established. Twoinstitutions viz., North Eastern HillUniversity (NEHU) and ICAR Complex forN.E Hill Region are involved inimplementing the project; ICAR isresponsible for demonstration farming ofMegha 1 turmeric and Khasi Mandarin,while the remaining activities of the projectare the responsibility of NEHU. Collectionand ex-situ vivo conservation of 32 Citrusvarieties have been collected fromMeghalaya. For extraction of turmeric andginger oleoresin and oil, an extraction planthas been established at Laskein Village,Jaintia Hills District, and is ready forproduction. The mechanical drying andpowdering units have also been installedat Laskein village. Mechanical de-starching, drying and powdering ofturmeric have successfully been tried. Trialproduction of oleoresin is beingundertaken. A Citrus field germplasm bank(10 ha) has been established at Bibragre

Village, West Garo Hills District and sofar thirty two varieties were planted in thisgermplasm bank.

Plant Biotechnology

The department supported programmes inthe area of Plant Biotechnology on basicresearch, forestry, horticultural andplantation crops, metabolomics etc.

Basic Research

Studies continued on signal transductionpathways in plants to understand themechanism involved in response toexternal stimuli and the process ofadaptation to these changed environmentalconditions.

At University of Hyderabad, role of differentsignaling molecules was studied on stomatalclosure in pea. It was observed that levelsof reactive oxygen species (ROS), NitricOxide (NO) were found to increase onexposure to abscisic acid (ABA) or MethylJasmonate (MJ). The relative kinetics ofincrease in ROS, NO and cytosolic pH wasalso observed. There was a strong evidenceto indicate that cytosolic pH, ROS and NOinteracted with each other.

Molecular basis of potassium nutrition/signaling and functional analysis of calcium

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mediated CBL-CIPK (calcineurin B-like andCLB interacting protein kinase) networkunder potassium deficient conditions wasstudied in Arabidopsis, at UDSC, New Delhiand six interactors of C1PK9 were identified.Further, in order to carry out functionalanalysis of selected candidate target,homozygous knock out mutants of VDAC3(voltage dependent anion channel) andAP2C alleles have been developed andover-expression transgenic lines of VDAC3and AP2C generated.

In order to understand interaction betweenauxin and sugar signaling pathway, a studywas supported at NIPGR, New Delhi. Itwas observed that glucose not only affectsauxin signaling genes but also affects auxinbiosynthesis and perception. Besides,glucose signaling affects auxin transporterP1N2 levels, partioning and auxin polartransport assay. Microarray analysis furtherrevealed that glucose and auxin control alarge number of genes both agonisticallyand antagonistically.

Study was supported to understandmembrane biogenesis at IIT, Madras.Subcellular membrane of chloroplast fromspinach leaves and vacuoles from beetroothave been isolated and first evidence forpresence of biogenic membrane flippase(ATP Independent) and ATP dependentflippase activity have been reported.

Plant growth and development is theresult of controlled cell proliferationwhere MCM (mini-chromosome main-tenance) proteins (DNA replicativecomponents) play essential role in DNAreplication. The MCM2-7 or MCM4/6/7complex has been reported to functionas DNA helicase in animal and yeastsystems. Genes encoding all the sixMCMs subunits (MCM2-7) from pea havebeen cloned and the encoded proteinshave been purified. Transcript of MCM6was up-regulated in salinity and coldstress in pea plant. MCM6 protein wasshown to be localized in the nucleus andcytosol. MCM6 single subunit self-interacts and forms a homohexamer whichis active for DNA helicase and ATPaseactivities. MCM6 over expression drivenby a constitutive CaMV-35S promoter intobacco plants confers salinity tolerance.

Solanaceae Genome Initiative

India was a part of International SolanaceaeGenome programme and was assigned theresponsibility of sequencing 12 Mbenchromatic region of chromosome 5. Thistask was given to UDSC, New Delhi ( 5Mbregion), IARI, New Delhi (5Mb) and NIPGR(2Mb). The sequencing has been completedand the physical map of the entire genomeof tomato is now available. This wouldhelp in identification of agronomically


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important genes/allele markers linked toimportant traits under Target InducedLocal Lesion in Genomes (TILLING)programme at University of Hyderabad.For TILLING, facility has been establishedat Hyderabad.

Functional Genomics

Nutritional and shelf life improvement

Metabolic profiling of tomato fruit at variousstages of development has helped inidentifying genetic loci controlling thecharacteristics that are related to nutrientsand shelf life of fruits. The leads obtainedare being taken up further and phase IIprogramme is being initiated to enhancenutrient levels such as flavonoids,carotenoids and folate, using inducedmutations/ transgenic manipulations andenrichment of Total Soluble Solids (TSS) infruits for making tomato suitable forprocessing. Study is also being initiated ongenome analysis of SNP’s/mutations/transcript/proteome in cultivars and thewild accessions of tomato using wholegenome sequencing and reverse genetictools for improving desired traits.Transgenic tomato lines expressingpolyamine genes under fruit specificpromoter for post harvest quality have beendeveloped and are being tested for postharvest quality traits.

Disease Resistance

During Phase-I two transgenic lines resistantto Tomato Leaf Curl Virus (ToLCV) usingantisense replicase gene have been developedwith dual resistance against virus and insectinfestation. Five mapping populations havebeen generated to identify the source ofToLCV resistance and variety LA1777 has beenfound to show resistance across India. Besides,SSR, ISSR and SCAR markers have beenidentified and validated for linkage to ToLCV.Basic information generated during Phase-I isbeing taken further during Phase-II to developtomato verities with broad spectrum resistanceto ToLCV and Tospo virus by appropriategene deployment strategy through markeraided selection.

Network Programme on Metabolomics

A network has been initiated onMetabolomics focusing on crops like tomato,rice, potato, maize, Arnebia, Curcuma etc.Its major focus has been to developcomplete metabolomics profile of potato,understand metabolomics of tomato withreference to fruit quality, aroma, nutritionalquality, study changes in transcriptiome,proteome and metabolite profile in maize(as induced by Nitrogen and Phosphorusstress), secondary metabolite pathwayrelated to shikonin synthesis (Arnebia),metabolomics related to stress and disease

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resistance (rice) and assessment oftherapeutic properties in curcuma.

At IIHR, Bangalore two lines of tomato 249-15-4 and IIHR-2101 have been found to havehigher values for fruit quality parameters.Metabolite profiling of the selected lineshas been done for volatile flavour,carotenoids and Vitamin- C parameterswhile profiling for organic acids, phenolicacids and flavonoids is in progress.

Host Pathogen Interaction

Studies were supported to isolate andcharacterize secreted salivary gland proteins(SSGPs) from rice gall midge (Orsalia oryzae)to understand their role in rice-insect pestinteractions at ICGEB, New Delhi. SSGPshave been cloned to generate recombinantSSAPs proteins. Antibodies have been raisedagainst a select sub-set of recombinantSSAPs. Rice hosts when injected withrecombinant insect SSAPs showed reactionssuch as tissue necrosis and typicalhypersensitive reaction was observed inresistant hosts. Currently these recombinantsare being bulked up for use in plantinteraction studies.

At Bidhan Chandra Krishi VishwavidyalayaKalayani, a study has been supported tounderstand the role of biotic/abiotic elicitorinduced systemic resistance in rice-

rhizoctonia system. On the basis ofvirulence, isolates identified have beengrouped into five clusters. Three isolateshave been confirmed as Rhizoctonia oryzae

both by morphological studies as well asby ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer)sequencing. Further studies on biochemicaland molecular events during the hostpathogen interactions and also biotic andabiotic elicitor based induction resistancein rice Rhizoctonia system are going on.

At UDSC, New Delhi and TNAU,Coimbatore studies are underway tounderstand the interaction between cassavamosaic virus and carrier (whitefly). Protocolhas been standardized for inoculation ofcloned SLCMU (Sri Lankan Cassava MosaicVirus) DNA and its whitefly transmissionin the laboratory host Nicotiana tabacum.Plants have been generated using wild-typeviral DNA and the transmission throughwhiteflies has been achieved. Besides, in -

vitro interaction studies on viral CP andGroEL proteins of whitefly endosymbiontsis in progress.

Madurai Kamraj University has found C2protein of Bhendi Yellow Vein Mosaic Virusinteracting with karyopherin – as well aswith itself, suggesting that it may befunctioning as a dimer. Further the C2protein has been shown to transactivate ahost promoter. The micro RNA binding


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properties of these proteins are beingstudied.

Viral movement protein encoded by AV2ORF and the coat protein (CP) encoded byAV1 ORF of a monopartite begomovirus,cotton leaf and kokhran virus-dabawali(CLCuKV- Dab) have been cloned and over-expressed in E.coli at IISc, Bangalore. Thepurified E.coli expressed CP has been shownto interact specifically with single strandedDNA via Zinc finger motif with H85 as mostcrucial residue in the motif. CP was shownto interact with AV2 by ELISA and surfacePlasmon resonance. The insect and thesemarkers can be used in plant expressed CPlocalized in the cell periphery.

At IIHR, Bangalore, four isolates of CucumberMosaic Cucumovirus Virus (CMV) have beencollected and characterized. Study onmechanism of CMV resistance showed thatin VC246 variety no virus replication wasobserved and cell-cell movement of the viruswas also restricted. Inheritance studies usingsix generation mean analysis of perennialand Pusa Jwala showed single recessive genefor CMV resistance. Further molecularmarker linked to CMV resistance in Chillihas been identified and could be used inmarker assisted breeding programme.

IHBT, Palampur has identified virusesinfecting plum and cherry by ELISA and

dot blot hybridization which was furtherconfirmed by RT-PCR. Complete genome(7379bp) of 3 isolates of Cherry Virus A(CVA) has been cloned and one of themsequenced. It showed 81 and 84% similarlyto the type isolate at the nucleotide andamino acid level respectively. This studyprovides the first report and the completenucleotide sequence of Cherry Virus A fromsweet cherry in India.

Colocasia (taro) and Amorphophallus (elephantfoot yam) tuber crops and aroid ornamentalplants were surveyed in AP and screenedfor virus infection using DAC-ELISA usingheterologus potyvirus antisera. Varyingpercent infections with plant species andlocations was observed. Further, electronmicrocopy of Colocasia dip preparationrevealed the presence of flexousfilamentions particle characteristics ofpolyvirusis. Besides, partial genomesequence analysis of potyvirus isolatesassociated with infection on Colocasia,

Caladium and Dieffenbachia species revealedthat isolates are phylogenetically closelyrelated to Konjac Mosiac Virus ( Ko MV) –Zan reported from Taiwan, and this is thefirst observation on natural infection ofaroids with KoMV in India.

Forestry, Horticulture and Plantation crops

A network project on molecular marker

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based breeding in eucalypts was initiatedat the Institute of Forest Genetics and TreeBreeding, Coimbatore to develop geneticlinkage map and Quantitative Trait Loci(QTLs) identification for two industriallyimportant traits i.e adventitious rootingcapacity and wood property traits.Mapping populations for the cross betweenE. camaldulensis X E. tereticornis, E.

camaldulensis X E. grandis and E. tereticornis

X E. grandis were generated throughcontrolled hybridization. Field planting ofF1 hybrids was completed to clonallypropagate the hybrids for multi-environmental phenotyping. The hybridityof the F1s are being confirmed using thesimple sequence repeat (SSR) markers.Seventy SSR loci were analyzed for thepolymorphism between the parents togenerate species-specific linkage map usingpseudo-testcross strategy.

An efficient protocol has been developedfor multiplication of carnation plants at IIHR,Bangalore. A new variety IIHRP1 wasdeveloped and validated in farmers fieldsand it has been approved for release as‘Arka Flame’ by Karnataka State varietalrelease committee. Another variety IIHRIS-1 has been named as ARKA Tejas andidentified for pot cultivation. It is valuablefor academic interest and is registered withNBPGR as a valuable genetic stock. Largescale production and demonstration of virus

free tissue culture raised citrus (NagpurMandrain) planting material through shoottip micro grafting has been undertaken.

In order to reduce the cold-inducedsweetening in potato, study was supportedat CPRI, Shimla. Seven INV RNAi transgeniclines were evaluated along with wild typecontrol Kufri-Chipsona-1 under confinedfield condition. Yield of two transgenic lines( K.Chiplnv RNAi-2214 and 2123) have beenfound comparable to non-transgenic wildtype control Kufri-Chipsone-1. Transgenictubers were cold stored at 20C and itschipping performance was evaluated.Further development of marker-free potatotransgenic with improved cold-chippingattributes is being evaluated under glasshouse conditions.

Studies have been supported onchemotyping and gene expression profilingin black pepper at Kerala AgricultureUniversity, Trissur. Piperine content hasbeen estimated in different stages (nativegreen, native red and dried) of berries inseven black pepper genotypes using HPLC.Dry samples showed more piperine contentthan fresh samples. Further, during berrydevelopment, piperine synthesis was foundto begin in the berries 50 days after spikeinitiation. Cloning of candidate genesrelated to secondary metabolic pathway isunderway.


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A study was supported at IIHR, Bangaloreto identify markers linked to fruit qualityin Guava. Two different mappingpopulations have been raised and usedfor genotyping studies. Genotyping hasbeen carried out for parental lines, toscreen parental polymorphism by using aset of 237 microsatellite markers. Theidentified polymorphic markers have beenselected for high throughput genotypingof the mapping population.

Apple Network

At NBPGR, New Delhi, study was supportedto develop a protocol to cryopreserve appledormant buds. Natural chilling of budwoodwas found to be the pre-requisite for post-thaw recovery. Budwood when procuredfrom high altitudes where temperature wasupto zero for weeks, responded aftercryopreservation. Besides, grafting and patchbudding was found to be season based.

Fig.4.14: Regeneration from leaf explants of apple rootstock, MM106: (A) leaves (B) callusing at excised leaf base (C-E)Indirect shoot regeneration (F) rooting of micro-shoots (G-H) GUS expression on putatively transformed leaf explants

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Fig. 4.15: Tissue culture raised apple plants being transferred to the field

A network programme on Apple wassupported at IHBT Palmpur, TERI, NewDelhi and CSKHPKV, Palampur underwhich a tissue culture based protocol formass production of plants has beendeveloped. The germplasm collectedunder the network is being screened forvirus infestation, nearly 240 samplescollected have been screened and 105samples have been found positive. At

IHBT, Palmpur efforts are being made toidentify the viral pathogens infecting appleby devising a single assay tosimultaneously detect several pathogensat a time. Besides, descriptors are alsobeing developed. An Apple germplasmrepository of elite germplasm collectedfrom various regions of the country hasbeen set up at Badarwah Campus, JammuUniversity, Jammu.

Plants Under Hi-Tech Polyhouse Hardening of Plants

Hardening of Plants

Rootstocks Planted under Field


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New initiatives

Saffron Network

A Brain Storming Meeting was organized atUniversity of Kashmir, Srinagar to evolve aprogram on induction of variability for geneticimprovement of Saffron, transcriptomeanalysis to identify genes and regulatoryelements that determine floral developmentand size of corm, development of tissueculture protocol for corm production ofdesired size, development of agrotechnologyfor using cormlet of small size andcharacterization of microflora of rhizosphereassociated with Saffron with a target todevelop consortia of beneficial microbes.

Metabolomics

A network project on tomato metabolomehas been supported at three institutesincluding Jammu University, UDSC, NewDelhi and Hyderabad University. It willcover identification of metabolites fromnatural accessions followed by mutants andtransgenic lines, identify regulatory genesand proteins regulating these metabolicpathways. Subsequently, it would undertakepathway manipulations to increase/decreasethe levels of desired metabolites in tomato.

Another network has been been supportedat JNU, New Delhi and International Institite

of Information Technology, Hyderabad todevelop a metabolomic relational databaseand develop models of metabolite pathwaynetworking and software suitable forpredicting networks of metaboliteformation, analysis/storage and retrieval ofmetabolites.

National Certification System Tissue

Culture Raised Plants

DBT is successfully implementing theNational Certification System for TissueCulture Raised Plants (NCS TCP) since lastfive years. The salient achievements of theprogramme are as follows:

Tissue culture production facilities havebeen recognized based on infrastructure,technical competency and package practiceof production of tissue culture plants. Sofar 57 companies which have met thenecessary criteria have been recognized.

Nine Test Laboratories which are accreditedby the NCS-TCP have started functioningfor extending services to the tissue cultureindustry. ATLs are now operational andhave tested approximately 7850 samples ofvarious crops from different companies.

Awareness Programme on NCS-TCP

Fifteen programmes were organized

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successfully at Lucknow on March 25, 2011with 136 participants from differentsegments such as State Horticulture/Agriculture officials, tissue cultureproduction facilities, representatives ofAccredited Test Laboratories, representativesof growers’ society, nurseries andprogressive farmers. The participants weretrained for production of economical cropsincluding banana, sugarcane, potato, vanilla.Initiative has been taken to developstandards for new species potential forpropagation through tissue culture.Guidelines for “Testing of mother plants/stock culture” and “Renewal of Recognition”have been developed and approved.Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) forATLs and TCPFs have been revised andrelevant formats have been streamlined andadopted. Certification label has been revisedand approved for issuance by ATLs to tissueculture production facilities towardscertification of tissue culture raised plants.Awareness has been created across thecountry among all stakeholders throughorganization of state level awarenessprogrammes.


A programme on biotechnologicalintervention on medicinal and aromaticplants (MAP) was continued forconservation, isolation and characterization

of novel bioactive agents, development ofherbal formulations, genomics andbiosynthetic pathway studies. The salientachievements of the programme during theyear are as follows:

Ex-situ conservation, reproductivebiology and agrotechnology

Important medicinal plants of Manipurhills such as Paris polyphylla, Curcuma

angustifolia and Zingiber zerumbet have beencollected and maintained in the germplasmbank at Krishi Vigyan Kendra – Sylvan,Senapati District, Manipur. Work onreproductive mechanism of Picrorhiza

kurrooa, Valeriana wallichii and Ferula

jaeschkeana in natural habitats wascompleted at BGSB University, Rajauri,J&K. Seed germination studies on Dioscerea

vilosa and Panax sp were carried out atNagaland University, Mokochung.Evaluation of the performance of tissue-culture raised rose scented geranium(Pelarganium graveoleus) in Maharashtra statecontinued jointly in collaboration withKelkar’s Scientific Research Centre, Mumbaiand Vidya Pratishthan’s School ofBiotechnology, Baramati. About 10,000rooted cuttings of geranium were raisedand distributed to the farmers of Baramatidistrict for field trials after a trainingprogramme. Demonstration on cultivationand processing of selected aromatic crops


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was also undertaken over an area of 50acres in Dhar block of Punjab state withjoint collaboration of Kelkar ScientificResearch Centre, Mumbai and Punjab StateCouncil for Science & Technology,Chandigarh.

A network project for identification of highcamptothecin yielding clones anddevelopment of agrotechnology sustainableharvesting methods in Nothapodytes

nimmoniana is continuing at UAS, Bangalore,UAS, Dharwad (College of Forestry, Sirsi)and Research and Action in Natural WealthAdministration, Pune. Protocol wasstandardized for extraction and estimationof camptothecin from leaf tissues of N.

nimmoniana. Over 5000 seedlings of N.

nimmoniana were introduced into variousagro-forestry systems and coppicingtechnology to maximize camptothcin yieldwas developed. Efforts were initiated todevelop diagnostics for better managementof begamoviruses infecting Mentha spp atCIMAP, Lucknow.

Novel bioactive agents and herbalformulation

Double-blind, randomized placebocontrolled clinical trials continued on waterextract of Terminalia arjuna in patients withleft ventricultuar dysfunction at AIIMS, NewDelhi. Methanolic extracts of Cinnamomum

zeylanicum and C. cassia significantlydecreased the NO level in murinemacrophage cell lines – RAW 264.7 andJ774.1 at Interactive Research School forHealth Affairs, Pune in collaboration withan industrial partner – M/s NaturalRemedies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore. Theseextracts resulted into decrease in mRNAexpression of proinflamatory cytokines ILLband TNFa in cell lines. Work on isolationand characterization of anti-cancercompounds from edible mushrooms hasbeen initiated at Indian Institute of ChemicalBiology, Kolkata.

Administration of methanolic root extractsof Coix lachrymojobi at various doseseffectively inhibited poisonous snakes (Naja

naja and Daboia russelli) venom inducedlethality in mice at NMAM Institute ofTechnology, Udupi. Myotoxicity induced byboth poisonous snakes venom in rats wassignificantly neutralized by the root extractof C. lachromojobi. Ethanolic extract ofTinospora cordifolia was found highly activeagainst human epithelial cancer stem cellsin a study jointly undertaken at ManipalUniversity, Manipal and Indian Institute ofScience, Bangalore. Investigations on extractsof Withania somnifera and Withaferin A fortheir ability to inhibit the phenacetin O-deethylation activity of CYPIA2 usinghuman and rat liver microsomes wasinitiated at NMIMS, Mumbai.

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Studies were initiated on monoherbalpreparation and their phytochemicalconstituents against Hepatitis-B virus jointlyat Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences,New Delhi and CIMAP, Lucknow.Significant anti-Hepatitis-B activity wasrecorded in the extracts of Phyllanthus amarus

and Silybum marianum in in vitro tests usingHep G 2.2.15 and Hep G2 cell lines.

Genomics and biosynthetic pathways

Eleven genes involved in mucilagebiosynthetic pathway were identified inIsabgol (Plantago ovata) at University ofJammu, Jammu. Efforts were made forisolating the key regulatory genesresponsible for santalol production insandalwood (Santalum album) at Vittal MallyaScientific Research Foundation, Bangalore.Studies on designing and preparation ofmicroarray chip to analyze the terpenepathway in aromatic plants is progressingat CIMAP, Lucknow.

Animal Biotechnology-Production

Efforts continued to enhance theproductivity of livestock. During theperiod, two brain storming workshopswere organized in the areas of poultrybiotechnology and lignocellulosesdegradation and priority areas wereidentified for generating new programme.

Salient achievements in the R&Dprogrammes were:

Transgenics

At CCMB, Hyderabad, a knockout micemodel was developed by deleting Wdr 13gene in mouse embryonic stem cellsthrough homologous recombination toanalyze its role in obesity andmetabolism. The interacting portions of theWdr 13 protein viz. PHIP, ERá, ERâ,HDAC1, HADAC2 and HDAC7 which playimportant role in the regulation of a widevariety of cellular functions were identified.These mutants were bred in the backgroundof db/db knockout animals which will helpin understanding the structure of Wdr13 anddb locus.

Attempts are being made to express humanproteins of therapeutic value in the milk ofbuffalo at NII, New Delhi. A full lengthpromoter of buffalo beta casein gene wasisolated, cloned, sequenced andcharacterized in terms of its activity. Thegreen fluorescent protein (GFP) was clonedunder this promoter and MCF 7 cells(human breast cell line) were transfected in

vitro. The construct was used to generatetransgenic mice for checking in vivo activityof buffalo beta casein promoter. The breastgland of lactating females of F1 progeny ofmice confirmed its activity.


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Animal Reproduction and Related Areas

The role of imprinting cluster on ratchromosome during embryogenesis wasstudied at NIRRH, Mumbai. The studyconfirmed that the imprinted genes regulateembryo growth whereas aberrant expressionof imprinted genes was associated withembryo growth disorders. The studyconfirmed that paternal administration oftamoxifen led to aberrant expression ofimprinted genes in the F1 embryos whichpresumably abrogate Notch and Wntsignaling leading to cell cycle arrest,affecting embryo-placental growth anddevelopment and ultimately causingembryo loss.

Efforts were taken to enhance theproductivity of Mithun at NRC on Mithun,Medziphema, Nagaland. The artificialinsemination technique and preservationof Mithun semen were successfullystandardized and calves were producedusing cryopreserved semen both at farmand field levels. The protocols forsuperovulation and ETT were alsostandardized. Mithun cows weresuperovulated using FSH and recoveredembryos were transferred in to the recipientanimals. Out of six embryos transferred tothe recipient, two animals maintainedpregnancy. It was found that hCG @ 1500IU and 3000 IU was optimum for induction

of ovulation of Mithun cows withspontaneous and superovulatory estrusrespectively.

Efforts are also on to conserve quality Yakgermplasm and its multiplication at NRCon Yak at Dirang, Arunchal Pradesh. Yakembryos were developed in vitro up toblastocyst stage where as Yak hybridembryos could be developed upto morulastage. A few of the embryos developedwere transferred to the recipients andpregnancies were confirmed. Some of theembryos were cryopreserved usingvitrification method. The ovum pick up(OPU) technique for harvesting embryosfrom live Yaks was also standardized incollaboration with NDRI, Karnal.

Sperm specific antigens with immuno-contraceptive potential were identified,isolated and characterized in dogs atGADVASU, Ludhiana. Dogs and bitcheswere immunized against purified PH-20and LDHC sub units of antigen to observetheir effect on sperm parameters andfertility. Immunofluoresence of anti-PH andLDHC sub units with dog spermatozoaindicated scattered localization of PH-20 subunits on the entire head surface and that ofLDHC sub units mainly on the acrosome.The study confirms that LDHC and PH-20antigens have immunocontraceptivepotential.

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The effect of zinc (Zn) supplementation ongrowth, immune response and reproductionof female rats were conducted at SVVU,Hyderabad. The study indicated that 12ppm Zn supplementation in feed wasoptimum for growth, while 36 ppmwas required for obtaining higherimmunocompetence in rat model. The serumprogesterone concentration was found to behigher in rats with Zn supplemented feedcompared to standard feed and the ovarianhistology indicated lower percentage ofatretic follicles along with higher antralfollicles and well developed corpus luteawith 24 and 36ppm of Zn supplementationrespectively. The Zn deficiency was foundto depress body weight gain, feed intake,immune response and reproductiveefficiency.

Expression and localization of autocrine andparacrine factors and their receptorsregulating corpus luteum (CL) functionduring the estrous cycle of buffaloes wasstudied at IVRI, Izatnagar. All the vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoformswere found in the buffalo CL during theestrous cycle. Analysis of the VEGFtranscripts showed that CL predominantlyexpressed the two smallest VEGF isoformsi.e. VEGF120 & VEGF164 and weaklyexpressed the VEGF 188 isoform. The highestVEGF mRNA expression was detectedduring the early luteal phase of the estrous

cycle followed by a significant decrease ofexpression during the mid and late lutealphase and a further decrease of VEGFmRNA after regression. These resultssuggest an important role of VEGF inangiogenesis of the newly formed CL inbuffalo.

Estrus-specific pheromones were assessedfor their possible role in early pregnancydetection in buffalo at BharathidasanUniversity, Truchirappalli. Various estrusspecific compounds were evaluated and 4-methyl phenol was found promising forestrus detection. The estrus stage urinesample gave considerable elevated colourchange with 4- methyl phenol compared toother stage of urine samples. The estrusspecific urine also showed significant resultin the absorption spectra at 558 nm. Effortsare on to develop an estrus detection kitusing urine samples.

Genetic Characterization and Genome

The satellite tagged genes of water buffalo,Bubalus bubalis were characterized at NII,New Delhi. Four RsaI repeat fragmentsviz. pDp1, pDp2, pDp3 and pDp4 of 1331,65, 603 and 339 base pairs, respectively ofbuffalo were cloned and sequenced. Thesefragments were found to represent retro-transposons and part of some functionalgenes. RsaI repeats were found to be


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transcriptionally active in somatic tissuesand spermatozoa. The pDp1 showedmaximum activity in lung; pDp2 and pDp3in kidney and pDp4 in ovary. The studysuggests that RsaI repeats have beenincorporated into the exonic regions ofvarious transcribing genes, possiblycontributing towards the architecture andevolution of the buffalo and relatedgenomes.

The genetic diversity and populationstructure of different Indian zebu cattlebreeds were studied at NBAGR, Karnal. Allthe breeds analyzed other than Nagori andKangayam had substantial within breedgenetic diversity with moderate levels ofbreed differentiation. The genetic distancesshowed close grouping of Mewati andKankrej cattle whereas Kangayam andNimari cattle exhibited highest geneticdifference. Majority of the breeds from Northand North-Western region groupedseparately from that of breeds from Southernregion. The mitochondrial D-loop basedanalysis on 20 cattle breeds revealed thatSouthern, draft purpose and grey coat colorbreeds are more diverse. Thephylogeopraphy and network analysisrevealed Southern breeds to be primitive incomparison to Northern cattle breeds. Thecandidate gene analysis across the breedingbulls utilized in artificial inseminationrevealed that except at Beta-casein locus (A2

allele), the frequency of functionallyimportant alleles is low at other analyzedloci, suggesting the need for screening ofthe breeding bulls before selection.

The fecundity of local sheep breed ofKashmir is being enhanced by introgressingfecundity B (FecB) gene at SKUAST, Srinagar.During the course of the study, thereproductive performance of the animalswith introgressed Fec B gene was reportedto be a litter size of 146% against 86-92% inthe sheep without Fec B gene. The studyalso confirmed that the Fec X mutationconferring high litter size in the Kashmirsheep was not segregating and the existenceof Fec B gene in such animals ruled out. Anew mutation in exon 2 of Fec X genebetween 1022-1243 bp area was alsoobserved. The study helped in enhancingthe productivity of local sheep breed. Inanother study, the productivity andreproductive efficiency of Lonand strain ofDeccani sheep was also enhanced at farmer’slevel by introgressing the mutation of Fec B

by crossbreeding at NARI, Phaltan. The littersize of Fec B carrier sheep was increasedand to enhance the chances of their survival,a small quantity (~200 gm per day) ofsupplementary feed to the ewes just beforelambing to about two months after lambingwas found to be cost effective and couldyield double the profit per ewe as comparedto non-carrier ewes.

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Animal Nutrition

Tannin degrading bacterial isolates wereisolated and evaluated as a probiotic toimprove utilization of tree leaves containinghigh tannin at IVRI, Izatnagar. A total of 69tannin degrading bacterial species wereisolated from the rumen of goats fed on oakleaves / pakar leaves as major roughagesource. Out of 69 tannin rumen bacteriaisolated, 22 isolates showed improvement inIVTD of oak leaves. The isolates exhibitedgood tannase activity and tannin degradingability. On the basis of biochemicalcharacterization, bacterial isolate TDGB 406was used as a probiotic for the feeding trialsin goats and improved growth performanceand FCR was found in goats fed on oakleaves as one of the main roughage source.

Efforts are underway to utilize Sheanut cakeas an energy supplement in livestockfeed to replace high cost low energysupplements like deoiled rice bran atSVVU, Hyderabad. Chemical analysis ofSheanut cake confirmed high amount ofcrude protein, crude fibre, minerals andessential amino acids. The experiments insheep and buffalo calves were carried outto study the growth, nutrient digestibilityand economics of meat production. The drymatter intake and average daily weight gainwas significantly higher in the animals fedwith Sheanut cake rations compared to

control diet. The dressing percentage andedible organs percent was also increased asthe Sheanut cake percent increased in theration along with inclusion of probiotics.The study revealed that the Sheanut cakecan be safely utilised as a feed ingredientup to 40% level with or without probioticsin sheep and buffalo calves to reduce thecost of production of meat and for effectiveutilisation of unconventional feed stuffs.

Utilization of agro-forest based non-conventional oil cakes as an alternate to oilcakes as a protein source in feed was takenup. The feeding trials of detoxifiedjatropha, karnaj and neem oil cakes wereconducted in small ruminants to validatetheir potential use as protein supplements.It was found that detoxifiied jatropha andneem cakes can be used as a replacementof soya bean meal to up to 75% level in thediet of sheep and goats without any adverseeffects on nutrient utilization, nitrogenmetabolism, immune response and meatquality. Detoxified karanj, on the other hand,can be used at a maximum of 50% level ofreplacement of conventional protein meal.Encapsulation process for feed enzymes wasdeveloped at SVVU, Hyderabad to improvetheir heat tolerance and storage stability.Studies on storage and thermal stability ofcommercial enzymes viz. amylase andxylanase indicated that the activity of theseenzymes declined slowly in the encapsulated


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form where as in the non-encapsulated formsthe activity declined rapidly even duringstorage at room temperatures. The sugarrelease activity in feed of amylase andxylanase was not influenced by encapsulationof enzyme at pelletization temperature of700C for four minutes. However, there was asignificant retention of amylase and xylanaseactivity in encapsulated enzyme at both 800Cand 900C of pelletization for four minutes.The results indicate that the encapsulationof amylase and xylanase enzymes withsodium alginate offers protection againstthermal inactivation.

Studies on the effect of micronutrientssupplementation on immunity andproductivity of indigenous cattle wereconducted at NDRI, Karnal. Themicronutrients supplementation significantlyreduced oxidative and metabolic stressduring calving period. Leptin levels werefound to decrease before calving andremained low after calving period. Insulinconcentrations differed according to dayspostpartum: levels started to decrease beforeparturition, minimum concentrations werefound around parturition but levels werefully recovered after 30 days postpartum.Plasma concentrations of GH increased atparturition and remained elevated aftercalving. There was a significant increase inthe levels of leptin, insulin and growthhormone in cows supplemented with

micronutrients. Immunity of cattle wasfound to be enhanced significantly with thesupplementation of micronutrients. The milkyield was also enhanced with the groupof cattle with micronutrient feed.

Poultry

Molecular evaluation of forced moulting inwhite leghorn hens and its possible effectivealternatives were studied at CARI, Izatnagar.The differential expression patterns ofcandidate genes (apoptotic and cytokine)responsible for regression/rejuvenation ofreproductive tissues of white leghorn hensduring forced moulting were studied andfew critical genes (Caspase 1, Caspase 2,Caspase 6,BOK, Bcl 2, p53, IL1, IL6, IL10,TRAIL, T and TG) responsible for regression/rejuvenation were identified. A new methodof forced moulting using Zinc and Chromiumwas developed which can be effectively usedat the commercial scale and also complieswith the animal welfare norms.

QTL markers for growth traits were identifiedin broiler chicken at PDP, Hyderabad. Threestrains of chicken viz. PB-1, CB and IWI weregenerated to explore polymorphism ofmyostatin promoter. A total of 4 haplotypeswere found across the populations. Thehaplotype, h1 was the most predominantallele in all the populations, while the leastfrequent haplotype varied from strain to

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strain. The haplotype combinations showedsignificant effect on body weights at 6 weeksin PB-1 and IWI lines and 7 weeks at CBline. In PB-1 line, h4 showed the highestgrowth rate both between 4-6 and 6-7 weeks.In CB line, h3 group had the highest growthrate between 6-7 weeks. The relativeexpression profile of myostatin gene indifferent haplogroups revealed that h1h2haplogroup had the highest expression ascompared to other haplogroups suggestinga significant role of the gene in regulatinggrowth in chicken.

Efforts were made to enhance theproductivity of Emu at MVC, Chennai. MaleEmu birds were trained for semenejaculation using an artificial cloacafabricated by the investigators. So far, threemale Emus were trained efficiently forejaculation procedures. The average dailyoutput of semen from the trained emus wasobserved at the rate of 0.3 ml to 0.7 ml. Theinitial motility of the spermatozoa rangedbetween zero to 40 per cent. Sexdetermination technique for Emu is beingstandardized.

Animal Health

The department has been implementingprograms in animal vaccines and diagnosticsand collaborative and coordinated researchfor the translation of existing candidatevaccine technologies and diagnostics forfield use through product development tocommercialization.

A “Translational Research Platform forVeterinary Biologicals” (TRPVB) has beenestablished at Tamil Nadu Veterinary andAnimal Sciences University (TANUVAS),Chennai in September 2011 in partnershipwith DBT. This platform would facilitatethe translation of technologies byperforming product development,validation, obtaining regulatory approvalsto facilitate product commercialization andalso be a referral center to strengthenlinkages and collaboration in the area ofanimal vaccine and diagnosticsdevelopment, exchange of biologicalmaterials, technology assessment,supporting training, consultation andintellectual property development.

Fig. 4.16 : Diagrammatic representationof services offered by TRPVB


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International experts were involved inreviewing the progress of Network Projecton Classical Swine Fewer for smoothrunning of the program and to overcomethe shortcomings of the results of swinefever network project under CSF Networkprogramme one National and five Regionalreferral CSF laboratories have beenestablished in different regions of thecountry. Rapid and precise diagnostic toolsfor CSF: (TaqMan)-reverse transcriptase (RT)PCR assay was developed for detection ofCSFV in tissue samples originating frompigs suspected for CSF. Isolation andadaptation of CSFV in PK-15 cells alongwith production and characterization ofmonoclonal antibodies against CSFV wascarried out.

A mini workshop on “Health Monitoring ofLaboratory Animals” involving potentialusers and selected stakeholders wasorganized at IISc, Bangalore was organisedfor discussion on important diseases ofsmall laboratory animals relevant to Indiansubcontinent that need to be screenedperiodically, various parameters whichneeds to be considered while monitoringthe health of experimental animals likenumber of animals screened, collection ofright specimen, usage of appropriatemethod, etc. The workshop of DBT NetworkProject on Brucellosis was held in August,2011 at NII, New Delhi in which the issues

and challenges for development ofBrucellosis Network Project were discussed.With the recommendation of internationaland national experts a Network Project onBrucellosis was formulated andrecommendations were made to set up sixEpidemiology units, two Repositories, twoprojects for development of animal andhuman vaccines respectively, three projectsfor development of diagnostic kit for animaland one project on bioinformatics relatedwork. Five papers have been published innational and international journals throughthe projects funded.

Vaccines and Diagnostics projectsimplemented are summarized as under:

Seroprevalance and molecular biological

approach for diagnostics of canine

monocytic ehrilichiosis in various regions

of India

A total of 350 canine samples wereprocessed using nested PCR targeting 16srRNA gene for detection of E. canis, of whicha total of 19 samples have been detectedpositive for E. canis and one sample forAnaplasma platys as also confirmed bysequencing their PCR amplified products.PCR for detection of Babesia which is alsoa tick borne disease has been standardizedand out of a total of 409 samples screenedby this PCR , 76 have been found positive,

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as also confirmed by sequencing their PCRamplified products. Indirect FluorescentAntibody Test for estimation of antibodiesagainst E. canis from canine serum sampleshas also been standardized and data onclinico-pathological changes in E. canis

infection is being recorded.

Development of vaccine for control of

bovine tuberculosis

The animals were clinically examined;blood samples were collected for routinehaematological assessment, baselinedetection of intracellular cytokines in T cellsubsets (CD4 & CD8) and screening formycobacterial pathogens by molecularbeacons and culture was done. The animalswere immunized with live BCG and heatkilled Mycobacterium W, recombinant BCGover expressing SOD and 85C antigens. ForDNA vaccines the intra-muscular (rump)and rBCG vaccines the intra-dermal (neckleft and right) route of immunization wereused. After immunization blood sampleswere collected at various time intervals.The PBMC have been isolated from theanimals at each time point and cryo-preserved. These samples were revived forin vitro assessment of immune response tomycobacterial antigens during the extensionperiod by real time PCR for cytokinesand other related immunological para-meters.

Development of recombinant fusion protein

vaccine for Mycobacterium avium sub

sp. Paratuberculosis

The fusion clones of 85A and 85B gene ofbacteria were generated and expression wasconfirmed. Chitosan nano particles wereproduced and assessed for their characters.Preliminary studies with heat killed chitosancoupled MAP vaccine and 85A+85B fusionantigen were found to be safe and resultedin Th1 and Th2 response.

Identification of target molecule on B cells

which binds Infectious Bursal Disease

(IBD) virus and its regulation for

immunoprophylaxis of IBD in chicken

The investigation could lead to valuablenew insights into the identification of thetarget which can be an effective therapeuticand be used for prophylactic measures forthe control of this important infectiousdisease which causes huge economic lossesto the poultry industry worldwide.Experimental studies carried out haveyielded new results which indicate thatMHC class II molecule present in largequantities on immature B cells in the bursaof young chicks is the putative target forthe IBD virus. The binding of IBD virus tochicken MHC II molecules on developing Bcells in the bursa prevents their interactionswith the non-lymphoid bursal cells which


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is essential for their survival andmaturation. Thus, blocking of MHC II onimmature B cells by IBD virus in chickenBursa may lead to apoptosis in Bcells causing large scale destruction of Bcells and hence immunodeficiency in youngchicks.

Aquaculture and MarineBiotechnology

In Aquaculture & Marine Biotechnologyprogramme, projects were supported onaquaculture feed, development oftherapeutic feed, identification of novelbioactive molecules, marine extremophiles,molecular characterization, inducedmaturation in shrimp, production of maleornamental fish, and development ofmolecular markers for disease resistance,diagnostics and vaccines, in vitro model forviral replication, development of cell linesetc. An Indo-Norway joint collaborativeprogramme on fish vaccine developmentwas implemented. Technologies weredeveloped and patented with the leadsobtained, along with a good number ofpublications in this programme. Some ofthe important achievements of theprogramme are as follows:

Aquaculture Feed

Development of enriched aqua-feed with

cellulolytic and amylolytic microbes wascarried out at Kakdwip Research Centre ofCIBA. This study was undertaken to identifythe potential of isolated cellulolytic andamylolytic microbes from the gut ofbrackishwater fishes by supplementing themin the diet of Seabass (Lates calcarifer) andMugil cephalus (Grey mullet) in feedutilization efficiency and digestibility. Thein vivo trial on M. cephalus juveniles revealedthat fermented ingredients could replace75% of fish meal in diet of Mugil cephalus

juveniles without affecting growth rate, FCR,PER and survival. Supplementation of livebacterial mixture (Bacillus subtilis DDKRC5

and Bacillus sp. DDKRC1) or feeding ofmicrobial fermented ingredients couldreduce Vibrio load in water though totalmicrobial load in water did not differsignificantly when compared with tankwater of control. Feed supplemented with amixture of Bacillus subtilis DDKRC5(CCx) &Bacillus sp. DDKRC1 (LC8) showed higherweight gain (141.42±2.76%), lowerFCR(2.15±0.03), higher nutrient digestibility,better gut microbial and digestive enzymestatus in Asian seabass juveniles.

The studies on immunostimulatory propertyof seeds of Achyranthes aspera

(Ameranthaceae) in Indian major carp Catla

catla was carried out at Delhi University.The larvae of C. catla were fed with dietscontaining raw seeds and crude extract of

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seeds with control diet. Fish were challengedwith Aeromonas hydrophila after one monthof feeding. Group of fish exposed to UV-Bradiation (80 μW/ cm2) for 10 min for 40days were fed with seeds of Achyranthes

aspera. Incorporation of seeds of Achyranthes

aspera in diet of fish showed promisingresults to overcome the problem of UV-Bradiation in aquatic system. Feeding of carplarvae with seed at 0.5% level improvedthe non-specific immunity at earlydevelopmental stage and it enhanced theresistance of fish against the pathogen.Dietary supplementation of seeds resultedin enhanced growth rate of fish. Bestperformance was found in raw seedsincorporated diet fed carp, but the dietcontaining either extract of the seeds showedpromising results.

Shrimp Therapeutic Feed

An Integrated Disease Management (IDM)System for Sustainable Shrimp Farming wasdeveloped at Bharathidasan University,Tiruchy. A therapeutic feed was formulatedfrom marine red alga, Asparagopsis taxiformis

for the management of Vibriosis in Penaeus

monodon. The product developed is suitableto be used as an alternative to antibiotics.The efficacy was proved in statisticallydesigned experimental trials conductedthrough in vitro, in vivo, in captivity and fieldtrials. The consequence of the antibiotics in

shrimp aquaculture can fully be prevented,as the newly developed product,Asparagopsis diet is a natural algal-basedproduct, which will not have environmentalconsequences as recorded in the use ofantibiotics. It was found that haemogramprofile of the medicated shrimp enhancedconsiderably when compared to the controlgroups. Similarly, the agglutination titer,serum bactericidal activity and phagocyticrates of the medicated shrimps were higher.The PO activity of the 1.2 g/kg treatedshrimp group (10.7 ± 2.8) was higher thanthat of control (4.8± 3.2). Based on the resultsit can be concluded that Asparagopsis

incorporated feed at a dose level of 1.2 g/kgsignificantly improves survival, growth andyield under real farm conditions.

Induced maturation in shrimp

Molecular signalling for induced ovarianmaturation of P. monodon was studied atUniversity of Madras, to overcome theproblems of excessive loss of hemolymphand susceptibility to infections faced intraditional eyestalk ablation process.Molecular signal interventional approachusing MEK inhibitor has been used as analternative technique. The expression ofphospho ERK was predominantly detectedin the eyestalk XO-SG complex of controlanimal. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) wasassessed for the ovarian maturation. The


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shrimp treated with inhibitor attained fullymature stage and spawned at ~96 hrs,where as unilateral eyestalk ablated shrimpspawned at ~144 hrs. Statistical analysisshowed a highly significant increase (P<0.05)in the mean of GSI of shrimp treated withinhibitor over ablated and control shrimp.The shrimp showed excellent response tothis inhibitor treatment than eyestalkablation. The study could lead to alternativemethod to induce maturation in shrimp.

Disease Resistance Molecular Markers

A project on identification of diseaseresistant giant Black Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus

monodon using molecular markers wasimplemented by Bose Institute, Kolkata.With this aim, highly statistically significantDNA marker of 455 bp by RAPD methodwas identified to screen the disease-resistantshrimp populations and disease susceptiblepopulations. An attempt was made toscreen disease resistant P. monodon amongwild populations at four differentgeographic locations in the East cost of Indiaas well as 35 different cultured ponds usingDNA marker. Challenge experiment wasalso carried out in screened shrimp withWSSV. The sequences were subjected toNCBI mega blast to find homology withother sequences and showed similarity withmainly two types of proteins such asmembrane bound protein and proteins

related to metabolic pathway of variousorganisms. This strategy would be usefulto identify the disease resistance gene andalso to understand molecular mechanism ofwhite spot disease in P. monodon.

In another project, improvement of diseaseresistance in rohu carp and tiger shrimpwas undertaken by developing markerresource, real time expression analysis,survival data analysis and immuneparameter studies including screening ofmicrosatellite markers. The results suggestthat innate immunity is enhanced in nativeresistant line fish because higher quantitiesof particular compounds are expressed, andbecause of the presence of particularpolymorphisms, or linked genes. This hasdemonstrated the utility of identifying genesassociated with disease resistance. A numberof the putative rohu SNPs were tested andthese are ready for use to perform athorough scan for genes associated withdisease resistance.

In vitro model for WSSV replication

A project was undertaken to develop an in

vitro system from Penaeus indicus andfreshwater crab Paratelphusa hydrodomous forWSSV replication, pathogenesis andquantification at C. Abdul Hakeem College,TN. An attempt was made to develop anin vitro system from marine shrimp (Penaeus

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indicus) and freshwater crab (Paratelphusa

hydrodomous). The results of PCR andWestern blot revealed the presence of WSSVin hemolymph, eye muscle, gill and hearttissue of freshwater crab and these organswere found to be highly susceptible to WSSVand more suitable for WSSV propagation.The transcriptional and translationalanalyses of VP28 gene of WSSV in differentorgans of WSSV-infected crab revealed themultiplication of WSSV in heart tissue, gilltissue, hemolymph and muscle. In vitro

system was successfully developed usingheart explants of freshwater crab. The heartexplants were maintained in viable conditionusing modified EX-CELL 405 cell culturemedium without serum for more than 50days. The results of PCR, RT-PCR, Westernblot, histology, and immunohistochemistryrevealed the replication of WSSV in heartexplants of crab. The overall results revealedthat the heart explants of freshwater crabwas found to be a promising in vitro systemfor WSSV replication and also for screeningantiviral substances against WSSV.

Development of RT-PCR kit for thedetection of fish nodavirus

A collaborative project on characterizationand development of diagnostics for viralnervous necrosis in sea bass (Lates calarifer)and mullet (Mugil cephalus) wasimplemented by CIBA, Chennai and C.

Abdul Hakeem College, TN. A RT-PCRbased assay and a prototype kit for thedetection of betanodavirus causing ViralNervous Necrosis (VNN) in fish wasdeveloped and standardized. The assay andkit have been validated extensively usingfield samples of clinically and sub-clinicallyinfected fish (freshwater, brackishwater andmarine) from different parts of the country.The kit can be used for the routine diagnosisof disease, besides as a management tool toscreen broodstock, larvae and even trashfish used as feed in fish hatcheries and alsoin developing specific pathogen-free stockdevelopment.

Fig.4.17: Betanodavirus assay prototype kit

Marine Carotenoids

Isolation of carotene-protein from shrimp wasteby autolysis technique was carried out by


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CFTRI, Mysore. Autolysis conditions werestandardized to prepare carotene-protein isolaterich in antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activityof crude carotenoid extract from shrimp wasteand its fractions was evaluated by in-vitro andin-vivo techniques. Different in-vitro antioxidantassays indicated the strong scavenging activityof shrimp waste extract and the astaxanthinfraction separated from crude carotenoid extract.The extracts were also able to inhibit theoxidation of lipids in liposome membranemodel system. The antioxidant activity of theextracts was demonstrated through in-vivo

studies using rat feeding experiments.Carotenogenic bacteria were isolated frommarine environment and their ability toproduce carotenoids was evaluated. Theconditions for extraction of carotenoids fromFlavobacterium sp. were also standardized. Thehydrolyzed protein isolate showed higherantioxidant activity compared to that obtainedby the pH shift method. The proteins arebroken down to smaller units and thelow molecular peptides result in higherantioxidant activity of the hydrolyzed proteins.The protein isolates also contain a considerableamount of carotenoids. Thus the protein andcarotenoid rich protein isolate obtained fromshrimp waste would find use in aquaculturenutrition.

Genomic Characterization

Genome characterization and mRNA

transcript analysis of novel gene SerineProteinase and alpha-2- macroglobulin fromshrimp Fenneropenaeus indicus was carriedout by Alagappa University. Alpha-2macroglobulin (A2M), a non-specificprotease inhibitor involved in host defense,is a glycoprotein found in almost alltaxonomic categories of animals. Asproteinase inhibitor, it regulates proteindegradation activity in tissues. Theexpression of serine proteinase wereanalysed in different tissue of F. indicus andthe mRNA transcripts were analysed afterthe injection of bacterial challenge withVibrio (V. harveyi & V. parahaemolyticus). Thetissue expression profiles and challenge-induced expression of these genes wereassayed. Three A2Ms isoforms wereidentified in F. chinensis and it has beenfound that the sequence of F. indicus A2M

have high similarities (82%) with FcA2M-1.This suggests that the different types of A2Mcarry out different functions and are notsimply functionally redundant. Functionalstudies on shrimp A2Ms in F. indicus wouldhelp to elucidate A2M defence mechanismsand also clarify the evolutionary relationshipbetween A2M-FI and its molecules.

Bio-active Compounds

A collaborative project on characterisationof bioactive compounds from marineMollusc and Porifera that regulate

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osteoclastogenesis was implemented byACTREC, Navi Mumbai and the D. G.Ruparel College of Arts, Science andCommerce, (DGRC), Mumbai for exploitingthe source of potent bioactive compoundsas marine natural products. Incrementalchanges in the rate of bone resorption canlead to bone disruption and cause majorbone diseases, including osteoporosis, bonemetastasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Themarine extracts of mollusc Turbo brunneus

and porifera Tethya spp. showed a goodantiosteoporotic activity in ovariectomisedmice model. Inhibition of osteoclastogenesiswas shown by TME and its fractions. Ramanspectroscopy studies showed increasedmineralisation in the bones of mice treatedwith TME and SPPE. Ovariectomised micewere used as estrogen deficient model forstudying antiosteoporotic effect of marineextracts Turbo Methanol Extract (TME) andPetroleum Ether soluble portion of methanolextract (SPPE). Oral administration of TMEand SPPE to ovariectomised mice couldreduce the increased bone resorption andtrabecular thinning and leading to bio-prospecting of novel bio-active compoundsfrom marine species.

Cell line development

Establishment and characterisation of celllines from selected marine food fish andornamental fish was continued at CMFRI,

Kochi. Eighteen cell lines have beendeveloped from 4 species of commerciallyimportant marine fishes i.e. Cobia(Rachycentron canadum), honeycomb grouper(Epinephelus merra), rabbit fish (Siganus

canaliculatus), and the marine ornamental fishDascyllus trimaculatus. Three cell lines weredeveloped from the fin and caudal peduncleof the three spot damsel, Dascyllus

trimaculatus. Six successful cell lines havebeen developed from various tissues of thecobia, Rachycentron canadum. Cell culturesystems have been developed from thehoneycomb grouper, Epinephelus merra. Thesecell lines were cryopreserved in liquidnitrogen and their subsequent revivalshowed >80% survival rate. The cell linesare being characterised by chromosomeanalysis, immunophenotyping, transmissionelectron microscopy and moleculartechniques.

Development and characterization of celllines from Etroplus for virological andtoxicological applications was implementedat C. Abdul Hakeem College, TN. Cell linesfrom tissues of eye, gill, kidney and brainof Etroplus suratensis were developed andcharacterized. These cell lines showedpredominantly epithelial-like cells. Effectsof temperature and foetal bovine serumconcentration on the growth of these celllines were examined and optimum growthwas found at the temperature of 28oC with


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20% foetal bovine serum. All the four celllines were successfully cryopreserved andrevived at different passage levels. The cellsof these cell lines were successfullytransfected with pEGFP vector DNA. Theeye (IEE), gill (IEG) and kidney (IEK) celllines were found to be susceptible tonodavirus but resistant to infectiouspancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV).

At CUSAT, Kochi a growth mediumexclusively for shrimp lymphoid cell culturewas developed as a major block in theestablishment of cell lines from shrimp dueto lack of a specific cell culture medium forthe cultivation of shrimp cells in vitro. Anovel cell culture medium named SCCM(Shrimp Cell Culture Medium) has beendeveloped and validated exclusively forshrimp cell culture in-vitro and monolayerof lymphyed cells developed in SCCMmedium. This has helped in identificationand removal of blocks on in-vitro

transformation and establishment ofpermanent cell lines from Penaeus monodon.A patent application has been filed throughDBT.

Marine Extremophiles

Studies on isolation, cloning and productionof industrially important cold adaptiveenzymes from marine extremophiles werecarried out at Acharya Nagarjuna University,

Andhra Pradesh. The isolated â-galactosidaseproducing deep marine bacterium from Bay-of-Bengal was investigated by 16S rRNA,FAME, biochemical and TEM analysis andwas identified as gram negative, spiralshaped, motile belonging to the classAlphaproteobacteria and the genus Thalassospira.The optimum growth temperature andtolerance against the salt concentrationsuggested that the isolated bacterium wascategorized as haloplanktic psychrophile.Moreover it has shown 10% to 30% of β–galactosidase activity at 5oC to 15ºC, whereasthe thermal stability of the enzyme was0oC to 30oC at pH 6.5. A comparative dockingstudy of psychrophilic β-galactosidasewith lactose, ONPG, and PNPG againstthe β-galactosidase from mesophilic andthermophilic sources revealed thatpsychrophilic β-galactosidase showed morebinding affinity towards the three substrateswhen compared with other two sources. Theenzyme has shown high specific activity atlow temperatures when compared withmesophilic and thermophilic enzymes.

Indo-Norway Collaboration on FishVaccine

A multicentric Indo-Norwegian programmeon vaccine platform was continued. Workon development and evaluation of bacterial(Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella tarda)vaccines for finfish based on outer

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membrane proteins (OMP) was initiated atCollege of Fisheries Mangalore. Aeromonas

hydrophila is responsible for seriouseconomic losses for fish-farming industrydue to serious disease manifestation in anumber of ways such as fin rot, tail rot,hemorrhagic septicemia, dropsy, ulceration,asymptomatic septicemia, exophthalmos etc.A recombinant vaccine was developedagainst this pathogen. Fish immunized withthis recombinant protein was found to behighly protected (RPS ~ 65%) whenchallenged with A. hydrophila. The vaccinewas highly immunogenic as seen from thehigh antibody titre recorded in immunizedfish, level of which was maintained for overtwo months. Edwardsiella tarda is also a majorconcern to the aquaculture industry. Arecombinant vaccine was also developedagainst this pathogen. Fish immunized withthis recombinant protein were seen to behighly protected (RPS ~70%) whenchallenged with E. tarda. The vaccine washighly immunogenic as seen from the highantibody titre recorded in immunized fish,the level of which was maintained for overtwo months. The study indicates thepotential of the OMPs for protecting carpand rohu through vaccination.

In another programme, work onImmunomodulation studies in freshwaterprawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii usingrecombinant proteins of Macrobrachium

rosenbergii nodavirus was carried out withthe collaborative efforts of CIFA and CIBA.Based on the sequence analysis of threeMrNV genes (Capsid, RdRp, B2), thetertiary structure was predicted using I-TASSER software. In the absence of anytherapeutics to control white tail disease(WTD) in Macrobrachium rosenbergii,recombinant proteins of M. rosenbergii

nodavirus (MrNV) may also act asimmunomodulators against the disease bytargeting the viral genes. The MrNV RdRpand capsid protein were able to reducethe viral load after a 14 day post challenge.Sequence similarity in different viralisolates, the nucleotide and amino acidsequence of MrNV capsid gene wasstudied and compared to Thai, Taiwanese,Chinese and Belize MrNV isolates. Thephylogenetic analysis based on thesequence comparison of MrNV capsidgene, revealed that the Indian isolate wasclose to the Thai isolate when comparedto other geographical isolates.

Seribiotechnology

Programme was continued on improvementof productivity, enhancement of silk quality,host-plants interaction and post-harvestprocessing of silk along with utilization ofby-products in sericulture. A new initiativeon application of silk protein wasundertaken as potential biomaterial.


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Significant achievements made aresummarized.

Development of improved races ofsilkworm for enhanced productivity

BmNPV resistant strains of silkworm(Bombyx mori) have been developed usingmarker-assisted breeding jointly atSeribiotech Research Laboratory (SBRL),Bangalore and Andhra Pradesh StateSericulture Research and DevelopmentInstitute (APSSR&DI), Hindupur. Thesestrains have shown about 40 to 50% survivalwhen challenged with BmNPV as comparedto 10% survival in CSR-2 lines of silkwormused as control. Efforts were continued onidentification of DNA markers linked tococoon traits at CSR&TI, Mysore. EST-SNPprimers have been identified to be closelylinked to the quantitative trait loci (QTL)controlling the filament length and deniertraits. Diapause specific genes have beenidentified in the eggs of multivolatilesilkworm (B. mori) through suppressivesubtractive hybridization at SBRL,Bangalore. Work has been initiated oncloning, expression and characterization ofyolk protein receptors from mulberrysilkworms (B. mori) and eri silkworm (Samia

synthia ricini).

Studies on ethology and hybridcompatibility of various ecoraces of tasar

silkworm (Antheraea mylitta) have beeninitiated at Kakatiya University, Warangal.Ethological and morphologicalcharacteristics of four ecoraces of tasarsilkworm – Andhra local, Daba TU, DabaBV and Bhandara at different stages of lifecycle have been recorded.

Efforts were made to develop protocols forcryopreservation of eggs and embryos ofsilkworm (B. mori) at Central SericulturalGermplam Resource Centre, Hosur. Amethod for dechorination of silkworm eggsof 10 accessions of multivoltine andbivoltine races has been successfullydeveloped.

Development of Diseases ControlMeasures

Efforts were continued on biochemical andmolecular characterization of eventsfollowing uzifly infestation of silkworm atSBRL, Bangalore. Immune response proteinssuch as chaperones, cytokines, signalproteins and proteolytic enzymes insilkworm were identified. Life cycle featuresof microsporidians infecting tasar silkworm(A. mylitta) and muga silkworm (A. assama)have been studied.

Improvement of Host Plants

Multiple test mapping populations have

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been raised by crossing two powderymildew resistant and three susceptibleparents towards validation and utilizationof SCAR marker for powdery mildewresistance in mulberry jointly at CSR&TI,Berhampore and CCMB, Hyderabad. Anovel AP2/EREBP family surface wax-related gene called MiSHN has been clonedand characterized from mulberry jointly atUniversity of Agricultural Sciences,Bangalore and CSR&TI, Mysore. Over-expression of MiSHN cDNA in tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum) resulted in an increasein leaf surface wax leading to delayed post-harvest water loss.

A consortium project on MulberryGenomics (CPMG) involving fourinstitutions – CSR&TI, Mysore, CSGRC,Hosur, UAS, Bangalore and UDSC, NewDelhi has been continued. Genotyping of72 exotic mulberry germplasm using SSRmarkers has been completed jointly atCSR&TI, Mysore and CSGRC, Hosur. Fourmulberry genotypes having high water useefficiency (WUE) and high root growth –UP, MS-3, Himachal local and Dudia whitehave been selected for transcriptome-basedSNP discovery, identification andcharacterization of novel stress specificgenes jointly at UAS, Bangalore and UDSC,New Delhi. Genomic SSR markers havebeen identified by adopting themicrosatellite enrichment strategy in

mulberry at UAS, Bangalore. Mappingpopulations segregating for root traits andWUE have been established for constructionof linkage map in mulberry using the co-dominant SSR markers.

Post-harvest processing of silk

Studies have been continued on twomicrobial dyes – Bluish Violet and ScarlettRed for their dying characteristics and dyingprocess optimization jointly at IICT,Mumbai and Bhavan’s College, Mumbai.Optimization of dying process parameters,dying kinetics and improvement of fastnessproperties through application of mordentsof these dyes has been successfullyaccomplished. Significant improvement infastness properties have been achieved withmordenting of silk fabrics.

Utilization of by-products

Process for recovery of sericin from the soapalkali as well as from industrial silkdegumming liquor has been standardizedat pilot plant set up by IIT, New Delhijointly with an industrial partner.Application of sericin on polyester fabrichas been found to impart value-addedproperties to the finished product such asimproved moisture regain, antistaticbehaviour, antibacterial and ultra-violetprotection.


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Silk Proteins as Potential Biomaterials

Silk based supermacroporous cryogelmatrices have been synthesized bycryogelatin technology for exploring theirpotential in cell-material interactions at IIT,Kanpur. Silk fibroin-agarose cyrogelcomposites showed fast swelling kinetics,high-water uptake and good flow rates.These have shown good cell attachmentand proliferation properties duringinteraction with fibroblasts. Efforts havebeen initiated on utilization of commercialsilk waste as potential nano-biomaterial atRV College of Engineering, Bangalore.Process for extraction and preparation ofnano sericin material has beenstandardized.

Basic Research in ModernBiology

The department through basic researchprogramme in Modern Biology has beensupporting a number of research projects toincrease the basic competency of basicresearch. Important leads obtained in manyof the basic research studies led tostrengthening of applied research and betterunderstanding of the basic principles. Anumber of research programs weresupported during the period. Noteworthyachievements of some of the projects arepresented below:

Bacterial/Microbial Functional Genomics

Studies conducted by researchers in BHUshowed the role of anti-ant sigma factor inconferring resistance to several cell wallactive antibiotics including first, second andthird generation cephalosporins indicatingnovel mechanisms of antibiotic resistancein bacteria.

At DU South Campus functional expressionof full length channel rhodopsin in yeastexpression system was reported. Furtherwork is being carried out to elucidate thespectral and structural characteristics of thelight-gated ion channel protein.

Work conducted by scientists at IISc hasshown a single mammalian mitochondrialtranslation initiation factor to functionallyreplace two bacterial factors (IF1 and IF2).Leads showed that the ribosome recyclingfactor (RRF) known to disassemble post-termination complexes contributes torecycling of ribosomal complexes stalled atthe step of elongation in E.coli.

Cellular and Molecular Immunology

Studies were conducted on the expressionand function of nucleotide bindingoligiomerization domain proteins inmacrophages on treatment withpeptidoglycan at BHU. The findings

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revealed that PGN induced iNOS expressionin mouse peritoneal macrophages is asecondary effect in which PGE2 plays animportant role along with other autocrine/paracrine signaling molecules such as IFNα,TNFα, INFα.

In a study carried out to investigate chronicinflammatory disease like arthritis at VittalMallya Scientific Research Foundation hasled to the first time report to relate andestablish involvement of NFkB induction toother cytokines in IL-1 signaling in humansynovial sarcoma cell lines

Fig.4.18: RT-PCR analysis raise in different cytokines (Cox-2, ICAM, VEGF, MMP-1 and MMP-2 after NFkB activationindicating inflammatory from synovial sarcoma cellstreated with IL-1 for 1,3,6,12 and 24 hours (GAPDH-internalControl)

EhCaBP3 using solution NMR. Thestructural analysis showed that this proteinis partially folded with a well folded N-terminal domain and an unstructured C-terminal counterpart. Structural studiescarried out at IISc Bangalore on acetatekinase (AcKA) which shares homology withPduW and TdcD have led to theidentification of a novel ligand pocketswhich could be important for enzymaticregulation.

Structural Biology

Scientists working on structural andfunctional aspect of calcium sensor proteinsfrom E.histolytica at JNU have shown thethree dimensional solution structure of

Fig. 4.19 : Tertiary structure of S. typhimurium AckAillustrating the small (domain-I) and large (domain-II)domains of StAckA. The core secondary structural elements(âââáâáâá) are shown in green (strands) and cyan (helices),while insertions of subdomains between secondarystructural elements are highlighted in magenta (strands)and yellow (helices)

Scientists working at ACTREC, Mumbai onstructural and functional characterization ofRAP80: a novel h-BRCA1 interacting proteininvolved in the mediation of DNA damage


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repair have reported change in the proteinfolding of RAP80 wt, BRCA1 wt andpathogenic mutants. The information isbeing generated for further determining theresidues important for genomic integrity andfor drug discovery.

Cell and Molecular Biology

Work undertaken to functionally characterizeHAMP domain in osmosensing at IMTech,Chandigarh have shown that HAMP domainis crucial for osmosensing by DhNiklp(group III hybrid histidine kinase) andregulates the activity of DhNiklp like “on-off switch”. Their work has provided aninsight into the molecular mechanism ofosmosensing by hybrid histidine kinases.Overexpression studies conducted on therole of the molecular chaperone proteinDNAJB6 at IISc, Bangalore showed isoform2 in the cervical cancer cell line Helaincreased the rate of cell proliferation,suggesting that it could be involved in thetumor development and progression.

Scientists at IISc Bangalore have reported adistinct function of FANCO/RAD51C genein DNA damage signaling and repair. Inaddition, they have also shown that ATMand ATR whose mutations are known tocause ataxia telangiectasia and ATR-seckelsyndrome, respectively regulate sisterchromatid recombination, a process involved

in DNA repair. Studies on molecularmechanism of pathogenesis of glaucoma atCCMB have shown that glaucoma associatedmutations causes alteration in interaction ofoptineurin with cellular proteins and thisleads to defect in function. Optineurinregulates signaling through transcriptionfactor NF-kα, by mediating interaction ofan enzyme CYLD (deubiquitinases) with itssubstrate RIP; a glaucoma causing mutant(H486R).

Biochemistry & Biophysics

The group working on elucidating the roleof MAP kinase directed phosphatases in Toll-like receptor signaling mediated protectiveTh 1 type immunity at UCS, Kolkata, havefor the first time identified that tumor necrosisfactor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)3, anegative regulator of TLR pathway plays acritical role in the establishment of visceralinfection.

Work carried out at NII to understand therole of different domains on the stability ofinterferon-ã induced human guanylatebinding protein has led to the identificationof a novel DxEKGD motif in hGBP1. Thetruncated and mutant proteins showed thatboth the alpha helix of the intermediateregion and the motif plays critical role in thestimulation of the activity which may berelated with antiviral activity of the protein.

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Scientists at CCMB working on elucidatingthe role of inositol pyrophosphates ineukaryotes have shown that yeast lackingIP7 grow slowly compared to their normalcounterpart and attribute their slow growthto a decreased role of protein synthesis.Further, the cellular protein synthesismachinery is reduced in yeast that does nothave IP7. The work may help in betterunderstanding of mechanism regulating cellgrowth in all eukaryotes.

Cancer and Tumor Biology

Group working on simultaneous inhibitionof plasminogen system along withmatrix metalloproteinase in controllingangiogenesis at University of Burdwan havenewly synthesized phthalazine compoundand platinum-azo compound which can beused as small molecule inhibitor.Isoquinilone another compound synthesizedby the same group could be used asimaging molecules for cancer cells.

Fig.4.20: Cancer cell imaging with isoquinilone compound under flurosence microscope. The bright field image [10Xobjective] of HeLa cells (A) grown in normal culture media and placed on glass slide. The faintly fluorished cellswere visible [40X objective], when incubated with only isoquinilone compound (B). The cells were seen to fluorise withgreater intensity in presence of increasing amount of FeCl3 (C, D).

(A) (B)

(C) (D)


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Studies on characterization of functionalinteraction between estrogen receptor andETS transcription factor in breast cancer cellsat University of Hyderabad have revealed apositive co-relative expression of ESE1 withERα in breast cancer patients and showedpoor patient survival. It is also shown thatESE1 expression may lead to ER-negativebreast cancer phenotype. Further work isbeing carried out to determine bindingregions of these two proteins to design apeptide which can prevent their interaction.

Studies on understanding the effect of statindrugs on breast cancer cells and themechanism involved in this process havesuggested that only hydrophopic statins likefluvastatin, simvastatin selectively causebreast cancer cell death due to statin inducednitric oxide generation via inducible nitricoxide synthase (iNOS). Further, their grouphas also shown that statin dysregulate irontransport mechanism in cancer cells andthereby lead to cancer cell death. Workdone at Chittaranjan National CancerInstitute, Kolkata has revealed thatdopamine can significantly inhibit lungtumor growth in-vivo and in-vitro by targetingtumor blood vessels and its molecularmechanism has been deciphered.

Studies to investigate control of cell-celladhesion and its relevance to metastaticprogression at ACTREC, Mumbai have

shown that loss of cell-cell adhesion leads tochange in the level of genes that modify thekeratin cytoskeleton. Inhibiting keratinexpression leads to a decrease in tumorprogression and metastasis, while the alteredcytoskeleton seen in tumor cells leads to anincrease in metastasis and tumor progression.Therefore modified keratin protein couldserve as prognostic markers in tumors.

Developmental Neurobiology

Studies on characterization of topographicguidance molecules in the visual pathwayat IIT Kanpur, has led to the identificationof candidate molecules that guide theganglion cell axons to their target duringembryonic development. Further work inthis area will lead to new regenerativetherapeutic strategies for diseases affectingthe optic nerve.

Chemical Biology

The investigation conducted at BHU hasdemonstrated the role of microwaveirradiation in the synthesis of novel bioactiveheterocyclic compounds resulting in apromising alternative to the existingmethods of their synthesis.

Plant Molecular Biology

Under the project on development of virus

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resistant papaya crop at Babasaheb BhimraoAmbedkar University, Lucknow, SiRNAagainst two major genes i.e. the coat proteingene (AV1) and replicase gene (AC1) ofpapaya leaf curl virus (PaLCuV) havesuccessfully designed. Further work is beingcarried out to design SiRNA againstgeminiviral suppressor genes. Under theproject to understand the molecular basisof plant immunity vs. disease at organ level,scientists at NIPGR, New Delhi havedeveloped 2-DE map for nuclear proteomeand phosphor-proteome in rice. In chickpea,2-DE map of ECM proteome has beengenerated and more than 1000 proteins werefound to be up regulated upon fungalinfection. These results might help inunderstanding the stress responsiveproteome and identify target proteins andstrategies to improve stress adaptation inplants.

Vascular Biology

Investigation carried out to elucidatesignaling mechanism of sFRP4 mediatedinhibition of angiogenesis at AnnaUniversity showed that secreted frizzledrelated protein 4 (sFRP4) can inhibitangiogenesis under both in-vivo and in vitro

conditions. The excessive leakiness ofendothelial monolayer is coupled withincreased ROS levels that promote theendothelial cells to undergo apoptosis.

The department has taken initiatives topromote new and emerging areas in modernbiology and developed a network programunder Systems Biology with focus onresolving and understanding the regulatorydynamics of interaction between Mtb andthe cellular component of the host using asystems level approach and combiningexperimental, theoretical and computationalapproach.

Medical Biotechnology

Infectious Diseases

The Department promoted R&D activitiesin the area of infectious diseases specificallyrelevant for the Country caused by variouspathogenic agents including bacteria,viruses, parasites, fungi and others.Programs were supported to developpreventive, therapeutic and diagnostic toolsfor infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis,Cholera, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Influenza,Chikungunya, Malaria, Leishmaniasis etc.During the year, 3 task force meetings wereorganized and 24 new projects were funded.Significant achievements of some of theR&D programmes are summarized as below:

Bacterial Diseases

Bacterial infections constitute a major causeof mortality in early infancy in our country.


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In order to improve the efficacy of standardantibiotic therapy to reduce neonatal andinfant mortality a study was supported toevaluate the effect of zinc administration asan adjunct to antibiotics in infants withserious bacterial infection. Oral zincapplication has proven to be a promisingcandidate to improve outcomes of seriousbacterial illnesses in new-borns and younginfants treated with antibiotics.

In another study supported, a multiplexPCR based detection kit has beendeveloped, validated and patented for therapid detection of STDs caused by Neisseria

gonorrhoea and Chlamydia trachomatis. Effortswere made towards the technology transferfor commercialization and development ofa cost effective indigenous kit. Under theaegis of Infectious Disease area, a LAMPassay has been standardized. The kit wasshown to be very sensitive for detectingNeisseria gonorrhoea DNA in preparationsfrom cultured bacteria, spiked clinicalspecimens and real-life clinical specimens.

Viral Diseases

A study was supported to define themechanism of MAPK/ERK-2 incorporationinto HIV and SIV virions and to understandthe relationship between MAPK/ERK-2packaging and HIV/SIV replication both inthe dividing and non-dividing target cells.

The data provide evidence that ERK-2interacts specifically with Gag present inthe capsid protein and packaged into virusparticles. Further studies on the role of ERK-2 in early activation of NF-κB in earlyinfection are in progress.

Early pregnancy associated protein-1(Epap-1), isolated from the first trimesterplacental tissue, blood and urine ofpregnant women during first trimester hasbeen shown to inhibit HIV-1 entry and isfound to have affinity to HIV-1 gp120. Astudy was funded to design effective anti-HIV peptide from Epap-1. Indeed, smallpeptides derived from Epap-1 showedsignificant anti HIV-1 activity and furtherwork to design and develop anti- HIVpeptides is in progress.

Chandipura virus replicates in nervoustissue and spreads through the neuron toreach brain. Also replication of virus inspinal cord induces tissues damages andimmunological reactions. Study concludedthat the death in susceptible young micemight be due to spinal cord damage andseveral immunological reactions in nervoustissues. Pre-clinical studies with potentialanti-HIV compound, Acaciaside-B andenriched fraction were conducted for theireffects on the several species of vaginalLactobacillus flora and found to be reasonablysafe with potent activity.

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Inhibition studies of Influenza A virususing Ribozyme and siRNA have shownthat siRNA-ribozyme chimeric constructsprotect the cells to variable extents againstinfluenza virus infection. Molecular studieson host-virus relationships of Swine-flu(H1N1) and Avian influenza (H5N1) viruseshave shown that interference using siRNAto the host cell partner protein in theinteraction of viral neuraminidase (NA)-host cell adhesion molecule-6 (CD66)caused reduced viral transcription andincreased cell apoptosis. Diagnostic tool fordengue infection, a rapid IgM ELISA assayhas been developed and validated. A serumbank of dengue infected patients has alsobeen generated. Clinco-pathological studyof arthropathy and acute flaccid paralysisfollowing Chikungunya virus infectionrevealed high levels of MCP-1, a chemokineassociated with bone degeneration, inserum of infected patients.

Parasitic Diseases

Studies on novel anti-leishmanial agentagainst experimental visceral leishmaniasissuggested that chromosome linked nitronecan function as an important immuno-modulator even in an immune-compromised state. The data suggest thatchromosome- linked nitrones are the classof compounds with potential for furtherdevelopment for anti-protozoal therapy. In

another study, Iridoid glucosides areidentified as novel inhibitor ofTrypanothione reductase from an IndianMedicinal Plant Nyctanthes arbortristis.Iridoid glucosides were assayed for anti-leishmanial activity with promisingresults.

Acaciaside A from Acacia auriculiformis hasbeen identified as a novel compound forthe control of bancroftian filariasis.Acaciaside A is shown to induce apoptosisin Setaria cervi cells by different pathwaysinvolving up-regulation of different pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulation ofsome of the anti-apoptotic genes.

DBT-ICMR Collaboration

DBT-ICMR collaborative programme on“HIV/AIDS and Microbicides” wasimplemented for basic and translationalresearch on immunopathogenesis of HIVand development of therapeutic strategies.It has played an integral role in supportingthe transition of anti-viral candidates fromearly discovery to initial clinical testing. The2nd phase of the programme has beenannounced aiming at accelerating researchthat will generate knowledge and developstate-of-the-art technologies to provide thebasis for the development of HIV vaccinesand novel therapies against HIV includingmicrobicides.


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HIV/AIDS

In order to neutralize diverse HIV isolates,E coli expressed Outer Domain basedimmunogen (ODEC) has been shown to behighly immunogenic which resulted inneutralization of B and C subtypes. SimilarlyCD4Bs, a gp120 based fragment, was foundto elicit better neutralization than gp120.Attempts are being made towards patentingthe CD4Bs immunogens.

Indian clade C envelop chain isolated fromrecently transmitted HIV-1 showed moderatesensitivities to variety of antibodiesincluding broadly neutralizing monoclonalantibodies. Novel residues in clade C HIV-1 Env were found to confer enhanced virusneutralization by acting on different siteson Env. A new class of specific and tightbinders that inhibit Rev-RRE interaction inHIV were synthesized. A novel dual reporterbased single step assay system has beendeveloped for evaluation of drugs thatinhibit Rev-RRE and Tat-TAR interactionsthat can lead to development of inhibitorsof HIV replication. Novel nucleobase etherssuch as glycol and propylene glycolneucleobase ethers that bind with bulge andloop region of TAR RNA have beensynthesized.

A Virtual Knowledge and Resource Centreis functional at NARI, Pune. Fifty eight

participants have registered at website toprovide a list of reagents and antibodiesavailable with them. Various institutes havedeveloped protocols, assays, cell lines fromperipheral blood mononuclear cells,complex mobility analysis, biologicalisolation of HIV from semen of HIV-infectedindividuals, purification of Tat protein andits functional aspects.

Microbicides

Several chemically synthesized reversetranscriptase inhibitors have shown potentialto develop as anti-HIV molecules. Recentlyidentified Rabbit epididymal haemoglobinbeta peptide (REHbβP) with antimicrobial/anti HIV-1 properties has been filed forpatenting. Compounds from different plantssources exhibited promising anti-HIVactivity. BASANT, a polyherbal gel, usedas a vaginal microbicide showed promisingresults in terms of safety and acceptabilityamong women in phase-1 clinical trial.Potential anti-HIV compounds from variousplant extracts have been identified usingvarious standardized assays in vitro at NII,New Delhi.

DBT-IAVI Collaboration

The collaborative programme has beenfurther extended for another period of 5years under the aegis of Indian Medicinal

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Chemistry Programme. Two projectshave been funded at ICGEB, New Delhito study the development ofconformationally preferred peptideimmunogens as candidates against HIV-infection. The emphasis is on designingpeptide immunogens to elicit HIV-1neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. AtIISc, Bangalore the study is directedtowards designing and characterization ofnovel Outer Domain (OD) derivedimmunogens with additional mutations toprevent protein aggregation.

Chronic Disease Biology

There is a greater emphasis on the chronicdisease area. There are about 120 ongoingprojects in the area covering patho-biolgicalaspects of various cancer, pathway discovery,

drug-interventions, biomarkers etc. TheCurcumin clinical trials in cancer havereached a critical stage. DBT had set-up a“Curcumin Clinical Pharmacology Lab” atACTREC, Mumbai for pharma-cologicalassessment of Curcumin & its metabolites inserum/plasma of patients on Curcuminintervention. The first lot of analysis has beendone. The trials on oral-pre-cancer lesionshave been completed and several meetingsof the Data Safety Monitoring Board takenplace to firm up SAP. The data capturedand cleaning is going on.

A Cancer Data been has been created byIOB, Bangalore which encompasses allimportant and relevant information aboutDBT’s stake in the cancer domain. It can beaccessed though http://www.incredb.org/dbt_home.html.

Fig. 4.21: Indian Cancer Research Database


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Neuroscience

The DBT had established an Expert Groupon Neurobiology under its Task force onChronic Disease Biology (EGN-CDB). TheEGN-CDB is making efforts to put morethrust in the area of Neurosciences researchin the country, with its call for proposals,advertised in the April, 2010 followed by afresh RFA in September, 2011. More than100 projects have been funded coveringvarious aspects of neuroscience. A dedicatedwebsite for neuro-projects has beenprepared; and relevant informationpertaining to DBT’s activities in neuro-areais available at dbt-neuro.ncbs.res.in hostedby NCBS, Bangaluru.

Endocrine, Cardiac, Autoimmune Diseases

& Reproductive Biology

A strategy meeting was held to providemore impetus to the area of “Endocrine,Cardiac, Renal, Autoimmune Diseases &Reproductive Biology” under ChronicDisease Biology. Call for Proposals forKidney Diseases and AutoimmuneDisorders were released during the year andabout 40 projects shortlisted for final roundof examination. A brain-storming onRheumatic heart disease was held. Thegeneral consensus was that despite a beliefthat RHD is not a disease of public healthconcern; the prevalence rate was high

amongst school going children. TheDepartment is also planning to inviteproposals in the area of Diabetes soon.

Up-gradation of Infrastructure in Medical

Colleges in the NER

The DBT program on Development/Up-gradation of Infrastructure in MedicalColleges in the NER was started in the year2009. The program is now operational in 12medical colleges/ institutions in four statesof the Region, namely Assam, Nagaland,Tripura and Manipur. Labs of 21 PrincipalInvestigators have been renovated /upgraded for carrying out quality researchon various health problems prevalent in theregion using modern biotechnology toolsand technologies. Various scientificequipments including 27 high costequipments such as flow cytometer, Real-Time PCR machine, Hi-speed centrifuges, -80 freezers etc. have been procured andbeing installed. Several of these labs arenow ready for formal inauguration.

Nephrotic Syndrome

The Department has funded a project toexplore the pathogenesis of idiopathicnephrotic syndrome of childhood. Leadsfrom this study are likely to provideevidence for cytokine polarization of T-helper cells. On the long-term, this study

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might contribute to discovery of a biomarkerfor the Nephrotic Syndrome disease course.

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

A project was pursued to determine thepresence of autoantibodies against factor Hin Indian children with Hemolytic UremicSyndrome and their relation to disease severityand course and to characterize the antibodiesdevise better treatments for the future.

Celiac Disease Project on Diagnostics

A project on towards the development of arapid, indigenous test for diagnosis of celiacdisease was undertaken and an ELISA KIThas been developed. The Kit has been testedagainst well-characterized sera samples andalso on sera collected from childrendiagnosed with celiac diseases. The samplestested and compared with other commerciallyavailable ELISA kits and the Kit is foundcomparable with the best imported Kitavailable in the market and is ready forcommercialization. Development of Dip-stickthat would contain all the three antibodies(IgA, IgM, IgG) for detection in fresh humanblood samples progressing well.

Vaccine Research and Development

The Department has taken collaborative effortbetween Translational Health Science and

Technology Institute (THSTI) andInternational AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)to accelerate the HIV Vaccine discoveryprogram. The program is targeted to expandthe number of vaccine candidates globallyfor testing, and development. The programmeshall engage scientists, build scientificcapacity in India towards enhancement ofglobal R&D efforts for HIV vaccinedevelopment, strengthen efforts to share andcommercialize scientific knowledge and fosterinclusive innovation process. The uniqueindustrial-type high-throughput vaccinedesign, screening and selection processesproposed for the THSTI-IAVI HIV VaccineLab will be largely facilitated byinterdisciplinary interaction driven by theprinciples of international collaboration, high-quality science and vaccine-oriented research.

Biotechnology Strategic Planning and

Analysis Centre (Bio-SPACe)

The Department has supported this centrewith a DBT-ICGEB collaborative effort withthe primary emphasis to address issuesrelated to healthcare biotechnology, performtechnology assessment in order to bring outappropriate strategic plans relevant for thecountry. In addition the centre would takeup work on evaluation of intended efficacyof new technologies which could range fromdisease burdens of neglected diseases, newlydiagnosable chronic ailments, likely future


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impact of drug resistant diseases, increasedincidence of diseases due to climate change,faster industrialization and lifestyle changessuch as diabetes, cancer, and respiratorydiseases.

Biomedical Genomics Centre at IPGMER,

Kolkata (BMGC-K)

The Department has also supported BMGC-K at Kolkata with “precisely defined” ondisease phenotypes, including eventsresulting from administration of relevantdrugs, drawn from the patient populationof the Medical School and to return back tothe patients with genomic solutions forimproved diagnosis, management andprophylaxis. This centre will act as aplatform for clinical scientists to carry outresearch in genomics. In addition, it alsoundertakes various events viz. workshopsand CME courses on biomedical genomics,with the eventual goal of initiating a DM/DNB programme on Medical/ClinicalGenetics and impart clinical services fordetection of genetic disorders and theirmanagement, thus BMGC-K will fostercapacity-building that is sorely lacking inmedical profession at present.

Advanced Technology Platform Centre

(ATPC), Faridabad

An advanced Technology Platform Centre

(ATPC) is supported to promotemultidisciplinary research that translatesscientific and technological advancementsinto innovations towards improvement ofpublic health. It would act as a catalyst formultidisciplinary basic and translationalR&D by providing relevant state of the artinstrumentation, and professional servicesfor research laboratories at the BiotechScience Cluster (BSC) Faridabad, viz.Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB),Translational Health Science & TechnologyInstitute (THSTI) etc. In addition, it wouldalso promote industry-academiaparticipation and training of personnel atdifferent levels.

Stem Cell Research

The Department is promoting basic andtranslational research in the area of stemcells and regenerative medicine in thecountry since 2001 keeping in view itspotential therapeutic applications. Anumber of programmes on various aspectsof embryonic and induced pluripotent stemcells have been implemented for basic andclinical research using adult stem cells.Currently, over 45 institutions, hospitalsand industry are involved in stem cellresearch in the country. An institute forStem Cell Biology and RegenerativeMedicine has been established at Bangalorewith its translational units at Christian

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Medical College, Vellore. GMP and cleanroom facilities have been established invarious medical schools. The Centre atVellore is a dedicated Center fortranslational stem cell research in a medicalenvironment established within anacademic medical environment with severalbasic and clinical (physician) scientistsinvolved in stem cell research. Three youngscientists were sent for long training onDBT overseas scheme in top laboratoriesin USA for specific areas of application tobe developed at Centre. The workinvolves: AAV based gene therapy,endothelial progenitors de novo and iPSderived in MGH, studies on thehematopoietic stem cell niche.

Embryonic and induced pluripotent StemCells

Embryonic stem cell lines generated fromdiscarded grade III blastocysts at JNCASR,Bangalore and deposited in the UK stemcell bank are being used by the nationaland international scientists for researchpurposes. During the period, a number ofprogrammes have been generated andimplemented on various aspects ofembryonic stem cells and inducedpluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Some ofthe programmes are: generation andcharacterization of iPSCs; analysis of humanamniotic membrane mesenchymal stem

cells; differentiation of human mesenchymalstem cells to cardiomyocytic and adipocyticlineage in-vitro; AAV-based vectortechnology on induced pluripotent stemcells, etc. In addition to R&D programmes,training programmes and workshop oniPSCs have also been supported during theyear. Programmes have been formulated inthe area of adult stem cells and sanctionedfor implementation.

Clinical Research

The Department has implemented multi-centric, multi-investigators clinical trials inthe areas of acute myocardial infarction(AMI), acute ischemic stroke (AIS) andcritical limb ischemia using autologousbone marrow adult stem cells. Recruitmentof 250 patients (125 control group and 125intervention group) in AMI clinical trialand 120 patients (60 control group and 60intervention group) in AIS clinical trialhave been completed. A clinical trialproposal has been implemented to assesssafety and efficacy of adult autologousperipheral blood cells in critical limbischemia. Patients are being recruited atfour hospitals in the country. The samplesize of the study is 200 (100 in theintervention arm and 100 in the Controlarm). Follow-up of the recruited patientsunder this study is being carried out byall the participating centres.


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Guidelines for Stem Cell Research andTherapy

In order to revise the guidelines for stemcell research and therapy formulated jointlyby the Department and Indian Council ofMedical Research (ICMR), publicconsultation in northern region wereorganized in December 2011. The inputs/opinion received from all the stakeholdersduring public consultation organized in east,west, south, north-east and northern regionswill be taken into account during revisionof the guidelines.

Bioengineering

Bioengineering is a fusion of engineeringsciences with life sciences for promotionof scientific discovery and the developmentof new biomedical technologies andtherapies through research and education.Under this scheme, the Department has laidemphasis to develop bio-based technologyinvolving interdisciplinary sciencestowards development of novel materials,designing new devices, establishing newmethods for disease diagnosis, developingnew computational approaches to createbiological system etc. During this periodthe Department received 160 proposals outof which 25 proposals were found worthyof financial support and 60 proposals areunder processing for further consideration

by the Department. Significantachievements of some of the projects arepresented below:

Bio-imaging/Instrumentation

Scientists at IIT Kharagpur are aiming toinvestigate the biomechanical factorsresponsible for loosening and eventualfailure of an implant, using numerical(Finite Element Analysis), andexperimental techniques. The primary goalof the project is to develop betterorthopaedic implants. The study is mainlyfocused on lower limbs, like the hip andthe knee joint replacements. This studysought to explain the relationship betweenload transfer and some biomechanicalfailure mechanisms in femoral headresurfacing, using FE analysis andexperimental measurements, in order tosuggest measures for improved femoralresurfacing implant.

Scientists at BITS, Pilani are making effortto develop a novel microscopic techniquebased on photothermal detection of metallicnanoparticle labels. The “photothermalmicroscope” contributes to the area ofbiomolecular imaging and tracking. Thestudy would provide insight on transportmechanisms of DNA through the nuclearpore complexes and its internalisation inthe nucleus, with potential implications in

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gene therapy. Gold nanoparticles aredetected by sensing intensity changes of theprobe beam using a Lock in amplifier.Labeling of DNA is done with different dyemolecules and gold nanoparticles. Once thedetection scheme is optimized to detect andimage gold nanoparticle labeledbiomolecules, it will provide a novelmicroscopic technique free of photobleaching.

Scientists at IIT Kanpur have developed amechanistic model for predicting growth ofaneurysms in an arterial bifurcation. Theinvestigators have developed a numericalsimulator for oscillatory flow in arterialbifurcation. Simulations have been carriedout with the following features a.) adaptivehigh quality mesh generation for FVMcalculations, b.) computational fluiddynamics calculations over unstructuredmeshes, c.) data analysis, extraction ofphysiologically meaningful parameters andd.) tools for visualization of the results.

Biomaterial

Scientists at IVRI, Izzatnagar havedeveloped novel intelligent peptides fortargeting PNA into cell and see theirantiviral efficacy to develop non-invasiveantisense therapeutic intervention. Theydesigned and synthesized PNA for fusionF-gene of NDV and evaluated them by

targeting into in vitro virus cell culturesystem. Peptides having rabies virusglycoprotein motif with NLS sequence havebeen designed and their delivery are seenin nerve cell (N2a cell line) to developtissue specific novel peptides for targetingPNA particularly CNS across BBB. Theinvestigators found that PNA uptake issignificantly higher in N2a cells and inprimary cells of mouse brain in comparisonto primary cells of liver, spleen and kidney.The identified peptides as molecularsteerings for brain homing along withefficacy of PNA as antiviral are underwayfor the in vivo studies.

Scientists at IIT Madras are in the processof investigating simultaneous release ofantibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugsusing CDHA nanocarriers. CDHAnanocarriers of diferent Ca/P ratios aresynthesized and characterized. The loadingand release profiles of two drugs, anantibiotic tetracycline and anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen have beenstudied along-with doxycycline andcefalexin. The nanocarriers exhibit bothsingle and two stage release profiles ofdoxycycline depending on the Ca/P ratioof CDHA.

Tissue Engineering

Scientists at IIT Kanpur and ILBS, New Delhi


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aims at developing a liver assist device forthe temporary treatment of patients withacute and acute on chronic liver failure. Thetreatment with this device may help bridgethe acute crisis and help spontaneoushepatic regeneration. The anticipatedproduct will be a suitable polymericbioreactor immobilized with appropriatehepatocytes and cryopreserved for readyapplication. A suitable polymer based onpoly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and chitosanhave been synthesized as cryogel scaffold.Bioreactor models in the form of cryogelsheets have been fabricated. Detailedanalysis and physico-chemicalcharacterisation of the cryogels based on anumber of parameters have been carriedout to establish swelling kinetics, porosity,flow rate, protein diffusion and absorption.Efforts at identification and optimisation ofcell lines as potential sources for theBioreactor are in progress.

Scientists at IVRI Izzatnagar, are workingon the development of 3-D acellular dermalmatrices for reconstructive surgery andevaluate the surgical potential and efficacyof 3-D matrices in laboratory animal models.Different protocols for de-epithelization havebeen optimized in rabbit, goat, pig and rat.The in vitro cultured primary chickenembryonic fibroblasts and primary mouse

embryonic fibroblasts are seeded on theacellular dermal matrix scaffold and 3Dgrowth of cells has been observed. Thehistological and scanning electronmicroscopic examinations have beenperformed for the morphological assessmentof cellular growth on biomaterials. The cellseeded 3D biomaterials would be used forreconstructive surgical applications in theexperimental animal models, wherein thewounds will be created in the laboratoryanimals and will be implanted with cellseeded biomaterials for achieving earlyhealing.

Scientists at Amrita Centre for Nanosciencesaimed to develop alginate, chitin andchitosan bandages based on hydrogels withnon-toxic ZnO/Herb Hemigraphis Ulternatananoformulations for wound dressingapplications. The investigators developedflexible and microporous chitosan hydrogel/nano zinc oxide composite bandage (CZB)by the incorporation of zinc oxidenanoparticles (nZnO) into chitosan hydrogel.The prepared nanocomposite bandages havebeen characterized and properties likeswelling, degradation, blood clotting,antibacterial, cytocompatibility, cellattachment and infiltration ability of theprepared nanocomposite bandages are beenevaluated.

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Fig. 4.22: The nanocomposite bandage showed enhanced swelling, blood clotting and antibacterial activity. The studystrongly encourages the use of these CZBs for burn, chronic and diabetic wound infections.

Biosensor

Scientists at IACS, Kolkata developed asensitive and robust cantilever nanosensorfor genomic research. The study envisagesthe systematic development of films ofalternative nucleic acids, e.g., the peptidenucleic acid (PNA) and locked nucleic acid(LNA)], onto a solid substrate andassessment of DNA detection capabilitiesof these layers in comparison to a DNAfilm. The investigators have optimized theordered arrangement and the most uprightmolecular configuration as per requirementsof an effective biosensor surface. It is foundthat such a layer is capable of much superiorDNA detection capability in terms of

complete match as well as single basemismatch detection, compared to DNA. Ithas been found that the LNA-based DNAdetection exhibits the highest sensitivity insingle base mismatch discrimination.

Scientists at IIT Kharagpur are designing adigital and plug-based microfluidic systemto study the aggregation kinetics of the â-amyloid peptide in presence of electric field,chemical molecules and metal ions. Theinvestigators made i) plug based studies inmicrochannels and ii) droplet based digitalmicrofluidic systems towards thedevelopment of microfluidic systems. Themicrochannels are fabricated by standardsoft lithographic technique.


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Fig. 4.23 : (a) Schematic of the experiment used to investigate the diffusive broadening in laminar ûow of ctDNA andEtBr. (b) The concentration of the fluorescent product was plotted as a function of both y and x direction, indicatingenhanced diffusive mixing and product formation along the length of the microchannel.

Digital microfluidics utilizing electro-wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) has been developed tohandle and manipulate discrete dropletsrather than a continuous stream.

Fig. 4.24: Droplet based digital microfluidic platform

Human Genetics and GenomeAnalysis

The Human Genetics and Genome Analysisprogramme that was initiated two decadesago has revolutionized research in the field.

Major projects have been initiated involvingclinicians, molecular geneticists andanthropologists. India’s rich genetic resourceis being utilized to develop baseline dataon various ethnic groups for diseasesusceptibility and provide genetic servicesto large number of families includingprenatal diagnosis and counseling to affectedfamilies including tribal population andawareness among public regardingprevalence of common genetic disorders inthe country like thalassemia, DMD, SCD,haemophilia etc. The department hasfocused on disease based human genomeanalysis program by setting up geneticclinics. Anticipating that the HGP data willbe available in public domain, DBT isprudently using its funds to initiate projectwith major relevance in post genome era.With this in view, major infrastructure hasbeen established at various institutions toundertake advanced genome researchincluding sequencing projects.

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Significant achievements made underR&D projects

At M. S. University of Baroda, work onanalysis of possible genotype - phenotypecorrelation between oxidative stress relatedgenes polymorphisms and Vitiligo wasfunded. The study revealed a significantincrease in SOD1 and SOD2 activitiesconcurrent with a significant decrease inCAT, GPX1 and G6PDH activities in vitiligopatients as compared to controls. The GPX1T/C exon 1 (Leu6Pro; rs4991448) and G6PDG/C exon 2 (Gln41His; rs1050827) SNPswere significantly associated with vitiligo.Study at University of Hyderabaddemonstrated for the first time show thatPfMre11 is an authentic DNA repair proteinof the protozoan parasite Plasmodium

falciparum. Lack of sequence identitybetween PfMre11 and human Mre11indicates that this DNA repair protein is apromising candidate for chemotherapeuticintervention.

Under a project on Congenital AdrenalHyperplasia (CGA) implemented at AIIMS,New Delhi, 49 patients were diagnosed tohave SV CAH type, 12 patients werediagnosed to have SW CAH type and 2were diagnosed to have non classic type ofCAH as per their clinical and hormonalprofile. Among these sixty three CAHpatients, fifty six (88.89%) had ambiguous

genitalia. Genotype analysis led to theidentification of mutations indicating thatthe patients had abnormal genotype. Furtherthe mutation varied with the type of CAHin patients.

At CDFD, Hyderabad the groupstandardized the process of transformationof human lymphocytes using Epstein Barrvirus obtained from B-95 marmoset cell lineand revival of frozen cell lines. In additionthe group were able to establish cell linesfrom 8 patients with rare genetic disorderswith future plan to establish more cell linesfrom additional patients with rare geneticdiseases.

Under the project study on “Sperm Factors(DNA damage, mt mutations, oxidativestress) - Role in Recurrent spontaneousabortion (RSA)” at D/o Anatomy, 30idiopathic RSA cases showed the associationof increased ROS level and DFI. Along withROS study the DFI in such cases was alsofound to be higher in comparison to controlsand the study concluded that male factorespecially paternal DNA, do play a role inembryonic and fetal development and lossof DNA integrity may lead to RSA.

In a project on “Biochemical and FunctionalCharacterization of RIO kinase(s) fromPlasmodium falciparum as Potential DrugTarget” at IIT, Guwahati, 3-D model of the


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PFD0975w was prepared and critical aminoacids for kinase activity and auto-phosphorylation were identified. The groupcloned PFD0975w from Plasmodium falciparum

to over-express the protein in E.coli. Effortsto design high resolution horizontal PAGEfor non-radioactive protein kinase assays areunderway.

At ILBS, Delhi studies were undertaken on“Early prediction of interferonresponsiveness in patients infected withHepatitis C virus (HCV) usingpharmacogenomic tools”. Patients have beenenrolled for interferon induced geneexpression analysis and HCV RNA detectionbefore and after IFN therapy was done. Theresponse rate to IFN therapy in HCV infectedgenotype1 patients was 55-60%, while ingenotype 3 patients it was 90%. Further thegroup selected 36 genes for gene expressionprofile based on interferon signaling andother related pathway. Analysis of thesegene showed an altered gene expressionprofile of IFN-induced genes, cytokines(interleukins), SOCS, apoptotic and otherrelated gene in the HCV infected follow uppatients on PBMCs at day 0, 1, 4, 7, 14, 28and at weeks 8, 12, 24.

At IIT, Mumbai under the study onproteomic analysis of human gliomas forbiomarker discovery database entitled“TMH Hospital’s Patient Database” to store

the details of the all clinical samples wascreated. Other databases have been createdto document clinical and consumptiondetails of clinical samples, as well as theexperimental details of the proteomic study.

Under the project on End Stage RenalDisease (ESRD) at SGPGIMS, Lucknow, thegroup collected 368 patients and theirdonors who have reported for the Ist crossmatch with this group, and also collected400 unrelated individuals from that regionof UP to study the population stratification.Standardization of protocols and populationstratification was done with the aim to startthe patient and donor KIR genotyping andget more insight into the molecular profilingof KIR and their clinical relevance to theend stage renal disease (ESRD) and graftfunction after renal transplantation.

Under project on construction of genomiclibrary of Leptospira interrogans serovarAutumnalis for the identification ofimmunogenicproteins and development ofDNA vaccine, the group at BharathidasanUniversity constructed and screened thephage library and identified two clones thathave showed good sensitivity and specificityand are expected to be an immunogenicgene plays a vital role during infection.

At MAMC, Delhi, group working onlysosomal storage disorders project study,

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standardize the gaucher enzyme assay andMucopolysaccharidoses (MPSI) on dried bloodspot using fluoroimmuno assay. This recentlygained expertise will help centres in remoteareas to send samples to lab on filter paperand the gaucher disease can be diagnosed.The group has also done the detection ofbeta- Glucosidase enzyme for gaucher diseaseand Alpha-L-iduronidase enzyme for MPS Ion dried blood spots first time in India usingthe Fluroimmunoassay system and havebeen cross checked by TraditionalFluroassaytechniquies. The current techniqueis much more accurate and sensitive showingstrong correlation co-efficient (R2) indicatingexcellent ability to differentiate betweenhealthy controls and affected.

International Cancer GenomeConsortium (ICGC) Programme

India is a part of Human Cancer GenomeProject – an International CollaborativeInitiative (TCGA)” launched in November,2008 with commitments of eight countriesi.e. India, Australia, Canada, China, France,Japan, Spain and United Kingdom alongwitheleven funding organizations to generatecomprehensive, high-resolution analyses ofgenomic changes for 8 forms of cancerfound across the planet based on theInternational Cancer Genome Atlasprogramme implemented by NationalCancer Institute of National Institute of

Health (NIH), USA. DBT implemented majorprogramme on Oral Cancer, most prevalentform of cancer in India, at National Instituteof Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), Kalyani,in collaboration with Advanced Centre forResearch, Treatment and Education onCancer (ACTREC), Mumbai. So far, whole-exome data on 34 pairs of patient sampleshas been generated. The analysis of 30 pairsof samples has been completed and allinherited (germline) and acquired (somatic)genomic alterations in the samples havebeen catalogued.

Environmental Biotechnology

Environmental biotechnology research anddevelopment programme are focused on thedevelopment and use of biotechnologicaltools for management of environment andbiodiversity conservation. The main focuswas given on development of mitigationtechnologies for Climate Change, microbialtechnologies for environmentalimprovement, treatment process ofindustrial effluent, bioremediation ofxenobiotic compounds, biodiversityconservation and characterization ofbiodiversity. Efforts were made for thetreatment of wastes and abatement ofpollution through bioremediation. Studieson microbial diversity of variousenvironments and their genetic informationwere carried out for isolating micro-


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organisms that could be used in themanufacture of enzymes and a wide rangeof bioactive compounds, as well as inbioremediation processes. DBT has takenup several initiatives and continued itssupport in various ongoing projects.

Bioremediation/Biodegradation

In a project implemented by TERI, NewDelhi a pilot scale facility of bioreactor withworking volume of 1000 liter has beenestablished at Gualpahari with an up scalingfacility for bulk production of Oil-zapper.Total 600 tonnes of oil zapper was suppliedto oil companies. Bioremediation of oilcontaminated soil in operation area ofONGC, IOCL, BPCL and HPCL is completedand the sites have been restored afterbioremediation.

At IGIB and CPPRI, Saharanpur, technologyfor improvement of a process of biologicalreduction of AOX, colour, COD and BODof waste water emanated from large pulp &paper industries was developed. Themicrobial consortium could bring down thecolour upto 82% and lignin upto 76%besides reducing COD and BOD within thepermissible limits.

At IIT, Delhi study undertaken onimmobilization of heavy metalsbioaccumulating microbial strains for

mercury bioremediation demonstrated thefeasibility of manganese bioremediation andsimultaneous manganese oxide nanoparticlesynthesis by Bacillus sp. cells. Thesynthesized nanoparticles were characterizedas orthorhombic MnO2 with average size of4.62 ± 0.14 nm. Manganese oxidenanoparticles could also be synthesized ex-

situ by the cell lysate.

Delhi University conducted a study onisolation of bacteria capable of degradingendosulfan from soil using selectiveenrichment technique. Achromobacter

xylosoxidans strain C8B was able to degradeendosulfan sulfate, which is highly persistentand toxic metabolite of Endosulfan.

At Bharthidasan University, Thiruchirapalliwork on identification and evaluation ofnovel microbes in CETP of Tanneryindustrial units through molecular approachwas carried out. Bacterial diversity in theeffluent were analyzed through 16S rRNAamplification and sequence results revealedthe dominance of firmicutes and thedominant genus is Bacillus, with variablespecies diversity. Notably, putative Bacillus

sp, B. firmus and B. licheniformis wereobserved in all stages of treatment. Thesespecies might have the capability to degradethe complex tannin into simpler subderivatives. Metagenomic DNA isolatedfrom effluent and 16S rRNA gene was

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amplified. Future course of action is toprepare 16S library of non-culture microbesand screen the novel tannase gene from themicro biome CETP.

At SPU, Vallabh Vidyanagar and IICT,Hyderabad, studies were undertaken jointlyon application of periodic discontinuousbatch operation to enhance treatmentefficiency of dye containing wastewater. Twodistinct consortia optimized for theirphysico-chemical parameters revealed thatat higher salt concentration also theseconsortia were able to degrade dye. Reactoroperation was carried out using simulatedtextile effluent containing nine differentdyes (monoazo, diazo and triazo) andreactor efficiency checked for various shockloadings found that consortium sustainedup to 500 mg/l dye concentration at twodays retention time. Biochemical andelectrochemical analysis showed basicunderstanding on the functional role ofaerobic microenvironment in dye removal.

At IIT, Delhi laccase mediated degradationof textile dyes and textile wastewater wasinvestigated. The process was developed inan enzyme membrane reactor using bothbatch and continuous methods. Degradationpathways were established for threecommonly used dyes. Mechanism of actionof laccase on complex triarylmethane dyeswas shown.

At IIT, Mumbai in a study on developmentof a structured model and experimentalvalidation for the prediction of the kineticsof competitive metabolic networks inhydrocarbon degrading organisms, thesubstrate uptake pattern of the modelorganism Pseudomonas putida CSV86 wasstudied. This organism preferentially utilizesaromatics over glucose and co-metabolizesthem with organic acids. The strains showedsimultaneous utilization of organic acids andaromatic compounds. A cybernetic model topredict the growth and substrate uptake ofP.putida CSV86 was developed.

Biodegradable Plastic/ Biopolymer

In a multicentric project implemented byOsmania University, Hyderabad, IIT,Kharagpur and NIIST, Trivandrum, studieson cost effective production of lactic acidfor Polylactide (PLA) synthesis andbiodegradation was carried out. A total offifteen agricultural and industrial wastes arescreened for checking their potential toreplace the refined sugars for cost effectiveproduction of lactic acid. Scaling up of lacticacid fermentation by Lactobacillus amylophilus

GV6 with the optimized media compositionwas carried out. New bioreactor trial at IIT,Kharagpur showed promising results.Newly isolated indigenous cultures for PLAdegradation were developed at NIIST,Trivandrum.


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At ARI and NCL Pune, studies ondevelopment of blends and compositesbased on biodegradable polymer ofmicrobial origin viz. PHA was carried out.The production of the biopolymer wasoptimized from using Halomonas campisalis

strain in 14 L SS fermenter. PHA could beproduced from cheap substrates like baggaseextract and table sugar with significantreduction in cost of production. Scale upproduction of PHA carried out in 120 L SSfermenter with 85 L production mediumresulted in 26 g PHA. The developed PHAwas found to be biodegradable as perASTM methods. The blends andnanocomposites of PHBV with nanoactiveAl2O3, Optim, Nylon 11 andHydroxyapetite were successfully preparedwhich show desired performance in termsof mechanical properties. The suitability ofPHBV – Optim blend for the cellular growthhas been studied.

Product from Waste

At IIT Delhi, biotechnological approachesfor utilization of Jatropha curcsa oil cakeand glycerol for obtaining value addedproducts were explored. Two specificisoinhibitors for trypsin have beenisolated and purified from deoiledJatropha curcas meal. A new alcoholdehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus

(TTHADH) was isolated, purified and

characterized. TTHADH stereospecifically coverts glycerol into D-glyceraldehyde, a chiral molecule.Process optimization for producingmonoglyceride from glycerol was carriedout.

In another study on development of abioprocess for the production ofPolyhydroxy Butyrate (PHB) from bio-dieselindustry generated glycerol, bacterial strainswere screened for PHB production. Amongthese strains Bacillus firmus NII 0830 wasfound to be a good producer of PHB.Optimization of different process parameterswere carried out to enhance the PHBproduction. The result showed thatphosphate limited condition was morefavorable for PHB accumulation by Bacillus

firmus.

In a project on sustainable utilization oftrash fish for the formulation of variousvaluable products, implemented byAnnamalai University, TN, investigationslead to the production of Fish oil, Chitinand Chitosan, Fish Protein Concentrate (FPC),Fish Meal, Fish Pellet feed, Fish BonePowder (calcium powder), Fish Collagenform various low value as well as trash/bycatch fishes. The products developed outof this project were periodically for itsproximate composition, microbial status,shelf life etc.

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Environmental Metagenomics

At MKU, Madurai, microbial diversity ongoat skin surface was assessed by 16SrRNA gene amplification and sequencecomparison. Unique sequences that sharedsequences similarity with unculturablebacteria were submitted to the publicdatabase. A metagenomic DNA librarywith 70,000 recombinant clones wereconstructed and screened for clonesexhibiting proteases activity. A novelalkaline serine protease with optimalactivity at pH 10.5 was identified, purifiedand characterized. By PCR based screeningtwo antibacterial protein coding genestmp1 and tmp3 were identified. Theinhibitory spectrum of Tmp1 wasenhanced by random mutagenesis and site-directed mutagenesis. The site of actionand 3D structure of Tmp3 were confirmedby fluorescent microscopy, CD and NMRspectroscopy. Identified alkaline proteasecould be considered for its applicabilityin detergent industries. Syntheticderivatives of Tmp1 and Tmp3 could beconsidered for therapeutic applications.

At IARI, New Delhi studies undertaken toassess the genetic and biochemical potentialof soil microorganisms by culture-independent methods, a 781-member fosmidlibrary in Escherichia coli with DNA extracteddirectly from soil has been constructed.

These clones have been checked forantibiotic production against differentpathogens such as Vibrio cholera and X.

oryzae.

At UDSC, New Delhi a protocol wasdeveloped for maximizing the extraction ofDNA from the environmental samples thatallows the extraction of humic acid freeDNA in one-step. Metagenomic librarieshave been constructed and the clones havebeen screened for xylanolytic activity. Thexylanase gene was expressed and theenzyme was purified. Enzyme variants havebeen generated by site-directed mutagenesisand directed evolution, and these are beinganalyzed.

At BHU, Varanasi, work on bio-prospectingof novel genes from the metagenome of coalbeds for the biotransformation of lignite coalinto high efficiency fuels is being carriedout. Coal bed metagenome was analyzedby extracting metagenomic DNA from thewater samples collected from 800m depthof Jharia coal mines. The bacterialcommunity was dominated by the membersof Azonexus, Azospira, Dechloromonas and

Thiobacillus. A plasmid and a fosmid librarywas also prepared from the coalbedmetagenome. Nucleotide sequence of someof the plasmids/fosmids was determinedand some potentially useful genes wereidentified.


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At IIT, Mumbai, search was made for novelpathways, enzymes or operons involved inthe degradation of aromatic compounds usingmetagenomic approach, the gene forterephthalare dioxygenase oxygenasecomponent was amplified from Pseudomonas

aeroginosa strain PP4 and Pseudomonas sp. strainPPD. The gene was used as a probe forscreening the metagenomic library. The geneencoding the enzyme like salicylate 5-hydroxylase and conserved cupin-2 region ofgentisate 1,2-dioxyganase were amplified fromthe naphthalene degrading strain in the library.

At NIIST, Trivandrum, work on constructionand screening of environmental DNAlibraries for novel beta- lactamase inhibitorsand lipases was carried out. Soilmetagenomic library undertaken fromWestern Ghats of Kerala was screened forlipase, protease, amylase and b-lactamaseinhibitors. Eighteen clones positive forlipase, eleven clones positive for amylaseand thirteen clones positive for proteasewere obtained. Partial purification andcharacterization of amylase and lipase werecarried out. Esterase form clones weretemperature stable (800C), solvent tolerant(up to 25% methanol) and halo tolerant (upto 2M NaCl) and these properties makethem very unique and highly desirable forindustrial application including transesterifcation reactions for biodieselproduction and in organic synthesis.

At NEERI, Nagpur, mining the metagenomeof activated biomass for new antibioticmolecules, culture based screening forantibiotics yielded two isolates that showantimicrobial properties against, E.coli,Salmonella, Bacillus and multi-drug resistantEnterobacter. The isolates have beenidentified by 16S rDNA sequence analysisas Alcaligenes sp. and Pandorea sp. Theanitimicrobial agent has been identified asPhenol 2,6-bis(1,1 dimethylethyl). Screeningthe metagenome has yielded one clonedemonstrating antimicrobial activity againstSerratia. Sequence homology demonstratessimilarity to Lasso peptide and PolyketideSynthase I, both reported antimicrobialagents.

Biodiversity Conservation Studies

Animal Biodiversity

At CCMB, Hyderabad work on estimationstudies of wild tigers in tiger reserves inIndia by DNA profiling of faecal sampleshas been carried out. The protocols for scatsample collections were established to obtainmaximum DNA, to minimize losses duringpreservation and to quantifying and gradeDNA extracts. Ten tetranucleotide and fourdinucleotide microsatellite markers forgenotyping individual tigers have beenselected and screened. Protocols for two-step PCR and genotyping have been

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standardized to get accurate results withminimal amounts of DNA and to ascertainthe impact of habitat fragmentation, hostilelandscapes with human presence on tigerpresence and their movements.

At MKU, Madurai, molecular systematicsand population genetics studies of lesserdog faced fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis havebeen carried out. Studies show thatmorphological keys are insufficient toidentify individuals of both species at highaltitudes and areas of cohabitation. Manymophovariants may be taxonomicallyunique. Hill population of C. sphinx inSouthern India was isolated and theoccurance of C. sphinx in high altitudesabove 1000m was also reported.

Microbial Biodiversity

At ARI, Pune archaeal biodiversity fromIndian Archipelago have been studied usingmolecular pylogenetic approach todocument the microbial diversity (bacterialand archaeal) associated with mud volcanoesof Andaman Islands. These mud volcanoeserupted recently after the earthquakeleading to Tsunami disaster of 2004. Thedata reported describes the account of themicrobial diversity of the mud volcanoevaluated by culture independenttechnique. This investigation based on 16srRNA gene sequence analysis revealed the

presence of several novel species of bacteriaand archaea.

Plant Biodiversity

At Annamalai University, TN conservationand genetic variations of three RETmangrove species (xylocarpus mekongensis,

xylocarpus granatum and excoecaria agallocha)of Pichavaram mangroves, Tamil Nadu werestudied. Micropropagation protocol wasstandardized for Excoecaria agallocha andstandardization is under progress withXylocarpus species. The plants propagatedthrough seeds, vegetative andmicropropagation have been hardened andreintroduced in the natural mangrove forestand in the degraded area where afforestationis continuing in Pichavaram. Theestablishments of the seedlings are around82% with Excoecaria agallocha, 72% with X.

granatum and 40% with X. moluccensis.

At Goa University, Goa studies ontaxonomy, populations, environment,ecology, propagation, introduction andgenetic diversity of Phyllanthus talbotii andPseudoglochidion anamalayanum have beencarried out. ITS sequence shows that thegenus Pseudoglochidion can be subsumedunder the genus Phyllanthus; Phyllanthus

talbotii is releated to Phyllanthus cinereus ofSrilanka. Five new populations of P. talbotii

in Karnataka and Goa have been located


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and their numbers estimated. Similarlypopulations of Pseudoglochidion in six siteshave been estimated. Embryo culture ofPseudoglochidion is showing positive resultsfor mass propagation. Phyllanthus talbotii hasbeen reintroduced in existing populationsand new localities.

Species Recovery Programme

At Shivaji University, Kolhapur in a studyon recovery of RET species of Ceropegia fromWestern Ghats, micropropagation protocolshave been standardized for Ceropegia spiralis,

Ceropegia attenuate, Ceropegia evansii andCeropegia mohanramii. In another programmeat Shivaji University and ATREE,microsatellite markers have been developedfor Ceropegia fantastica and using thesemarkers the genetic variability of thepopulations has been assessed. Similarly inHubbardia heptaneuron the genetic variabilityacross the populations have been assessedusing the microsatellites of Oryza sativa.

In the species recovery programme atNEHU, Shillong, in vitro mass propagationusing seeds or suitable explants have beenaccomplished for recovery of Nepenthes

khasiana, Mantisia spathulata and Nymphaea

tetragona. Hundred percent of the 1000 plantsof N. Khasiana were transferred to thenatural habitat survived. Around 2000-3000plants have been supplied to the Forest

Department and other agencies for re-introduction in the natural habitats.

CO2 Sequestration

In a multicentric project implemented atNEERI, BHU, UDSC and RDU, Jabalpur onmicrobial sequestration of carbon dioxideinvestigators isolated the enzyme carbonicanhydrase that is responsible for carbonsequestration. Bacterial genes were clonedfrom some of these microorganismsintroduced in to a suitable host. While insidebacteria, this enzyme was used forproviding bicarbonates in manycarboxylation reactions for bacterialmetabolism. However, when isolated, thesame enzyme can produce bicarbonates thatcan be precipitated as carbonates of Calcium,Barium and Strontium when mixed withsolutions of CaCl2, BaCl2 or SrCl2. Undercertain conditions, recombinant carbonicanhydrase can also be used for producing‘nano-size carbonates’. The carbonicanhydrase produced from bacteria can notonly be used for transforming CO2 intoinorganic mineral carbonates but they canalso be used in value addition by producingnano-size carbonates for various biomedicalapplications.

At University of Hyderabad workundertaken to study the key responses ofphotosynthetic enzymes consorted with

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overall plant growth performance in a fastgrowing tree species, Gmelina arborea Roxb(Verbenaceae). Gmelina plants were grownunder ambient and CO2-enriched conditionsshowed positive linear correlation withphotosynthetic rates and RUBPcase activitywith significant response to CO2 enrichment.Periodic increase in biomass revealed thatfast growing tree species like Gmelina

exhibiting CA - mediated photosynthetic up-regulation can be used as potential treespecies for carbon sequestration underpredicted future climate change scenario.

At GBPUAT, Pant Nagar, a project onidentification of oxalogenic tree andoxalortophic bacteria for long term carbonsequestration was implemented. Number oftrees have been identified showing thephenomenon of carbon accumulation in theform of inorganic carbon (CaCO3). Amongstall identified trees, Terminalia alata has shownthe real potential in a short time.

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

DBT has taken a lead in promotingNanoscience and Nanotechnology programsin the areas including drug deliveryvehicles, new therapeutics, diagnostics,tissue engineering, bio separation,nanotoxicology, agriculture and allied areas.The highlights of the important knowledgeoutcomes are as follows:

Protein Nano medicine targeted to aberrantcancer kinome was developed at AmritaInstitute of Nanomedicne and Nano science.The invention is related to an endogenousprotein nanomedicine for the treatment ofdrug resistant cancer. Although, molecularlytargeted small molecule kinase inhibitors(SMI) are effective against many types ofcancer, development of point mutations inthe kinase domain leading to molecular drugresistance is a major challenge. Anendogenous protein nano medicine wasdeveloped that can overcome the drugresistance by delivering multiple smallmolecule kinase inhibitors targeted toaberrant cancer kinome responsible for theresistance. In this protein nanomedicine isalso conjugated with cell-surface receptorsthat are over expressed in resistantphenotype. For refractory chronic myeloidleukemia, a nano medicine based on humanserum albumin loaded with STATS inhibitor,sorafenib was developed and surfaceconjugated with transferrin ligands fortargeted delivery. This receptor plus kinase(dual) targeted’ transferrin conjugatedalbumin bound sorafenib’ (Tf- nAlb-Soraf}’nanomedicine displayed uniform sphericalmorphology and drug encapsulationefficiency of 74%. The enhanced anti-leukemic activity of this formulation wasfound maximum in the most drug resistantpatient samples that expressed highest levelof TfR and STATS. Thus it was revealed


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that by molecular diagnosis of patients,novel nanomedicine formulations can becustom designed and developed using thisnovel platform of protein nanoparticles.

A

B

Fig. 4.25: A. Design of protein Nano medicineB. Toxicity against drug resistant leukemia

In a project undertaken at Amrita Instituteof Nanomedicne and Nano science,multimodal contrast agent based on bio-mineral nanoparticles was developed. Anovel biomineral, hydroxyapatite, basednano-contrast agent developed showingimage enhancement for five different

medical imaging modalities such asnuclear, magnetic resonance, X-ray-CT andnear infrared (NIR) fluorescence, andRaman imaging, together with targeteddrug or gene delivery properties.Specifically, the particle is based onnanoparticles of calcium phosphate (nCP)and calcium hydroxyapatite (nHAp), dopedand/or conjugated with more than oneimpurity ion / molecule. Themultifunctional nano-composite particleenable combined molecular imaging usingsingle photon emission computedtomography (SPECT), raman imaging, MRI,CT and/or optical near-infrared fluorescentimaging. Another aspect of this inventionrelates to a method of makingnanomedicine formulations based on thesaid nCP and nHAp particles, capable ofdelivering chemodrugs, small moleculeinhibitors or nucleic acid drugs such asDNA, RNA, small interfering RNA (siRNA),micro RNA (miRNA) specifically to atargeted disease such as cancer.

An intrinsically fluorescent carbonnanospheres and a Process thereof wasdeveloped at Jawaharlal Nehru Center forAdvanced Scientific Research, Bangalore.This invention provides solution of theproblem involved in delivery of activemolecules to nucleus, more particularly,intrinsically fluorescent and inherentlysurface functionalized carbon nanospheres

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which are non-toxic. Also, these carbonnanospheres (CSP) were absorbed withCTPB [CSP-CTPB] and the absorbed CSP-CTPB are permeable to cells with nucleartargeting ability. The present invention alsoprovides a composition, a process toprepare the composition comprising CSPwith adsorbed active/ therapeuticmolecules and a method for deliveringactive molecules in the brain. CSP-CTPB(HAT activator), could induce histoneacetylation in the mice brain, which couldhave a great potential to designtherapeutics for neurodegenerativediseases.

Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai,Targeted Nano particulate Drug DeliverySystem of Doxorubicin was developed forHepatic Cancer Using AsialoglycoproteinReceptor Mediated Approach.Functionalized Nano particulate drugdelivery system (NPDDS) was developedusing a novel biodegradable polymersynthesized from sebacic acid using areceptor mediated targeting agent, fortreatment of hepatic cancer. Acceleratedstability study of PES-DOX NPs wasperformed according to ICH guideline andDOX NPs were found to be stable at theend of 3 months at all the test conditionsindicating shelf life of 1 year. Biodistributionstudies (in rats) revealed comparable liverconcentrations of DOX solution, PES-DOX

NPs and PES-DOX-TAR. Lower heartconcentrations with PES-DOX-TAR and PES-DOX NPs suggested the possibility of lowercardiotoxicity,

In continuation of the ongoing efforts, variousmultifunctional nanoparticles were developedand different parameters were optimized atlIT Kharagpur for various medicalapplications. Some of them are (i),Phosphonate-Grafted, Ultra small/ Iron OxideNanoparticles for Combined Targeted Cancer,(ii) Highly biocompatible and water-dispersible, amine functionalized magnetitenanoparticles, prepared by a low temperature,air-assisted polyol process, (iii) Astraightforward designed Magneticnanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin fortargeted delivery and MRI contrast agent,(iv) Hydrophobically modified super-paramagnetic nanoparticles for paclitaxeldelivery, (vi) Synthesis, characterization andin vitro biological evaluation of highly stablediversely functionalized superparamagneticiron oxide nanoparticles: (vii) Folate receptortargeted, carboxymethyl chitosan function-alized iron oxide nanoparticles, (viii) Synthesisand characterization of highly stabilizedmanganese ferrite nanoparticles,(viii) Magnetite nanoparticles using anaminophosphonic acid coupling agent, new,ultradispersed, iron- oxide folatenanoconjugates for cancer-specific targeting,(ix) A novel detection of total count of


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Staphylococcus aureus using anti-toxinantibody labeled gold magnetitenanocomposite by fluorescence microscopy forStaphylococcus aureus (x) Single step surfacemodification of highly stable magneticnanoparticles for purification of His-tagproteins, (xi) Design of magnetic Nickelnanoparticles for purification of His- Taggedprotein (xii) Magnetic nanoparticles asSupports for Enzyme immobilization andencapsulation

At Amrita Institute of Nanoscience andNano medicine, novel type of stimuliresponsive graft co-polymeric nanoparticlebased on polymers like chitosan andfibrinogen were successfully synthesized asa promising smart material for thecontrolled cancer drug deliveryapplications. The preliminary work onradiofrequency was conducted byincorporating 5 nm sized Au-NPs in tochitosan as well as fibrinogen based thermosensitive polymeric nanomaterial. Due tothe presence of PNVCL/PNIPAAm, theyshowed a temperature-induced phasetransition and tunable LCST at 32-45°C inaqueous solutions. The drug release washigh at above the LCST of carriers in allcases compared to that at below LCST,suggesting that these materials could beuseful for the RF based cancer therapy. Thein vivo Kodak imaging studies on Swissalbino mice showed that these particles

could clear via intestinal route ofelimination.

At Indian Institute of Chemical Technology,Hyderabad, nanomaterials were designedand synthesized with fluorophores forsimultaneous use of tracking and delivery.Thiol was modified as well as guanidinecoupled to a single nano-tube. Thisallows the development of cleavablefunctionalization for a wide range ofbiological cargoes including nucleic acids(DNA, RNA) and proteins. Many genes thatare responsible for the aggressive metastaticbehavior of the cancerous cells such as Bcl2and cyclin D1 have been efficiently silencedduring the nano delivery and cellularuptake studies. The serum stability studieshave proven the novel role of thesenanotubes and their stability for effectivedrug targeting. The binding of thenanotubes with nucleic acids such as DNAwas found to be highly efficient at theoptimal concentrations. This providesfuture hope for the cancer drug deliveryas it has the advantage of serum stability,binding to nucleic acids, thiol bondcleavage and the organic nature having bio-degradability.

At Institute of Minerals and MaterialsTechnology, Bhuvneshwar NaoZnO filmwas used to develop smart packagingmaterials. The Nano film could be

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deposited on borosilicate glass and thinAl foil by spray pyrolysis and radiofrequency plasma technique. The importantfeature of the ZnO film deposition in thisinvestigation includes a novel conceptwhere zinc acetate was used in the form ofa solid pellet which underwent sublimationat 245°C inside the plasma reactor toproduce zinc acetate vapor (precursor) thatwas allowed to react in situ with the oxygenplasma (produced by radio frequency inthe reactor chamber) resulting in theformation of ZnO and its film depositionon glass and Al foil. Such films could beused for food packaging purpose toincrease the shelf life of food items as thefilms coated on the Al foil showed goodantibacterial properties toward E. coli andP.aeruginosa even in dark. It was alsoestablished that ZnO film of more than500 nm thickness is fit for reuse as foodpackaging material without compromisingthe antibacterial activity. Diffusion of Zn2+ions into the bacterial cell is attributed tobe one of the possible mechanisms for theobserved antibacterial activity in the NanoZnO thin film.

Nanotoxicolgy research is being continuedat Amrita Center for Nano Science andMolecular Medicine to understand variousphysicochemical parameters associated withtoxicity of different nanomaterial. Strongbase for nanotoxicology research facilities

are being expended at this center to studyvarious toxicological aspects ofnanomaterial. The facilities would cater tothe needs of the investigators from theinstitutions other than this center

RNAi Technology Platform

RNAi approaches are extensively used astool in understanding various gene silencingmechanisms. RNAi approach was used inmanagement of diseases of important crop,conferring attributes to the plant to combatother biotic and abiotic stresses. It has usedas proven excellent tool in the area oftherapeutics and new medicine inantimalarial therapeutics, as tool forprognosis and diagnosis of for variouscancers using their classic signature.

At ICGEB, New Delhi, studies were carriedout on profiling and mining the sncRNAsfrom Indian rice varieties tolerant to salinityso as to tap the natural variation existent indifferent Indian rice cultivars with referenceto expression state of the small RNAs and/or their specific targets to generatefundamental knowledge of plant responsesto salt/drought stress applications in cropimprovement. This has resulted in theidentification of 210, 169 and 172 knownmiRNAs from three main tissues viz. leaf,root and flower of local basmati variety;with 27, 10 and 8 miRNAs being uniquely


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represented in the respective tissues. Oncomparing the digital data of known ricemiRNAs obtained from leaves of salt-stressed basmati seedlings and theunstressed seedlings of a salt-tolerantvariety, Pokkali around 5 salt-specificmiRNAs were identified. Further a tool forthe prediction of mirtrons (a novel class ofmiRNAs) have been developed and usedfor predicting mirtrons in rice. Analysis of70 introns for minimum number ofmismatches in the probable miRNA regionsof the mirtrons and best hairpin structures,exhibited 16 most probable intronicmiRNAs of which 3 hairpin structuresshowed the lowest free energies.

Studies carried out at Delhi University onViral Suppressors namely genomic,synergism and silencing. These threesuppressors viz. PRSV-HcPro, CMV-2b andToLCV-AC4 were cloned, expressed and

characterized for their role in micro RNAbinding. RNAi based silencing constructswere developed to silence the viralsuppressors and their efficacy of silencingwas tested under in vivo conditions. Basicmechanism by which these viral suppressorsare regulating RNAi mechanism wasexplored. PRSV-HcPro was found toregulate micro RNAs, directly by bindingto them in double stranded form and thisbinding is temperature dependent. CMV-2b, showed differential binding with ds-miRNAs. ToLCV-AC4 does not binddirectly with the micro RNAs butconstitutive expression of AC4 in tomatoalters host physiology. It was inferred thatPRSV-HcPro and CMV-2b are involveddirectly in binding with micro RNAs, butbehaves differently

MYC2 is a very well establishedtranscription factor in Arabidopsis that

Fig 4.26: The possible mechanisms defense regulation

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receives signals derived from jasmonicacid (JA) and activates expression of JAinducible genes. Studies were carried outto uncover MYC2 homologue from thecrop plant rice at JNU, New Delhi. RNAilines for two putative rice homologues ofMYC2 were generated throughagrobacterium mediated gene transfertechnology in TP309 variety of rice andfunctional homologue of ArabidopsisMYC2 gene from rice (OsMYC2) wereidentified. A novel role of MYC2 wasuncovered in activation of salicylic acid(SA) mediated plant defense againstbacterial pathogens.

The role of miRNA alterations in thepathophysiology of Type 2 diabetes wasstudied at Madras Diabetes ResearchFoundation, Chennai. Through this study itwas found that miRNAs contribute to thedisease mechanism(s) underlying insulinresistance and type 2 diabetes and noveldrug targets were identified. Microarraystudy revealed that muscle-specific miRNAs(myomiRs); miR-1, miR-133a, miR-133b andmiR-206 were down regulated in skeletalmuscle not only from Type 2 diabetespatients but also in prediabetic subjects.Down regulation of myomiRs was alsodemonstrated in high-fat diet-inducedinsulin resistant rats. A sub-study alsorevealed impairment of an immunomiR viz.,miR-146a which links subclinical

inflammation, insulin resistance and poorglycemic control in patients with Type 2diabetes.

Role of microRNAs in HIVneuropathogenesis was studied at CCMB,Hyderabad. Expression of functional HIV-1recombinant Tat protein from HIV-1 cladeB and clade C was studied and microRNAarray data were generated through miRNAarray. Expression of selected microRNAswas validated through real time PCR andtargets were predicted of differentiallyexpressed selected miRNAs usingbioinformatics prediction tools. The targetgene was found, whose regulation ismediated through microRNA expressionpattern in the human brain microvascularcells exposed to HIV-1 Tat C protein.

Studies were carried out at NCCS, Pune onsilencing osteopontin and its downstreamoncogenic molecules as suppressor of thetumor growth and angiogenesis in breastcancer. It was found that MDA-MB-231 cellstransfected with OPN siRNA (SiGENOMESMART Pool) showed significant reductionof Cox-2 and VEGF expression. Moreover,MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with OPNialong with Cox-2i and VEGFi inhibit thecell migration. These results suggested thatsilencing OPN and/or Cox-2 and VEGFattenuates the cell migration and tumorgrowth in breast cancer models.


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At Dr. B R Ambedkar Centre for BiomedicalResearch University of Delhi studies wereundertaken on Deciphering Dendritic cellfunction during Mycobacterium tuberculosis

infection by RNA. Studies resulted inidentification of genes that play a significantrole in modulating immune responses toM. tb from DCs. Genes such as USP25,SNRK and SENP8 displayed broad negativeregulation with respect to pro-inflammatoryresponses from DCs as well as regulationof M. tb survival. Further, many of the genesidentified acted in a specific manner thatare indicative of fine tuning of immuneresponses during infection and the abilityof M. tb to modulate the activation status ofthese genes for immune evasion. Thisindicated that these genes played a negativerole during specific antigenic stimulationas well as whole bacterial infection.Therefore, delineating the mechanismsemployed by these genes in regulating someof these responses could increaseunderstanding on the roles played by thesegenes in the pathogenesis of M. tb.

At CCMB, Hyderabad, a microRNAdatabase for leukemia was created whichshowed an extensive network betweenmicroRNAs and their respective targets.These were further confirmed by creating amicroRNA profile of different leukemiatypes, T-ALL and B-ALL. The microRNAand protein expression profile revealed a

complicated network interaction betweenthem using Gene Go. The microRNAsspecifically and significantly expressed in aparticular type of leukemia and not in otherclass were further selected for patenting.

At IIT Madras, work was carried out toDesign and Synthesize Peptide Mini-Vectorsfor Receptor Mediated Delivery of siRNAs.Novel peptide sequences were identifiedwhich do not exert any negative influenceon the ability of siRNAs in mediating RNAieffect and a method was developed tosynthesize enantiomerically pure 2,3-dihydroquinazolinones. A conjugate strategywas also established by both C & N-terminusof peptides can be kept free of conjugatingsites to enable the interaction with receptors.

Effective siRNAs against HIV-1 Tat and Vif/Vpr were designed at NII, New Delhi. Rz-siRNA constructs showed more potent HIV-1 activity. Intracellular processing suggestedthat siRNAs were processed correctly. It wasalso established that bi-specific or multi-specific approach is significantly better thanany single antiviral approach. Effectiveinhibition of HIV-1 gene expression andreplication could be achieved. Most of theconstructs worked against subtype C geneswhich is an important achievementsconsidering >90% infections in India isconsidered to be driven by HIV-1 geneticsubtype C.

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Energy Bioscience Programme

The Department has been supportingprogramme on Biofuels and Bioenergy witha focus on second generation biofuel usinglignocellulosic ethanol and algal biofuel.Efforts were continued for feedstockdevelopment, biomass production andoptimization of production technologies forscale-up to make them commercially viable.The DBT–ICT (Institute of ChemicalTechnology) Centre for Energy Biosciences(CEB) has been established at Mumbai withthe primary focus on developingbiotechnologies for deriving energy fromrenewable resources. The DBT-IOCL Centrefor Advanced Bioenergy has beenestablished at R&D IOCL Faridabad.

Salient achievements of the New Initiativestaken and ongoing programs during theyear are briefed below.

Energy Bioscience Centres

DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences

The DBT–ICT (Institute of ChemicalTechnology) Centre for Energy Biosciences(CEB) is developing technologies forderiving energy from renewable resources.An emphasis was given on improved bio-ethanol production from any given biomass,

developing a bio-refinery approach forselected biomass and other biofueltechnologies such as bio-diesel, bio-hydrogen and bio-methane. Highlights ofits achievements are:

• Cellulosic Ethanol

The Centre has developed aneconomically viable and scalabletechnology for cellulosic ethanol fromall types of agricultural residues andenergy crops. These features includebiomass fractionation and enzymaticsaccharification to fermentable mono-sugars and lignin followed byconversion of both C6 and C5 sugars toethanol. The ICT Technology forCellulosic Ethanol, used to design a 10ton biomass/day processing plant toconvert rice/wheat straw ; bagasse, andmany other varieties of biomass intosugars and lignin, and onto ethanol foruse as fuel or chemical intermediate. Thedesigned pilot plant has been erected atthe India Glycols Ltd. site at Kashipur,Uttarakhand with suport from BIPP,BIRAP, scheme of the department ofbiotechnology.

• Algal Biotechnology

A state-of-the-art laboratory for algalbiotechnology has been set up with basic


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infrastructure coupled with 1000L and5000L raceway ponds with novel designsas well as set of 10L controlledphotobioreactors, all equipped withmicroprocessor based SCADA controlledsystems. R&D capability in the areas ofAgrobacterium mediated nucleartransformation has been developed withselected algal strains.

• Fermentation Technology

Under fermentation technology, highcell density and immobilized cultureswere implemented for tenfold higherrates of fermentation of sugars toalcohols and acids, without impairingproduct yields. Metabolic flux analysiscoupled with metabolic engineering hasbeen applied to several fermentationsystems aimed at production of primaryas well as secondary metabolitessystems exhibiting multiple steadystates and hysteresis have beenmodeled in collaboration with Schoolof Chemical Engineering, PurdueUniversity, USA.

• Enzyme Technology

Novel two step rapid process has beendeveloped and patented worldwide forenzymatic saccharification of celluloseand hemicellulose. Mathematical

model describing the underlyingphenomena and affording design of theenzyme reactor system has beendeveloped and implemented onindustrial scale with provision for re-use of the cellulolytic enzymes overmany cycles.

• Synthetic, Molecular Biology and

Protein Engineering

Notable successes of the programme arethermostable β-xylosidase fromGeobacillus thermodenitrificans, over-expressed in Escherichia coli; endo-cellulase and â-glucosidase with lowersubstrate inhibition and fusion proteinsdesigned and expressed in E. coli incollaboration with ICGEB, New Delhi;and design and expression of a non-specific lipase expressed in Y. lypolytica.

DBT-IOCL Centre

DBT is setting up the DBT-IOC AdvancedBioenergy Research Centre. This centre iscoming up at Indian Oil’s R&D complex atFaridabad as a partnership centre of DBTand IOC. An MoA was signed on 11th

August 2011 with Indian Oil Corporation,the largest Public Sector enterprise in thecountry with MD of Indian Oil Corporation.The centre aims at the following majorobjectives:

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• To conduct a multi-disciplinarybioenergy research involving biology,chemical and material sciences etc.

• To provide a platform for integratingdis-jointed research activities pursued inseveral areas related to biofuels byvarious institutes.

• Development of “institutionalcapability” to address the bioenergyneed of nation based on “science -enterprise model”.

• Provide National capability of pilot levelscale-up of developed technologies.

Bioenergy Center for Research in SyntheticBiology is being set up at ICGEB New Delhiconsidering ICGEB’s strength in SyntheticBiology Research.

Biodiesel

Feedstock improvement and Multilocational

Trials

The thrust of the programme was onBiodiesel-feedstock development andimprovement of Jatropha under the micromission on production and demonstrationof quality planting material. The departmentof biotechnology has initiated systematicprograms on germplasm collection,

evaluation and accessioning to identifysuperior material from existing naturalvariations. This germplasm improvementprogramme was launched to enhance theproductivity and yield.

A total of 13 institutions are working onvarious aspects from survey of superiormaterial to experimental plantation and 500accessions were found promising on thebasis of percentage oil and tolerance to localconditions which were used for raisingplants.

Operational guidelines have been framedfor the Micromission on production anddemonstration of quality planting materialof Jatropha, in consultation with scientistsand experts in the field defining criteria forselection of quality material. Multilocationtrials of 20 promising accessions wasinitiated in 2007 to study the effect of setagronomy practices, soil and agro-climaticconditions on performance of accessions atwith 9 partner institutes.

In addition to agronomy trials, 100accessions are also being tested forsilvicultural trial along with agro climaticperformances.

These accessions have been further bulkedup under controlled nursery conditions.DBT Network has resource of 500 selected


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accessions for future improvement,multiplication and bulking. This resourcebase is being conserved at five centres(Tamil Nadu, Odissa, Haryana, Assam andGujarat) in the country.

Conservation and resource maintenance of

selected Jatropha germplasm

Jatropha germplasm resource centres have beenestablished at 5 different states and institutionsfor Conservation of 500 accessions of Jatropha

curcas and as clonal and seedling material formultiplication and bulking.

Germplasm banks of J. curcas wereestablished at Kudankulam and Jeyporeduring the year. The project aims atstandardization of the cultural practices andsystematic documentation of the agronomiccharacters of the accessions.

R&D in Jatropha

A Network Project on Gene Prospecting in

Jatropha for High Seed Oil Content

Within the Jatropha R&D Network sixcenters i.e. Jayee University Solan, IIARGandhinagar, VMSRF Bangalore, SRMUnjversity Chennai, NBRI Lucknow, MSSRFChennai were involved. The overall goal ofdifferent R&D projects has been tounderstand molecular biology of fatty acids

biosynthesis and oil content in Jatrophaseeds through generation of ESTs, full lengthcloning of fatty acid biosynthesis genes anddevelopment of molecular markers (SSRs/SNPs) either through ESTs or comparativegenomics with caster bean. The followingleads were obtained in the past 4 years:

• Total of 16,000 ESTS and 70,000 shorttranscripts have been generated fromdifferent developmental stages ofJatropha seeds.

• All genes involved in fatty acidsbiosynthesis, including seed oilaccumulation have been cloned to fulllength.

• Gene constructs for Jatropha seed oilincrease have been developed for majorgenes. These genes have beenfunctionally validated in Arabidopsis orTobacco for increase in oil content.

• Increase in Arabidopsis seed oil content(~20%) has been observed through aJatropha gene, JcDGAT under a seedspecific promoter.

• Transformants of Jatropha have beendeveloped with a multigene construct(LPAAT from coconut and FAT A fromJatropha) and their seed oil contentanalysis is being done.

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• Large numbers of molecular markers(SSRs/SNPs) have been developed eitherfrom ESTs (EST-SSRs) or comparativegenomics with caster bean (SSRs/SNPS).

• Whole genome sequence of Jatropha hasbeen computationally analyzed for allSSRs.

Transesterification

The crude Jatropha oil has FFA about 5%which should be below 0.5% for furthertransesterification. Hence 50 kg batchexperiments on esterification weresuccessfully carried out at IICT Hyderabadto reduce the FFA to below 0.5%. Almostcomplete conversion of oil to esters couldbe achieved.

Lignocellulosic based Bio-ethanol

Department has been supporting variousprojects on cellulose Bioethanol whichincludes developing technology forpretreatment of substrates, enzymedevelopment for breakdown of differentsubstrates, ligocellulosic conversion fromlab to pilot scale, process development anddownstream process technology.

Pretreatment and Pelletization

Studies on pelletization and delignification

of cellulosic biomass (rice straw, cottonstalk, sweet sorghum, switchgrass, Prosopis

juliflora and Lantana camara) were carried outat CIPHET Ludhiana where two stagepretreatments involving an alkali and anacid was tried for cotton stalks, Lantana

camara and Prosopis juliflora which resultedin 85% or higher delignification for all thethree residues. Enzymatic hydrolysis of theabove treated substrates resulted in overallhydrolysis efficiency of 82% and 84% forcotton stalk and Lantana camara, respectivelyat 15% substrate loading.

Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of

lignocellulose

ICGEB is developing a technology for costeffective production of biolacohol fromlignocellulosic biomass and has discoverednovel a-endoglucanase (Endo5A), a-glucosidase (Gluc1C) and xylanase (Xyl11D)from a Paenibacillus sp (deposited at MTCCwith accession no. 5639) isolated from thegut of an insect living on the cotton plantand cloned and expressed them in E. coli.

Efforts are continued for optimization ofhigh-level extracellular expression of theseenzymes in E. coli for effective hydrolysisof plant biomass condition. Higherexpression level of pyruvate dehydrogenaseoperon (PDH) resulted in higher ethanolyield. Further deletion in the competing


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pathways resulted in reduced productionof lactate, succinate and acetate and higherethanol yield. The strains SSY07 producedethanol as major product and acetate andformat as minor products from glucose andxylose whereas strain SSY10 producedethanol as only product with higher yieldsfrom both the sugars.

A new yeast surface displaying vector wasdeveloped at Osmania University havingTEF, a constitute promoter, genticin (anti-biotic) cassette for selection and ARSsequence for maintaining high copy numberin yeast. Pretreated rice straw was used forsimultaneous saccharification andfermentation using this construct and ininitial studies 80% hydrolysis and 95 %fermentation efficiency was obtained in 36hours.

Process validation of Lignoceullulosic

ethanol production

At UDSC New Delhi a pretreatmentmethod, which fractionate ~100%hemicellulosic sugars and remove ~ 90%lignin from Prosopis juliflora and Lantana

camara has been optimized. The ethanolproduction from both the lignocellulosicsubstrate i.e., P. juliflora and L. camara hasbeen scaled up successfully to 20L and themass balance studies of ethanol productionfrom both the substrates have revealed 83-

86% carbohydrate recovery and 84-86%ethanol fermentation efficiency. The processhas been valildated at DBT-ICT Centre forEnergy Biosciences, ICT Mumbai.

Bioethanol from Cassava Starch Flour

Residue

A significant achievement of the workcarried out at CTCRI Thiruvanthpuram isstandardization and development of processtechnology for production of ethanol fromCSFR, a solid waste discharged from cassavastarch industries. Very high ethanol yield(390 l/tone of dry CSFR) was obtained inthe new technology, making CSFR analternative substrate for ethanol production.

Biobutanol

Butanol is being looked upon as asustainable and next generation biofuel.Studies are in progress for production,process optimization, scale up at UDSC NewDelhi and ARI Pune. Process optimizationfor higher butanol production was carriedout using one variable at a time andstatistical approach (Plackett-Burman andResponse Surface Methodology). Anincreased yield of 17.50 g/L of butanol(ABE-23.0 g/L) was achieved after fed batchstudies. The production of butanol wassuccessfully scaled up to 30 L fermenterunder the optimized conditions (16.40 g/L)

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(Photo 2).To purify butanol from thefermentation broth gas stripping wasadopted with recovery of 50% followed byfurther purification by pervaporation with40% recovery and 100% purity as confirmedby NMR analysis.

Fig. 4.27: Butanol production at 30 L Scale

Bio Hydrogen

Department has recently initiated supportingresearch projects on production ofbiohydrogen realizing the potential ofbiohydrogen as a fuel for future. TERI ,New Delhi has taken a lead in this regardwith support from DBT. New Clostridium

butyricum strain TM 9A has been isolated,optimized and studied for biohydrogenproduction using different cost effectivesubstrates and maximum hydrogenproduction was obtained at 2.5% molassesconcentration. The process was also beenscaled up at lab scale and results

demonstrated that C. butyricum TM 9A straincould produce 14 liter of pure hydrogenfrom 10 liter of basal nutrient solution.

Algal Biofuel

Algae, as a research material for biodieselhas been identified as a priority area ofresearch. Studies have been initiated tocollect, identify and characterize algal strainswhich will have more oil/lipid content. Tohave large amount of biomass, masscultivation has been started using openpond system, (Raceway ponds), photo-bioreactor etc. Besides, growth conditionsof selected species are being optimised forhigh oil yield. Under this algal networkprogramme 12 national laboratories/institutions/universities are involved fromacross the country.

Algae Collection and Repository

Conservation and characterization of Fresh

water Cyanobacteria / microalgae at IBSD,

Imphal, Manipur

Nine hundred thirteen (913) cyanobacterialisolates have been purified, morphologicallycharacterized and preserved at Fresh waterRepository set up at IBSD Imphal. Theseisolates belong to 32 genera collected fromdifferent ecological habitats of North EastRegion of India. Besides the cyanobacteria


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a total 315 micro-algae also been collectedfrom North East and Western Maharashtra.

Algae Collection and maintenance-Marine water (NFMC)

National Facility for Marine Cyanobacterialrepository at Bharathidasan University hasbeen upgraded to 527 marinecyanobacterial strains collected from thecoastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry,Gujarat and Andaman island. The facilityhas been selected for the Arctic summerexpedition for the microalgal survey. Sofar, 19 cryophilic cyanobacteria and 11microalgae has been isolated from Arcticsurvey and maintained in the repository.

Almost 126 marine cyanobacterial strainshave been supplied to 30 researchinstitutions with in India for researchpurposes. In order to enrich the microalgalrepository, coastal stretch fromThengapattinam to Ervadi was also coveredunder survey.

All the strains in the repository have beenidentified based on morphological means.Molecular confirmation with selected 3molecular markers viz. 16SRNA, ITS andcpc regions is in progress. So far, 60 isolatesof the collected samples have been screenedfor different parameters like oil content, fattyacid profiling, colour, odour, pH, specificgravity, refractive index, and density.

Fig. 4.28: NFMC Repository

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Cultivation / Biomass Production

Technology / Biomass Harvesting and

Processing

Methods are being optimised to developefficient oil extraction process from algaloil at pilot scale at Bharathidasan University.Selected strains have been optimized formass cultivation (25 – 75 litres) under semicontinuous mode. At present detailinvestigation on scaling up of cultivation ofalga in continuous system at 250 liters is inprogress optimization of downstreamprocessing methodologies is being carriedout.

At IIMT Bhuvaneshwar eight numbers ofRaceway ponds, each having 100 sq mtsurface area and 0.5 m depth with capacityof 40,000 liters each have been designed,constructed and put into operation. Racewayponds have the provision for necessarycarbon dioxide fluxing, control andinstrumentation stations, paddle wheel forproper mixing, harvesting system usingvibrating membrane filter, etc, motors andCO2 sparging facility etc.

Biomass harvesting was a challenging issuedue to very small cell size and their slowrate of colony formation. Hence poly-electrolytes like sodium alginate andchitosan were used out of which sodiumalginate was found to be effective in

aggregating the algal cells together enablingeasy harvesting. Harvested biomass wasdried and lipid extraction was carried outwith benzyl alcohol.

Algae Production using industrial effluents

Different industrial effluents likepharmaceutical wastewater, dairywastewater, winery wastewater and sewagehave been studied for lipid productivity byGreen Micro Algae at TERI. Greenmicroalgae were found to be efficient inremoving nutrients and pollutants fromindustrial wastewaters and produce biomassand lipids for biodiesel preparation.

Biogas (Biomethanation)

Validation of exogenous enzymeapplication for enhancement ofbiomethanation process was studied atARI Pune. The studies carried out tovalidate the effect of enzyme addition onanaerobic digestion of vegetable waste inbatch experiments have shown thatenzyme addition increased the methaneyield in batch mode. It was observed thatsingle cellullase, alone can be sufficientto show good increase (ca. 1.5 fold) in themethane yield as compared to dualenzyme addition. Enzyme can be addeddirectly into the digester instead of anypretreatment.


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Capacity Building

The Department has also instituted-EnergyBioscience Overseas Fellowships forscientists of Indian origin who are workingoutside the country in the field of EnergyBiosciences (including Biofuels, Bioenergyetc.). The main objective of the scheme is tosupport scientists of Indian origin who wishto return to the home country and pursueresearch of high calibre in the area of EnergyBiosciences. The duration of the Fellowship

is for 5 years, which in exceptional cases,may be extended by another 5 years. Fourcandidates have been selected for thisfellowship joined host institutes ICTMumbai, and IISER Calcutta.

The Department has also initiated a scheme-National Energy Bioscience Chair” to haveexcellent team leaders in the Bioenergy areawho can help in building innovative teamsto address the major challenges in thissector.

❖ ❖ ❖

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMMES FORSOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 5

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production. Vaccination and treatmentcamps were organized with the help of StateGovt. Livestock development officer andmore than 3500 animals were treated forvarious diseases. Animal owners wereprovided medicine for deworming andmineral mixture during the animal healthcamps. Beneficiaries earned around Rs.20,000/- annually through adoption ofdifferent animal husbandry practices.

In an another project on enhancement ofincome generation of SC/ST farmers wasimplemented in Kota district of Rajasthan.Improvement of animal health & theirproductivity through nutrient rich animalfeed blocks were undertaken by GraminVigyan Kendra, Society for Environment &Development. Awareness programmeswere organized 120 beneficiaries wereprovided intensive training on variousaspects of animal health and productivity.SHG groups were formed and engaged inmaking the animal feed block under thebrand name ‘Pashu Amrit Battika’ andmarketing. Farmers feeding their animalsrealize increase in the milk production andincrease in rate of survival among adult &kids.

The programme was continued for the socio-economic upliftment of SC/ST population.Training and demonstration programmes invarious biotechnology based activities wereundertaken on proven and field testedtechnologies related to animal husbandry,fish seed production and catfish culture,seed production, agro technology,vermicomposting, integrated farminginterventions and organic cultivation ofspices, medicinal and aromatic plants andmushroom cultivation etc. Variousbiotechnological activities undertaken couldbenefit SC/ST target population under theprogramme. Some highlights of theprogramme area are as follows:

Programme for SC/ST Population

Animal Husbandry

A Project was undertaken for the socioeconomic upliftment of SC/ST farmersthrough animal husbandry. Beneficiariestrained on goat rearing, dairy farms, poultryfarms, improved health care, clean milkproduction, value addition in milk & milkproducts. Training for adoption of scientificanimal husbandry practices to improve the

Biotechnology Programmes forSocietal Development

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Training & demonstration on Emu andTurkey rearing was implemented by KrishiVigyan Kendra-Sylvan, for the economicupliftment of scheduled tribe families inSenapati district, Manipur. Twenty SHGsformed by identifying 200 tribal farmersincluding women beneficiaries belonging toBPL from two T.D. Blocks namely Saitu-Gamphazol and Kangpokpi. Eight trainingprogrammes conducted on Emu and Turkeyrearing and provided knowledge on varioustechnical and financial aspects and helpedthe beneficiaries in the establishment ofinfrastructure for setting up Emu and Turkeyenterprises. A nucleus centre of Emu andTurkey were established to popularize,replication and supply of chicks to theinterested farmers.

Another project on Socio-economicdevelopment of resource poor tribalfamilies was implemented on piggery in

Fig. 5.1: Osmanabadi Buck in the Nondescript Goat Flock

Senapati district, Manipur. One hundredpoor tribal beneficiaries from KangpokpiT.D. Blocks including women, landlesspersons, and educated unemployed youthswere selected and trained through SHGgroups on advance management of crossedbred piglets. Beneficiaries were providedpiglets (one male and one female), shadefeed materials and medicines. Trainedbeneficiaries earned an average annualincome of Rs. 28800.00 per year throughpiggery.

Fish Seed Production

Carp seed production for the livelihood ofSC/ST communities in Nayagarh andMayurbhanj districts of Odisha wereoperated by CIFA, Bhubaneswar. FRP carphatchery units installed in various villagesin these two districts for training on carpseed production, and also on establishmentof mobile hatchery for fish seed rearing.Around 200 persons trained on differentaspects of the freshwater aquaculture, carphatchery operation, induced breeding, seedrearing and their management. The spawnproduced from the hatcheries were stockedin nursery ponds for fry and fingerlingproduction with higher survival ratesin advanced fingerlings. Awarenessprogramme undertaken by involving variousstakeholders including hatchery operators.One of the beneficiaries from Nayagarh

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Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Programmes forSocietal Development

District, Odisha, awarded with a scroll ofhonour on National Fish Farmer’s Dayobserved at CIFA, Bhubaneswar.

Catfish Culture

Propagation and demonstration of nativecatfish culture for self employment of SC/ST farmers were taken up at St. Xavier,sCollege, Tamilnadu. Commerciallyimportant catfishes viz; Heteropneustes fossilis

(singhi), Mystus gulioMystus montanus andOmpok bimaculatus maintained at Aqua-farmand brooders of H. fossilis, M.gulio,

M.montanus, O. bimaculatus were injectedwith hormones for spawning andlarviculture. Training programmes wereconducted at Palayamkottai, Pettai andSrivaikundam through which 200 SC/STfarmers trained on seed production, larvalrearing and culture of native catfishes.Beneficiaries have undertaken planktonculture and succeeded in mass production

Fig. 5.2: Fish catch haul

of Moina, Daphnia and Rotifers. Adoptionof catfish culture technology by unemployedyouths earned about Rs. 60,000/year.

Seed Production

Training programme was conducted onproduction of quality seeds of groundnutto meet the seed demand locally and alsoto increase the livelihood of the famersfrom Bijapur district of Karnataka. A seriesof lecture and interaction sessions wereorganized for 150 farmers of Kumathevillage on various aspects of quality seedproduction of groundnut harvesting,processing, storage and maintenance ofseed quality. Ten adopted beneficiarieswere provided breeder seed of highyielding variety having resistance to lateleaf spot and rust. Farmers wereencouraged to take up commercial seedproduction programme under integratedcrop management.

Agro technology

A programme was undertaken fordissemination of need based technology foreconomically productive agriculturalpractices. Awareness and training programswas conducted on various aspects of soiland water testing, fertilizer application,green manuring, INM and IPM technologies.Commercial crops on cultivation of paddy,


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blackgram, cashew, vegetables, Jowar;backyard kitchen gardening were introducedto the farmers with the integrations ofanimal husbandry practices. Upgradedbreeds of cattle and poultry were introducedto the farmers and they were trained onadvanced management practices whichresulted an additional family income ofRs.10,000/-. Through adoption of integratedfarming system drudgery in women werereduced to an extent of 50% with increasedfarm efficiency.

Vermicomposting

Training and demonstration activitiesvermicomposting and use of vermicomposton vegetable cultivation were undertakenfor income generation of SC beneficiariesselected in consultation of local SHGs, GramPanchayats. Vegetable seed for kharif andRabi season distributed to 50 beneficiariesand supervised their demonstrations at fieldlevel. By adopting this simple and beneficialtechnique, beneficiaries realized increasedproduction.

Dissemination of vermicompost productiontechnology was taken up for farmers inMysore district of Karnataka. The wastesgenerated from agriculture were used forvermicomposting. Beneficiaries from 15villages were trained on various aspects ofvermicomposting technology for the

economic and self-sustaining theirlivelihood. One hundred beneficiariesadopted vermicomposting for incomegeneration.

In another project at Gulbarga University,vermicomposting was promoted for thebenefits of the target populations in differentvillages in and around the university.Beneficiaries were provided the literaturepublished in local language.

Integrated Farming

Biotechnological interventions throughintegrated farming were implemented byShri AMM Murugappa Chettiar ResearchCentre (MCRC), Taramani, Chennai toprovide alternative income to SC/STtargeted population. Various interventionsviz. vermicomposting, mushroomcultivation, charcoal briquetting and clonalpropagation were introduced andestablished vermicompost pits, mushroomcultivation sheds, charcoal briquettingunits, net houses. About 664 beneficiariescovering 160 villages through networkingpartner NGOs were trained on incomegeneration activities in addition to theirpresent occupation. Adaptation ofbiotechnological interventions by thebeneficiaries gained alternative livelihoodinterventions through utilization of thelocally available resources.

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Organic Cultivation of Spices

Peermade Development Society, Kottayamhas implemented a project on cultivation ofpepper for the tribal farmers of Idukkidistrict of Kerala. Fifty tribal farmers fromdifferent Self Help Groups were providedtraining on the scientific organicmanagement of pepper with combined useof different biological control agents,biopesticides, botanicals and trap crops.Trichoderma and Pseudomonasformulations were supplied to the farmersfor application in their crops. Farmerstrained on vermicomposting, multiplicationof VAM and production of neem seedkernel extract and also provided smallvermicompost facilities for production anduse in their fields and regular monitoringof their field crops. Demonstration plot wasestablished under the project to carry outthe farm trials for the efficient organic controlof pests and diseases.


Programme was undertaken onEmpowerment of SC/ST community ofBundelkhand region by introducing thecultivation of medicinal and aromatic plantand processing through CIMAP. Ten farmerseach from two bio-villages of Jhansi weretrained on raising the nursery of Palmarosaand Lemongrass. Distillation/processing

unit were centrally set up. Kisan awarenessprogrammes were organized for the farmersof adjoining villages also for wider adoptionof these crops and also trained to adoptrainfed cultivation of medicinal plant. SHGgroups were formed to sensitize the farmersto take up commercial cultivation.

Mushroom Cultivation

Entrepreneurship developmentprogramme on Oyster MushroomCultivation was introduced for SC/STtarget population in TiruchirappalliDistrict by Bharathidasan University, TN.Spawn production laboratory was set upand 50 selected trainees were providedhands on training on mushroomcultivation, spawn preparation, bedpreparation, diseases prevention andmarketing. A training manual prepared inlocal language distributed to theparticipants. Some of the entrepreneurs

Fig. 5.3: Interaction with the farmers on cultivation of MAP


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trained have already initiated commercialmushroom cultivation.

Programme for RuralDevelopment

The programme was continued for the socio-economic upliftment of rural population.Various training and demonstrationprogrammes in biotechnology basedactivities were undertaken on proven andfield tested technologies relating to qualityplanting material, bio-control agents,vermicomposting, organic peppercultivation, lac cultivation, sericulture,animal husbandry, goat rearing, quailproduction, rabbitry and health care etc.Demonstrations and trainings activitiesundertaken could benefit the rural peoplethrough various biotechnologicalinterventions. The department supportedeight bio-events to exhibit various ruralproducts & processes for their promotion &adoption at the rural level. Some highlightsof the programme area are as follows:

Quality Planting Material

A project on Developing Quality PlantingMaterial Resource Nodes for Medicinal andAromatic Plants (MAPs) was implementedin villages of Sitapur, Barabanki andLucknow districts in U.P. through Agro andNursery Technology by CIMAP, Lucknow

so that authentic planting material could besupllied to the interested growers and setup centrally located distillation unit. Hands-on training was imparted to around 130interested growers on the agro and nurserytechnologies of selected MAPs and vermi-technology. Demonstrations conducted in 34villages, and farmers earned a substantialprofit both from sale of planting materialsand production of oil/herbs from variousmedicinal and aromatic plants.

Bio-control agents

A project on popularization of bio controlagent was undertaken by Indian Institute ofPulses Research (IIPR), Kanpur to providebenefits to the farmers of Bundelkhandregion of UP. Awareness campaigns wereorganized on pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

management. Farmers were given hands onexperience on application of HaNPV andNSKE in the chickpea crop and monitoringof pod borer population. Demonstrationswere organized for pheromone traps, sprayof neem based product, spray of HaNPV,spinosad for monitoring of pod borer, forrepelling egg laying, management of earlyand late instars in 20 ha benefitting about90 farmers.

Amity University has undertaken a trainingprogramme on eco-friendly integratedmanagement of major soil born fungal and

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root knot nematode diseases infectingvegetables. About 264 selected farmers weretrained from western U.P. throughawareness programmes on management ofroot-knot nematode infecting vegetables.Eco-friendly, cost effective diseasemanagement using sustainable componentslike antagonistic fungal bio-agents(Trichoderma spp. and paecilomyces lilacinus ascore component), oil seed cake and botanicalantagonist were demonstrated at hot spotswith indigenous technology. The IPMpackage significantly helped in improvingseed germination and yield increase fromthe crops. Farmers made the fungal bio-agents themselves, applied in their ownfields and got good result.

Vermicomposting

A project on vermicomposting wasimplemented for the Socio-economicDevelopment of Rural people fromBangalore District, Karnataka. A total of 146demonstrations on vermicompostproduction were conducted for thebeneficiaries. Beneficiaries were trained onpreparation of vermicompost units,introduction of earthworms, watering andmaintenance, protection against ants androdents, collection of vermicompost,processing and preservation and preparationof vermi-wash. Continuous monitoringsupport was extended to the beneficiaries

throughout the project implementation. Theefficacy of vermicompost was assessed onbrinjal, chilli and ragi crops. Thedemonstrations benefitted more than 1000farmers. A pilot training Centre wasestablished at the campus to provide inputsand training. More than 200 PG studentshave also trained on vermicomposting andalso use this unit for converting waste intovermicompost in nursery.

Organic Pepper Cultivation

A project on scientific cultivation and valueaddition of pepper to increase agriculturalincome of the marginalized farmers inUdumbanchola Taluk of Idukki district wasundertaken by Kottayam Social ServiceSociety, Kottayam. A laboratory wasestablished at Thadiyampadu, IdukkiDistrict for multiplying the Trichoderma andVAM fungi to control the Quick-Wilt diseasein Pepper. About 227 farmers were trainedon rapid multiplication technology ofpepper, biological control agents productionand value addition. Trained farmers realizedgood income through adoption of micro-propagation technology and organiccultivation of pepper. A central nursery wasset up at its regional in Idukki district toproduce disease free pepper. Rapidmultiplication technology was used anddieses free plants were distributed amongthe marginal farmers to set up their own


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nursery. Farmers were trained on processingof white pepper production and they areearning a better price of Rs. 160/- per kgfor white pepper while green pepper fetchesonly Rs. 80/- per kg.

Lac Cultivation

Lac cultivation was popularized foreconomic upliftment of marginal farmers inKandi belt of Jammu, J&K. Awareness andmotivation programme was organized andon-farm trainings conducted at zonal ordistrict levels in Jammu, Kathua and Sambadistricts for the potential growers to takeup lac cultivation on regular basis. About234 potential growers were identified whereadequate potential for lac cultivation exists,i.e. vicinity of forest and availability ofuseful trees. Five field demonstrations wereconducted and 43 farmers were trained onstate of art technology on lac productionincluding pruning, inoculation, cropprotection and lac processing and broodproduction on Palas and Ber. Two hundredtrees of Palas and Ber were inoculated, whichyielded about 334 kg of brood forinoculation. Seven farmers adopted thetechnology and started earning with morethan 100 days employment per annum.

Sericulture

CSRTI, Mysore is pursuing a project on

popularization of Chawki Rearing Center(CRC) model developed by CSRTI, Mysorein identified clusters of Karnataka, AndhraPradesh and Tamilnadu. CRCs wereestablished in identified cluster areas andtraining programme were conducted for theselected entrepreneurs and their workers onChawki garden and Chawki rearingmanagement. Progressive sericulture farmerswere supplied chawki reared worms in co-ordination with the State Departments ofSericulture Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh andTamilnadu. Ten days certificate trainingprogramme on commercial CRCmaintenance and management for CRCowners were organized at CSRTI, Mysore.CRC owners started earning regular incomeand are repaying their loans throughsericulture activities.

Artificial insemination

Tharparkar breed of cows one of the highmilk yielder in India is mainly reared indesert area of Rajasthan. This cow is on anaverage producing 2179.43±16.76 kg milkduring full lactation period of averagelength as 314.78±5.23 days. Five bull calvesof Tharparkar breed were selected fromCentral Cattle Breeding Farm (CCBF),Suratgarh and monitored for their growthtill the semen collection age by BAIFfoundation for desert areas of Rajasthan.Door step breeding services were provided

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to the livestock owners extending artificialinseminations service to 2508 cows andconfirmed 1,013 pregnancies. Around 700farmers’ were trained on new technologiesof general cattle management practices. Thepopularization of the A.I. among the farmersespecially those who are keepingTharparkar animals raised the confidencelevel in dairy business.

Goat rearing

Project on dissemination of technology onBerari goat rearing was successfullyimplemented for Socio-economic upliftmentof farmers and youth of ten villages ofsuicide prone Akola district of Maharashtra.59 hands on training and demonstrationswere conducted benefitting 680 farmers. Forreducing mortality and morbidity rate ingoat due to diseases, 51 goat health campswere organized in villages in whichvaccination and deworming of goats wereundertaken. Berari goat unit of two femaleand one male were distributed to 50beneficiaries on 75% subsidy basis. Thebeneficiaries have started earning aroundRs. 800 /month through sale of goat, milkand manure. Training manual of book andleaflets prepared in simple local languagedistributed to the beneficiaries.

Local non-descript breed upgraded withimproved Osmanabadi proven to be useful

for enhancing the income of the small andmarginal farmers. About 1154 beneficiarieswere trained on the various aspects of goatfarming and need based animal health care.Video show on field day was organized formotivating the farmers to take up the goatfarming as an income generation activity.Three hundred bucks of Osmanabadi breedwere supplied to the beneficiaries by KVKDurgapur, Amravati which gave themconfidence and encouragement. Improvedmanagement practices adopted bybeneficiaries resulted multiple birth,reduced inter kidding period and bodyweight gain at an early age.

Quail Production

Demonstration and training programme oncommercial quail production wasundertaken in rural areas of Parbhani districtof Maharashtra by College of Veterinary andAnimal Sciences, Parbhani. Mass awarenesscamp on quail farming was organized anddemonstration of quail, egg and meatproduction was conducted benefittingaround 100 women farmers. Scientificknowledge on Japanese quails farmingdisseminated to the women beneficiariescovering preparation of cages, feed,vaccination, incubation, marketing etc. Costeconomics per unit of quail for meat andegg production worked out which indicatedeconomic viability of quail production to


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gain an income about Rs. 3000 to 4500 permonths. The intensive training was impartedon commercial quail farming in Parbhanidistrict. A booklet was brought out on quailfarming for distribution among thebeneficiaries.

Rabbitry

Amity Institute of Phytochemistry andPhytomedicine Trivandrum conductedtraining programme on Rabbitry and FurProcessing for the benefit of SC/ST youthsof Trivandrum District, Kerala. A modelRabbit Farm and Training Centre was setup in Kodunganoor Village and three unitsof breeding stock of rabbits consisting of 10females and 2 males to each beneficiaryprovided which facilitated breeding rabbitstrains of New Zealand White, SovietChinchella and Grey Giant.

Health & Awareness

A school programme named Health Safariwas successfully implemented byGAMANA, Hyderabad- Andhra Pradesh incollaboration with Mass Awareness Society.The project involved health check-ups ofschool children with the help of healthdepartment. The health check-upprogramme collected data on growthmonitoring (BMI), dental hygiene,occurrence of diarrhoea and acute

respiratory diseases. It also coveredassessment of sanitation and hygieneconditions of the schools and drinking water.Early detection of health related problemsin children and their proper treatmentthrough referral services were undertaken.Assessment made on quality of the midday meal distributed in the school andprovided special aids as medicines,spectacles, hearing aids etc. to the needy.Health Cards prepared and updated of childhealth profiles to be maintained in school.Distribution of posters and campaignleaflets to disseminate information onhealth/hygiene etc. Students and parentswere given counselling on health careaspects. The project has benefitted more than1,50,000 children studying in MCD schoolsof Delhi along with slum kids.

A project on awareness creation among thedoctors and women of rural people wasundertaken for preventable causes of mentalretardation in new born babies throughcollaborative efforts of Sanjay GandhiPostgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences,Lucknow and Chatrapati Shahuji MaharajMedical University, Lucknow. An awarenesscreation programme for preventable causesof mental retardation, namely; congenitalhypothyroidism, biotinidase deficiency andgalactosemia was undertaken and thepopulation from rural and lower / lowermiddle socioeconomic class were screened

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by organizing camps in collaboration withdistrict Hospitals and NGOs working in thehealth sector. About 4000 neonates havebeen tested for these three disorders.

Fig. 5.4 : Health safari project implementedat NDMC Schools

Information brochure and papmhlets wereprepared in local language for destributionamong the parents. A feedback receivedabout the usefulness of new born screeningprogramme undertaken. Most of the familiescoming for retesting their babies indicatingtheir commitment. The project is nowoperating in a full swing and likely to testmore than 15,000 babies.

Soya Milk Processing:

Training on soybean processing and itsutilization for employment generationamong weaker section was undertaken inAmravati District by KVK, Durgapur

Fig. 5.5 : Screening of new born babies for mental retardation


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Amravati, talukas namely Nandgaon (Kh)and Bhatkuli. A society called SoybeanProcessors Society consisting 152 memberswas formed. All together 58 beneficiariesfrom these two talukas were trained forsoybean processing. The trainee from saidvillages started producing the noodle andpapad from soy flour and also soy milk,soy paneer successively which are beingsold in the local market.

Bio-events

Eight bio-events were organized by variousagencies namely D. S. College Aligarh, JSS,Mahavidyapeetha, Mysore; VKS, KrishiVigyan, Unnao; Centre of Technology &Entrepreneurship Development, Sultanpur;Kottayam Social Service Society; SuvideFoundation, Washim; DhanalakshmiSrinivasan, College of Arts and Science forWomen, Perambalur, TN and DeendayalKrishi Vikas Avam Anusandhan Samiti,Bhopal (MP) for Awareness Creation andPromotion of Biological cum agriculturalinputs and value added products amongSelf Help Groups. Through this programmeawareness was brought among farmers onnew agricultural practices, tools etc. toenhance their agriculture produce andcottage industry. About 5,00,000 peopleparticipated in the Bio-events with theinvolvement of governmental and non-government institutions.

Programmes for Women

Around 10,000 women have been benefitedthrough various ongoing and new projectssupported under the Programme. Theprogramme is basically women-centric andcovers training, field demonstrations,extension activities, enterprise developmentetc. in the subject areas such as horticulture,mushroom cultivation, biofertilisers,biopesticides, aquaculture, animalhusbandry, poultry farming, production ofdiverse value added marketable productswhich may facilitate women to improve theirincome and socio-economic status. Theprogramme also supports research projectsfocused on women health care, nutrition andhygiene related aspects. During the year,nearly 30 ongoing projects have been alreadysupported. In addition, 7 new projects havealready been sanctioned and 5-6 more arelikely to be supported during the year.Highlights of the programme are as follows:

Vermicomposting and Organic farming

Nearly 2000 women farmers of Tiruvallurdistrict in Tamil Nadu were impartedtraining on preparation of vermicompost andbotanical pesticides. Each womenbeneficiary is reported to earn around Rs3500 / p.m. through sale of vermicompostand neem oil formulation. Application of

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these products by women farmers in theirown fields has also been reported to reduceuse of synthetic pesticides. Approximately900 farmers of Chamba district in HimachalPradesh were trained on vermicompostingand 150 farmers were provided with thenecessary inputs to set up vermitcompostingunits in their fields.

Mushroom Cultivation

In a project supported in Jammu & Kashmir,two mushroom training cum demonstrationunits were conducted in district Burdgamand nearly 160 women were trained on layingof spawn, casing and picking, packing,preparation of different mushroom basedrecipes. The trainees were also encouragedto use the spent compost as fertilizer in theirpaddy fields and kitchen gardens. AtBangalore, training has been imparted tonearly 200 rural women on Mushroom

cultivation and its significance in incomegeneration and nutritional benefits to targetcommunity. At Theni district in Tamilnadu,a spawn production unit has beenestablished for production & distribution ofspawns to the beneficiaries. Nearly 450women beneficiaries have been trained onmushroom cultivation and production ofvalue-added oyster mushroom products. Aco-operative society of mushroom growersis also being registered to facilitate the start-up of micro-enterprises.

Aquaculture

A project on development of mangrovebased agro aqua farming for restoration ofMangrove ecosystem and also forproviding livelihood was supported at PortBlair. A demonstration pond wasconstructed at a farmers’ field in IndiraNagar, South Andaman with provision ofallowing entry of nutrient–rich waterduring high tide. 500 mullet (Mughil

cephalus) seeds with an average weight of10 gm. were stocked in the ponds andhorticultural crops like banana, pumpkin,bottle guard were raised on the bundh.The fish grew to a mean weight of64.54±4.54g and length of 13.09±0.46cmduring four months while the culture wasstill underway. A total of 85 farmers havebeen trained on mangrove based agro-aquafarming.Fig. 5.6: Flush of Mushroom Fruiting at one of the

beneficiary unit in J&K


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Women fish farmers were trained ontechniques related to fish seed productionof Indian major carps, Catla, Rohu andMrigal and also common carp at Raipur(Chhatisgarh). Training on planktonproduction for spawn raising, simplemethod to check water quality, rearing ofspawn to fry and fry to fingerling was alsogiven to the women fish farmers.

Sericulture

About 140 women beneficiaries from Annur,Udumalpet and MGC Palayam blocks inTamilnadu were trained on scientificmethods of sericulture. Application ofbiofetilizers viz., Azospirillum &Phosphobacteria enhanced the mulberryplant height (125.44cm), number of branches/ plant (16.90), number of leaves/plant(19.92) and leaf yield. The leaf yieldper harvest was 7154.81kg/ha/harvest whencompared to 5509.49kg/ha/harvest incontrol and resulting in an additionalincome of approx. Rs.2100/ha/harvest.Using IPM package consisting of TNAUbotanical formulation, uzitablet and Nesolynx

thymus (along with nets on windows anddoors) for the management of uzifly, larvalmortality was reduced to a greater extentand the cocoon yielded more than double(from 29.40 kg/100 dfls to 77.36 kg/100dfls)resulting in an additional income of aroundRs.7000/100 dfls. The use of Phytojuvenoid

(“Ilamathi”) on silkworm for increasing thesilk yield enhanced the larval weight, cocoonweight, shell weight, shell ratio and thelarval duration.

Fig. 5.7 : A women beneficiary applying Nesolynxthymus biocontrol agent for silkworm uzifly

management

Livestock farming and Poultry

Around 200 tribal women beneficiaries from30 viable SHGs in Senapati district ofManipur were trained on pig rearing, theirhousing, feeding, healthcare managementand breeding etc. Each women beneficiarywas given 2 weaned piglets along withveterinary medicine and the provision forconstruction of pigsties. The piglets werevaccinated against “swine fever”. Farrowinghas been observed in adult sows and thebeneficiaries have started to earn incomefrom the sale of piglets. Another projectwas supported in Parbhani district ofMaharashtra to train 250 women on goat

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rearing by adopting osmanabadi goat,animproved breed.

Bee Keeping

In Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts ofUttarakhand, hill women are beingencouraged towards beekeeping and theyare being educated on the importance ofhoney, bees and other bee-products such asbee-wax, royal jelly, bee- bread and role ofhoney bees as pollinator in increasing cropyields. A total of 40 women beneficiarieshave been trained and provided with Beeboxes, colonies and necessary equipments.Honey extracted from 29 boxes in summerseason had shown an increased yield upto2.0 kg/hive. Six honey samples wereanalyzed for their physico-chemicalproperties which fulfilled Grade ‘A’standards. As a part of the project, 92 bee-forage plant species were identified from

Fig. 5.8: Women beneficiaries trained on bee keeping inUttarakhand

area to be good sources of nectar and pollenfor bees.

Quality Planting material

A total of 300 farm women were trained onraising crop with CORH 3 hybrid rice seedsand systemic rice intensification (SRI)techniques. An average rice yield under SRIwith hybrid was 2896 kg/acre (7.25 t/ha)which is 46.74 % higher than the varietyunder normal method yielding only 2073kg/acre (5.2 t/ha). The additional incomefor the farm women ranged from Rs 5,000to Rs.15,000.

In Raipur and Durg districts ofChhattisgarh, 66 women from 4 villageswere trained on maintaining seed health,storage, processing and treatment etc. Underthe project, the crops selected for qualityseed production were chickpea and threerice varieties viz., MTU 1010, Mahamayaand Karma Masuri.

In Senapati district in Manipur, KrishiVigyan Kendra is promoting Kiwi fruitplantation among the women farmers andconducted 10 demonstration cum trainingprogramme on cultivation of organic kiwiplantation. So far, 50 hectare area has beencovered with kiwi sapling and other inputsprovided under the project which benefittedaround 100 women farmers.


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Value added Products

Women (200) in Amravati district wereeducated on processing of soybean and itsimportance in nutrition and alleviation ofmalnutrition. Hands-on training were alsoimparted for removing anti-nutritionalfactors from the soybean and on preparationof various traditional fermented products.In addition, there were 450 women trainedat Dharwad on value addition to variousnon-forest timber products (NTFPs) for theirbetter income.

Healthcare

In Burdwan district of West Bengal, morethan 3800 women were screened for cervicalcancer using visual inspection with aceticacid (VIA) method. A total of 585 VIApositive cases were detected showing whitelesion in their cervix. Amongst them 47 casesof high grade precancerous lesion (CINgrade II & III) were detected and treated byLoop electrical excision procedure (LEEP).Cervical Intra-epithelial neoplasia grade I(CIN I) lesion could be detected in 251 cases.A total of 41 cases of condyloma/polypwere also treated. The investigators aremaking their efforts to negotiate with theHealth department of the State Govt. tomake the cervical screening programme asa part of the district cancer controlprogramme.

PGIMER Chandigarh registered around 250women suffering from Uterine incontinence(UI) and pelvic organ prolapse, for theirbehavioral therapy (BT) and trained themin Kegal exercise. It was reported that morethan 75% women had relief in the symptomsexperienced by them. To record and monitorthe incontinence severity, a pad test wasinitiated and so far it is performed with 100patients. A workshop was also conductedon Behaviour therapy for UI at PGIMERand published a booklet on UI in Hindi,English & local language and distributedamong the project beneficiaries.

A project was supported on Systemic LupusErythematosus (SLE), a prototypeautoimmune disease characterized by theproduction of range of auto-antibodies anda diverse set of clinical phenotypesoccurring predominantly in females thanmales. Nearly 100 healthy age and sexmatched controls were enrolled. Threecodon polymorphisms of MBL genes viz. D(52), B (54) and C (57) were genotyped byRFLP-PCR and three promoterpolymorphisms (H/L, X/Y and P/Q) weregenotyped by Allele specific PCR andRFLP. However no difference was notedbetween disease severity and MBL genewild type and/or variant allele in SLEpatients. Allele frequency of promoter regionvariant alleles was observed to be slightlyhigher among the SLE patients.

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❖ ❖ ❖

As a part of a project supported to KidwaiMemorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore,women with carcinoma of Cervix, Breast andOvary were educated on importance ofbalanced diet and encouraged to incorporatepoly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in theirdiet as a possible therapeutic substancecapable of reducing cancer progression andinflammatory disorders. The fatty acidprofiles in the membrane of RBCs in agematched women with or without cancer isalso being studied alongwith the estimationof fatty acids in various tumor infiltratingimmune cells.

SGPGIMS, Lucknow is pursuing a study toevaluate the efficacy of Vitamin Dsupplementation in middle and lasttrimester of pregnancy to maintain theoptimum levels of maternal serum and cordblood 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels, whichin turn would help in analyzing the effect

of vitamin D on childhood respiratoryhealth.

New Initiative

In addition, the department took a newinitiative to take up a programme on‘Women Health, Hygiene & Nutrition’under which projects will be implementedat community level for the benefit of largenumber of women. The programme wouldcover women reproductive health needs;cancer screening, awareness andmanagement; chronic disorders as irondeficiency anemia, folic acid deficiency,osteoporosis, other micro-nutrientdeficiencies & nutraceuticals basedinterventions, pre-natal genetic disorderscreening and counseling etc. The projectswill be implemented by medical institutionsand governmental & non-governmentalorganisations.

BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTAND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

Chapter 6

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As in the earlier years, this year also threeRoad-shows were conducted at Kolkata,Mumbai and Kochi. The participation of theprivate sector was overwhelming. Suchpromotional activities and also advertisingthe scheme in National dailies as well as inlocal newspapers has resulted in acontinuous flow of applications from variousindustries from all the corners of the country.Under the scheme, the Department has sofar received more than 900 proposals andhas sanctioned 105 projects. Around 540industries throughout the country haveapproached the Department seeking supportunder the scheme. State-wise response tothe scheme is indicated in Fig 6.1.

Fig. 6.1: State-wise response under SBIRI

INDUSTRY SCHEMES

Small Business InnovationResearch Initiative (SBIRI)

The ‘Small Business Innovation ResearchInitiative (SBIRI)’ is the pioneeringprogramme of the department that supportsR&D, process & product development inindustry. During the present Plan Period,the SBIRI has made a mark in the biotechsector. The efforts of the departmenttowards promotion of small and mediumenterprises focusing on scientificinnovations have been appreciated by thestakeholders.

SBIRI has helped many small andmedium enterprises to establishproof-of-concept and to work oninnovation R&D through itsPhase-I funding through which theindustries were supportedprimarily in the form of grants-in-aid. The scheme also supportedindustries towards late stage R&Dresulting into process & productdevelopment through its Phase-IIfunding.

Biotechnology Product and Process Development

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During the current year the Technical

Screening Committee (TSC) met 8 times to

evaluate 114 new proposals received in

response to two ‘Call for Proposals’. 62

proposals were presented to the TSC. A

total of 40 site-visits were conducted to

various industries to assess their

suitability for funding. The Apex

Committee met 3 times to consider the

recommendations of the TSC and to discuss

various other policy issues regarding the

scheme. Based on the recommendations of

the Apex Committee, the Department has

funded 19 new proposals in different areas

in biotechnology and 10 others are in

pipeline. A three tier review process was

used to assess the progress in the ongoing

projects viz submission of quarterly

progress reports by the companies,

half yearly on-site review by Project

Monitoring Committees and yearly review

by the TSC. Currently 52 projects are in

operation. The details of the scheme

and a list of the projects funded so

far can be seen on the website:

www.sbiri.nic.in.

Work on different projects has been

progressed well. Based on the reports

submitted by the industries and the reviews

undertaken by the PMCs and TSC, the major

achievements during the year are given

below:

Agriculture and allied areas

The experimental protocol for assay ofsalinity tolerance in rice under simulatedconditions has been optimized by M/s.Bioseed Research India Private Limited,Hyderabad in collaboration ICGEB, NewDelhi. The donor rice lines and BC1, BC2,BC3 seed from five recipient lines carryinggly I & gly II were tested for salinitytolerance in simulated conditions and outof 5 events, event B6 has consistentlydisplayed salinity tolerance in differentgenetic backgrounds with no penalty onyield or plant growth. At M/s Rasi SeedsPrivate Limited, Attur, a transformationprotocol to generate transgenic cassava linesusing gene constructs containing replicaseRNAi genes was standardized and theputative transgenic cassava plants hardenedin green house are being analyzed. Markerfree anti sense AV2 transgenic cotton plantshave been developed and were evaluatedin the field of M/s Maharashtra HybridSeeds Co. Limited, Jalna in collaborationwith IISc., Bangalore. M/s Bejo SheetalSeeds Private Ltd., Jalna is working on BtBrinjal expressing modified cry 1Fa1 geneand Bt Tomato & Bt Okra with cry1 Ac

gene. A micropropagation facility toproduce 1.5 million plantlets of Jatropha

curcas L per year has been established atM/s Labland Biotech Private Limited,Mysore. Production of hardened net pot

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Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Product and Process Development

plants and poly bag plants is underwaydone. The liquid and wettable powderformulations viz ‘Helimar’ (Helicoverpa

armigera NPV) and ‘Spodomar’ (Spodoptera

litura NPV) have been developed andcommercialized by M/s Multiplex Biot-TechPvt. Ltd., Bangalore. ELISA kits fordetecting Cry1Ac, Cry2A, Cry1F, Chinesefusion BT, Dow Cry1Ac have beendeveloped and commercialized by M/sAmar Immunodiagnostics Pvt. Ltd.,Hyderabad.

Health sector

A production process for 500 L fermentationbatch of recombinant fuzeon under the tradename ‘Defuse’ for treatment of AIDS hasbeen optimized by M/s Virchow Biotech(P) Limited, Hyderabad and the product isin the clinical phase of development. Inanother project the company hascommissioned the production facility forrecombinant uricase (trade name‘Rasburicase-Tuly’) used in treatment ofhyperuricemia. Toxicology studies havebeen completed using in-house developedrecombinant protein. The productionprocess has been scaled up to 100 Lt. Theyield of the product was 200 mg/ L andbatch size is 3000 to 4000 vials per batch.Human trials to study the effectiveness ofthe recombinant uricase are under progress.HRP-II/ p-LDH based diagnostic kits for

differential detection of malarial parasiteshas been developed by M/s Bhat BiotechIndia Private Limited, Bangalore incollaboration with NIMR, New Delhi. Twococktails consisting of six monoclonalantibodies have been screened andcharacterized by M/s Mediclone Biotech Pvt.Ltd, Chennai and found them equivalent topolyclonal antisera, which is commerciallyavailable for snake bite treatments. M/sCadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabadhave studied the effect of co-immunizationof Mw with rabies vaccine. The adjuvanteffect of Mw was found to be dosedependent for rabies vaccine and the bestimmune response was found with 108 Mw.Mw manufacturing process in the GMPfacilities set-up for commercial productionhas been standardized. Development ofsilkworm as a bioreactor for expression ofrecombinant aprotinin, peptidyl amidaseand thrombin has been established by M/sEnzene Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore.

Industrial processes & products

M/s Bharavi Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.,Bangalore has developed a technology forproduction of drug intermediate (S)-3-hydroxybutyrolactone from maltodextrinand a value added product (S)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinone using the enzyme pullulanasefor yield improvement and the wholepurification process was standardized


190


without chromatography and distillation.Through this indigenous innovativetechnology they are able to price theirproduct at $ 500/Kg as against the Aldrich’scost of $ 160/g. M/s India Pesticides Ltd.,Lucknow has optimized the process for thepreparation of curcumin- piperoyl conjugate.Pure synthetic curcumin production on alarge scale (4 kg/ batch with 99% purityhas been achieved. Pilot scale process fordextranase production for sugar industryhas been standardized and a product‘Dextrasol’ is ready for its further scale upby a small industry M/s Varuna BiocellPvt. Ltd., at Varanasi. M/s Privi OrganicsLtd, Navi Mumbai has developed eightaroma esters through the biotech route anddeveloped a commercially viable technologythat can be easily scaled up. M/s HydrolinaBiotech Private Limited, Chennai hasstandardized a pilot scale process forextraction of lycopene from ‘Navin’ varietiesof tomatoes in Tamil Nadu and acommercial scale is in the process ofestablishment. Units for extraction of valueadded products from crustacean exoskeletonand coir-pith integrated zero dischargeprocessing are being commissioned in TamilNadu and Kerala by M/s Pelican Biotechand Chemical Labs Pvt. Ltd., Kerala.

Bio-instrumentation

At M/s Span Diagnostics Limited,Ahmedabad, a pilot batch of 15 newly

designed clinical chemistry analyzers namedas ‘Ingeniious’ is ready, consisting of 1135parts in each and 359 among them areunique. Performance evaluation of theseanalyzers was also done using absorbancestandards and clinical samples. Thecompany hopes that the product would bepriced at a very affordable rate comparedto the imported analyzers. M/s PerfintHealthcare Pvt. Ltd., Chennai havedeveloped a platform of medical toolpositioners for use in Image GuidedInterventional Procedures as an accessoryto C.T. Scan to help in performing CTguided diagnostic and therapeuticprocedures like biopsies, FNAC, ablationsand pain management procedures and is ofimmense use in early stage small anddifficult lesions in lung, abdomen and bone.PIGA CT guided system is being evaluatedclinically in hospitals across India and theresponse to it has been very favorable.Newer models of the ‘AutomatedDispensing System’ designed indigenouslyand validated by M/s CustomisedTechnologies Private Limited, Bangalore.

Bioinformatics

Two novel compounds, computationallydesigned and synthesized by M/s OxygenHealthcare Research Pvt. Ltd, Ahmedabad,have been demonstrated for efficacy as H3and GPCR ligands based on preclinical data

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and PK results obtained on animal models.The development of tools of bioinformaticsby M/s LeadInvent Technologies Pvt. Ltd.,New Delhi in collaboration with All IndiaInstitute of Medical Science, New Delhi ondesign and development of inhibitors forthe treatment of tuberculosis showedpromising results with novel compoundsthat exerted activity against devR, which isa transcriptional regulator that mediates thegenetic response of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

to oxygen limitation and nitric oxideexposure.

A graphical representation on the projectsfunded under SBIRI in different areas ofbiotechnology is given in Fig 6.2.

Biotechnology IndustryPartnership Program (BIPP)

The Biotechnology Industry PartnershipProgramme (BIPP) an Advanced TechnologyScheme only for high risk, transformationaltechnology/process development wasapproved by the Cabinet in November 2008.The scheme is a government partnershipwith Industries for public support on a costsharing basis for

• Path-breaking research in frontierfuturistic technology areas having majoreconomic potential and making Indianindustry globally competitive andfocused on IP creation with ownerships

Fig. 6.2 Sanctioned Projects sector-wise


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by Indian industry and where relevant,collaborating scientists.

• The development of appropriatetechnologies in the context of recognizednational priorities in the area ofagriculture, health, bioenergy, greenmanufacturing, when the scale of theproblem has serious consequences forsocial and economic development.

Calls for proposals were invited in the areasnamely H1N1 vaccine development, bio-similars, affordable healthcare technologies,anti-virals, secondary agriculture, valueaddition to agri-product for food and non-food application, industrial scale up ofproducts and processes.

Under BIPP more than 700 proposals havebeen received out of which 63 projects weresupported in the areas of Healthcare,Agriculture, Energy Infrastructure and alsoprojects in PPP mode. Proof-of-conceptresearch projects in medical biotechnologydealing with drug development anddelivery systems, stem cell generation andclinical research have been funded andphase-III clinical trial of rotavirus vaccinehas been undertaken.

Towards Commercialization

PandyfluTM (H1N1 vaccine) have beendeveloped by Panacea Biotech and patent

has been filed. The DCGI has approved thisvaccine as a two dose schedule. Phase IIIClinical trials of JE vaccine has beensuccessfully concluded by Biological E andhas got the market license for India in theage group of >1 yr to 3year and >18 yearsto <40 years. A rapid cost-effective point-of-care diagnostic device with microPCR todiagnose multiple diseases presentlyMalaria, Dengue & Typhoid has beendeveloped by Bigtec Pvt. Ltd. Bangaloreand is ready for validation.

Service Facilities to promote Innovation

The facility set-up at Intas Biophar-maceuticals Private Limited, Ahmadabad isnow ready for use by the Academia andIndustry. Services are being provided to theacademia at differential prices. A cGMP-compliant facility for bulk-production ofmonoclonal-antibodies for diagnostics aswell as therapeutic usage and microbialantigens of diagnostic usage for providingcontract-manufacturing services andspecialized training to biotech personnel isbeing set-up at Span Diagnostics limited.

Highlights of some BIPP supportedprojects

Vaccine Development

In order to develop an affordable, Asiaspecific 15valent Pneumococcal

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Polysaccharide - CRM 197Protein ConjugateVaccine studies on one India specificserotype have been completed by M/s.Tergene Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Secunderabad:Small scale conjugation of polysaccharidefrom this 1 Serotype with CRM-197 inmicroreactor have been demonstrated.

Biomedical Devices

The study aims at developing acomprehensive solution of planningexecution and control of the targetedablation procedure by developing aplanning platform – for 3D visualization andsegmentation of tumor and organs, multitool planning and ablation volumevisualization; a robotic arm. The Integratedplanning navigation and Training Platformfor Tumor Ablation has been completed.

Clinical Trial

IND enabling toxicity studies of a newmolecule Galnobax in rodent and non-rodent species for assessing safety fordermal application as well as chronicapplication of the product have beensuccessfully concluded by M/s V-LifeSciences Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Pune.Studies are now continuing to take upphase I Clinical trial of Galnobax.

A molecule TRC150094 a novelDiiodothyronine (T2) analogue, for the

treatment of cardiovascular (CV) risk factorsdefined by Metabolic Syndrome (MS) aimedat increasing Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)has been taken up by M/s. TorrentPharmaceuticals Ltd., Ahmedabad. Phase Istudies of this molecule have beensuccessfully completed.

Diagnostics

Amar Immunodiagnostics Pvt Ltd.,Hyderabad has developed an ELISA based

diagnostic kit for celiac disease for detection

of IgG and IgA specific antibodies to TissueTansglutaminase (TTG).

A study by M/s Abexome Biosciences Pvt.Ltd., Bangalore aims to develop antibodies

and assays that can be used for

pharmacological characterization of thecommon biosimilar mAbs (monoclonal

antibodies), viz. Rituximab, Infliximab,

Adalimumab, Trastuzumab andBevacizumab.

Bioenergy

An efficient lactic acid production from

mango kernel by Lactobacillus sp., in batchfermentation process has been demonstrated

by M/s SPC Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad.In order to develop TransformationalTechnology Platform for BiologicalHydrogen, promising seedless hybrids of


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Sweet Sorghum have been identified withhigh sugar high yield by M/s NagarjunaFertilizers & Chemicals Ltd. Bharat

Petroleum Corporation Ltd. in collaboration

with TERI has been working on a project

aimed at development of process know how

for butanol production from lignocellulosic

biomass.

Biotechnology Industry ResearchAssistance Council (BIRAC)

The Cabinet has accorded approval for the

setting up of “Biotechnology Industry

Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)” as

‘not-for-profit’ section 25 company with a

vision to stimulate, foster and enhance the

strategic research and innovation capabilities

of the Indian biotech industry particularly

SME’s, to make India globally competitive

in biotech innovation and entrepreneurship

and to create affordable products and

services.

BIRAC will operate with a core budget for

its regular activities and recurring expenses

for human resources and operational cost.

BIRAC is being set up as a separate body

for supporting product innovation andproviding required infrastructure andservices at different stages of the value chainfor promoting innovation and productdevelopment.

BIRAC will provide funding/investment forearly and late stage, including SmallBusiness Innovation Research Initiative(SBIRI), Biotechnology Industry PartnershipProgramme (BIPP) and ignition grant,contract research in Industry for publicinstitution innovation, technology transferand acquisition in national priority areas,promotion of entrepreneurship, incubators,parks and clusters and SME empowermentmeasure schemes. The BIRAC will alsoprovide support services for IP facilitation,legal support and contracts, regulatory andclinical trials, mentoring and capacitybuilding. Initially in order to kick startBIRAC a pilot BIRAP (BiotechnologyIndustry Research & DevelopmentAssistance Programme) was established inNovember 2008.

Activities of BIRAP

Following specific activities to supportresearch, innovation in the biotech industrieshave been undertaken for innovationfunding, capacity building and mentoringprogramme, technology developmentprogramme, initiating technologyacquisition, landscape analysis andtechnology mapping, support services forpolicy and analysis, legal and contracts, IPfacilitation, regulatory and clinical advise etc.

Besides BIPP, BIRAP is equipped with therequired staff which executed different

195


programmes on capacity building. BIRAPalso initiated an electronic journalconsortium with the help of DELCON (DBTProgramme) to facilitate access to expertsand industry to over 900 journals andscientific literature for necessary researchback up. BIRAP is providing mentoringprogramme by supporting travel and otherexpenses of experts to facilitate access toimportant workshops, meetings andconferences and associate the mandate ofBIRAP with them.

BIRAP as a strategic partner of the StanfordIndia Biodesign (SIB) programme whichprovides necessary facilitation for thevalidation and commercialization activities.Transfer of Technology for Biofortificationof Banana from University of Queensland,Australia is also under process. Discussionsare continuing with the Australian Group.BIRAP is facilitating the IP search, techtransfer agreement / contract development.BIRAP has partnered with the IP Cell inBCIL, and it is being strengthened toprovide the services to the Academia groupsand Industry.

Since BIRAC has been approved by theUnion Cabinet it will be registered as Section25 Company and activities going underBIRAP will then move under BIRAC.Process of registration of BIRAC has alreadybeen initiated. By the end of the financial

year its activities are expected to start. Allthe programmes under I&M Sector, DBT willbe operated through BIRAC. Servicesrequired at different stages of the entirevalue chain, viz: early stage innovationresearch, product development, productvalidation and commercialization will beprovided under BIRAC.

Capacity Building in IP Management

An IP Management and TechnologyCommercialization (IPM-TC) Cell has beensupported at DBT-ICT Centre for EnergyBiosciences at Mumbai.

Biotech Product & ProcessDevelopment

Biotech Product and Process Developmentprogramme endeavors to promote theresearch efforts towards optimization andscaling–up of significant leads. Theemphasis is on commercialization of thebiotech products and processes for thebenefits of the society. During the year, theDepartment had received 220 proposals, outof which 30 have been supported and 180are under different stages of evaluation.Significant achievements of some of theprojects are presented below:

IIT Delhi, in the process to create PAT basedcontrol scheme for chromatography unit


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operation, create overall control scheme forthe entire process, and demonstration of thebenefits of the PAT control scheme. Thestudy envisages developing realistic PATsystems for individual Bioprocessing unitoperations that industry can implement. Sofar, the investigators have created criticalquality attributes Granulocyte colonystimulating factor of rHu-GCSF definedanalytical scheme and seven methods havebeen developed for it. High throughputresin screening protocol has been developed.

A work undertaken at IIT Gandhinagar, toeliminate use of supercritical CO2, use sub-critical CO2 for precipitation andstabilization of ultra-fine particles of activepharmaceutical ingredients in aqueoussuspensions for Pharmaceutical applications.

In a joint collaboration studies undertakenon various aspects to provide an efficientcost effective process for the extraction/isolation of sweet glycosides from Stevia

rebaudiana Bertoni plant at OsmaniaUniversity and IICT Hyderabad. Attemptsare made to improve the quality of thesweetness of stevioside by adding at leastone natural sweetener (e.g. sucrose, glucoseand fructose) by glycosidation of steviosidesor by membrane separation of impurities toobtain high purity steviosides. So far, theinvestigators have developed a méthodologyusing membranes in isolation and

purification of stevioside from the leaves ofstevia with improved organoleptic property.Both semi synthetic and enzymatical processhas been devloped in synthesis ofglycosylated stevioside.

AT IIT Bombay, work undertaken toinvestigate the genetic basis behinddifferential productivity in recombinantmammalian cells at a global level with afocus on protein secretion pathway in theendoplasmic reticulum. The investigatorscreated a secreting CHO-K1 cell line ofvarying productivity as a model system tostudy protein secretion. A set of 5 stableCHO cell lines have been established onthe protein secretion pathway. The kineticsof each cell line is studied along with geneexpression and proteomic analysis. Majorchaperones responsible for protein foldingin the endoplasmic reticulum and UPRstress pathway are identified. Multivariateanalysis has been performed to identify theimportant variables influencing productivity.A mathematical model is also built takinginto account all the major reactions of theunfolded protein response pathway.

IIT, Madras aimed at bioprocessdevelopment for the production of ethanoland polyols by Debaryomyces nepalensis NCYC3413. Different medium components arescreened for the optimum production ofxylitol and ethanol. Plackett-Burman

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experimental design has been used to screenimportant medium components influencingthe production of xylitol by Debaryomyces

nepalensis. Scaling-up the production ofxylitol upto 5 litre fermentor under theoptimized conditions is under progress.Another group at IIT Madras is in theprocess to characterize a recombinantputative acetyl xylan esterase from thethermostable bacterium, Thermotoga maritima

for potential industrial applications.

Collaborators from Lady Doak College,Karunya University, Vision ResearchFoundation, and Madurai Kamraj UniversityChennai are developing the matrices usingshort and medium chain length PHAproduced by Pseudomonas sp. LDC-5. PHAproduction has been optimized purified andcharacterized. Biocompatibility of PHAbased matrices has been established with3T3 mouse fibroblast. Cytotoxicityassessment of purified PHA and PHA basedmatrices is carried out to ascertain the non-toxic property of PHA. In vitro analysis ofmatrices for the growth of continuous celllines of human origin are in progress.Isolation of stem cells from human corneais in progress and primary cultures ofcorneal limbal stem cells are beingstandardized.

University of Delhi is optimizing the processfor Keratinase production from Bacillus

pumilus for degradation of recalcitrantproteins. The production of the enzyme hasbeen optimized in different modified feathermedium. Downstream processing of theenzyme has been carried out with an overallrecovery of 84.74%. After purification of thekeratinase, the characterization of thepurified enzyme is being carried out alongwith its evaluation for degradation of yeastprion clone (Sup35NM).

IIT Guwahati, characterized the industriallyimportant proteases from selected proteaseproducing bacteria isolated fromenvironmental samples of north-east India.Novel alkaline proteases from Brevibacillus

sp.AS-S10-II and P.tezpurensis sp.nov.AS-S24-II have been isolated. An alkaline â-keratinase from B.licheniformis AS-S24-I strainhas been isolated and its application inlaundry detergent has been formulated. Aprocess optimization for degradation of rawchicken feather using alkaline â-keratinasefrom B.licheniformis AS-S24-I strain has beenevaluated.

Shri AMM Murugappa Chettiar ResearchCentre, Taramani, Chennai are aiming atmass cultivation of the fruiting bodies ofdifferent strains of Ganoderma lucidum atdifferent climatic conditions, validation ofnutraceutical properties in reputed /accredited National and Internationallaboratories leading to formulation of


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permeability in patients with activeulcerative colitis in a double blindrandomized placebo controlled trial isongoing in PGIMER, Chandigarh. A total of90 patients have been screened and 15 havebeen recruited in the trial so far. Twogroups of patients received 450 CFU ofVSL#3 and 3600 CFU respectively and eachof these groups has a placebo treated controlgroup.

Research on small intestinal and whole gutmetagenome in patients with celiac diseaseis progressing at AIIMS and NCCS to studythe metagenome of duodenal biopsies andwhole gut metagenome in the stool of thetreatment naïve patients with celiac disease,patients on gluten free diet for atleast oneyear, first degree relatives of celiac diseaseand controls.

ARI, Pune is working to develop a processfor increasing resistant starch in selectedfood materials and to assess their pre-bioticand anti-inflammatory potential through in

vitro and in vivo models. Ten cereals andpulses were subjected to retrogradation andthree of them showed significant increasein resistant starch.

For enhancement of innate Mucosalimmunity probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus,Bifodo bifidum and Bacillus clausi) were usedto treat murine macrophage RAW 274.6,

Ganoderma powder as potential products ofnutraceutical importance.

Gulbarga University is attempting todevelop dietary Nucleotides fromSugarcane for Therapeutic Applications. Thehighest concentration of nucleic acid hasbeen observed in saccharum officinarum,

Glycin max, Phasleolus vulgaris, Phasleolus

aureus, Phasleolus mungo, Saccharomyces

crevisiae.

ICGEB, Delhi has undertaken work on in

vitro biosynthesis of antimalarial drugartemisinin via metabolic engineering of BY-cells.

Biotechnological Approaches forFood and Nutritional security

During the year emphasis was given tounderstand the beneficial role of probioticsfor human health, food safety issueaddressal, developing novel food products& processes, rapid detection kits for GMfoods, utilization of agricultural residues forobtaining value added products and lowcost nutrient food supplements.

Probiotics for human health

Work on the effect of probiotic on reducingintestinal inflammation, inducing clinicalremission and restoring intestinal

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human monocyte THP-1 and intestinalCaco2 cells. Microarray studies of mRNAextracted from probiotic treated cellsindicated that approximately 7000 entitiesshowed 2 fold and higher changes in termsof expression.

NDRI is working on to understand theinteraction of probiotics bacteria with innateand adaptive immune system to alleviatethe immunogical reactions in a neonate andaged animal model. Three probioticLactobacillus strains (L.casei, L.acidophilus andL.helviticus) were selected on the basis ofprobiotic attributes and used for preparingfermented milks. Preliminary results indicatethat mice fed with milk fermented withL.helveticus recorded remarkably higherlymphocyte proliferation index compared tocontrol and other probiotic fermented milkgroups.

Probiotic for fetal immune programming anencapsulated combination of probiotic andprebiotic is being studied to see for anyimpact on fetal immune programming.Among 18 Lactobacillus strains tested,Lactobacillus paraplantarum 321 andLactobacillus helviticus 194 inhibited thegrowth of all pathogenic bacteria under testconditions while, Lactobacillus helviticus 194

strain showed susceptibility to Proteus, E.coli

ATCC and Pseudomonas species.Bifidobacterium bifidum 231 also inhibited the

growth of all pathogens tested exceptPseudomonas and Bacillus cereus.

Probiotics for treatment of Bacterialvaginosis women with recurring episodesof vaginosis or vaginitis whose vaginal pHis above 5 were enrolled in the clinical trialwhich is being conducted at AIIMS and SirGangaram Hospital, New Delhi. The trialemploys BASANT (a polyherbal microbicideconsisting of curcumin, purified extracts ofamla, purified saponins, aloe vera and rosewater) dispensed either as a tablet or ascapsule which is used every night for 14days, initially to cure vaginosis orvaginitis.

Detection of Genetically Modified Foods(GMOs) and Food Products

Research at NBPGR, New Delhi isconstructing a system of 96 well pre spottedplates for the individual detection of targetsallowing the simultaneous identification ofGM events by the use of event specificprimers and probe combinations fordetection of GMOs. Transgene/ promoter/marker/endogenous gene specific simplexPCR based detection protocols have beendeveloped for six GM maize events andfour stacked GM maize event. Twelve GMEvents, 5 Cotton Events and 7 maize éventsalong with their endogenous genes, werevalidated on the ready-to-use multi-target


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analytical system with specific primers andprobes. Event-specific Real time PCR

protocols for Bt brinjal with cry1Ac, cry1Ab

and cry1Fa genes have been developed.

Addressal of Micronutrient andMacronutrient deficiencies

Studies on development of multi-

micronutrients fortified milk are underway

for the assessment of the potential of toned

milk as a vehicle for iron and vitamin A

and calcium and vitamin D. The

development of micronutrient fortified milk

would be helpful in iron deficiency anemia

in particular. BIBCOL has developed a

product consisting of a mixture of seven

minerals and thirteen vitamins as per WHO

guidelines in a sachet aimed for treatment

of severely malnourished children.

Development of Diarrhoea ManagementCombo Kit

A combo kit comprising of zinc tablets (14

tablets) and two sachets of ORS has been

manufactured by BIBCOL. Scaling and

automation of Zinc tablet production has

been set up at BIBCOL. 30 lakh diarrhoea

treatment kits have also been supplied to

high burden North Eastern states for large

scale demonstration.

Functional Foods

Development of Fermented functional

foods from papaya

Studies are underway to isolate, characterizeand evaluate the fermentative ability ofendophytes of papaya fruit from foureconomically important varieties. Thephylogenetic analysis based on the 16SrRNA sequence revealed that the isolatedendophytes are genetically distinct andcluster as discrete clades in the dendrogram.Fermentative ability of the isolates wasassessed and Bacillus niacini isolated fromseeds of “Bangalore” variety utilized thefruit sugars and improved the antioxidantpotential of the fermented product. Thefindings provide evidence that differentparts of papaya fruits harbor an array ofbacterial endophytes that could be importantagents in attributing the high nutritive statusto the fruit. These fruit isolates could serveas potent microbial cocktails for developingvalue added fermented products.

Bioactive Peptides

Toothpastes containing 4% Caseino-phosphopeptides (CPPs) exhibited higherefficiency than those containing 3% CPPs incomparison to flouridated and controltoothpastes. An in situ study on collegestudents, on remineralization of enamel

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lesion using sugar free chewing gumsincorporated with 3% CPPs showed greaterarea of remineralization as compared tocontrol chewing gums. A study onexperimental rats for nutritional quality ofweaning foods(WF) incorporated withhydrophilic, hydrophobic CPPs and controlWF without CPPs, revealed anenhancement in ‘bone mineral density’ inweaning food with hydrophilic CPPsfollowed by those with hydrophobic andthe control WFs.

Preparation of novel reduced calorie fats

Two structured lipids (SL-1 and SL-2) wereprepared by inter esterification reactionusing lipase enzyme. Both the structuredlipids contained significant amounts ofbehenic acid and linoleic acid. The serumtriglyceride levels were loweredsignificantly in rats fed SL- 1and 2 comparedto that in rats given sunflower oil. Thecaloric value of SL- 1and 2 were lower incomparison to sunflower oil. The differentialcalorimetry scanning studies indicatedsimilarities in thermo physical propertiesbetween bakery fats and SL- 1. Bakeryproducts, such as cakes and biscuits wereprepared by replacing bakery fats bystructured lipid. Low calorie bakeryproducts which are free from trans fatscould thus be prepared using structuredlipids.

Human Resource Development in FoodScience and Technology through IntegratedMaster’s and PhD programme

Integrated Masters and PhD programme wasinitiated by DBT in Anna UniversityChennai; Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi; IIT-Kharagpur and University ofKashmir, Srinagar. The research prioritiesin the above 4 institutions focus on fluidfoods including dairy foods, fermentationtechnology, vegetable processingtechnology, processing of foods of plant andmeat origin, food processing engineering,fermentation and bio-processingengineering, extension of shelf life of fooditems, fortified ready to eat products.

New initiatives

Medical Management of Childrensuffering from Severe AcuteMalnutrition

Sever Acute Malnutrition withoutcomplications (SAM) are an acute state ofsevere wastage in under 3-yr age children,where the body mass is retardedparticularly in relation to height. SAM is animportant cause of morbidity and mortalityin children below 5 years of age in Indiawhere approximately 8.1 million childrenare estimated to suffer. Up to 15% underthe age of five, children with SAM require


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inpatient management because of medicalcomplications. The remaining 85% (withoutmedical complications) can be managedthrough a community and or home basedcare approach.

An alliance has been formed amongDepartments of Health Research (DHR) andBiotechnology (DBT), and Ministry of Healthand Family Welfare of the Government ofIndia to support research to generateevidence for development of practical andscalable regimens to medically rehabilitatechildren suffering from SAM without seriouscomplications at home/community leveland/or at peripheral inpatient facilities.

The department has taken an initiative foridentification of children in the communitywho have SAM without complication forwhich the proposals were invited in jointcollaboration with the Departments ofHealth Research and Ministry of Health andFamily Welfare of the Government.

Biosafety Issues

In compliance with the Rules-1989 ofEnvironment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA-1986), the Department has reconstituted theReview Committee on Genetic Manipulation(RCGM) to evaluate, approve and monitorthe safety related aspects of new andongoing rDNA projects and research

activities involving GE Organisms andcontained/confined field experiments of GEcrops, insects and trees. During the year,RCGM has taken several new initiatives forthe promotion of r-DNA technology in thefields of agriculture and pharmaceuticalsand provided technical advice to GEAC toenable the facilitation of decision makingon GMOs/ living modified organisms(LMOs) and products thereof for releasingthem into the environment and forsubsequent commercial use.

During the year, the RCGM consideredabout 800 applications in twelve meetingsin the areas of agriculture, pharmaceuticalsand industrial products for import/exchangeof GE materials including transgenic seeds,gene constructs, plasmids, vectors, andGMOs/ LMOs; conduct of pre-clinicaltoxicity studies on innovative new drugs(IND)/similar biologics; evaluation of pre-clinical study data on IND/similar biologics,conduct of Biosafety Research Level 1(BRL1)/ event selection trials in confinedconditions on several GE crops of new genesor events developed by public/privateinstitutions/companies for generation ofbiosafety data; and conduct R&D inpharmaceutical and agricultural areas. R&Dactivities are continuing on various othercrops like rice, okra, brinjal, mustard,tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, ground nut,pigeon pea, chick pea, cowpea, finger

203


millets, sunflower, soybean, bamboo, castor,wheat, black gram, black pepper, chilies,onion, papaya, rubber etc. Eight public/private institutions/seed companies werepermitted to conduct confined field trials offive GE crops viz., brinjal, cotton, rubber,corn and mustard containing new genes/events with the approval of RCGM &GEAC. Transgenic tree species like rubber,and transgenic insects like silk worm andmosquitos are on fast track of development.List of approvals accorded for conduct ofconfined field trials of BRL-1 on GE cropsdeveloped by public/private institutions/seed companies within the country is givenin Table-6.1. Eleven Central ComplianceCommittee (CCC) teams constituted formonitoring the BRL-1 confined field trialson GM crops conducted by private/publicsector institutions & companies. Departmentparticipated in ‘Event based approvalmechanism (EBAM)’ for commercializationof transgenic Cotton Hybrids, StandingCommittee constituted by Ministry ofEnvironment & Forests. Based on theapproval of the Standing Committee 142transgenic cotton hybrids expressing fourapproved events were recommended toState Agriculture Departments forcommercialization under EBAM.

In the pharmaceutical sector, 26 rDNAproducts were approved for conducting pre-clinical toxicity studies by 16 private/

public/autonomous institutions. Informationon the healthcare products approved byRCGM for conduct of pre-clinical toxicitystudies during 2011 is given in Table-6.2.Based on the pre-clinical study reports, 18rDNA products developed by 11 private/public institutions & companies wererecommended by RCGM to DCG(I) forappropriate phase of clinical trials. Table6.3 gives the details of rDNA productsrecommended by RCGM to DCG(I) forappropriate phase of clinical trials.

The department continues to receiveapplications from institutions working withGMOs for constitution of InstitutionalBiosafety Committees (IBSCs). Twenty seven(27) new IBSCs have been constituted atvarious public-funded institutions,universities, private R&D institutions andindustries involved in rDNA research. Afterdue diligence to the comments received fromgovernment/ private institutions andstakeholders the revised formats forintimating/ requesting IBSC/ RCGM forimport/ export/ exchange GMOs/ LMOsand product thereof, and to conduct pre-clinical toxicity studies of recombinantproducts, biosafety research trials on GEcrops under confined conditions and to carryout research and development. In order tostrengthen the Indian Biosafety RegulatorySystem, several consultative meetings withvarious stakeholders were held. Biology


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Documents on Cotton, Okra, Maize and Ricewith basic and useful information weredeveloped for the benefit of the applicantsconducting Biosafety research trials undercontained/confined conditions. Regulatoryguidelines for recombinant bio-therapeuticproducts, formulated on “Similar Biologics”,are under evaluation by other nationalregulatory bodies for harmonization andimplementation. Based on the RCGMrecommendations, four sub-committees havebeen constituted by the RCGM to formulate/revise (1) the present set of guidelinesavailable for conduct and monitoring ofconfined field trials along with devising newcrop specific guidelines; (2) preparation ofenvironmental risk assessment (ERA)guidelines for ERA of genetically engineeredcrops; (3) Biosafety guidelines to conductand monitor Confined Research Trials(CRTs) on genetically engineered (GE)Insects; and (4) Biosafety guidelines toconduct and monitor Confined ResearchTrials (CRTs) on genetically engineered (GE)trees.

As the knowledge in the modernbiotechnology is ever expanding, efforts arebeing made to update with the latestinformation and also modifications,amendments etc. in the guidelines from timeto time for the stakeholders through twodedicated dynamic & interactive web siteson “Biosafety” (http://dbtbiosafety.nic.in)

and “Indian GMO Research InformationSystem (IGMORIS)” (http://igmoris.nic.in).These websites also facilitate tracking ofregulatory clearances on applications toRCGM and e-monitoring of IBSCs onpersonalized web features. Based on theadvancements in the field of agriculture &pharmaceutical areas on GMOs/ rDNAresearch globally, necessary improvementsare being incorporated in the Biosafetyregulatory system in the country.

The Industrial growth around the world issteered by technological innovation throughresearch & development. To promote theR&D activities in Biotechnology, 18 privateresearch institutions have beenrecommended to Department of Scientificand Industrial Research for recognition oftheir In-house Research & DevelopmentUnits. Products and services ofbiotechnology origin were also promotedby communicating department’s view onfixation of standard input/ output norms(SION) for 12 export products; and noobjection certificates (NOC) for 14 cases forexport/ import of biotechnology productsto Directorate General of Foreign Trade(DGFT). Comments/ suggestions have alsobeen provided to various ministries/departments for commercial release ofbiotech products, compulsory licensing,foreign direct investment, internationalcommerce and other relevant issues.

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Table-6.1: Genetically Engineered crops approved for conduct of confined field trials

of BRL-1 by the private/public organizations and seed companies during 2011

• Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd., Mumbai cp4epsps

• JK Agri Genetics Ltd, Hyderabad cry1Ac & cry1Ec

• Bayer Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon 2mepsps

• Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Hyderabad cry1F, cp4epsps & PAT

• Syngenta Biosciences Pvt. Ltd., Pune cry1Ab & 2mepsps (Bt11 x GA21 event)

• Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants

(CGMCP), University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi bar, barnase and barstar• National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), New Delhi Osmotin

• Directorate of Sorghum Research, Hyderabad cry1B (NRCSCRY 1B,event-19)

Cotton

Corn

Mustard

Sorghum

S. GE Crop Institute/ Industry Transgene/ s

No.

1

2

3

4


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• Pegylated Recombinant Human GranulocyteColony Stimulating Factor (PEG-rh-GCSF)·

• Recombinant Human Interferon alpha 2a (rh-IFNá-2a)

• Pegylated Recombinant Human Interferon alpha 2a(Peg-rh-IFN-2a)

• Recombinant Human Insulin Analog (InsulinAspart; B28Asp-Insulin)

• Recombinant Human Insulin Analog (InsulinGlargine; A21Gly, B31Arg-B32Arg-Insulin)

• Tenecteplase: Recombinant Fibrin-SpecificPlasminogen Activator

• Trivalent Seasonal Influenza VLP Vaccine

• Pegylated Recombinant Human GranulocyteColony Stimulating Factor (Peg-rh-GCSF)

• Rabies G VLP vaccine

• Recombinant Human Granulocyte ColonyStimulating Factor (rh-GCSF)

• Recombinant Interferon beta-1b (rh-IFNâ-1b)

• Recombinant HPV Vaccine

• Etanercept: TNFá Receptor-Fc fusion protein

• Bevacizumab: Recombinant Humanized Anti-VEGFMonoclonal Antibody

• Etanercept: Recombinant TNFá Receptor-Fc fusionprotein

• Filgrastim: Recombinant Human GranulocyteColony Stimulating Factor (rh-GCSF)

• Teriparatide: Recombinant Human ParathyroidHormone (1-34) (rh-PTH:1-34)

• Teriparatide: Recombinant Human ParathyroidHormone (1-34) (rh-PTH:1-34)

• Recombinant Streptokinase (SK) ·

Recombinant Clot Specific Streptokinase (CSSK)

• Darbepoetin alpha

· Infliximab: Recombinant Chimeric Anti-TNFáMonoclonal Antibody

• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

• Polysialylated Erythropoietin

Products Institute/IndustryS.No.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Bio Genomics Ltd, Mumbai

Avesthagen Ltd., Bangalore

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,Ahmedabad

Virchow Biotech PrivateLtd.,Hyderabad

Sudershan Biotech Ltd.,Hyderabad

Shantha Biotechnics Ltd,Bangalore

Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.,Ahmedabad

Lupin Ltd., Pune

FDC Ltd., Mumbai

Gland Pharma Limited,Hyderabad

Inbiopro Solutions Pvt. Ltd.,Bangalore

Symmetrix Biotech Pvt. Ltd.,Chandigarh

Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.,Mumbai

Serum Institute of India Ltd.,Pune

Bharat Biotech InternationalLtd., Hyderabad

Cadila Healthcare Ltd.,Ahmedabad

Table-6.2: List of rDNA products (Healthcare) approved for Pre-Clinical Toxicity studies during 2011

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• Darbepoetin alfa

• H1N1-09 Influenza VLP Vaccine

• Recombinant Enfuvirtide

• Rituximab: Recombinant ChimericAnti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody·Pegylated Erythropoietin

• Filgrastim: Recombinant HumanGranulocyte Colony StimulatingFactor (rh-GCSF)

• Pegylated Recombinant HumanGranulocyte Colony StimulatingFactor (PEG-rh-GCSF)·Teriparatide: Recombinant HumanParathyroid Hormone (1-34) (rh-PTH:1-34)

• Recombinant Live Vibrio cholerae VA1.4 Vaccine

• Clot Specific Streptokinase

• Peg-Filgrastim: PegylatedRecombinant Human GranulocyteColony Stimulating Factor (PEG-rh-GCSF)· Trastuzumab: RecombinantHumanized Anti-HER2 MonoclonalAntibody Bevacizumab: RecombinantHumanized Anti-VEGF MonoclonalAntibody · Infliximab: RecombinantChimeric Anti-TNFá MonoclonalAntibody · Darbepoetin alfa

• Rituximab: Recombinant ChimericAnti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody

• Pegylated Recombinant HumanGranulocyte Colony StimulatingFactor (PEG-rh-GCSF)·Trastuzumab: RecombinantHumanized Anti-HER2 MonoclonalAntibody

Hetero Drugs Ltd., Hyderabad

Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,Ahmedabad

Virchow Biotech Private Ltd.,Hyderabad

Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd.,Ahmedabad

USV Ltd., Mumbai

Lupin Ltd., Pune

National Institute of Cholera &Enteric Diseases (NICED),Kolkata

Symmetrix Biotech Pvt. Ltd.,Chandigarh

Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.,Mumbai

Cadila Healthcare Ltd.,Ahmedabad

Biocon Ltd., Bangalore

S.No.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Products Institute/Industry


208


to industry and further commercialization.The following six patents have been grantedduring the year 2011-12

1. Oligonucleotides for detection ofLeishmaniasis and methods thereof(Patent no. 246347/India)

2. Diagnostic kit for detection of Pulmonaryand extra pulmonary Tuberculosis(Patent no. 7888037B2/US)

3. Novel Polymer for solid phase peptidesynthesis and process for preparationthereof (Patent no. 248550/India)

4. An Oligonucleotide primer pair fordetection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

using the primer (Patent no. 248630/India)

5. Process for producing a Biopesticidecomposition containing Trichoderma

harzanium and Pseudomonas fluoresces

(Patent no. 7923005B2/US)

6. Process for the preparation of HerbalExtract from the Fern Cheilanthes farinose

effective against liver diseases (Patentno. 250038/India)

Patent Facilitation Cell

The main objective of Biotechnology PatentFacilitating Committee (BPFC) of theDepartment of Biotechnology (DBT) iscreation of awareness and understandingrelating to intellectual property rights (IPR)among students, scientists and faculty ofcolleges, universities and research institutesthrough workshops, seminars andconferences. BPFC also assists theinvestigators in patent filing in IPO, USPTOand other countries. All patent applicationson inventions pertaining to Life Sciencesand Biotechnology received in theDepartment are subjected to a rigorousscrutiny. Based on merit, departmentprovides administrative and financialsupport for patent filing in India and othercounties. The patent filing is done throughNational Research Development Corporation(NRDC), New Delhi. BPFC also plays animportant role in transfer of technology toindustry and its commercialization.

During the period, 17 patent applicationswere process for filing with IPO, USPTOand in other countries through NRDC. Seventechnologies are under process for transfer

BIOTECHNOLOGY INFORMATIONSYSTEM NETWORK

Chapter 7

209

Biology in the 21st century is beingtransformed from a purely lab-based scienceto an information science as well. Over thepast few decades, major advances in thefield of molecular biology, coupled withadvances in genomic technologies, have ledto an explosive growth in the biologicalinformation generated by the scientificcommunity. The sequencing and mappingof Human Genome and hundreds of othergenomes has, in turn, led to an absoluterequirement for computerized databases tostore, organize, and index the data and forspecialized tools to view and analyze thedata.

The Bioinformatics is attaining greatersignificance in the life sciences research andindustry and hitherto unexplored areas ofbiology. Bioinformatics, computational andsystems biology are data driven andalgorithm intensive research areas arebecoming important. In the field ofbioinformatics, the life sciences sector isnow focusing on analysis and interpretingvoluminous data generated throughbiological research. Biological research hasbecome more and more data intensive andrequires advanced Bioinformatics

infrastructure, databases and humanresource who could transform the data intomeaningful information, understanding andproduct development. The BTISnet of DBTis promoting these activities efficiently.Major such activities are discussedherewith.

BTISnet in a Nutshell

BTISnet a potential scientific network inthe country comprises of more than 165institutions. The network embraces state ofart infrastructure, human resourcedevelopment and exhibited capability incarrying out intensive research anddevelopment activities in bioinformaticsand computational biology. Based on theoutcomes of BTISnet a compendium on“Research publications in Bioinformaticsand computational biology from India” wasreleased on 3rd February, 2012 listing morethan 3000 peer reviewed researchpublications in these areas. Centers ofBTISnet were networked through highspeed leased line connectivity earlier andnow some of them are being networkedthrough National Knowledge Commission(NKN) network. Skilled human resources

Biotechnology Information System Network

210


are being promoted through the long termand short term courses and trainings. Onenoticeable good thing is happening thatthe experimental researchers are now keento adopt bioinformatics approach for thebiotechnology research and thebioinformaticians are now getting fairopportunities to work with hard coreexperimental biologists. The BINC examwhich is considered as highly stringentnational exam is picking up well and 35candidates have been qualified in this year.Eight new BIF centers have been added tothe BTISnet and in fact the new generationbioinformatics centers are doingexceptionally very good and they broughtlot of experimental component to thebioinformatics. NEBInet which comprisesof more 25 bioinformatics centers in NorthEast states has opened up greatopportunities in biotechnology for theNorth East Region of the country. Throughthis network it is now much simpler togenerate and implement programs for thisregion and outreach has become mucheasier. Several new programs like Biotechhubs, overseas associateship, TwinningR&D etc. are being implemented with thesupport of NEBInet. Three majorconsortium projects on Bioinformatics inTB, Rice and Mango have been shownexcellent progress during this period. TheXXIII Annual BTISnet Coordinators meetingfor the year 2011-12 was organized on 3rd

& 4th February 2012 at Shri Mata VaishnoDevi University, Jammu with a focal themeof “Bioinformatics in 21st Century- Lookingahead”. Prior to this a National Symposiumon “Bioinformatics: Challenges in the Post-Genomic era” was organized by theUniversity of Jammu on 2nd February 2012.Three important programs of DBT on DBT’se-Library Consortium (DeLCON),Conference, Travel, Exhibition and PopularLectures (CTEP) and the Innovative YoungBiotechnologist Award (IYBA) are beingvery effectively coordinated by the ApexBTIC in DBT. The location of the centres isdepicted in the Map below (Figure 7.1).

Fig. 7.1: Map showing the locations of BTISnet Centres

211

Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Information System Network

Centres of Excellence (COE) inBioinformatics

Six CoEs in Bioinformatics andComputational Biology have beenestablished as part of BTISnet. These Centresare well equipped with State of ArtBioinformatics infrastructure to supportresearch within the Institute as well asneighbouring institutions. The CoE at BoseInstitute, Kolkata is specialising in the areaslike genome analysis, regulatory RNA stemcells and genomics and structuralbioinformatics. It provides projects tostudents undergoing Post Graduate coursesfrom your large number of institutions anduniversities. In 2011, 16 important researchpapers have been published by the Centre.The CoE at IISc Bangalore has shown aparadigm shift in the focus of the centresactivities which is now directed towardsstrengthening integrated researchprogrammes in several areas ofBioinformatics with a long term goal ofdeveloping computational modules ofBiological macro-molecules and cellularprocesses at different levels of abstractionto aid new hypothesis generation, new waysof research in Biology and in generatingapplications, opportunities in drug andvaccine discoveries. The Centre hosts amajor mirror server for structuralclassification of protein (SCOP) structures.

The Centre also has Cambridge structuraldatabase (CSD) which contains more than586,977 small module structures. 68 ProjectAssistant, 23 Project trainees and 98 summertrainees have been trained both at CoE andthe interactive Graphic Facility. 23 highimpact publications have been publishedduring this year.

The CoE at JNU, New Delhi is a part of theSchool of Computational and IntegrativeSciences, with a major objective ofdevelopment of human resource throughteaching and research in the frontier area ofcomputational biology, bioinformatics andsystems biology. The Centre is also workingon Mycobacterium tuberculosis, through TBConsortium project supported by DBT andthe Centre is also engaged in Leishmaniaand Plasmodium falciparum. The Centre underthe CoE Umbrella conducts M. Tech coursein Bioinformatics, Computational andSystems Biology. In addition, the Centre alsoconducts BINC Examination since 2010-2011onwards. 27 Peer reviewed researchpublications have been published by thisCentre during the reporting period. The CoEat Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai isspecialising in the areas like structuralBioinformatics, proteomics data mining andcomputer aided drug design. Towardsmanpower development the Centre runsnetwork M. Sc. Computational Biologycourse along with Anna University, Chennai


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and Pondicherry University, Pondicherry.The Centre is having collaborative researchwith international and national institutionsin the field of Bioinformatics such asWiseman Institute, Israel, University of Utah,USA, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai,NCBS, Bangalore and AIIMS, New Delhi.They conduct research with them in theareas like E. Coli, fungal kinetics,classification of proteins, M. tuberculosis andin-silico drug design. More than 20 papershave been published by the Centre duringthis year.

The Centre at University of Pune, Puneconducts M. Sc. in Bioinformatics and before

2010-11 this Centre was organizing the BINCexamination. The Centre has developed 3major databases namely viral proteinstructural database, antigen antibodygenomics and viral genome resources. 12important papers have been published bythe Centre during this period. The CoEnamely Super- computing Facility forBioinformatics (SCFBio) at IIT Delhi providessuper-computing facility for the institute,researchers and scholars. Centres are alsoutilising its resources both hardware andsoftware packages developed by the Centre.The website showing software for predictingDNA-Drug interaction strength has beenshown as Figure 7.2.

Fig. 7.2: Software for predicting DNA-Drug interaction strength

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Bioinformatics InfrastructureFacilities (BIF) For BiologyTeaching through Bioinformatics(BTBI)

To promote the biology & biotechnologyteaching through bioinformatics, a schemewas launched recently namelyBioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (BIF)to promote innovations in the area ofBiology & Biotechnology among theInstitutions/ Universities/ Colleges all overthe Country. The scheme is designed toexpose teachers, scientists and students tothe real-world of science and the use ofbioinformatics in solving hard corebiological problems. Several sites providefree access to biological informationresources to promote advanced biology anddevelop human resource to undertakechallenging research in the field of modernbiology. The centre can use the lecturematerials, video clippings, demonstrations,tutorials and online facilities to cater theneed of present generation in modernteaching and innovation. Ninety nineeducational institutions have so far beensupported under this scheme and somemore are in pipeline.

Sub-Distributed Information Centre

Fifty centres of this category are as part ofBTISnet. These Centres are located at

various Institutions/Universities and areworking along with specialized areas of

Bioinformatics. At one point of time these

Centres were considered as user Centres of

Bioinformatics and over the period of time

the Sub-DICs also have shown their

capabilities in training the people as wellas development of information resources inthe form of Databases. Many Centres of thislevel are doing good bioinformatics R&Dand have published number ofBioinformatics peer reviewed ResearchPublications.

North Eastern BioinformaticsNetwork (NEBInet)

A separate NEBInet has been establishedby including 27 Bioinformatics centers in

the North Eastern region of India as a part

of BTISnet. These Centres are mainly located

at various universities, colleges and

institutions to promote modern scientific

research communication among the scientific

community, sharing of information and help

in initiating collaborative R&D activities in

various fields of life. Being a North Eastern

States Centre’s, these centers are given

special emphasis for an overall developmentin the Country and are linked with all otherBTISnet Centre. During the current year twocenters were established in the NorthEastern Region.


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Human Resource Developmentin Bioinformatics, Computationaland Systems Biology

Bioinformatics is an emerginginterdisciplinary area of biotechnology andencompasses systematic development andapplication of IT solutions to handlebiological research problems. Areas such asproteomics, genomics, combinatorialchemistry, statistics, nanotechnology,spectroscopy and structural andcomputational biology will have increasingapplications of Bioinformatics in days tocome. To handle all these biological researchproblems, it requires highly trainedmanpower to deal molecular biology andapplication of software tools. Thedepartment had accorded this area highpriority and has introduced severalinnovative educational activities to meet thepresent requirements including several long-term and short term educational programsto address this gap. The details are asfollows.

M. Sc. Network Program, M.Tech &Advanced P.G. Diploma Courses inBioinformatics

The objective of this network programme isto share the expertise of teachers as well asthe resources which are created by theBTISnet Centres. The MKU, Madurai,

Pondicherry University, Pondicherry andAnna University, Chennai initiated aNetwork programme on higher educationin “M.Sc. Computational Biology” onconsortium basis. These places are utilizingthe resources through video conferencingand virtual class room approaches. Theprogram envisages creating of a strongcomputational and experimental basis tobioinformatics education at the postgraduate level. The other universities i.e. i)JNU, New Delhi ii) Pune University, Puneand iii) Calcutta University, Kolkatta arecontinuing M.Tech., M.Sc. and Post Graduatediploma courses in bioinformatics,respectively. This year more than 70 studentsgraduated from these programs.

Ph.D. Program in Bioinformatics

The COEs of BTISnet including the supercomputing facility at IIT, New Delhi arerunning Ph.D. programs in Bioinformaticsto meet the huge requirement for high endhuman resource in Bi3oinformatics &Computational Biology and training.

Short Term Training Programs

Basic understanding and hands onexperience in the area of Bioinformatics isprovided to the researchers and students,by each of the BTISnet Centre by conductingone or more short term training programmes

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each year. A schedule of the trainingprogrammes conducted by BTISNet Centresis published in the form of annual trainingcalendar each year by the Department. TheBTISnet centres organized more than 100short-term training during the year 2011-12so far.

Bioinformatics NationalCertification Examination (BINC)

The BINC examination was introduced in2005 by the Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Government of India to certifyprofessionals in the area of Bioinformaticsas the subject has emerged as anindependent discipline over the years andis assuming an increasingly important rolein the Life Sciences research in the post-genomic era. The University of Pune hascoordinated the BINC examination on behalfof DBT during 2005-2010. The BINCNational Coordination committee is thedriving force in setting and maintaining highstandards of the BINC examination. Theexamination is conducted at eight centersand has gained in popularity over the yearsas evidenced by the number of candidatesthat appeared for the examination and thenumber of candidates that qualified forcertification. (http://binc.scisjnu.ernet.in/).Any science graduate with or without formaltraining in Bioinformatics can appear forthis examination. However, to be eligible

for BINC JRF fellowship and register forPhD in Bioinformatics & computationalbiology, the candidates must possess aMaster’s degree in Science or Technologyor Medicine. The exam employs a three-tiersystem including an objective, subjectiveand practical examination. All the candidateswho register for the BINC examinationappear for Paper I. Those who secure 40%marks in paper I are eligible to appear forPaper II, which is subjective type and PaperIII, which is hands-on practical examination.

All successful candidates are awarded withcertificates of proficiency in Bioinformatics,a cash awards of Rs. 10,000 to each of thetop ten candidates and research fellowships(DBT-BINC-JRF) to carry out researchleading to Ph.D. in the area of Bioinformaticsin any of the recognized IndianUniversities/Institutes. The fellowship is atpar with NET, GATE, BETnational Exams.JNU, New Delhi is conducting the BINCexam from 2011 onwards. So far, 85candidates have qualified the BINC and outof them 15 are availing the fellowship.

R&D in Bioinformatics andComputational Biology

During the year, the department hasreceived more than 50 R&D projects in thearea of bioinformatics and sanctioned new12 R&D projects. Besides that the


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department also continued support to eightongoing projects on Bioinformatics and Cell

engineering generated through Indo-Japan

Collaboration and 117 new projects through

the twining program for North Eastern

States. The projects were supported in the

area of Molecular Dynamics Studies of the

Homology Model of CYP1A1, Structure

Based Drug Design and Virtual Screening

of Potential Ligands that Modulates the

Biological Function of CYP1A1,

Development of Computational Mosquito

borne viral data and potential antiviral

drugs by isolation of arboviruses from

female mosquitoes and in silico screening

for immungenic membrane protein and

modeling of suitable antivirals including

in vitro confirmation, Study of some

important signalling and metabolic

pathways in T-cell and glioma, role of

protein complexes and protein protein

interaction network in eukaryotic protein

evolution, understanding Systems Biology

of a Rhizobacterium, Azospirillum brasilense

by in-silico and in-vitro study of the

cascades and Networks of Sigma Factors,

Anti – Anti Sigma Factors, development

of internet computing engines and

knowledgebase for the analysis of proteinsequences and structures, development ofnew phasing tool for fastermacromolecular structure determination,Discovery, annotation, validation and

characterization of SNPs in Wheat (Triticum

aestivum L.) and haplotype structuredetermination using Next-GenerationSequencing Data, Drug TargetIdentification in Infectious Disease throughMolecular Simulation an BiochemicalNetwork Modeling and Online tooldevelopment for extraction of diseasedproteins and pattern database creation.

Consortium Projects onBioinformatics

Two major consortium projects viz. (i) TB-

bioinformatics and (ii) Rice bioinformatics

are running smoothly. TB Bioinformatics II

phase has been sanction this year. In TB-

bioinformatics seven major institutions are

partners, and, in rice bioinformatics eight

institutions namely NBPGR, New Delhi,

NRCPB (IARI), New Delhi, CRRI, Cuttack,

IGKV, Raipur, DRR, Hyderabad, CSSRI,

Karnal, IAS, Varanasi and UDSC, New

Delhi are the partners. Rice Bioinformatics

project has entered in its second year of

implementation and has shown good

progress. A comprehensive database on

these two areas will be available at the

end of these projects. A new consortium

project on Mango is being initiated this

year with 10 participating institutions fromall over India, who are working in the areaof Mango.

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DBT’s e-Library Consortium (DeLCON)

DBT e-Library Consortium (DeLCON)launched in January 2009 is runningsuccessfully. More than 30 institutes are partof the consortium. The institution as part ofthe DeLCON are able to access more than900 important journals. This has expeditedthe pace of research in the country andsupported for the access of scientificliterature at the click of a mouse. Thesteering committee of the consortium meetsat regular intervals and reviews the progressof the use of various journals and to assessfor addition or deletion of the journals fromthe list of subscribed journals. The portal ofthe consortium can be accessed throughwww.delcon.gov.in.

BTISnet website

A lot of information is required to bedisseminated to the bioinformatics Centreof the BTISnet. The BTISnet website withURL http://www.btisnet.gov.in provides acentral resource to all the bioinformaticscentres in respect of the work done by eachone of them in the area of bioinformatics.Through this site, the BTIC provides allinformation such as budget release statusof submission of accounts and progressreport by the BTISnet Centres. The siteprovides a list of open access journals,details of the fellowships provided through

the bioinformatics division like BINC,studentship and traineeship, access to onlinelecture portals and their links,announcements of the nationalbioinformatics coordinators meetings and itsproceedings, bioinformatics publicationsfrom India and the bioinformatics resourceslike software and databases. Website hasbeen reengineered and was launched on 3rd

February 2012 during the XXIII BTISnetCoordinators Meeting at SMVDU, Katra,Jammu.

Coordinator’s Meeting of BiotechnologyInformation System Network (BTISnet)held at Jammu on 2nd to 4th February,2012.

BTISnet is one of the largest networkcomprising 168 Centres including Centreof Excellence (CoE), DistributedInformation Centre (DIC), Sub-DistributedInformation Centre (Sub-DIC) andBioinformatics Infrastructure Facility (BIFs).The progress of these Centres wascontinuously reviewed annually and in thisseries the 23rd Coordinator’s Meeting wasorganised at Shri Mata Vaishno DeviUniversity (SMVDU), Katra on 3rd - 4th

February, 2012. Prior to this meeting aNational Symposium on “Bioinformatics:Challenges in the post –genomic era” wasorganized on 2nd February, 2012 atUniversity of Jammu.


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Fourth North Eastern BioinformaticsNetwork (NEBInet) Coordinator’sMeeting

Under the Special drive to strengthen theNorth Eastern States of the Country, aBioinformatics network was established as“NEBInet” comprising of Centers at variousColleges, Universities and ResearchInstitutions under the BiotechnologyInformation System Network (BTISnet)programme of DBT. This Network is withconnectivity of 27 Centres in all the 8 Statesof NE region including Sikkim to promoteteaching, research and innovation throughBiotechnology and Bioinformatics (BTBI)programme. During this year the Sub-Distributed Information Centre (Sub-DIC) atNEHU, Shillong was upgraded toDistributed Information Centre (DIC). Thenetwork Centres are being reviewed everyyear through the Coordinators Meeting ofNEBInet. In this series, the 4th NEBInetCoordinator’s Meeting was held at NorthEastern Regional Institute of Science andTechnology (NERIST), Nirjuli, ArunachalPradesh on 10th -11th November 2011.

Bioinformatics Training Calender2011-2012

Short term Trainings have become anintegral part of the BTISnet over last decade.Constituent bioinformatics centres of the

BTISnet are regularly organizing short termtraining programmes in new and upcomingareas of bioinformatics to train theresearchers and scientists in the latestdevelopments in the fast developing areaof Bioinformatics for the innovations inBiology and Biotechnology and to explorethe hitherto unexplored domains. Trainingcalendar of these trainings for the year 2011-2012 was published (Figure 7.3). A total of107 training programs have been covered

Fig. 7.3: Training calendar of these trainings for theyear 2011-2012

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in this publication in nine different areas ofbioinformatics. These specialized areasinclude Knowledge Discovery from Data,computational and structural bioinformatics,network pathways and systems biology,Genome and Proteome Analysis,bioinformatics with respect to medicalsciences, agricultural and plant sciences,environment and biodiversity, general

❖ ❖ ❖

bioinformatics training and teacherstrainings in bioinformatics. Scientists aretaking benefit from these trainings to makevaluable contributions to their areas ofresearch. The calendar has been distributedto the Bioinformatics centres and institutionscountrywide. The training calendar is alsoavailable through the website of DBT http://www.btisnet.gov.in.

BIOTECHNOLOGY PARKSAND INCUBATORS

Chapter 8

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Department established biotech parks tofacilitate product advancement andinnovation through the development ofbiotechnology industrial cluster and toproduce biotechnologists and entrepreneurshaving strong foundation in research andinnovation. With large number ofmultinational and bio-pharma companiesinitiating their R&D and manufacturingoperations in India, the demand of biotechincubators has increased. Both Central andState Governments are making efforts topromote biotechnology activities in thecountry by setting up biotechnology parks,incubators as well as pilot projects throughpublic private partnership. DBT hassupported the following biotechnologyparks and incubation centers located indifferent states.

Biotechnology Parks andIncubation Centres

Biotechnology Park, Lucknow

Biotech Park, Lucknow is fully operationalfor upcoming entrepreneurs to set up theirR&D units in Park by providing incubatorfacilities for solvent extraction, aqueous

distillation, plant tissue culture and bio-fertilizers. The Park is a model of activecollaboration between industries, researchinstitutions and academia and has motivatedlocal scientists and entrepreneurs to ventureinto Biotechnology and focuses on Agri-andPharma-biotechnology and issues related totechnology development. It has QualityManagement System Certificate from NorskAkkreditering of Norway. NS-EN ISO9001:2008/ISO 9001:2008. The Parksignificantly contributed in making UttarPradesh a successful tissue culture hub forbanana by bringing down the cost of plantsby 33% and providing good quality plants.Large number of farmers in the state aregrowing G-9 tissue culture banana. TheTissue Culture facility of the Biotech Parkhas been recognized under NationalCertification System of Tissue Culture raisedPlants (NCS- TCP) by the accreditation panelof DBT. During the financial year BiotechPark supplied (approx) 6.00 lacs tissueculture raised G-naine variety banana plantsproduced in tissue culture laboratory to thecultivators under State/ NationalHorticulture Mission Programmes. The stateGovernment of Uttar Pradesh has notifiedthe Biotech Park as nodal agency along with

Biotechnology Parks and Incubators

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the other agencies for supply of thebiofertilizer products in the stategovernment departments.

Fig.8.1: Tissue Culture Facility setup atBiotech Park, Lucknow

The park has made substantial contributionsto the National Mission on Biofuels bydeveloping four high yielding and oil richvarieties of Jatropha curcas and providingtechnical know-how for development ofgood nurseries and quality planting materialand is providing consultation to thecompanies in the field of bio-fuel andnecessary technical guidance, plantingmaterial and monitoring of the plants. BTPLhas supplied approximately 40 lacs Jatrophaplants in the state of U.P. for plantation.

An important contribution of the Park hasbeen towards building capacities of themuch needed human resource development.The park houses 18 biotech companies. A

total of 520 graduates and postgraduatesand Ph.D. scholars received short term &long term training in different areas ofbiotechnology. The Biotech Park’s incubatorII building has become functional and spacehas been leased out to setup their R&Dlaboratories. Besides the wet lab laboratoryspace, the incubator II has multipurposemeeting rooms/conference hall toaccommodate 300-325 persons, offices andother related facilities.

Biotechnology Park, Bangalore(Karnataka)

DBT supported for establishing anincubation centre and CommonInstrumentation Facility at BiotechnologyPark at Bangalore. The cost of the projectwas Rs.32.26 crores and the DBT’s sharewas Rs.14.45 crores, out of which Rs.11.13crores has been released so far. KarnatakaBiotechnology & Information TechnologyServices, the implementing agency for thedevelopment of the park is in process ofdeveloping the Incubation Centre.

Biotechnology Park, Kerala

The proposal for setting up of aBiotechnology Incubator at KeralaBiotechnology Park was sanctioned in March2005 at a total cost of Rs.23.18 crore. Theshare of DBT is Rs.11.00 crore and the restis to be contributed by the State

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Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Parks and Incubators

Government. An amount of Rs.2.5 crore

has been released so far by the DBT. The

rest amount is being released by the

Department during the current financial

year. The civil works of the Biotechnology

Incubation Centre have been completed by

the state government at a cost of Rs.5.60

crore. Various utilities have been created

in the building, which has a built up area

of 50,000 sq ft with 10 modular laboratory

spaces of approx 1000 sq ft each and the

office spaces. Besides, there is a provision

for setting up of a Central Instrumentation

Facility, Medicinal Plant Extraction Facility,

Micro Propagation Facility and

Fermentation Facility.

Guwahati Biotech Park TechnologyIncubation Centre (GBPIC)

The project of setting up of GuwahatiBiotech Park Technology Incubation Centrehas been sanctioned by the DBT at a totalcost of Rs. 27.99 crore for a period of threeyears. An amount of Rs. 24.379 crore hasbeen released. Renovation work undertakento set up the interim incubation centre forthe building provided by IIT, Guwahati. Theprogress of the park is regularly monitoredby GBPIC Management Committee andTechnical Advisory Committee. Land forsetting up of the Park for constructing ofthe permanent campus for Incubation Centrehas been identified.

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INTERNATIONALCOLLABORATION

Chapter 9

225

International Cooperation is an instrumentto address global challenges of food, health,nutrition and climate change. Programmespursued aim at bridging technology gap,exchange training of scientific manpowerand leads way for the development of costeffective innovative technologies. DBT hasentered into bi/multi-lateral strategicalliance with a focus on global challenges.Vision behind these alliances is to promotescientific excellence & capacity building,triggering of innovation environmentamongst industry and academia alike. Incurrent year (2011-2012), six joint calls forproposals with Canada (ISTP), Denmark,Finland, EU, New INDIGO and US wereannounced. The calls primarily focused onfostering closer ties through bilateralindustry-academia relationships.Department in its pursuit for innovation,capacity building and enterprisedevelopment has successful ongoingprogrammes. These include the DBT-Wellcome Trust (WT) fellowship programmeon biomedical research at post-doctorallevel; the Khorana Scholars Program withUniversity of Wisconsin (UW) for Indianstudents pursuing B.Tech, M. Tech or M.Scdegrees to spend 10-12 weeks in research

lab in UW. Department in partnership withABLE have successfully conductedBiotechnology Entrepreneurship StudentTeams (BEST) programme for developmentof enterprise amongst young doctoral andtraining them in techno-managerial issues.The Department has established successfulcollaborations with strategic partners likeAustralia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan,Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, EU andUSA; with increasing financial commitmentfrom the collaborating countries for thesecollaborations.

Indo-Canada

A joint call for proposal has beenannounced by DBT and ISTP, Canada in allareas of biotechnology including LifeSciences and medical devices. Significantachievements of some of the ongoingprojects are detailed below:

• SoftTeam, India in collaboration withAUG, Ontario and clinical partnersSickKids, CMC and KMH, havesuccessfully developed softwarecomponents which automaticallyacquire, store, process images from PET


226


/ MRI modalities and automaticallydetect brain tumour using these images.Software can build atlas of brainanatomy - registration and fusion ofhealthy MRI data sets and fusion ofdetection results from PET-MR images.

• At SJRI in collaboration with Universityof Toronto, the system requirements forthe platform that can function on laptop, store data of the blood samples frompatients in remote areas and transmit itto laboratories, have been developede.g. Pilot studies have been carried outsuccessfully from remote location Barshi(Maharashtra) having a limitedconnectivity and transmitted to alaboratory in Mumbai, where it wasreceived and stored. Software is nowbeing developed for multi-lingualquestionnaire, tracking of user timingsetc.

• In another project partnering ICGEB,BITS, LifeCare Innovations andUniversity Health Network, Toronto, 15anti-malarial analogues have beensynthesized, characterized and screenedfor falcipain-2 inhibition assay. The leadcompound supplied by UniversityHealth Network, Toronto, Canada calledKP15 has been developed as nano-formulation using an US-FDA approvedsynthetic polymer PLG (Poly-lactide-co-

glycolide). The thermo stableformulation with optimal size, highestencapsulation efficiency is beingconsidered for commercialization.

Indo-Denmark

DBT and the Danish Council for StrategicResearch, Ministry of Science & Technologyand Innovation, Denmark are supportingproposal in the broad area of life science:

• This year a project on Genetics andSystems Biology of Childhood Obesityin India and Denmark (BIOCHILD) hasbeen supported.

• In the ongoing project implemented atIIT Kharagpur and IARI along withTechnical University of Denmark,promising strains of cyanobacteria havebeen identified for production ofbiochemicals, pigments, phenolics,biohydrogen production and increasednitrogen fixation ability for use asbiofertilizer for rice, wheat croppingsystems in India. In addition, IIT,Kharagpur is developing technology forincreased algal biomass production.

• Under another ongoing project atSGPGIMS Lucknow, along withUniversity of Southern Denmark, thegroup has established the Small Animal

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Annual Report : 2011-12 International Collaboration

dung) and enriched witharbuscularmycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and6 other microbes has been developed.In greenhouse experiments thisformulation was found to be growthpromontory in tomato and lentil plantsand could also control biotic and abioticstress.

• In another project at UDSC, Delhi andUniversity of Helsinki, Finland heatshock factors (Hsfs) that bind with heatshock elements (HSEs), eventuallyresulting in transcriptional activation ofheat shock (HS) genes have beenidentified. Transgenic Rice plantsoverexpressing Hsf genes have shownpromising results in mitigating abioticstresses.

• In the project at NEERI, Nagpur incollaboration with Finnish EnvironmentalInstitute, Helsinki herbicide Atrazinemineralizing isolates of microbes havebeen identified using genomic tools fromsugarcane fields. These isolates can beutilized as a consortium forbioaugmentation and bioremediation.The trzN gene identified using genomictools can be used for monitoringdegradation of Atrazine. A DBTsponsored Indo-Finland workshop on‘Genomic tools in Bioremediation’, Nov29-30, 2011 was successfully organisedat NEERI, Nagpur under the project.

Imaging Facility (SAIF) with installationof NanoSPECT-CT. The goal of thisfacility is to provide state-of-the-art smallanimal imaging services to Researchers/Scientists of SGPGIMS and otherInstitutes of the country and to evolvethis facility into a National TrainingCentre. This new imaging technique hasbeen used for quantifying variable leftventricular remodelling after stem celltherapy in two rat models of cardiacdisease viz. ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)and global heart failure models.

Indo-Finland

Department of Biotechnology has a strongongoing collaboration with Finland throughtwo of Finland’s funding agencies –Academy of Finland (AoF) and TEKES. TheAoF is the major Government fundingagency for basic research while TEKES isthe funding agency for technologyinnovation and industry collaboration.

Three proposals under the area of foodbiotechnology are being funded under theDBT-AoF cooperation.

• In a project at TERI, Delhi, GBPUATPantnagar and MTT Agrifood Finland,Rhizocompost from agriculturebyproducts (made from de-oiledJatropha seed cake, Rice straw and Cow


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• In a project jointly executed by IndianInstitute of Science, Bangalore andUniversity of Oulu, Finland successfulstructure of a protein annotated as anSCP2 thiolase (STLP1) coded byMycobacterium smegmatis was determinedat 2.7Å resolution. Protein belongs toThiolases family of enzymes thatcatalyze the Claisen condensation ofacyl-CoA molecules in the syntheticdirection and the thiolytic cleavage of 3-ketoacyl-CoA molecules in thedegradative direction. The proteinresidues known to be essential forcatalysis in thiolases were not foundto be conserved suggesting that STLP1has another, yet to be discoveredfunction.

• The group at Rajiv Gandhi Centre forBiotechnology, Kerala in collaborationwith University of Helsinki hasidentified the presence of deadlypathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

amongst Indirana frogs from the WesternGhats. The pathogen is responsible forthe world wide depletion of amphibiansand is reported in Indian frogs for thefirst time. In addition they havedocumented high cryptic diversity ofendemic Indirana frogs in the WesternGhats. A comprehensive review oftaxonomy (including all knownsynonyms), systematics, morphological

and life history characteristics, as wellas of the breeding biology of Indiranaspecies of Western ghats have beenprepared.

• Another project being carried out atICGEB and VTT Technical ResearchCentre of Finland aimed at developmentof safe recombinant forms of allergensand antibodies in plants for diagnosticand therapeutic purposes for AllergenAsp f1 (Aspergillus fumigatus) and â-lactoglobulin (BLG) specific IgEantibodies (D1). Stably expressingtransgenic tobacco and barley cellcultures, tobacco plants and barley seedsfor D1 antibodies have been obtainedand a procedure for purifying antibodiesfrom tobacco leaf extracts has beendeveloped.

• Project being implemented at IISER,Pune and at Turku Centre forBiotechnology, Finland envisagesestablishing patterns in the levels ofserum proteins that would be descriptiveof increased risk, progression and earlyonset of T1-Diabeties from patients atvarious stages of T1D development. Theimportant goal is to help understandthe development of T1D, and find novelcombinations and biomarkers. Towardsthis end candidate proteins have beenidentified in the serum.

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fumigatus caused allergy anddesensitization therapies of allergicdisorder. Based on immunoproteomicapproach twenty new allergenic proteinsof A. fumigatus have been identified. Thepanel of newly identified allergens willbe useful in designing peptides ofdiagnostic and therapeutic value.

• The ongoing project at NCL Pune andat University Anhalt, Germany has beensuccessful in integrated carbon recoveryusing photo-bioreactor grown algalbiomass to enrich methane from biogasusing polypropylene hollow fibermembranes as contactors, for recoveringmore than 90% of the CO2 from biogasusing sewage as a sweep liquid in atwo stage membrane process. Aprovisional patent has been filed for thetechnology.

• Under the project being implemented atGBPUAT, Pantnagar and University ofMunster, Germany, 20 highly coppertolerant isolates of fungal antagonistTrichoderma were collected from differentagro-climatic conditions. Field evaluationof different copper based fungicidecompounds and Trichoderma againstpotato have been successfullyconducted.

• In a project jointly executed by IISc.,Bangalore and Deutsches Krebsfor-

Indo-Germany

Under the cooperation in biotechnologybetween Department of Biotechnology(DBT), Government of India and GermanFederal Ministry of Education, ScienceResearch and Technology (BMBF)forschungzentrum Julich GMBH (FZJ) a 2+2programme has been initiated, in which jointprojects would be developed withparticipation of one research institute andone industry from each side. Nine projectsare underway and the major outcomes aregiven below:

• Project being implemented at ICAR, Goaand Justus-Leibig University, Germanyhas resulted in development of an ELISAbased assay using listeriolysin O as anantigen, which is being commercialisedfor Listeria monocytogenes detection. Aprotocol for real time PCR assay of thepathogen has also been developed. Asignificant achievement of the project isthe establishment of well characterizedrepository of the strains of Listeria

isolated from almost 12 states of India.

• Ongoing project at IGIB Delhi and atAbteilung Klinische Chemie-Zentrallabor, Gottingen, Germany aimsto develop methodologies for specificand early diagnosis of Aspergillus


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schungszentrum Germany, serumsamples from GBMs and healthycontrols were analysed for 810 cancerspecific markers by antibodymicroarrays. It was concluded that CRPhas potential to serve as an independentprognostic marker for GBM.

• Ongoing project at NIRRH, Mumbai andMax Planck Instt. for MolecularBioMedicine Germany, functionalvalidation of Oct-4 gene presumed tohave role in the process of self-renewalof spermatogonial stem cells wasvalidated by knock down of endogenousexpression of SSC utilizing lentiviralmediated shRNA approach. Currently;studies are underway to evaluate theeffect of Oct-4 knock-down on theexpression of genes involved in SSC self-renewal whose functions are under thecontrol of Oct-4.

• In the ongoing project at NIPGR, Delhiand Leibniz Instt. of Plant Genetics andCrop Plant Research Germany, it wasconcluded that the tolerant cultivars offoxtail millet possess wider array ofantioxidant machinery with efficientascorbate-glutathione pathway to copewith drought-induced oxidative stress.A synonymous single nucleotidepolymorphism (SNP) associated withdehydration tolerance was detected inthe SiDREB2. A set of 147 genomic

microsatellite and 98 novel intron lengthpolymorphic markers were developedfor eventual use in diversity analysisand breeding programmes.

• The ongoing project being carried outat ICGEB, Delhi and Helmholtz Centrefor Infection Research Germany is basedon the evidence that the dengue virusenvelope domain III (EDIII) is a potentialvaccine antigen. Successful secretoryexpression, purification andcharacterization of monovalent dengueEDIII antigens corresponding to fourserotypes of dengue virus has beenachieved. Immunogenicity studiesdemonstrate that all the EDIII recognizeanti-EDIII antibodies in a serotypespecific manner.

• Ongoing project running at SGPGIMS,Lucknow and Institute of Neuroscienceand Medicine, Germany successfullycorrelates the role of Vitamin B-12 inbrain development using modernimaging techniques revealed reductionin the anterior thalamic radiation (ATR)& posterior thalamic radiation (PTR)fibers bundles of patient with vitaminb12 deficiency as compared to controls.Project was successful in correlatingdevelopment of different regions ofbrain in relation to cognitive ability ofindividuals with vitamin B12 deficiency.

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• Under the project at ILS Bhubaneswar

and Inst. of Medical Microbiology,

Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP),

University Clinic at Bonn, Germany a

deletion of 23 bp was identified in Tolllike receptor 2 in patients suffering

from Bancroftian filariasis. Toll like

receptor 2 plays an important role inhuman filariasis by recognizing

Wolbachia, an endosymbiont of filarial

parasite and induce inflammatoryimmune responses.

• The group at University of Mysore andUniversity Hospital of Freiburg

Germany has successfully found that

angiogenic receptors Flt-1 and Tie-2 areoverexpressed in human breast cancer

cell lines and in human biopsies from

breast cancer patients. Project will paveway for treatment of breast cancer using

immunoliposomes.

• In another ongoing project at University

of Delhi, South Campus, and University

of Heidelberg Germany two (nPAC35and 75) novel photoactivated adenylate

cyclases (PACs) were cloned, purified

and characterized for the photo-dynamickinetic properties. For the first

time, bacterial light-gated ion pumping

rhodopsin (CvRh) was localized

in plasma membrane of eukaryoticalgae.

• The ongoing project at CCMB,Hyderabad and Max-Planck- Institute forInfection-Biology Germany havesuccessfully validated the hypothesisthat the small GTPase Rap1A, plays animportant role in macrophage adhesionprocess and phagocytosis of Mtb, hencein tuberculosis disease establishmentand progression.

• In the collaborative project betweenGNDU, Amritsar and HumboldtUniversity Germany genes responsiblefor different type of retinal dystrophyhas been successfully identified bywhole genome linkage analysis in anautosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosathe disease linked locus has beenidentified and a novel 7bp deletion hasbeen identified in candidate genePRPF31 at the mapped region. Apreviously unreported mutation has alsobeen identified in CNGA1 gene.

• In the ongoing project at CCMB,Hyderabad and Brenneckestr,Magdeburg, Germany the molecularbasis of biogenesis of calneurons hasbeen described. Calneurons are EF-handneuronal calcium sensors that arelocalized at the trans-golgi network(TGN) where they regulate vesicletrafficking from TGN to plasmamembrane.


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and acceptance of spacing methodsthrough a gender-equity focused familyplanning intervention delivered by thevillage health care providers.

• Under the ongoing project at ICMR Delhiand Boston University, Schol of PublicHealth USA, the preparatory activitiesfor one year have been completed whichincludes procurement of all regulatoryapprovals of ICMR (TEP, DCGIclearance, Institute Ethics clearance) andfinalization of working proposal, CaseRecord Forms, Instruction manual,Standard operating guidelines, CSprodatabase, certification training in GCPand Ethics and Investigators’ meeting forinitiation of the study and training inthe conduct of the study. Pre and post-training of Health care Providers’ (HCP)was also done.

Stanford-India Biodesign Programme -A Novel Collaborative TechnologyInnovation

Stanford-India Biodesign (SIB) programmeis a innovation programme to create medicaltechnology innovators in India by involvingIITs, leading engineering institutions andpartner medical institutions. In India, thisprogramme is centered at AIIMS, and IIT,Delhi. The objective of this programme isto train next generation of medical

Indo-Sweden

• The major focus of the proposal at IISc,Bangalore and at Uppsala University,Sweden has been to establish andcharacterize an in vivo assay system forinitiation of protein synthesis inMycobacterium smegmatis. The assaysystem has been established however,to establish which amino acid is used toinitiate protein synthesis various mutantsof the initiator tRNA for its structure-function analysis has been generated.

• In another project at IISc., Bangalore andat Translational Immunology at SMI,Sweden, it was found that expression ofRv3852, a topology modulator proteinfrom M tuberculosis resulted in alterationof nucleoid morphology. Structure ofM.tuberculosis HU protein was alsodetermined and molecules are nowbeing designed to inhibit its activity.

Indo-US

A joint call for proposal was issued andseven proposals were received:

• At NIIRH Mumbai and BostonUniversity, USA the currently ongoingintervention study is to enhance ruralyoung couple’s contraceptive knowledge

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technology innovators who will in turn focuson invention and early stage developmentof low cost new medical technologies forthe Indian population. The key steps in thebiodesign process are: identify fellowsthrough national competition, create a teamand train them in innovation process,identify needs, define prototype profile,relevance, initial product development,preclinical validation, large scale clinicalvalidation and commercialization.

So far, 16 fellows have been trained atStanford University, USA in clinicalimmersion process in four batches. Thesefellows have trained 21 interns in India. Fifthbatch has joined Stanford University fortraining in biodesign process in January 2012for a period of five months. The fellows ofthe first batch have established a start-upcompany and are developing the fecalincontinence device. The fellows of otherbatches are developing devices such asintraosseous device, limb immobilizationdevice, patient transfer life, mucusdislodging device, etc. Initial prototypes arealso being developed for: i) a better way toconduct neonatal hearing screening inresource constrained settings; ii) a better wayto conduct screening for retinopathy forprematurity in neonates; and iii) a betterway to provide resuscitation in order tomanage birth asphyxia in a resourceconstrained setting.

Four Annual Medtech Summits have beenorganised so far with the aim to bringtogether the thought leaders of the emergingmedical technology industry in India. Theobjectives of these summits were tounderstand the current state of the industry,to identify issues facing it and to delineatekey activities that will help chart its futurecourse.

A model of innovation has been createdwhich has resulted in filing of 10 patents(international & national). This includes: i)four complete specifications on: a)Apparatus for vascular access in emergencysituation; b) An immobilization device; c)Device for collecting fecal discharge inincontinent patients; d) Transfer sheet; ii)four PCT applications on: a) Device forvascular access; b) A medical device forlimb immobilization; c) Device for collectingfecal discharge in incontinent patients; andd) Transfer sheet; iii) two provisional patentson: a) A device and a method for auditoryscreening; and b) Device for mucus removaland dislodging.

Phase-II of SIB Programme

Phase-II of this programme has beeninitiated that includes selection/filtration ofclinical needs, development of prototypes,validation, animal studies, technologytransfer and commercialization. Inter-


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Institutional Agreement was revised and

executed between Stanford University,

Stanford-India Biodesign Centre at AIIMS &

IIT-Delhi and DBT. The Fellowship

Agreement was formulated and executed

with the fellows and interns of 2010 batch.

Collaboration has been promoted between

the fellows and industries.

Technology Transfer and commercialization

A Technology Transfer Committee has been

constituted by the Department to deal with

the issues being faced by the Fellows in

negotiation with the companies for

technology transfer and commercialization.

This Committee has negotiated with the

industries for transfer of technologies

developed at various stages. A number of

formats and agreements have been

developed and finalized. The Department

has engaged Biotech Consortium India Ltd.

as a management organization of the this

programme. The support services for this

programme are also being provided by the

Biotechnology Industry Research and

Development Assistant Programme (BIRAP).

Khorana Programme for Scholars

Department of Biotechnology, University of

Wisconsin-Madison and IUSSTF have

partnered to support prestigious Khorana

Programme for Scholars named in honor of

Har Gobind Khorana. The Khorana

Programme provides an opportunity toIndian scientists (currently enrolled in

B.Tech., M.Tech. and M.Sc. programs in

Biotechnology and allied areas) to undertakeresearch internships at UW. DBT provides

a fellowship grant of US$ 2,000 for a period

of 10-12 weeks. Fifteen candidates wereselected for the award of the scholarship.

The programme has been extended foranother period of three years. Department

has also initiated Technology Transfer

Course for Indian Science professionals atUniversity of Wisconsin. This program willbenefit DBT, which is in the process ofsetting up a number of institutes forinnovation and translational research asprime mandate.

Indo-UK

Bioenergy has been identified as a scientificarea that receives significant funding fromBBSRC in the UK and DBT in India; bothcountries currently invest in secondgeneration and beyond bioenergy andbiofuels. Under this cooperation, a jointIndo-UK workshop held in New Delhi inOctober, 2011 by DBT and BBSRC. As afollow-up, a joint call for sustainablebioenergy research between India and UKwill be announced. A total of £ 10 million

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would be committed by DBT and BBSRCtowards this call. The collaborativeprogramme on bioenergy envisaged in thisworkshop aims to solve shared problemsin the production and processing of plants(mostly waste) and algae for bioenergy.Another joint DBT-BBSRC workshop on“Livestock health and diseases” was heldin February 2012 in Delhi.

The University of Edinburgh (UofE) hasbeen actively pursuing collaboration withIndia in the area of biological sciences. ALetter of Intent (LoI) was signed in January2012 during the visit of Professor SirTimothy O’Shea, Vice Chancellor, Universityof Edinburgh.

Wellcome Trust-DBT India Alliance

The Department of Biotechnology under theMinistry of Science and Technology haspartnered with Wellcome Trust (WT) tolaunch a three-tier fellowship programmeon biomedical research at post-doctorallevel. The Department of Biotechnologyand the Wellcome Trust have committedPounds Sterling 8 million each year, for aperiod of five years. The programme isbeing delivered by a Special PurposeVehicle (SPV), a public charitable trustregistered as The Wellcome Trust/DBTIndia Alliance with the office situated atHyderabad. The Trust receives contribution

from both DBT and WT for running thefellowship.

The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Allianceruns three fellowship schemes: Early Career

(for newly qualified Ph.Ds), Intermediate

(for those with 4 – 7 years post-Ph.D researchexperience) and Senior (for those with 7 –12 years post-Ph.D research experience). Sofar, 50 fellowships have been awarded - 11under Senior Fellowship; 26 underIntermediate and 13 under Early Careerfellowships. This year onward a newfellowship – The “Margdarshi Fellowship” hasbeen initiated for scientific leaders whoalready lead research laboratory and wishto relocate from their current institutionwithin India or overseas.

Indo-EU

An India-EU synchronized joint call onbiotechnological waste water treatment andreuse in agronomical systems with • 6Million from EC side was announced. Fiveproposals were received.

• Under the ongoing project NAMASTEat North East Institute of Science andTechnology partnering with EIRC, UASBangalore including partners from Italy,UK, Spain, Hungary and Netherlands,development of pretreatmenttechnologies for stabilization and


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preservation of byproducts of foodindustry and subsequent recovery ofuseful products under project protocolsfor stabilization and preservation of ricebran, pomegranate and mango peelwaste have been developed. Productionof Lactic acid using unsterilized defattedrice bran by simultaneoussaccharification and Fermentation are inprogress. Enzymatic method for recoveryof insoluble dietary fibre for probioticpreparation from rice bran on laboratoryscale has been developed. Isolation ofdietary fiber from mango andpomegranate peel powder is underprogress. Laboratory scale extractionprotocol for pectin from pomegranateand mango peel has been completed.Protocol was developed for extractionof total phenolics and natural colour(Anthocyanins) from rice bran.Optimization work for Ferulic acidextraction is in progress. Completedextraction of poly phenols from bothpomegranate and mango peel. Proteinconcentrate from defatted rice bran wasextracted by using both alkaline andenzymatic method.

• In another ongoing project beingimplemented at Annamalai Universityalongwith NIN Hyderabad and IITMadras, with partners from StockholmUniv., Italy, Germany, Serbia and

Karolinska Instt., IC50 values of Gentinella

lutea extracts (water and methanolextract), astaxanthin and pro-anthocyanidine B2 on primary culturesof rat aortic smooth muscle cells and onsmooth muscle cell lines (A7r5 andHASMC) have been determined. Amongthe compounds tested for anti-atherogenic property, ellagic acid andwater extract of Gentinella blocked PDGF-induced smooth muscle cellsproliferation. They also blocked PDGF-induced production of nitric oxide (NO)and reactive oxygen species (ROS) insmooth muscle cells. Process ofelucidating the signaling mechanismsinvolved in imparting athero-protectiveeffects of these compounds is underprogress.

ERA-NET

Department of Biotechnology is part of thenew INDIGO project which is the firstEuropean Research Area NetworkProgramme (ERA-Net) in India.

A call for proposals has been announced inthe area of biotechnology applied to humanhealth. Some of the achievements under theongoing project are as follows:

• Under the project (ANTICHIK) beingimplemented at University of Madras,

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BITS, Mesra and Luebeck University,Germany , CHIKV nsp3 macrodomainhas been characterized. The ADP-riboseis a well conserved protein boundligand for the CHIKV nSP3macrodomain. This is an attractive targetfor this virus and virtual screening fordrug molecules, which can bind at thissite and may produce some inhibitoryaction against chickangunya virus.

• For the execution of project running atAIIMS Delhi and Universitats klinikumJena, Germany a workshop wasconducted in Jena, Germany inNovember.

• The project at Indian Institute ofTechnology, Madras (consisting ofpartners from Germany, Turkey andAustria) aims at developing an earlywarning system for failure of bileafletmechanical heart valves by developing amagnetic sensor. Titanium bileaflets havebeen designed and fabricated. DiamondLike Carbon (DLC) and a magneticcoating (Ni:Fe) have been depositedonto the titanium leaflets. Thehaemolysis for these coatings have beenstudied. Results are positive andencouraging.

• In another project being undertaken atCentral Drug Research InstituteLucknow and Institute de Biologia,

Spain studies conducted in the insulinresistant rats (High fat fed rats), arepresentative model of insulinresistance, have demonstrated enhancedfree radical generation from neutrophilsas well as significant increase in themyocardial injury following coronaryartery ligation.

• Under the program PLANTY at NationalChemical Laboratory, Pune involving 5European partners (Austria, Spain,Netherlands, Turkey and Germany), amodest experimental program on valueaddition to the pomegranate fruit wasinitiated. 50 kg batches of the varietyBhagwa were processed for recovery ofvarious components of the fruit (arils,peel and pomace). Detailed analysis ofeach of these components wereperformed and a material balance forprocessing of pomegranate was arrivedupon for subsequent scaling up. Peelwas found to be a rich source of anti-oxidants and animal feed trials areproposed using this material as aningredient. Similarly, the seed found inthe pomace was found to be a rich source(46% w/w) of poly-unsaturated fattyacids (PUFA’s). The fruit juice wasclarified using membranes and wasfound to be a very pleasant drinksuitable for packaging. Further studiesare planned on encapsulation of the anti-oxidants from peel and the seed oil.


238


• Four kinds of magnesium basedbiodegradable alloys have been testedat CCMB, Hyderabad, as implants inbone injury models created in rabbitsand found that the MgZrSr2 alloy isfound to be the most efficient.

• To improve management of diabeticulcers, 510 wound samples from diabeticulcer patients have been collected andmicrobes isolated and identified atManipal Life Sciences Centre (MLSC),Manipal. Antimicrobial profile andbiofilm producing capability of thesemicrobes are under study to identifysuitable biomarkers for rapid diagnosis.

• The Veterinary College, KVAFSUniversity, Bangalore and EllaFoundation, Hyderabad have jointlydeveloped a PCR for identification andcapsular typing of Staphylococcus aureus

as a part of development of an effectivevaccine for the prevention ofstaphylococcal mastitis in bovines.

• In order to develop a high salinity anddrought tolerant rice (in India) andwheat (in Australia) varieties geneconstructs (Gly I, Gly II, and PDH45

genes) have been prepared at ICGEB andtransferred to Australian collaborators.The rice plants have been grown understress conditions for further study.

• Ongoing project at Central PotatoResearch Institute, Shimla involvingpartners from Netherlands, Spain,Germany and UK, expression of the FTanalog StSP6A this gene wasinvestigated in three Indian potatocultivars, viz. Kufri Giriraj (Long Day),Kufri Arun (Short Day) and Kufri Jyoti(Day Neutral). A correlation wasobserved between StSP6A expressionand tuber initiation in case of day-neutraland long-day cultivars. Similarly,expression of this gene was investigatedin Kufri Chandramukhi (heat sensitivecultivar) and Kufri Surya (heat tolerantcultivar). Expression of StSp6A wasinhibited at 240C in heat-sensitivecultivar Kufri Chandramukhi, while inheat tolerant cultivar Kufri Suryainduction of this gene was observedeven at higher temperature. Expressionof this gene was induced duringtuberization at 180C in both the cultivars.

Indo-Australia

A joint call for proposal under the sixthround was announced this year andproposals were invited in the areas of StemCells; Vaccines/ Medical Diagnostics;Transgenic Crops and Marker-assistedBreeding; and Bioenergy & Biofuels.Highlights of some of the projects supportedunder this collaboration are given below:

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Wheat transformation has already beenset up by Australian collaborators withthese constructs.

• At IARI, Delhi, transcriptome sequencingof wheat cyst nematode, Heterodera avenae

an important pest of wheat has beeninitiated. This is first report of illuminasequencing platform used fortranscriptome sequencing of plantparasitic nematodes.

• Various sorghum varieties from Indiaby ICT, Mumbai and Australia werescreened for extraction of kafirin. Kafirin,a prolamin protein was successfullyextracted from sorghum andcharacterized by various analyticaltechniques.

• In the project at ICT Mumbai, a Novelprocess for extraction of kafirin fromsorghum seeds and Kafirin basednanoparticles as novel drug deliverysystem (NDDS) have been developed.Preliminary studies have shown betteranticancer effect of this formulation thanthat of standard drug.

• Variations in the CYP1B1 gene havebeen found to cause autosomal recessivePrimary Congenital Glaucoma (PCG) inseveral world populations. However, inIndia PCG appears to be highly

heterogeneous genetically. A genome-wide approach has lead to theidentification of two important genes,namely KLHL26 and TSHZ2 may carrymutations that cause PCG in the Indianpopulation.

Indo-Norway

A Multicentric Indo-Norwegian programmeon vaccine platform in the area ofaquaculture was continued this year.

• Work on Development and evaluationof bacterial (Aeromonas hydrophila andEdwardsiella tarda) vaccines for finfishbased on outer membrane proteins(OMP) was initiated at College ofFisheries Mangalore. Aeromonas

hydrophila and Edwardsiella tarda isresponsible for serious economic lossesfor fish-farming industry due to seriousdisease manifestation. Recombinantvaccines were developed against thesepathogens. These vaccines were testedfor immunogenicity in fishes. The studyindicates the potential of the OMPs forprotecting carp and rohu throughvaccination.

• In another programme, work onimmunomodulation studies infreshwater prawn Macrobrachium

rosenbergii using three recombinant


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THSTI-IAVI HIV VaccineResearch Programme

THSTI and IAVI have agreed to set up acollaborative effort towards advancement ofinnovation, facilitate collaboration, buildcentres of excellence and invest in nextgeneration of scientists and to accelerate theHIV Vaccine discovery program. The keycomponents would be designing, testing andimplementing high-throughput strategies forHIV-1 envelope-based immunogenscreening and prioritization to helpdiscovery and advancement of novel HIVvaccine candidates. The program is targetedto expand the number of vaccine candidatesglobally for testing, and enhance the speedwith which they can be assayed. Theunique industrial-type high-throughputvaccine design, screening and selectionprocesses proposed for the THSTI-IAVIHIV-1 Vaccine Lab will be largely facilitatedby interdisciplinary interaction and will bedriven by the principles of internationalcollaboration, high-quality science andvaccine-oriented research.

Indo-Swiss Collaboration

The Indo-Swiss Collaboration inBiotechnology programme started in 1998with an agreement between Department ofBiotechnology and Swiss Agency forDevelopment and Cooperation with the

proteins of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

nodavirus was carried out with thecollaborative efforts of CIFA and CIBA.Based on the sequence analysis of threeMrNV genes (Capsid, RdRp, B2), thetertiary structure was predicted. TheMrNV RdRp and capsid protein wereable to reduce the viral load indicatingthat these proteins may act asimmunomodulatora against white taildisease (WTD) in Macrobrachium

rosenbergii.

DBT-IAVI Collaboration

The collaborative programme has beenfurther extended for another period of 5years w.e.f 7th July, 2010. Under the aegisof Indian Medicinal Chemistry Programme,2 projects have been funded and thefunding will continue for next phase. Thestudy at ICGEB, New Delhi focuses ondevelopment of conformationally preferredpeptide immunogens as candidates againstHIV-infection. The emphasis is ondesigning peptide immunogens to elicitHIV-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.Study at IISc, Bangalore is directed towardsdesigning and characterization of novelOuter Domain (OD) derived immunogenswith additional mutations to preventprotein aggregation. The significantoutcomes from the studies have beenpatented.

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mandate to develop products andbiotechnological processes, which have animpact on poverty alleviation andsustainable management of natural resourcesin India; to focus on innovative technologiesin agriculture and environmental researchand; to build capacities and R&Dpartnerships between Swiss and Indianinstitutions and private companies withstrong economic, social, and ecologicalrelevance.

Currently, the programme is in its thirdphase (2008-2011) involving 120 researchersincluding private sector aiming attechnology development and advancementby validating various projects of phase-II interms of prototype products. During thethird year (2010-2011) of this phase, twomain activities viz. the TechnologyAdvancement Unit (TAU) was establishedand the South-North-South collaboration inpulse technologies at the BARI (BangladeshAgricultural Research Institute) wasidentified as a possible institute forcollaboration.

• In the Pulse Network project in an effortto develop Aphid resistant chick peaplants, being executed at Bose Institute,Kolkata successful multiplication andanalysis of transgene expression ofexisting transgenic chickpea linesdeveloped with chimeric Allium sativum

leaf agglutinin (ASAL) gene constructsunder CaMV35S promoter and phloemtissue specific rolC promoter wereperformed. The preliminary results ofbiosafety analysis indicate that ASALmay be considered as apparently safemolecule.

• In another project executed under thepulse network at Assam AgriculturalUniversity, Jorhat, in collaboration withICRISAT, Patancheru, India transgeniclines of chickpea carrying the chimericBt-Cry2Aa gene to confer protectionagainst pod borer (Helicoverpaarmigera) have been generated at AAU.The transgenic seeds were transferredto ICRISAT.

• The biofertilizer network aims atproducing plant growth promoterbacteria and Mycorrhizal formulation forenhancing nutrition mobilization anduptake in cereal and pulses. TERI hassuccessfully developed a consortium ofArbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF)and Plant Growth PromotingRhizobacteria (PGPR) which were testedin multi-location field validation trialsin low input agricultural fields forenhancing wheat productivity.

• In a project executed under biofertilizernetwork at GB Pant University ofAgriculture and Technology (GBPUAT),


242


Department of Biological Sciences,Pantnagar, India a combination ofconsortia AMF and two of the PlantGrowth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR)have been optimized for commercialproduction.

• Under the wheat network, projects weresupported for fungal disease resistanceand terminal heat tolerance in wheat. AtPAU, Ludhiana a recombinant inbredline (RIL) population derived from thecross Triticum boeoticum / T. monococcum

was developed and the genes Leaf rustresistance, stripe rust resistance, andpowdery mildew resistance weremapped. Under another projectDirectorate of Wheat Research, Karnal,has identified identify molecular markerslinked to the genes for stripe rustresistance for accomplishing markerassisted pyramiding, using threerecombinant inbred line (RIL)populations developed from the crossesCappelle Desprez and its substitutionline Cappelle Desprez (Mara-2D);Capelle Desprez / PBW343 and CapelleDesprez (Mara 2D) / PBW343. In a yetanother project, for molecular mappingand identification of QTLs for heat stresstolerance, parental screening with morethan 375 SSRs and screening of the RILpopulation with about 75 SSRs havebeen accomplished. In order to develop

wheat cultivars with greater yield at hightemperatures, it is essential tounderstand the effects of hightemperature on the process of starchaccumulation. Two wheat genotypes;Halna (heat tolerant) and Raj 4014 (heatsusceptible) were exposed to highertemperature during the grain filling.Primers for genes; ADP-glucosepyrophosphorylase (large and smallsubunits), SSI and SSIII amplified thedesired product.

• NCL, Pune has transferred themycoinsecticide technology to theprivate sector viz. HiTech BioscienceIndia Ltd. (HTBS), Pune. The massproduction of Metarhizium conidia strainsusing solid state fermentation (rice assubstrate) was carried out at at NCLand the optimization for large scaleproduction of the same was done atHTBS for commercial strain M34412.Desired modifications were done bymanufacturer Wadegati Labequip Pvt.Ltd.

• Full-length genomes of virusesassociated with the cassava mosaicdisease were cloned and sequencedfrom five cassava genotypes collected atsix locations in South India at MKU,Madurai. The RNAi constructs have beentransformed in tobacco to assess its rolein disease control in cassava.

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and structure of target molecules with

potential applications in creating the

artificial proteins for engineering. The

projects comprise of four challenging

themes in the area of Bioinformatics.

These include (1) Designing potential

targets in membrane proteins, (2)

Designing GPCRs Mimetics (3)

Designing FIXER for disorders, and (4)

Designing cybrog lectins. Computational

Biology Research Centre (CBRC), Tokyo,

a constituent institute of AIST has been

engaged for these projects with six major

institutions in India.

• Four projects have also been launched

last year in cell engineering to identify

novel drug targets and therapeutics for

cancer. The projects involve (i)

Understanding molecular mechanisms

controlling dual role of Ras, Sirtuins and

CARF in relation to cellular proliferation

and senescence, (ii) Studying the Role

(s) of Mortalin and CARF networks in

ovarian cancer, (iii) Studying the use of

Ashwagandha derived phytochemicals

for development of differentiation-based

therapy of brain cancers, and (iv) Insights

into secondary metabolite production

and their accumulation in Withania

somnifera using in vitro propagation

Indo -Tunisia

A ‘Programme of Co-operation’ (POC)signed between Republic of India andRepublic of Tunisia in 2006 for five yearsin the area of biotechnology with anobjective to develop and supportcollaborative research activities in the areaof agriculture and health care. The POC isextended recently for another five years onmutual agreement with a commitment tocooperate for fruitful outcomes.

Indo-France

A ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ (MOU)signed between India and CNRS, France isrecently renewed with an objective toestablish International AssociatedLaboratories (LIA) in the area ofbiotechnology as well as to launch a newInternational Masters and Ph.D. The newprogrammes are under discussion forsigning the necessary agreements

Indo-Japan

DBT, India and AIST, Japan has initiatedeight major projects in the area ofbioinformatics and cell engineering.

• The bioinformatics projects which weresanctioned in 2009-2010 utilizebioinformatics tools to analyze sequence


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❖ ❖ ❖

system. The Cell Engineering Institute

of AIST at Tsukuba is working with

four major institutions from India for

these projects.

All these developments have been reviewedby the Joint Committee of Indo-Japan duringthe 4th bilateral Workshop which wasorganized in India on 13-14 December, 2010.

AUTONOMOUSINSTITUTIONS

Chapter 10

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National Institute of Immunology(NII), New Delhi

NII, New Delhi continued its activities topromote and conduct high-quality researchin the area of immunology and relatedsciences. The core areas of research includeinfection and immunity, molecular design,reproduction and development and generegulation. Significant achievements in theseareas during the year are as follows:

In the field of basic immunology, the majorscientific findings included deciphering therole of Bruton’s tyrosine kinase, a kinaseimplicated in primary immunodeficiencydisease, in macrophage cell death. Studieswith inflammatory disorders showed thatanti-hemoglobin autoreactive antibodiesoccur quite frequently in humans was dueto release of hemoglobin and haveinflammatory consequences.

Studies on mechanisms of cancer induction,discovery of biomarkers and improvementof therapy provide key insights into therole of PGC-1á, a primary regulator ofenergy metabolism in mediating p53 action.

An effort in cancer biomarker discoveryshown sperm-associated antigen 9 isinvolved in tumorigenicity as well as tumorgrowth. Effective combination treatment forteratocarcinoma, the cancer of the testis, bya combination of cisplatin and a plantflavonoid fisetin is providing a lead forformulation of better treatments.

A number of promising leads were reportedon the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.HisB, an important protein in the histidine-biosynthetic pathway of Mycobacterium

tuberculosis was crystallized and preliminaryX-ray crystallographic analysis reported. Inanother project the mechanisms of infectionby Mycobacterium tuberculosis studiessuggests that the PE family of proteins arepossibly related to latency, whereMycobacterium smegmatis was used as a modelto overexpress PE proteins.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) showedthe binding of La protein, a protein thatassociates with many small RNAs to the 32- and 52 -noncoding regions of the JEVgenome. Mechanisms of infection studieswith HIV virus showed that human T cellapoptosis occurs through p53 mediated


246


pathway due to inhibition of ubiquitinationof p53 by the HIV protein Vpu.Investigations into the mechanism ofinfluenza virus survival showed that thecleavage of the M1 gene of the virus wassignificantly augmented when designedantisense molecules hybridized close to thecleavage site.

The c-kit, the master signalling molecule ofhaematopoietic stem cells helps in earlyrecovery of the haematopoietic compartmentin irradiated hosts. In another study withHemophilia A, which is caused by mutationin factor VIII gene in humans, it has beenshown that bone marrow derivedhepatocytes and endothelial cells cansynthesize FVIII in liver and correctbleeding phenotype in Hemophilia A mice.

A cytochrome P450 protein identified asCYP5122A1 is an important molecule linkedto processes like cell growth, infection andergosterol biosynthesis in the parasiteLeishmania donovani thus providing a leadfor future drug development. Bromo-benzothiophene carboxamide derivativeshave been shown to be potent inhibitors ofPlasmodium sexual blood-stages both in vitro

and also in the mouse model.

Dissemination of scientific informationthrough professional journals to theworldwide community of scholars and

through symposia, conference and publiclectures to the community at large is a basicmandate for NII. An InternationalSymposium on Cancer Biology was held atthe Institute provided timely and criticalinformation on how to take an idea fromthe laboratory to the clinic and consequentlyto the market place.

Training programs to postgraduate students,short-term training for project work ordissertation provided. The robust Ph.Dprogramme registered 35 students duringthe year for Ph.D. degree while 27 studentsreceived Ph.D. degree during 2011-2012 withacademic affiliation of Jawaharlal NehruUniversity, New Delhi. An agreement wassigned with the National Cancer Institute inthe US for undertaking clinical trials at theSloan Kettering Memorial cancer hospitalin New York to focus work on cervicalcancer, the vaccine’s efficacy against ovariancancer. NII has been involved in clinicaltrial of Rotavirus vaccine developed toreduce the incidence of diarrhea or itsseverity in neonatal children continues. NIIpublished 109 high quality research papersin peer-review journals.

National Centre for Cell Science(NCCS), Pune

NCCS is committed to its contributiontowards Human Resource Development, by

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Annual Report : 2011-12 Autonomous Institutions

way of reaching out to individuals at alllevels including students, teachers andresearchers in India. Basic training as wellas custom-made programmes depending onspecific requirements of smaller groups ofresearchers were conducted at NCCS and atthe user’s end. In the past year, NCCS hasprovided training to over 17 researchersfrom various organizations across thecountry, and 12 students have successfullycompleted PhD at NCCS. NCCS hassupplied over 2300 cell lines to 120organizations.

The institute focuses on important questionsrelevant to human health, specifically in thearea of regenerative medicine, infectious

diseases and lifestyle induced health

adversities. In stem cell therapy the

procedures for isolation, expansion, cryo-

preservation and differentiation of stem cells

into specific cell types have been optimized.

Considerable efforts are also being made to

understand the cellular and molecular

mechanisms defining stem cell niche in

normal organs (Fig. 10.1).

Fig. 10.1: 3D- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Foster primitive stem cell pool, (A) 3D-CD34+ cell population containedsignificantly higher percentage of cells expressing primitive HSC-markers: CD133 (upper panel) and CXCR4 (lower

panel)(B)Data from three independent experiments are depicted (N=3), (C) Most 3D-CE34+ cells (Cy3) express N-Cadherin (FITC), albeit at variable levels. (D) Huge expanse of DC34+ N-cadherin+ cells under 3D-conditions. (Tile

mode, pixel size 2048x2048), DAPI (blue) demarcates nuclei (blue).


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Scientist at NCCS studied immune systemfunctions to evolve mechanisms leading toinfections, identifying molecular playersinvolved in host-pathogen interactions indeveloping strategies to combat infections.Towards this studied the mechanism ofviral evasion of human complement system,regulation of CD40 signaling in host cellsduring Leishmaniasis, protein trafficking inLeishmania, HIV biology and host-pathogeninteractions during Plasmodium,Mycobacterium and Candida infections.Hyper-activation of immune system isfrequently observed in many inflammatoryand autoimmune disorders. NCCS isinvestigating the role of the chemokines thatare involved in regulating these processes.

Cancer is a complex disease caused by mis-regulation of signalling networks. In orderto understand the biology oftumourigenesis, NCCS is exploringpathways involving critical players indifferent signalling cascades involvingOsteopontin, eNOS, p53, Cyclin D1, Snail,Slug, mTOR, Wnt, etc. Efforts are made toelucidate the molecular networks underlyingoncogene induced senescence. The outcomefrom these studies is expected to providetools for better treatment of cancer.

Epigenetic regulation of gene expressionplays an important role in various cellularprocesses. Scientists at NCCS have shown

that nuclear matrix associated proteins likeSATB1 and SMAR1 regulate global geneexpression by chromatin remodelling.Currently, we are exploring the functions ofthese two players in immuno-modulationand tumourigenesis.

Diabetes is a multi-factorial metabolicdisorder and the incidence of it is increasingat an alarming rate. NCCS focuses onunderstanding the mechanisms involved inendocrine pancreas development andregulation of insulin biosynthesis. Scientistshave identified the molecular mechanismsregulating the insulin production and theintricate relationship between the diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy and oxidativestress. Osteoporosis is another major diseasethat affects a large proportion of ourpopulation, which is caused by theimbalance in bone formation andresorption. Researchers have shown thatimmuno-modulators like IL3 play anessential role in differentiation of osteoblastsand thereby augmenting the boneregeneration.

The challenge in understanding biologicalprocesses is deciphering the underlyingcomplex and dynamic networks. Systembiology approach is focused on delineatingthese networks and their interactions.Integrating the de novo drug design, abstractfragment based drug design and

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sophisticated molecular simulations is athrust area of research at NCCS.

Microbial flora within an organisminfluences the metabolic processes of thehost. Using advanced molecular methodssuch as whole genome sequencing andmeta-genomic analysis, efforts are made tounravel the complex microbial ecosystemin the mid-guts of humans and insects ofclinical importance. For the conservation andexploitation of biodiversity in India,microbial culture collection centre (MCC)was established in NCCS, with a specialmandate from DBT. The centre focuses onbasic research in the areas of microbialdiversity, taxonomy, genomics andproteomics, in addition to its role as aNational facility for microbial culturecollection and International DepositaryAuthority. NCCS has undertaken the effortsto identify novel biomarkers for breastcancer, using integrated proteomic, genomicand bioinformatic approaches. Also,biomolecule mining from hitherto untappedsources such as marine organisms andplants have been performed at NCCS thatwould aid in treatments of AIDS, diabetes,malaria and osteoporosis.

The institute provides state of the artinfrastructure facilities to its scientists. As apart of this process, we have LC-MS,MALDI-TOF, Confocal and high throughput

DNA Sequencer. The challenge for biologyat present is the need to deal with theincredibly complex and enormous amountof data generated. To this end, a highperformance computing machine have beenprocured and installed, which providesaccess to a scalable pool of computingresources.

NCCS has published over 50 scientificpapers in peer reviewed journals in thereporting year. The scientific activity atNCCS is facilitated by funding from variousnational and international agencies.

National Brain Research Centre(NBRC), Manesar, Haryana

NBRC continued its mandate and focusedits research and development activities oninter disciplinary science from molecularbiology and genetics through psychologyto neuro-medicines and bio-engineering.Scientists gave focus on encompassingmolecular systems, cognitive andcomputational neuroscience and work onphysiological processes that underpin thenormal functioning of the brain as well asmajor classes of brain disorders, such asneurodegenerative, neuro-oncological,infective, developmental and neuropsy-chiatric ones. NBRC is also conductingresearch on infectious agents includingJapanese encephalitis, HIV and Prion


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diseases. As neuron-glia crosstalk isrecognized to be pivotal to normal brainfunctions, the NeuroAIDS laboratory hasbroken new ground by establishing a wellcharacterized human neuron-glia co-culturesystem that is used for unravellingintricacies of neuron-glia communication.Researchers are expected to developcapabilities with human brain cell culturesystem to better understand HIV-1 proteinsmodulate neurocognitive functions in HIV/AIDS patients.

Importantly, NBRC’s endeavor from the “thebench to the bedside” has finally become areality. Leads of the scientific discoveriesthat minocycline can be used for thetreatment of Japanese Encephalitis has beencleared by the Drug Controller General ofIndia for a Phase II clinical trial at CSMMedical University, Lucknow. Researchgroup investigating the pathogenesis ofAngelman’s syndrome has found thatchronic stress due to altered glucocorticoidreceptor signalling might lead to cognitivedeficits and anxiety-like behaviour in amouse model of Angelman’s syndrome.

Faculty is focussing work on translationalneuroscience and computationalneuroimaging and has developed newmethodologies including energy flowmapping and thermal conduction tensorimaging to predict the occurrence of

Alzheimer’s disease. Image-guided therapyof stroke and vascular dementia has beenoptimized. Work pursued onneurospectroscopy has broken new groundsin the measurement of metabolites in thebrain as regards sensitivity and specificityand is being used to answer questions ofbiological relevance. The Speech andLanguage Laboratory (SALLY), which hasbeen investigating the development ofcortical circuits for reading two languages(English and Hindi) that differ in script andorthography (sound-letter mapping), hasshown the existence of distinct readingcircuits for the two languages.

New initiatives taken during the year

A Centre for Excellence in Epilepsy centredround a Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) hasbeen initiated in NBRC in collaboration withAIIMS. Investigators from both AIIMS andNBRC would be using this equipment,which would also be developed as aNational Facility for use in a wide varietyof disorders in addition to epilepsy studiesas well as in the study of normal functioningof the brain.

National Program on PerceptionEngineering

A programme was undertaken to developtechnology inspired by the brain

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mechanisms of perception by involvingcollaborations between NBRC and engineersand cognitive scientists from seven institutesacross the country with the funding of theDepartment of Information Technology. Thegoal of multidisciplinary program areinvestigations on the fundamental issues ofperception and cognition, development ofmodels of perceptual and cognitiveprocesses for technology development andgenerate know-how for new information andcommunication technologies motivated bythe models of perceptual & cognitiveprocesses. The institute has also undertakenvarious Bilateral/ Multilateral Agreementswith the United States, Japan, Italy, TheNetherlands, Canada for joint R&D andnetworking of research.

Further details may be seen on the websitewww.nbrc.ac.in.

Fig 10.2: Details of the state-wise cases received

Centre for DNA Fingerprintingand Diagnostics (CDFD),Hyderabad

CDFD has provided services in the areas ofDNA fingerprinting and diagnostics testingfor genetic disorders and also pursuedvarious research aspects in molecularbiology.

Services

DNA Profiling: DNA profiling services, 112cases were forwarded to CDFD by thejudiciary and law enforcing agencies out ofwhich majority were related to identificationof the deceased (57) and maternity/paternity disputes (40) and 14 states of thecountry availed DNA fingerprinting servicesof CDFD. Rajasthan forwarded 37 cases,


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followed by 18 cases from Uttar Pradesh,16 from Andhra Pradesh, and 10 cases eachfrom Karnataka and Punjab (Fig. 10.2).Training on DNA fingerprinting examinationwas provided to personnel from the StateForensic Science Laboratory, Uttar Pradeshand Andhra Pradesh medical College,Visakhapatnam.

New initiatives taken in DNA profiling forproviding services to demonstrate the powerof expanded application of the technologyimproving the system of criminal justicedelivery in the country. An MoU was signedwith Institute of Life Sciences (ILS),Bhubaneswar and State Government ofOrissa, to establish its laboratory in ILS andparticipate with the Govt. of Orissa toprovide DNA profiling services.

Diagnostics: The Diagnostics Division isproviding genetic evaluation and

Genetic investigations done during the year

Investigation Total cases PositivesCytogenetics 774 77 (9.9%)

Proband 695 72 (10.3%)Prenatal 79 5 (6.3%)

Molecular Genetics 593 254 (42.8%)Proband 565 247 (43.7%)Prenatal 28 7 (25 %)

Biochemical Genetics 655 167 (25.5%)Proband 640 162 (25.3%)Prenatal 15 5 (33.3%)

counselling to patients (as part of its effortsto undertake research in the area ofMendelian genetic disorders in humans) hassuccessfully dealt with about 1650 cases thisyear.

New initiative taken on established of TheMedical Genetics Unit at Nizam’s Instituteof Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. The unithas been operating successfully to offeroutpatient referral services, and the processof creating a Department of MedicalGenetics for undertaking research andsuperspecialty training programs in clinicalgenetics. An application to Medical Councilof India has been submitted by the CDFDto that effect.

APEDA-CDFD Centre for Basmati DNA

Analysis: Based on one of the DNAinventions developed and patented by theCentre, the Agricultural Products Export

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Development Authority (APEDA) of theGovt. of India has entrusted CDFD with thetask of certifying the quality andauthenticity of basmati rice. During 2011,205 basmati samples were analyzed. Sincethe testing was introduced about 7 yearsago, the proportion and magnitude ofadulteration has progressively decreased -attesting to its deterrent value.

Research

The institute has taken up various researchand developmental activities during the yearand pursued several frontier areas of

modern biology, with a group ofapproximately twenty faculty-level scientists.The major thrust areas includecomputational biology and bioinformatics,structural and molecular biology, geneticsand epigenetics, silkmoth genomics,molecular pathogenesis, cancer and stem cellbiology, molecular and cellular biology,fundamental studies on transcription andsignal transduction, and plant biology. Aglimpse of research activities at CDFD aregiven below:

Silkmoth Genetics and Genomics: TheCentre has identified and characterised sex

Fig. 10.3: Model explaining the mode of action of two BmDsx proteins in females. A) Two different regulatoryelements (RE) are present in the promoters of downstream target genes (vitellogenin, SP1-Storage Protein and PBP-Pheromone

Binding Protein). Homodimers of BmDsx bind separately to these regulatory elements to independently regulate them. B)alternatively, heterodimers of BmDsx bind to the single regulatory element present in the promoters of downstream target

genes to regulate their expression. Products of intersex gene may also possibly interact with BmDsx.


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determining genes – the homologs ofdoublesex (dsx) and intersex (ix) genes inBombyx mori as well as in wild silkmoths,Antheraea assama and A. mylitta (Fig. 10.3).The group has identified four B. mori

nucleopolyhedrosis virus encoded miRNAsusing a combination of in silico andexperimental methods and hascomputationally predicted 8 viral and 64cellular targets of these virus-encodedmiRNAs. The putative functions of thesetargets suggest a key role of viral miRNAsin insect-pathogen interactions bymodulating several viral replication genesas well as those involved in host immunedefense machinery (Fig. 10.4).

Fig. 10.4: Schematic overview of the role of miRNAs inhost virus interaction.

Structural Biology: The Centre has carriedout ChIP-chip experiments in Mycobacterium

tuberculosis using monoclonal antibodyraised against GroEL-1. The analysis of

microarray data revealed that out of the240,000 probes, approximately 2400 probesare enriched for binding. Gene-basedenrichment showed that this correspondsto 357 genes out of the ~4000 genes in thegenome of M. tuberculosis. An interestingoutcome of this analysis was that theGroEL1 binds predominantly to the codingregion, and to GC-rich regions. Enrichmentin the coding region of the PE-PGRS geneswas also observed. The results of ChIP-chip were confirmed by PCR amplificationsof the bound probes, and byelectrophoretic mobility shift assays ofidentified consensus sequences. Theseresults were further confirmed by SurfacePlasmon Resonance with theoligonucleotide sequences designed usingthe consensus obtained from ChIP-chipanalyses.

Bacterial Genetics: Through the Centre’swork in the area of Bacterial Genetics, arole for NusA in Rho-dependenttranscription termination in Escherichia coli

has been demonstrated, and a model hasbeen proposed for modulation of thetermination mechanism by the H-NS familyof nucleoid proteins. R-loops formed instrains defective for Rho-dependenttermination appear to provide a bypassmechanism for the absence of two pathwaysof RNase E. Finally, several new targets ofthe ArgP transcriptional regulator have been

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identified, including lysP, dapD, asd, lysA,

and lysC (Fig. 10.5).

Fig. 10.5: Spectrum of Rho-dependent transcriptiontermination efficiencies in different mutants, and theeffects of H-NSÄ64 or YdgT thereon. The designationsrho, nusG and nusA without suffixes refer, respectively,to rho-A243E, nusG-G146D, and nusA-R258C mutations.

Fig. 10.6: Possible mechanisms of overcoming the Rho-dependent termination by N.

Transcription: CDFD has been engaged inunderstanding the molecular basis of factor-dependent transcription termination andantitermination in Escherichia coli and hasbeen able to demonstrate the generalizedexistence of kinetic-coupling in the Rho-dependent transcription termination. Studieshave shown the requirement of nascent RNAin the recruitment of Rho to the elongationcomplex. The group has proposed aninhibition/antitermination hybrid model forovercoming the Rho-dependent terminationby N (Fig. 10.6).

Cell Signalling: The Centre has beenstudying the regulation of eukaryotic cell


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physiology by inositol pyrophosphates.Yeast lacking inositol pyrophosphatesdisplay defects in ribosome biogenesis,reflecting the regulation of rRNAtranscription by IP7. Gene expressionanalysis of mammalian cells with reducedIP7 has led to the identification of a role forinositol pyrophosphates in regulating actincytoskeleton dynamics and cell migration.

Computational Biology, Bioinformatics and

Functional Genomics: The major activity ofcomputational biology group at CDFDpertains to analyses of protein-proteininteractions under different contexts suchas role of intrinsically disordered proteinsin human-Virus (Hu-Vir) protein-proteininteraction network, construction andcomparison of human tissue-wise protein-protein interaction networks and structuraland functional characterization of hubs inhuman PPI network. A novel, highperforming SVM-based method to predictdisease and neutral nsSNPs has beendeveloped by the researchers in this group.Projects related to identification andcharacterization of promoters andtranscription factor binding sites inMycobacterium tuberculosis, reconstruction ofa genome-wide protein-protein functionallinkage map of Escherichia coli, and genomeanalysis of Plasmodium falciparum tounderstand the effect of AT-richness on theproteome, have been carried out.

Mammalian Genetics, Molecular Oncology

and Immunology: Laboratory of MammalianGenetics has shown that a strong correlationexists between the DNA methyltransferaseDNMT3L involved in epigeneticreprogramming and carcinogenesis unlikeother DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt2 hasbeen shown to be involved in RNAprocessing during cellular stress. Resultsfrom the Molecular Oncology group of theCentre have provided insight into thedistinct clinical behaviour of early-onsetrectal cancer. ARID1B, a component of theSWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complexhas been shown to be likely novel tumorsuppressor gene for pancreatic cancer. TheLaboratory of Immunology has been involvedin detecting the role of Ras and p53 ondoxorubicin-mediated apoptosis (Fig. 10.7).

Plant-Microbe Interactions and Fungal

Pathogenesis: The researchers in theLaboratory of Plant-Microbe Interactions arestudying the dynamics of DSF mediatedquorum sensing in individual cells. A novelouter membrane localized adhesin, XadM,of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, which isrequired for virulence has been isolated. Agroup has uncovered a novel role for aglycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linkedaspartyl protease, CgYps1, in the regulationof pH homeostasis in C. glabrata underacidic environmental conditions, a pre-requisite for survival in host niches of

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Fig. 10.7: Ras puts brake on doxorubicin-mediated cell death in p53 expressing cells. Doxorubicin induced more celldeath in p53 negative cells (U-937, THP1, SKBr3, and HeLa) than p53 positive (MCF-7) cells as shown by Live&Dead

assay (A). Doxorubicin increased p53 DNA binding in MCF-7, but not SKBr3 cells (B). Doxorubicin increased p53DNA binding and p53 and p21 expression in HCT116 p53 positive cells (C). The expression of Fas increased, but K-ras decreased in p53 negative cells as shown by Western blot (D) and immunofluorescence study (E). Overexpressionof wild type K-ras in p53 negative cells decreased basal expression of Fas (F). K-ras overexpressed p53 negative cells

showed less sensitive to doxorubicin-mediated cell death (G)


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varied pH. A set of 102 genes in C. glabrata

which contribute to its survival/replicationin the intracellular milieu of macrophageshave also been identified (Fig. 10.8).

Fig. 10.8: A. Representative confocal images of Xoo biofilm formation on air-media inter phase on a glass slide.B. Average thickness of the biofilm formed by different strains of Xoo at different time points measured by

confocal microscopy.

National Institute of PlantGenome Research (NIPGR), NewDelhi

The National Institute of Plant GenomeResearch (NIPGR) has taken up researchprogrammes in Computational Biology,

Genome Analysis and Molecular Mapping,Molecular Mechanisms of Abiotic StressResponse, Nutritional Genomics, PlantDevelopment and Architecture, PlantImmunity, and other Emerging Areas. Abird’s-eye-view of some of the scientificachievements of the Institute for the periodunder report is as follows:

Bioinformatics: facility at the Institute andhas been strengthened. An automatedprocedure was developed for identification

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of terpene synthase (TPS) or prenyltransferase (PT) proteins in plants usingProfile Hidden Markov Model. Efforts areunderway to predict the product specificityof the newly identified TPSs throughmodeling and structure analyses. In thegenome analysis programme, work wascarried out for understanding within thechickpea. For this, deep sequencing is beingdone using various next generationsequencing platforms. The 454pyrosequencing platform generated 8.53 Gb(27 million reads, 11.5X) of sequence data.Sequencing of 3 kb and 20 kb paired-endlibraries generated 1.34 Gb and 199 Mbsequences, respectively. Assembly of thisdata along with other data generated 492Mb (66% of the genome) assembledsequence. The de novo assembly andcharacterization of the chickpeatranscriptome revealed a total of 34,760transcripts. The information on genome andtranscriptome is helpful in the identificationof genetic markers. In chickpea, interspecificlinkage map has been constructed for ICCV-2 x JG-62 using 522 STMS markers, and forICC4958 x PI489777 using 735 EST basedmarkers along with 278 genomic STMSmarkers.

In the Indo-Canadian Pulse GenomicsInitiative, a total of 536 SSR primers weredesigned from lentil, of which 196 werevalidated. In another legume Trifolium

alexandrinum, a microsatellite enrichedlibrary was constructed which led to thedevelopment of 692 SSR markers. In thecase of foxtail millet, 98 novel ILP markerswere developed using sequence informationof rice. For periwinkle, a map of 8 linkagegroups spanning 1790.4 cM and meandistance between 172 markers of 10.34 cMhas been prepared. In order to gainfunctional and biological insights from thevastly growing plant genomic data, effortswere made to identify microsatellites (orSSR sequences) in available plant genomesusing the Mreps algorithm combined withcustomized perl scripts.

The understanding of the molecularmechanisms of abiotic stress responses hasimproved. In rice, different experimentsrevealed interactions of stress associatedprotein, OsSAP1, with OsRLCK253 andOsSAP11 in the plasma membrane andnucleus, respectively, and interaction ofOsSAP11 with OsRLCK253 at the nuclearand plasma membranes. Also, transcripts ofseveral transcription factors were found tobe up-regulated during water-deficit andhigh salinity stress conditions. Few of them,including two belonging to homeoboxfamily, are being investigated for theirfunction. An interactome map betweenOsMPKs (MAP kinases) and OsMKKs (MAPkinase kinase) was generated. It wasobserved that in rice, induction of


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phytoalexin biosynthesis genes by UV-B rayswas linked with the activation of MAPkinase. Study with a core set of foxtail milletcultivars suggested that drought tolerantcultivars possess a wider array ofantioxidant machinery with an efficientascorbate-glutathione pathway. cDNAscoding for putative dehydration responsiveelement binding protein, SiDREB2, and asalt-stress related NAC protein, SiNAC, werecharacterized from foxtail millet. Usingheterologous systems, it was shown thatCaZF, a C2H2 zinc finger protein fromchickpea, improved salt stress tolerance inyeast and tobacco. The transgenic tobaccolines overexpressing CaZF producedphenotypes like improved root and shootgrowth along with stress tolerance. Twostress-inducible promoters were alsoevaluated for their activity and raisingtransgenics with selected target genes.

In the nutritional genomics programme, withthe objective to increase the shelf life offruits and vegetables, the N-glycanprocessing enzymes á-D-mannosidase andâ-hexosaminidase were silenced to decreaseand delay the fruit softening in tomato andcapsicum. In an effort to increase thenutritional value of crops, stable lines ofAmA1 potato developed were grown andevaluated. The transgenic potatoes haveincreased protein content and are safe forconsumption. Oxalate is a major factor in

urinary tract calculi, hyperoxaluria,hypocalcimia, and nephrolithiais. The OXDC

gene encoding oxalate decarboxylase fromwood-rotting fungus Flammulina velutipes wasintroduced into tomato, spinach, andsoybean to reduce their oxalate content. Thetransgenic grasspea over-expressing OXDC

gene, to make it edible by reducing theassociated neurotoxin risk factor, has beenraised. Few important glucosinolatebiosynthesis genes like MYB28, CYP83A1,and GSL-ELONG were isolated andcharacterized from Brassica juncea with theultimate objective of reducing glucosinolatecontent.

In the field of plant development andarchitecture, NIPGR has contributedsignificantly. Investigation of Z-box specifictranscription factors in light signalingpathways revealed that ZBF2/GBF1 is anegative regulator in light mediatedinhibition of hypocotyl elongation, whereasHY5 positively regulates photomorphogenicgrowth in various wavelengths of light.Experiments designed to study crosstalkbetween different plant hormone responsessuggested that brassinosteroid inducedrandomized growth of dark-grown seedlinghypocotyls was facilitated by auxin andantagonized by ethylene. Glucose wasfound to affect most of the important genesinvolved in cytokinin biosynthesis,perception and signaling. In rice, functional

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analyses of seed-specific genes and anther-specific gene promoters are going on witha view to understand the crucial controls ofreproductive development connected to theyield. For the first time, in Pisum sativum,details of the structure and function ofstipules were explored and it was foundthat the stipules share anatomical featuresof leaves but have better hydraulics. InArabidopsis, it was found that tasiRNAs mightbe regulating root architecture bymodulating different ARFs and somemiRNAs.

Microarray analysis on differentialtranscriptome of chickepea-Fusariuminteraction was performed, and a generegulatory network specific to disease vs.immune pathway was constructed. Tounderstand the early responses elicited bychickpea blight fungus Ascochyta rabiei, PCRbased suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) strategy was used to isolate earlyresponsive genes of chickpea. In A. rabiei,analyses of differential expression of severalgenes after oxidative stress treatment led tothe cloning and characterization of OYE,AOX and YAP1 genes. In soybean, it wasdemonstrated that the resistance againstMYMIV was due to an enhanced viral originof replication-specific siRNA accumulationand DNA methylation.

During the period of report, NIPGRresearchers published 61 high impact

papers. In the same period, three patentswere filed and two technologies developedat the Institute were transferred for productdevelopment. A Plant Growth Facility hasalso been activated. The researchprogrammes at NIPGR are aimed toimprove the yield and quality along withprotection of loss due to stress. The ongoingactivities at NIPGR will contributesignificantly to achieve these objectives. TheInstitute is now looking forward towardsnew horizons in the field of TranslationalResearch, Plant development & Nutritionand Seed Biology.

Institute of Life Sciences (ILS)

The institute continued research on threeareas centered around infectious diseasesbiology, gene function as well as regulationand translational research throughtechnology development.

Infectious disease biology: Work onidentification and characterization of animmunoregulatory helminth glycoproteinwas taken to its logical end. The activemoiety that binds to TLR4 on the surface ofmononuclear cells and inhibits endotoxemiain animals was identified to be ahexasaccharide, Chitohexose (Fig 10.9). Thisalso offered insights into evolutionaryrelationship between nematodes and sepsisin human population. The research on TLR


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polymorphism in human filariasis revealedan association of TLR2 mutants (ins/ del +del/ del) and minor allele (del) for increasedrisk of elephantiasis development.

Fig 10.9: In silico analysis of interaction between chtx and TLR4- three dimensional molecular dockingbetween chtx and extra cellular domain of mouse TLR 4 was performed using patch dock software

demonstrating the interaction of chtx to the internal pocket of extra cellular domain of TLR4.

Studies undertaken on pathogen vibrioisolates have revealed details of genesregulating toxicity and virulence and abilityto form biofilms. Molecular analysis oftoxigenic V. cholerae strains indicated thepresence of multiple ctxB genotypes. Thecomparative modelling approach to definethe structural features of all known variantsof ctxB found in V. cholerae including 0139serotypes suggested subtle variations in thebinding ability of ctxB variants tocarbohydrate ligands of GM1 viz. galactose,sialic acid and N-acetyl galactosamine.

These findings shed light on the molecularefficiencies of pathogenic isolates of V.

cholerae harbouring natural variants of ctxBin causing the disease, suggesting the needto consider ctxB variants in designing

vaccines against cholera.

Gene regulation and function:

To understand the progression of cancersin general and Chronic Myeloid Leukemiain particular attempts were made withnewer technologies and discoveries such asmicro RNA to understand the role ofmiRNA in CML cases both during blastcrisis and in chronic phase. The studies onconsequences of post translationalmodification (acetylation) of the proto

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oncogene EVI1 in case of CML revealedthat EVI1 binds to SIRT1 promoter elementand up regulates SIRT1 transactivity whichtriggers deacetylation and degradation ofEVI1 and in term can regulate p53 activity.Metagenomics is evolving into a promisingarea of research along with bioprospectingof extremophilic bacteria. Several novelextremophilic organisms have been isolatedand identified at ILS. Characterization oftheir house keeping genes and theirexpression in plant systems are expectedoffer interesting opportunities.

Work was pursued at ILS towardsgeneration of transgenic plants with catalase-antioxidant enzyme that significantlycontributes to plant growth, survival andcrop yield. In order to obtain a proof ofprinciple for the above, transgenicArabidopsis plants with mutant Catalasegene have been generated. Moving thisapproach to Rice plant will be the naturalstep forward. Another potential way to makeplants resist pest will be to enhance theirinnate immunity. Introduction of genes ofinnate immunity of higher organisms suchas human or murine defensins into plantsusing high expression promoters is anotherissue being pursued. Generation ofseveral plant promoters by DNA shufflinghas been a major activity in ILS in thisdirection. The spinoff from this studyis the possible use of plant extracts

expressing antibacterial peptides as dressingmaterial for wound healing and burns. Athird approach is to acquire insights intogenes that are associated with developmentof tolerance to abiotic stress such as highsalts by cloning and sequencing ESTs ofseveral genes using S.maritima as a modelplant.

Translational research and TechnologyDevelopment

Nano targeting of Gemsitamine the drug ofchoice for pancreatic cancer is beingattempted in a xenotransplant model inSCID mice and early results have shownpromise. The next logical step will beundertaking clinical trial for pancreaticcancer which has a very poor prognosis.Significant progress have also been madein the synthesis of amphiphilic polymercoated MNPs which provides the platformfor in vitro as well as in vivo studies ofdrug delivery into brain in case of braintumor and or cancer.

Institute of Bioresources andSustainable Development (IBSD),Imphal

Institute of Bio-resources and SustainableDevelopment (IBSD), Imphal has continuedits efforts on sustainable utilization ofbioresources focusing on medicinal,


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aromatic and horticultural plants, microbial,aquatic and insect bioresources towardeconomic development of North EastRegion. Significant achievements during theyear are summarized below:

Medicinal, Aromatic and HorticulturalPlant Resources

Petroleum ether extract of Oroxylumindicum was found to exhibit high level ofcytotoxic effect and apoptosis on Hela cells.Germplasm repository of Zingiberales hasbeen further enriched by addition of 27more species raising the collection to 289accessions belonging to 73 species.Bambusa manipureana and Dendrocalamushamiltoni have been selected as superioredible bamboo due to their low cynogenicglycosides content, high antioxidantproperties and high level of nutrientcontent. Kachai lemon found as a potentialroot stock for production of buddedmandarin orange, to increase yield, reducemoisture stress and Phytophthora diseaseincidence.

Microbial Resources

A strain of Bacillus subtilis MTCC 548 fromfermented soybean was found to exhibitvery high fibrinolytic casenolytic ratioindicating high affinity to fibrin. Production,extraction and purification process of four

such novel fibrinolytic enzyme were alsocarried out. A total of 1857 bacterial strainsfrom NE region soil have been found toexhibit anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory property. About 100cellulolytic isolates across six sites of NEregion, high level of cellulase activity (3.815μg/ml/min) was detected in their culturefiltrates. A microalgae repository with over2000 isolates has been established at theinstitute. Two isolates of Enterobacter sphave been found to stimulate seedgermination and seedling growth inmandarin orange. Bio-pesticide formulationscomprising Trichoderma sp T-86 andPseudomonas fluorescent IE 161 strains hasbeen tested at field level for the control ofsoft rot disease in ginger.

Aquatic and Insect Bioresources

Seed production technology of twoindigenous ornamental fishes developed andformulated low cost feed using Rice bran:mustard cake: silkworm pupae waste withdifferent proportions shown promisingresults.

Bio-resource Database Unit

Two software programs (SSRIST-for analysisof Simple sequence Repeats, GLogo-genome sequence logo representation)developed. Databases on Zingiberaceae,

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North-Eastern Human Resources, Bambooand Orchids have been updated.

Human Resources Development

Currently, 16 Ph.D. - JRFs, 7 Post-doctoralfellows and 40 project staffs are working atthe institute. A total of 30 trainees fromdifferent institutes of NE region have beenimparted training in various areas.

Regional Centre of IBSD in Sikkim

Germplasm of various medicinal plants andlarge cardamom (Amomum subulatum)collected from different locations of SikkimHimalayas maintained in the Centre. Furtherwork on ginsenoside biosynthetic pathway,marker development and cell cultures ofPanax is in progress. Strain of Colletotrichumgloeosporioides, the fungal blight pathogenof large cardamom isolated in pure form.28 actinomycetes and 61 indigenousbacterial isolates have been isolated fromrhizosphere soil of large cardamom plants.

Outreach programme

A low cost technique for conversion offloating aquatic biomasss of Loktak Lakeinto compost demonstrated to farmingcommunity of Bishnupur district. ATraining-cum-Demonstration Programme onfermented soybean production technology

using IBSD starter cultures organized incollaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Imphal.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre forBiotechnology (RGCB),Thiruvananthapuram

The major emphasis of the RGCB is onresearch programs looking at the DiseaseBiology and Molecular Medicine.Employing cutting edge technologies, theyexplore the biological systems with amission to understand the diseasesprocesses focusing on cancer, infectiousdiseases, neuronal disorders, reproductiveand cardiovascular diseases. The ultimateaim is to understand the molecularmechanisms, facilitating development ofnovel diagnostics and therapeutics. Equalemphasis is given to understand the host-pathogen interactions in spices to developsustainable method to improve productquality.

Disease Biology Center of Diabetes: RGCBbegan a new program in disease biology ofdiabetes by taking up the management ofthe Institute of Diabetes, a specialty medicalcenter belonging to the Government ofKerala. This will allow RGCB access towell-established facilities that willeventually form the nucleus of an advancedcenter for chronic disease biology.


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Drug-induced Senescence GeneratesChemoresistant Stem-like Cells withLow Reactive Oxygen Species

A study provides evidence for the rareescape of tumor cells from drug-inducedcell death, after an intermediate stay in anon-cycling senescent stage followed byunstable multiplication characterized byspontaneous cell death. However, somecells appear to escape and generate stablecolonies with an aggressive tumor stem cell-like phenotype. These cells displayedhigher CD133 and Oct-4 expression.Notably, the drug-selected cells thatcontained low levels of reactive oxygenspecies (ROS) also showed an increase inantioxidant enzymes. Consistent with thisin vitro experimental data, RGCB scientistsobserved lower levels of ROS in breasttumors obtained after neoadjuvantchemotherapy compared with samples thatdid not receive preoperative chemotherapy.These latter tissues also expressed enhancedlevels of ROS defenses with enhancedexpression of superoxide dismutase. Higherlevels of Oct-4 and CD133 were alsoobserved in tumors obtained afterneoadjuvant chemotherapy. Further studiesprovided evidence for the stabilization ofNrf2 due to reduced 26 S proteasomeactivity and increased p21 association asthe driving signaling event that contributesto the transition from a high ROS quiescent

state to a low ROS proliferating stage indrug-induced tumor stem cell enrichment.

Differential gene expression in breasttumor tissue at different stages ofmenstrual cycle: Special emphasis ontiming of breast cancer surgery andprognosis

Apprehensions are high that dispersal oftumor cells to the other parts of the bodyduring a breast surgery depends on thephase of menstrual cycle the patient is in.If genes involved in various aspects ofcarcinogenesis are hormonally regulated,modulation of their expression at specificphases of the menstrual cycle mightpredispose seeding of cancer cells towardsfaster growth rate or of increased metastaticpotential. The scientists at RGCB are aimingto understand at the gene level, if timing ofsurgery during a particular phase of themenstrual cycle plays a significant role insurvival of a pre-menopausal woman withbreast cancer finding important molecularevents/ patterns that occur might help todetermine a long term prognosis byappropriately timing the surgery and hencesave lives. By Microarray studies, a numberof genes which had protective effect wereup regulated in luteal phase with respectto that in the follicular phase. Some of thesignificant ones include CDH: (a geneinvolved in cell adhesion was up regulated

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by 4 fold), ING1: (a tumor suppressor thatinduces cell growth arrest and apoptosiswas up regulated by 6 fold), KRT8: (a geneknown to maintain cell integrity and celldifferentiation was up regulated by 2 fold),CST6: (with an anti-metastatic function wasfound to be up regulated by 3.4 fold). Geneswhich are normally expressed in duringtumor progression such as MUC-1, VIM,CTSD, and CTSB were notablydownregulated.

Proteomic analysis of circulating cellsfor the discovery of biomarkers ofincreased risk of atherosclerosis inpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Endothelial dysfunction, diabeticdyslipidemia, hypercoagulability, impairedfibrinolysis, platelet hyperaggregability,oxidative stress, autonomic neuropathy,toxic effects of hyperglycemia all contributeto the mechanisms of increased risk ofatherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes.Hyperglycaemia may induce a chronicinflammatory state in the vessel wall, thusaccelerating the development ofmacrovascular complications. It is speculatedthat the circulating monocytes may secretespecific proteins that could serve asindividual markers or define a characteristicprofile. Changes in the normal physiologyof proteins that are relevant toatherogenesis, may promote atherosclerosisin patients with type 2 diabetes. Scientists

have identified a secretory factor,Cyclophilin A, a peptidyl prolyl cis transisomerase in monocytic cells of THP-1 cellsas well as from patients with Type 2Diabetes Mellitus which is released bymonocytes in response to oxidative stressinduced by hyperglycemia. Cyclophilin A(CyPA) is known to have paracrine andautocrine stimulatory effect on endothelialcells. CyPA secreted by monocytes couldhave important effects on enhancingmonocyte adhesion to endothelial cells andthus in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosisin type 2 diabetes.

Molecular Typing of local isolates ofChikungunya Virus: Identification ofmutant strains with potential fortransovarian transmission in mosquitoes

A number of novel mutations, in bothstructural and non-structural protein codingregions, were identified in CHIKV isolatesbetween 2006 and 2008 from Kerala bywhole genome sequence analysis.Subsequently, these strains were identifiedto have varying levels in vitro infectivity incell lines originated from different tissues.While studying a CHIKV outbreak in 2009in Northern Kerala, RGCB scientistsidentified a novel strain of the virus withspecific mutations in the E2 protein (L210Q).It could detect the possibility of trans-ovarian transmission of this virus strain inmosquitoes. This observation, was


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subsequently supported from studies inother laboratories, can have significantepidemiological implications during CHIKVoutbreaks. Recently, they have expressedand purified the recombinant envelopeproteins E1 and E2 from local CHIKVisolates for diagnostics development and foruse in studies on viral pathogenesis. Theinstitute is also providing service facilitiesof excellence for molecular Diagnostics forinfectious diseases, cancer andcardiovascular disease, DNA Fingerprintingto cater to social & criminal justicesystems and DNA Barcoding for Plants andWildlife

NEW INSTITUTIONS/CENTRES

Institute of Stem Cell Biologyand Regenerative Medicine(InStem), Bangalore

The objective of the institute is to build astrong foundation for core research andeducational activities in the area of stemcell biology and regeneration. Variousactivities undertaken include:

Basic Biology

This core scientific program was initiatedwith the appreciation that understandingstem cell functions will require fundamentalinvestigations into basic, molecular and

cellular processes. Several projects are beingpursued collaboratively. They are: a)Protein-protein interactions b) Quiescenceand cell cycle c) Signaling pathways d)Embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal e)RNA biology f) Chromatin biology andregulatory networks.

Model Systems

Lower organisms can regenerate their entirebody, a property that is lost in higheranimals including humans. If they canunderstand the cellular and molecular basisfor the regenerative capacity of thesemodel organisms such as Hydra andPlanaria, they may be able to use thisknowledge in two ways: i) to developmethods for augmenting the limitedregenerative ability of human tissues/organs; ii) to screen for drugs/smallmolecules that will assist research andtherapy in regeneration; iii) Cardiachypertrophy & induced pluripotent stem(iPS) cell core: In this program, core InStemscientists are collaborating with scientistsand clinicians internationally and withinIndia to work on cardiac function, iPStechnology, biophysics and cell biology totackle a core problem-generating cellularmodels of cardiac disease; iv) Epithelialbiology and molecular oncology: The focusof the team is on epithelial stem cells anddevelopment, mechanisms of tumor

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formation and networks that controlsignaling and adhesion in tissuearchitecture.

Research Infrastructure

The research infrastructure at inStem isbeing established gradually and by mid2012, their new space will be ready withclean rooms for ESC, iPSCs, adult stem cellculture, model organism labs & state of theart molecular and cell biology facilities,including office space for 10 PIs.

New research groups

An active recruitment process has resultedin hiring of two outstanding researchers whowill build groups in basic biology of stemcells.

Collaborative Science Chairs

Collaborative Science Chairs areaccomplished leaders in their field ofresearch, and have permanent facultypositions in a foreign institution. They arecommitted to working on collaborativeprojects with scientists at InStem whichextend the scope of the host laboratoriessignificantly. This program permits inStemto attract senior leading scientists to theenvironment for a collaborative engagementthat covers

MOUs signed, joint programs

The MOUs and joint programs have beensigned with California Institute forRegenerative Medicine, California;Cambridge University and NCBS for jointresearch interactions; FIRC Institute ofMolecular Oncology in Milan for jointresearch laboratory at InStem; iCeMS, Kyotofor joint research laboratory at InStem andStempeutics for research in mesenchymalstem cells.

Integration of CMC-DBT Center forStem Cell Research at CMC, Vellore

CMC-DBT Center for Stem Cell Research(CSCR) was established in 2005 ascollaboration between DBT and CMCVellore. Now this Centre has been integratedwith inStem as its translational unit througha MoU. inStem and CSCR will work closelyon various aspects of stem cella andregenerative medicine.

Centre for Molecular Medicine (IFoM)

InStem have recently entered into anagreement with the FIRC Institute ofMolecular Oncology in Milan for a newventure on cancer research. Co-funded byboth institutions, the collaboration will beeffected by an inStem-IFOM Joint ResearchLaboratory at inStem. Research fields ofparticular interest for the Laboratory include


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cancer epigenetics, stem cell research,chromatin dynamics, virology andcomputational biology.Recruitment of agroup leader to this program will beundertaken via a joint process.

Translational Health Science andTechnology Institute (THSTI),Gurgaon

THSTI is an autonomous institutionestablished by the Department ofBiotechnology. The institute is designed tobe a dynamic and interactive organizationwith a mission to conduct innovativetranslational research and develop researchcollaborations across disciplines andprofessions to accelerate the developmentof concepts into tangible products toimprove human health. The institutepresently focusses research activities in threebroad areas, for which three centres havebeen established namely, (i) vaccine andinfectious diseases centre, (ii) paediatricbiology centre, and (iii) centre for bio designand diagnostics development. A ClinicalDevelopment Services Agency (CDSA) hasbeen established as an extra-mural Centreof THSTI.

Vaccine and Infectious DiseaseResearch Centre (VIDRC)

VIDRC conducts basic and clinical researchto advance translatable knowledge to

develop novel vaccines and biologics.Under the vaccine development program,phase III trial of an oral rotavirus vaccine116E is carrying out at VIDRC. Researchprogramme pursued developing a novelvaccine delivery vectors. THSTI and IAVIhave entered in to a collaboration agreementfocussing on a cross section study to screenfor and generate broadly neutralizingmonoclonal antibodies from HIV infectedindividual. The centre is also focussing ondevelopment of animal models,and understanding the natural history ofdisease in population giving new insightsinto protective host responses andbiomarker discovery for screening vaccinecandidates.

Paediatric Biology Centre (PBC)

This centre is undertaking studies on humanperinatal biology including maternal, fetal,neonatal and childhood infections,nutritional biology and other childhoodillness. The research activities have beendeveloped as domain programs inimmunobiology of perinatal period, thebiology of vaccine immunogenicity in Indianinfants, molecular biology of specificpaediatric diseases and innovativetechnologies for newborn and child health.The core research programme is focusingon immunological characterisation ofleucocytes in human cord blood and early

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infancy. Work on evaluating the ability ofnovel safe adjuvants like Vitamin D to

enhance the quality and duration of

systemic immune responses to antigensincluding the Inactivated Polio Virus (IPV)vaccine and its ability to generate primingat mucosal sites to cutaneously deliveredvaccines was carried out. A multicentrestudy has been initiated to develop a rapiddiagnostic test for diagnosis of celiac disease(CD) by ICGEB, AIIMS and an industrialpartner and the patent for the diagnostic kithas been filed.

Centre for Bio Design (CBD)

CBD centre is engaged in creating medicaltechnology innovation in India for affordablehealth care and to support services thatextend from strategic bench work tocommercialization and emphasis is givenon development of low cost, highquality indigenous implants and devices.CBD has initiated development of atechnology platform for efficient and fastgeneration of specific antibodies for variousantigens.

Clinical Development Services Agency(CDSA)

CDSA is established as an extra mural unitof THSTI to develop a cadre ofinvestigators of global standard in

regulatory product evaluations through a

comprehensive and sustained training

program. It proposes to establish a network

of institutions by supporting good existing

centres and upgrade them as centres of

excellence (COE) for training and regulatory

trials as affiliates of CDSA. It will enter

into collaborative agreements with at least

five premier institutions in the first year to

convert them into centres of excellence to

tap the huge potential of the clinical trials

market. CDSA will provide a core grant to

these institutions to develop human

resource and infrastructure. CDSA has been

interacting with national and international

experts and institutions involved in

conduct of clinical trials to develop the

most appropriate training strategy. An

alliance has been formed among

Departments of Health Research (DHR),

Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of

the Government of India to support

research to generate evidence for

development of practical and scalable

regimens to medically rehabilitate children

suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition

(SAM) without serious complications at

home/community level and/or at

peripheral inpatient facilities. DBT and

CDSA have taken an effort to promote use

of zinc supplement for the treatment ofchildhood diarrhea.


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National Institute of BiomedicalGenomics (NIBMG), Kalyani,West Bengal

NIBMG was established in 2009 to providean impetus to research and translation toenable an understanding of the aetiologies,prevention and treatment of diseases and areduction in public health burden of ourcountry. Inadequacy of formal trainingprogrammes in human genetics has been aserious impediment to the development ofbiomedical genetics in our country. NIBMGis likely to be filled by initiating courses ongenetics in medicine.

NIBMG has been able to recruit the facultyand strengthen the facility. Two DBT-NIBMG Fellows under RamalingaswamyFellows, four Young BiotechnologistAwardees, and one Clinical ResearchAssociate have joined. The faculty membersare currently engaged in research, trainingand outreach programmes of the Institute.Three core areas are developing in NIBMG– cancer genomics; genomics of commondiseases and traits, including susceptibilityto infections; and, statistical and populationgenomics. The Institute has successfullygenerated eight competitive extra-muralresearch grants, including one from the U.S.National Institutes of Health. Through theseresearch projects, NIBMG has developedcollaborations with many national and

international institutions, including medicalcolleges and hospitals. NIBMG’s Ph.D.programme is beginning to thrive; thecurrent strength of our research scholars istwelve and is growing.

The Institute has established a high-throughput DNA sequencing facility thatincludes six next-generation DNAsequencers and a 96-capillary sequencer. Acell-biology laboratory has also beenestablished. The Institute’s flagship project,the International Cancer GenomeConsortium – India Project, is progressingwell. This project attempts to identifygenomic alterations that cause gingivo-buccal oral cancer, which has the highestprevalence in India, using massively-parallelnext-generation DNA sequencingtechnologies.

NIBMG has initiated a major populationcohort study in the Kalyani area, to build along-term cohort of 20000 individuals andserial collection of biospecimens. Trainingand outreach programmes initiated andconducted several workshops and seminarsin the Institute and have had visits by manyrenowned scientists who have deliveredseminars at the Institute.

Construction of campus building on a 30-acre plot of land in Kalyani, has begun andexpected to be completed in a period of 2years.

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Fig. 10.10: Professor Terry Speed, Head ofBioinformatics Division,

Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research,Australia, and a member of NIBMG’s InternationalAdvisory Board, delivering a talk in the Institute

Regional Centre forBiotechnology (RCB), Gurgaon

RCB is an Institute newly established bythe Department of Biotechnology under theauspices of UNESCO. It is envisaged to bean important member Institute of theBiotech Science Cluster (BSC) at Faridabad,NCR where construction activities are underprogress. Presently it is undergoing differentphases of growth. Currently, the centre isfunctioning from its interim laboratories at180, Udyog Vihar, Phase,-I, Gurgaon.Hon’ble Minister, Science and Technologyand Earth Sciences introduced a Bill (ItemNo. 27) during the Winter Session (9th

Session of XV Lok Sabha) on 20thDecember, 2011 to provide for theestablishment of an institution of national

importance to be known as the RegionalCentre for Biotechnology and Training andEducation as Category-II institution underthe auspices of UNESCO to undertakeresearch in the field of biotechnology andto provide for matters connected therewithor incidentally thereto.

Regional Centre having the futuristic visionof making biotechnology education, trainingand research is planned to be within BiotechScience yet broad-based and multi-disciplinary, its proposed research andeducational activities being focused to beat the interface of different disciplines ofscience with Biotechnology as a platform ofconfluence. The institute is in the processof establishment of the labs and creatinginfrastructure for research and educationalactivities. While attempts are being madeto establish a wide range of disciplines thatinclude Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering,Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences,Climate Science, Agriculture andEnvironment, and Biotechnology RegulatoryAffairs, IPR and Policy; a small beginninglargely in the area of biomedical scienceshas been made with the faculty membersrecruited.

The structural biology studies of regulatoryevents in physiological processes focusedon immune recognition in the context ofantibody pluripotency and structural and


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molecular bases in host-pathogeninteractions. These studies have led to theelucidation of the structural basis of mimicryof two chemically distinct molecules as seenby the immune system. This shows thatplasticity of antigen combining site of themature antibodies could enablepluripotency even without any structuralcorrelation of the binding antigens.Structural investigations of proteinsimplicated in pilus assembly and biofilmformation of different bacteria towardunderstanding bacterial infections and modeof interactions with host are also beingpursued.

The molecular mechanisms associated withcell division and intercellularcommunications including studies on thespindle assembly checkpoint in metaphase,the terminal mitotic process of cytokinesisas well as analyses of the biogenesis andfunction of tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) arebeing studied. Molecular mechanisms in theubiquitin mediated signaling in cellularpathways with focus being on thedeubiquitination events are being explored.Molecular mechanisms of infectious andidiopathic inflammation relating toSUMOylation are being studied using S

Typhi as a model organism.

Molecular mechanisms of how intravascularhemolysis increases the severity and

occurrence of the thrombotic complicationsin hemolytic disorders; more specifically,how the binding of cell-free hemoglobin tothe plasma protein von Willebrand factormakes them hyperreactive to culminate celladhesion and clot formation is beingaddressed. On another front, that links moreto the translational research, engineering ofnonmaterial for biomedical applications isbeing pursued.

Currently, seven members of the Facultyincluding the Executive Director, mainlyfrom biomedical sciences have made theirrespective laboratories functional. TheCentre has been able to attract very smartfresh PhDs for young investigatorprogramme and has started the training ofstudents towards PhD degree. The YoungInvestigator awardee, the ResearchAssociates, Junior Research Fellows andTrainees programmes have made abeginning with a potential to grow in thetimes to come

The First meeting of the ProgrammeAdvisory Committee was organized on 8th

September, 2011 at RCB, Gurgaon under theChairmanship of Prof K Vijayaraghavan,Director, NCBS, Bangalore. Broad vision ofthe Centre at the interface of multipledisciplines involving research and educationcovering diverse aspects of biotech sciencesas well as regulatory, IPR and policy issueswas discussed at length. An important

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recommendation that PAC made wasestablishing international connectivity byorganizing theme-based intense discussionmeetings and workshops for enhancingthinning capabilities. Meetings of theExecutive Committee, Finance Sub-Committee and Board of Governors werealso organized as per the schedule.

Fig. 10.11: Researchers at RCB

National Agri-FoodBiotechnology Institute (NABI),Mohali, Punjab

The institute has taken new Initiativesduring the year on studying the effect ofdiet and its constituents on adipogenesis.


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Fractionated constituents of selected cerealgrains (wheat, finger millet, kodo millet andbuck wheat) is being examined in human(preadipocytes/adipocytes) HPAd/HAdand murine (3L3-L1 preadipocytes/adipocytes) cell culture models and in-vivo

diet-induced obese murine models to studythe molecular basis of adipogenesis.

In an another study on targeted mutagenesisfor modification of plant genes to designsequence specific zinc finger nucleases(ZFNs), synthetic proteins consisting of anengineered sequence specific zinc fingerDNA-binding used to induce double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in specific DNAsequences and thereby promote site-specificrecombination and targeted manipulation ofgenomic loci in a variety of different celltypes is being deployed to target for genemodification of targeting novel traits in cropplants and to design arrays, improvetargeting efficiencies and eventually totranslate the information from model plant

systems to crop species like wheat, legumesand vegetable crops.

Nutrition and Processing Quality ofWheat

Micronutrient and bioavailabilityenhancement

Iron transport from maternal tissues toendosperm in mature wheat seed usingsynchrotron radiation

In wheat grains iron is located in outer layer,called bran and is lost substantially duringmilling and processing. Thus the flour isalmost devoid of iron. Understand thebottlenecks which prevent iron translocationfrom the outer bran layers into theendosperm in cereals, wheat grain with iron-enriched endosperm is of great interest. Thestudy to understand the iron localizationand to identify the chemical form in whichiron is present in different tissues of seed

Fig. 10.12

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Gene discovery in wheat forimprovement of processing quality

Multiplication of wheat germplasm

530 Indian wheat varieties are growing inthree replications in RBD as well asaugmented design at NABI research farm.305 exotic and 312 wild wheat lines aremaintained in three replicates in RBD designat NABI research farm. These germplasmswere grown in this winter season for seedmultiplication and nutrition and qualityevaluations of a sub-set.

Screening of SSR markers

110 SSR primer pairs were used forscreening to select polymorphic primers.Genotyping using SSR primer pairs is beingdone.

Microarray studies for processingquality

RNA was extracted from four wheat

varieties-two good (C306 and Lok1) and two

poor chapatti (WH291 and Sonalika) making

varieties at three developmental stages-7,

14 and 28 DAA (days after anthesis). The

RNA from the four varieties was hybridized

to Affymetrix wheat microarray containing

25,000 unigenes. The hybridization data was

analyzed and a set of differentially

expressed genes were identified between

good and poor chapatti varieties.

Biochemical analysis of a few differentially

expressed genes is being conducted to

validate the gene expression data. RNA was

extracted from two soft wheat varieties

(Naphal & Chinese Spring) and one hard

(PBW 343) wheat varieties. The extracted

RNA is being used for microarray-based

transcript studies.

Database for grain hardness of Indian

cultivars

Studies on genes involved in grain hardness

e.g. Puroindoline were initiated to find out

structure function relationship and

involvement of different genes in grain

hardness. Several new alleles were detected

in the Indian germplasm.

and bottlenecks which prevent irontranslocation from the outer bran layers intothe endosperm, X-ray Fluorescence (XRF)iron localization maps have been generatedin grains of contrasting genotypes of wheatby using synchrotron powered beam line,VESPERS (Very Sensitive Elemental andStructural Probe Employing Radiation), atCanadian Light Source, Saskatoon, Canada.Currently performing, micro-PIXE (Particleinduced x-ray emission) iron localizationmaps to generate and validate the iron indifferent tissues of seed (Fig. 10.12).


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Development of virus induced gene

silencing vector for wheat: Virus wasdetected from the wheat samples collectedduring 2010 and 2011. The whole genomeof virus was sequenced and nucleotidesequence of two clones has been submittedto the GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis bynucleotide sequence of full-length genomeof the virus revealed it was a novelmastrevirus (Family Geminiviridae) and isbeing reported from India for the first time.Infectious clone was made and tested forinfectivity. Host range was determined byinfecting different Indian wheat varieties

which yielded very good and consistentresults.

Modifications have been done in viralgenome by removing a small stretch ofnucleotide (pathogenicity determinantregion of the viral genome) and insertingmultiple cloning sites (MCS) at the samepositions. Visual marker gene phytoenedesaturase (PDS) is being cloned inmodified VIGS vector and will be followedby making head-to-tail tandem repeat of themodified VIGS vector having PDS gene (Fig.10.13).

Fig. 10.13: A) Schematic representation of viral genome organization. B,C): modified viral genome and betasatellite having MCS for expression of foreign protein.

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Development of viral vector fortransient expression

The detected virus is mastrevirus and isknown as monopartite geminivirus.Association of betasatellite has been foundfor the first time with this virus and thesame been confirmed by co-infectivity.Result of co-infectivity revealed that thebetasatellite played a role of silencingsuppressor by suppressing the host silencingmachinery which resulted in accumulationof virus in host cell. Since, it is well knownthat a virus having silencing suppressor canbe a good candidate for the expression offoreign proteins in plants and designedoligos to modify the viral genome andbetasatellite for the transient expression ofproteins (eg. GFP, udi or Zinc fingernuclease protein) of interest in wheat.

Genetic Transformation of Wheat andBanana

Four cultivated varieties of wheat wereexamined for optimization of regenerationprotocol. The embryos from mature seedswere cultured on MS medium containingdifferent combinations and concentrations ofgrowth regulators. Best response for callusinduction was observed when embryos werecultured on MS medium supplemented with2, 4-D and Zeatin. Healthy roots wereinduced on the MS basal medium (Fig. 10.14

A, B, C, D, E, F). Genetic transformation isbeing optimized from mature embryos andcallus. GUS used as a reporter marker forthe transient genetic transformation.Histochemical GUS assays were performedafter co-cultivation. Experiments are inprogress to develop stable transgenic plants.

Fig. 10.14: Different stages of in-vitro regeneration ofwheat plants and stable gene expression. A) Isolation of

mature embryos used as explant, B) one month oldcalli, C) two months old callus, D) and E) shoot

induction and elongation, F) root formation G) transientexpression of GUS in wheat callus, H) control plants

with empty vector.

Accelerated Breeding for processingquality

For improvement of chapatti making quality,good chapatti making old cultivars (C306and Lok1) were crossed with high yieldingrecent cultivars (PBW343, PBW550 andPBW621). Crossed seeds were backcrossedat DWR Regional Station, at Dalang Maidan,


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Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh in off-season. BC1

and F2 seeds have been sown in the field.For improvement of Biscuit making quality,major genes (Puroindoline and HMWGlutenin genes) responsible for grainsoftness were characterised in the selectedlines. For biscuit making quality, wheatlandraces (NapHal and IITR67) were crossedwith high yielding recent cultivars (PBW343,PBW550 and PBW621). F1s were backcrossedat Dalang Maidan in off season. BC1 and F2

seeds have been sown in field. For breadmaking quality wild species/genetic stocksof Ag. elongatum, Ae. searsii and Ag.

intermedium, are being utilized. Our goal isto transfer HMW-GS genes related to highgrain strength from wild species tochromosome 1A of wheat (translocationlines), as chromosome 1A of wheat has somealleles that contribute negatively to breadmaking quality. .

Establishment of embryogenic suspension

culture (ESC) for genetic transformation of

Banana: Immature male flower buds of fourcultivars (Grand Nain, Robusta, Nendran andDwarf Cavendish) were collected fromTNAU, Coimbatore. Immature male flowerhands of rank 1 to 15 adjacent to the floralapex were isolated and cultured on MSmedium containing several combinationsand concentrations of different growthregulators for the optimization of protocol.Calli were formed on the callus forming

medium. However, efficiency and responsefor callus induction depends upon thecultivars. Grand Nain cultivar showed bestresponse for callus formation. Optimizationof ESC development has been initiated forthe induction of embryos and genetictransformation.

Quality and post-harvest stability offarm produce

The research program on qualityenhancement and improving postharveststability of fruits is focused onunderstanding biological basis of producequality and generating basic knowledge toassist genetic and molecular manipulationsfor better quality traits. The research workhas been initiated on mango and litchi fruitsduring the period under report.

Mango: Research activities were carried outto characterise the aroma-volatiles profilesof mango fruit and to optimise method forrapid assessment of these compounds fordeveloping biomarkers linked to fruitquality and postharvest status. Staticheadspace (SHS) method was optimised forextraction of aroma volatiles and its efficacywas compared with the widely used solid-phase micro extraction technique. Theimproved SHS extraction technique wascombined with separation on different typesof columns (polar and non-polar) and

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simultaneous detection using flameionization detector and mass spectrometerto achieve better resolution and detectionof maximum number of compounds.

Litchi: Skin colouration in litchi is due to

the presence of anthocyanin pigments

whose biosynthesis and postharvest

stability can seriously affect fruit quality.

To develop better understanding of

anthocyanin biosynthesis at molecular

level, litchi fruit (cvs. ‘Calcuttia’, ‘Dehradun’

and ‘Seedless’) sampled at different stages

of maturation (green, colour break/pink,

and red) were subjected to metabolic

profiling and fingerprinting. Targeted and

untargeted analysis of metabolites from

litchi aril and pulp has been carried out to

give insights into dynamics of the

metabolites in relation to fruit maturation

and ripening.

Developmental Biology for CropImprovement

Identification of genes responsible forseedlessness in Annona fruits

Seedlessness increases fruit acceptance by

consumers due to several benefits: seedless

fruits are easier to eat and fruit processing

is easier. Also, seeds have bitter taste and

in some instances, accumulate toxic

compounds. In Annona, flowers comprise

of a cluster of stamens (more than 200) and

carpels (more than 100). Each carpel has a

single anatropous ovule that may develop

into a single seed. The Annona fruit develops

from the cluster of fertilized carpels, thus

the aggregate fruit contains several fruitlets.

Out of the multiple fruitlets a few fruitlets

develop naturally, without seeds. The aim

of the project is to understand the molecular

basis of the development of seeded and

seedless fruitlets in the same fruit of Annona

sp. Total RNA has been extracted from

developing fruits of Annona squamosa,

Annona chermola, Annona atemoya. Anatomical

differences between seeded and seedless

fruitlets during early stages of development

have been identified. Total RNA has been

extracted from developed and aborted seed

of Annona squamosa.

Development of approaches for themodulation of seedlessness, in the scionthrough rootstock signaling

The research project anticipates

establishment of a technology which can lead

to the development of a new approach to

use transgenic rootstocks for delivering

specific siRNAs in non-transgenic scions for

the modification of economically important

traits. We are currently examining if siRNA

based signalling can be applied to develop


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rootstocks which may influence seed

development in the scion, grafted on to the

stock using the model plant Arabidopsis

thaliana. Developed transgenic linesconstitutively expressing GUS reporter gene.Transgenic lines expressing double strandedRNA- hairpin homologue of the reportergene and target genes involved in seeddevelopment have been raised.

Development of Genomic Resources forGrain Crops

Genomic sequence data holds the promise

of dramatically advancing the

understanding of basic plant science, and

of catalyzing practical advances in plant

breeding. Genome data of wheat, Triticum

aestivum, is available in public domain from

University of Bristol (5X coverage of

genome , ~200 million 454 reads). Genome

data of the wild wheat, Aegilop tauschii, is

recently available from CSHL (Illumina

reads). The studies undertaken for genome

assembly and analysis to generate

framework map of wheat and to identify

the vast majority of genes in three closely

related progenitor genomes of wheat (AA,

AABB, and DD genome containing species)

and hexaploid wheat (Chinese Spring). Data

from the above resources along with in-

house data generated for transcriptomes of

different germplasms at NABI will be used

for improving the draft assembly and

scaffolding. Identified 90K putative SNPs

by comparing inhouse generated

transcriptome and publicly available ESTs

till date. We are also identifying SNPs for

genes expressed differentially on

microarray of wheat varieties contrasting

for processing traits. Comparative Study

of Triticum monococcum and Aegilops tauschii

transcriptome has led to identification of

new transcripts after comparing with

Unigene database (13620 for

Triticum monococcum and 9950 for

Aegilops tauschii new transcripts).

Microarray data analysis and meta-profile

analysis of wheat expression array for

understanding the gene expression

dynamics in starch and sucrose

metabolism pathway in genotypes with

contrasting baking, chapatti making and

biscuit making quality for mapping of

differentially regulated genes on metabolic

pathways is under progress.

Development of genomic resources forhorticultural crops

Germplasms collection of fruit crops is inprogress. About 35 cultivars of fruitsbelonging to 16 species have been collectedfrom different parts of India. The list ofvarieties/wild species collected and plantedat NABI research farm is as below:

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• Annona squamosa, A. cheimoya, A.reticulata, A. atemoya and some selectionssuch as NMK-1, Chandshila, Annona-2.

• Banana: Grand Nain, Robusta, Nendran,Poovan, Rasthali, Red Banana, NeyPoovan, Virupakashi, Karpuravalli,Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf-Robusta,Udhayam and Nanjanagud-Rasabale

• Mango: Dashehri, Amrapalli, Mallika,Langra, Chausa

• Guava: Allahabad Safeda, Lalit,Lucknow-49, Arka Mridula, Shweta

• Litchi: Calcuttia

• Sapota: Cricket ball, DHF

• Citrus: Kinnow, Baramasi lemon, Citrusjambhiri, Jaffa Orange, Star Rubygrapefruit

• Pomegranate: Bhagwa

• Pear: Punjab Beauty, Patharnakh

• Plum: Kala Amritsari, Sutlej Purple

• Aonla: NA-6, 7, 10, Krishna

• Bael: CISH-B1 and B2

Additionally, several germplasms have beencollected such as wheat (>1500 lines), rice(16 lines), pearl millet (4 lines), finger milet(5 lines), mung and urd bean (26 lines),sorghum (41 lines) and chickpea (9 lines).

National Institute of AnimalBiotechnology (NIAB),Hyderabad

National Institute of Animal Biotechnology(NIAB), a new autonomous institution of

DBT, is being established within the campusof University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad.NIAB has been registered as a society asper the Andhra Pradesh Government Act.,2001 (Act No. 35 of 2001) on 25th May,2011 and started operating from an interimoffice building in the campus of Universityof Hyderabad. To initiate R&D activitiesNIAB has hired a building very close to thesite allotted to NIAB. NIAB has initiatedthe recruitment process for scientific,technical and administrative positions.

NIAB is designed to harness novel andemerging biotechnologies and take upresearch in the cutting edge areas forimproving animal health and productivity.The Institute’s focus of research will be oninfectious diseases, breeding, reproductionand nutritional enrichment. The instituteaims at translational research leading to thedevelopment of novel vaccines, diagnosticsand improved therapeutic molecules forfarm animals. The Institute plans to promotebio entrepreneurship by providing supportto commercial tenants involved in thedevelopment of farm animal basedproducts.

BIO-CLUSTERS

Biotech Science Cluster

The Department has established a BiotechScience Cluster at NCR region of Delhi. The


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heads of four founding institutions namely,the National Institute of Immunology; theRegional Centre for Biotechnology; the

Translational Health Science and Technology

Institute and the National Institute for Plant

Genome Research have signed a MoU to

create a new entity called the Cluster Board.

The Cluster Board is an enabling mechanism

by which these institutions, while

maintaining their own autonomy of

governance, can address not only common

infrastructural and cluster-related

administrative issues but also synergize

their complementary intellectual strengths

and facilities to create a seamless campus.

This Cluster will coordinate the

development of the new campus at

Faridabad.

Efforts are being made to create this Clusteras a legal entity. A “Centre for MolecularMedicine” has been established at thisCluster. The focus of this Centre is on

infections diseases, cancer, cell therapy anddrug design.

Bangalore Bio-cluster

Bangalore Biocluster comprises the NationalCentre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), theInstitute for Stem Cell Biology &Regenerative Medicine (InStem) and Centrefor Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP). These three institutions areinteracting, sharing knowledge andresources on a regular basis to enrichresearch. C-CAMP is acting as provider,developer and enabler of technologydevelopment, scientific activity andentrepreneurship. This is an institutionalmodel for cutting edge scientific researchaimed at utilizing various centres ofexcellence for developing new hubs. InStemis developing collaborating programmeswith other institutes utilizing theinfrastructure and facilities available in theCluster.

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PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKING

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Bharat Immunologicals &Biologicals Corporation Limited,Bulandshahar (BIBCOL)

Bharat Immunologicals and BiologicalsCorporation Limited (BIBCOL) was engagedin formulating Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV),located at Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradeshtowards eradication of Poliomyelitis in thecountry through Pulse Polio and routineimmunization programmes. As thedemand for OPV is in decline phase,BIBCOL added monovalent oral poliovaccine mOPV -1, 2 & 3 in its productportfolio, and efforts are on for introductionof bivalent OPV (1 & 3). In pharmaceuticalsector, BIBCOL’s ZincDispersible Tablet has startedgaining a major market sharein public sector and a combokit (Diarrhea Management Kit)for treatment of diarrheaamong young children hasbeen introduced in themarket. The production hasbeen optimized using theexisting resources andreducing the dependency ona single product, by

diversifying into other vaccine andpharmaceuticals related to child health careand marketing is being strengthened.

New initiatives made to strengthen Research& Development and currently working onsolutions for treatment of severalmalnutrition among young children andmanufacturing facilities for oral solid dosesform is being created for various products.A product sale is expected to touch aroundRs. 50 crores during the current year. Forsuccessful management of Diarrhea & Malnutrition introduction of dispensable zinctablets and mineral vitamin mixformulations is taken up.

Fig. 11.1: Combo Kit – Treatment for Diarrhea

Public Sector Undertaking

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Indian Vaccines CorporationLimited, Gurgaon

The Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited(IVCOL) was started as a joint venturecompany in March, 1989 to undertakeresearch and development and manufactureof viral vaccines. Due to change in productmix policy and non-availability of vero celltechnology from Pasteur Merieux Serum &Vaccines (PMSV), France, the company wason hold since February, 1992. In pursuanceof the Cabinet decision in September, 1998restructuring process of the company hasbeen undertaken to utilize the assets createdunder the project. Accordingly, the NationalBrain Research Centre (NBRC) has been

established as part of IVCOL premises.

Concerted efforts have been made tofinalize the restructuring process with newactivities. After taking necessary approvalsfrom competent authority the company hassigned lease agreement with IPCL/RelianceLifesciences, one of the promoters of thecompany, to initiate new activities includingproduction of vaccines, biopharmaceuticalsand set up superspeciality hospital toinitiate translational research in collaborationwith NBRC. In order to initiate proposedactivities Reliance Lifesciences (RLS) alreadyfinalized the master plan for setting upintegrated life science unit alongwith superspecialty hospital for neuro and cardio atManesar, Haryana.

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INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR GENETICENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

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International Centre for Genetic Engineeringand Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi hasmade significant progress in the area ofinfectious disease, agriculture and bio-energy during the year. Several newinitiatives were taken by sourcing fundingfrom different agencies and from Bill GatesGrand Challenge Exploration grant for thesecond phase of research.

Human Health

Malaria

A recombinant malaria vaccine candidateagainst Plasmodium falciparum, JAIVAC-1,which is composed of two recombinantprotein antigens, PfMSP119 and PfF2,formulated with the adjuvant Montanide ISA720 was tested in a Phase I clinical trial.This is the first novel recombinant vaccinedeveloped indigenously and tested for thefirst-time-in human clinical trial in India.JAIVAC-1 was found to be safe and elicitedrobust antibody responses against PfF2 butpoor immune responses against PfMSP119.A next generation vaccine candidateJAIVAC-2, which contains PfF2 andPfMSP119-PfMSP311, has been developed toovercome with the problem of poor

immunogenicity of PfMSP119 as well astarget another merozoite surface protein,PfMSP3.

Programme has been initiated to understandthe molecular basis of key mechanisms inthe biology of blood stage malaria parasite.The program will undertake novelinterdisciplinary approaches using cuttingedge technologies to understand keyprocesses involved in intracellular growth,egress and red cell invasion by malariaparasites. Another project initiated to focusstudy on the molecular epidemiology ofmalaria in endemic regions of Central Indiain collaboration with the Regional MedicalResearch Centre for Tribals (RMRCT),Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh has beeninitiated. This project aims to characterizethe invasive properties of P. falciparum

isolates from the field, and to understandnaturally acquired immune responsesagainst blood stage parasite antigens andtheir role in protection against malaria.

Immunology

Several host-factors have been identified thatare required by the Mycobacterium for its

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survival within host through genome-widesiRNA approach. Subsequently, complete

metabolome, lipidome, proteome and

transcriptome profile of macrophage cells

infected with Mtb are being generated to

represent finest details of cellular responses

upon infection. A novel protein-kinase

centric network regulating overall cellular

responses were identified that are now being

investigated for their efficacy as potential

drug targets against tuberculosis. The

group has also discovered a novel role

of mesenchymal stem cells in

regulating immune responses against Mtb

infection.

Under the second phase of ‘Centre of

Excellence Program on TB Research’, it is

planned to develop novel intervention

strategies for tuberculosis. Under the project

funded by a Bill and Melinda Gates

Foundation (BMGF: Phase-I) on electronic

nose for pulmonary tuberculosis disease

identification using breath of TB patients

was successfully completed. Initial findings

showed promising results which are under

further validation. Based on the Phase I

research, further funding (Phase-II) was

received from BMGF and Canadian Grand

Challenge for validating breath basedbiomarkers for TB in a multicentriclongitudinal study.

Virology

The Hepatitis E virus studies attempted toidentify the cellular receptor for the virus,and to characterize patient plasma and urineproteomes and metabolomes towards theidentification of disease biomarkers and acomprehensive understanding ofpathogenesis. The HIV research programmehas dealt mainly with understanding therole of small non-coding RNAs ormicroRNAs in disease pathogenesis. Thesestudies led to the identification of a viralsuppressor of RNA interference thatfunctions through a novel mechanism notobserved earlier in animal viruses. Gene-expression, microRNA and metabolitesignatures have also been characterized inHIV/AIDS patients to serve as biomarkersof disease progression and therapy failure.A novel mechanism mediated by theinfluenza virus nucleocapsid protein wasuncovered that restricts innate immunity ininfected cells. Multiplex detection strategieswere used to understand the ecology ofrespiratory viruses in patients and evidencewas found for a newly discovered virus inthese specimens.

Structural and Computational Biology

The group has recently performed structuredetermination of dehydroascorbate reductasefrom Pennisetum glaucum, which has guided

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to decipher the functional role of thisprotein in rescuing plant cells fromoxidative stresses. In addition, extensiveNMR-based metabolomics efforts on humanbiofluids are on-going in an effort todiscover biomarkers of human disease. Thegroup collaborates with malaria group forvalidation of prediction methods forPlasmodium protein annotations. Several newprediction algorithms have been developedin the past year for enhancing annotation ofvarious genomic databases. A new initiativeaimed at inhibitor discovery against diseasessuch as malaria and tuberculosis has beenundertaken. The strategy is to identify smallmolecular inhibitors with anti-pathogenproperties and to develop them further. Thiswill be based on high throughput screeningtechnologies and a wider spectrum of drug-like libraries.

Recombinant Gene Products

Novel recombinant designer proteins havebeen developed as an inexpensive, highlysensitive and a specific diagnosticintermediates for viral infections, like HCV,HIV and Dengue virus. The availability ofthese high quality diagnostic intermediatesto manufacturers of diagnostic kits hasreduced production costs significantly andthese kits are being manufactured in Indiaand being used in several Asian and Africancountries. Based on the diagnosticintermediates, a test has beencommercialized for the detection of dengueNS1 antigen from all 4 dengue serotypes.In consultation with the Indo-US VaccineAction Program, the group has createdDENV-2 envelope-based virus-like particles(VLPs) and are currently under evaluation.

Fig: 12.1: Dengue DAY 1 Test Kit

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Studies have been initiated towards findingpotent binders and inhibitors of someselected proteins of DENV-2.

Synthetic Biology and Biofuels

An E. coli strain was engineered throughmanipulation of endogenous pathway thatcould take-up all the C5 and C6 sugarspresent in the lignocellulosic biomass andconverts them into ethanol at a neartheoretical yield. Efforts have been initiatedat ICGEB to establish a ‘DBT-ICGEB Centrefor Advanced Bioenergy Research’. Theproposed collaborative centre shall beexpanding its activity towards genomic,metagenomic, synthetic and systems biologyareas for addressing some of the key issuesof biofuel development such as findingefficient cellulolytic enzymes, developingbiocatalysts for C5/C6 fermentation,generating advance biofuel molecules, anddeveloping robust algal strain for biodieselproduction.


Plant Molecular Biology

Several rice transgenic lines for enhancedtolerance to salinity and drought stressconditions have been generated andvalidated. Novel stress responsive genesfrom plants and fungus were cloned and

characterized for their potential use as thecandidate genes for genetic transformationusing tobacco as the model system. Stress-induced beta-carbonic anhydrase from C4plant (Pennisetum glaucum) has beencharacterized and a new genome walkingmethod to find out transgene integrationloci in transgenic genome has beendeveloped.

The role of RAD54 in-vitro geminivirus DNAreplication with yeast extract has beenestablished. The tomato transgenic plantsexpressing the artificial microRNA thattarget the conserved region of the pre-coatprotein of a geminivirus, namely ToLCVhave been developed. Few host proteinssuch as GRF1, MCM2, MCM3 havinginteraction with Rep protein of MYMIV havebeen identified. Arabidopsis GRF1 wasdemonstrated to modulate the replicationefficiency of geminiviral DNA. More than200 known and ~1500 novel rice miRNAshave been identified.

Plant Transformation

Efforts have been continued to expressvarious therapeutically and commerciallyimportant biomolecules in tobaccochloroplast. Under the Indo-Finlandcollaborative project supported by the DBT,PTG group in collaboration with a Groupat VTT, Finland has produced D1

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antibodies, (ScFv and Fab) in plants at aconcentration of ~2-4% of the total solubleprotein. Similar approach was used toexpress ten cellulolytic enzymes in tobaccochloroplasts in collaboration with theUniversity of Pavia, Italy. High throughputtranscriptomic and proteomic analyses wereused to identify genes involved specificallyin the development of cotton fiber underNAIP funded project. This study showedthat drought has profound effect on fibreelongation by down-regulating importantgenes involved in cell wall loosening andexpansion process.

Insect Resistance

Investigations were continued for exploringinsect genomes for identification of proteinsthat could be useful as insecticidal agents

and two pro-region peptides thatspecifically kill neonate larvae of Helicoverpa

armigera have been identified. By subtractivemicro RNA library screening, the group hasidentified a specific miroRNA that regulatesexpression of chitinase in developing larvae.The entire genome of Sf21 has beensequenced and annotated for theidentification of new RNAi factors. The datais being scanned for RNAi pathwaycomponents and microRNA identification.In addition, the group has profiledmicroRNA’s in malaria parasite transmittingvector, Anopheles stephensi at various stagesof maturation of Plasmodium. Several uniquestrains of bacteria were identified from thegut of larvae and adult mosquitoes,which are being modified to be employedas delivery agent for desired genes in thegut.

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PROMOTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY INTHE NORTH EASTERN STATES OF INDIA

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293

The North East Region (NER) of India is

abundant with rich biodiversity, mineral,

water and forest resources and has been

identified as one of the world’s biodiversity

hotspots in terms of spread across diverse

ecosystems with rich genetic resources. It

also offers rich biodiversity of floral and

faunal elements and provides ample

opportunities for furthering economic

development of the region. In the region

agriculture contributes to ~ 30% of the Net

State Domestic Product (NSDP) and ~ 75%

of the region’s population depends on the

same for employment. Hence, agriculture

and allied sectors were kept as priority areas

for biotechnology based development in the

region. In view of these, the Department of

Biotechnology has earmarked 10% of its

total budget amounting to Rs. 140 croresfor the year 2011-12 to promotebiotechnology activities in the North EasternRegion of India.

In the year 2009-10, DBT has set up a NorthEastern Region-Biotechnology ProgrammeManagement Cell (NER-BPMC) throughBiotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL)for coordination and monitoring of

biotechnology programmes in the NorthEastern States of India as part of DBT’scommitment towards the promotion ofbiotechnology activities in the NorthEastern Region. A separate buildingmeasuring 2000 sq. ft. area has been hiredfor the NER-BPMC office. The NER-BPMCoffice is now functional with theappointment of consultants and projectmanagers. The NER-BPMC is working inclose cooperation with DBT and otherGovernment Ministries/ Department/Agencies at the Central and Statelevel alongwith universities and researchinstitutions for development andimplementation of various programmes.

NER-BPMC has initiated a number ofactivities towards biotech baseddevelopment of the NER in the followingthrust areas:

Integrated Technology/ProductDevelopment

Three projects aimed towards IntegratedTechnology/Product Development havebeen initiated/ implemented during theyear.

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Twinning Programme

The Twinning R&D program for NER wasinitiated in the year 2009-2010 towardsdeveloping core competence and corecapacity in different areas of biotechnologyviz. Health Science, Agricultural Science,Veterinary Science, Pharmaceutical Science,Biomedical Engineering, Bioinformatics,Food and Nutrition, Health Care includingalternative medicine, Nanotechnology andEnvironmental Biotechnology, through jointventure, between two or more institutes,where one of the institute is from NorthEast India. This collaboration is expectedto play a crucial role in upgrading the skills

Fig. 13.1: Twinning R&D program for NER

of scientists working in NER. In the year2011-12, a total of 230 proposals werereceived, out of which 117 proposals havebeen approved for funding.

A new project tilted ‘Biotechnology ledorganic farming in the NER’ focusing largescale demonstrations of use of bioinputsfor organic farming of key high value crops(HVCs) of NER has been launched inSeptember, 2010 for a period 3 years. Threeinstitutions, namely: ICAR-RC, Umiam,Meghalaya, 14 Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s(KVKs) of NE zone of ICAR and IBSD,Manipur of DBT are major implementingpartners of the project. Till December, 2011,

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project activities like training trainers,farmers and field demonstrations onidentified crops established. Brief projectachievements are:

• 1400 farmers trained on organic farmingtechnology using bio inputs(biopesticides, biofertilizers, botanicals)for 9 horticultural crops.

• Field demonstrations with organicpackage in 158 ha already establishedFirst year results from completed fielddemonstrations are encouraging andprofitable.

Biodiversity Conservation & Utilization

During the year, DBT has initiated a researchnetwork titled “ Biotech Intervention onSelected Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (MAP)of NER for their effective utilization” onfour medicinal & aromatic plants (MAP),launched in October, 2011 involving threepartner institutions (a) AAU, Jorhat (Agric.)

Fig.13.2: Cultivation of Organic Chilli (Bhutjholakia) in Golaghat

(b) AAU, Khanapara (Veterinary Campusand (c) NEIST, Jorhat (CSIR Institute) withthe following objective: (a) Taxonomicalstudies of four MAP Species, (b) Isolationof bioactive phytochemical ingredients ofmedicinal value, (c) Evaluation ofpharmacological activity of bioactive plantextracts /fractions, (d) Assessment ofisolated drugs for possible adverse effectson metabolic system, and (e) Developmentof Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), largescale production of planting material &PHT.

Capacity Building

Key initiatives were taken towardsdevelopment/upgradation of infrastructurein Medical colleges, establishment ofBiotech Hubs, North Eastern BioinformaticsNetwork (NEBINet), DBT’s e-LibraryConsortia (NER-DeLCON), online humanresource repository of Biotechnology andBioinformatics Resources of North East India


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(BABRONE) and development of DigitalDatabase of Bioresource of NE India etc.

Development/upgradation of infrastructurein Medical colleges in North Eastern Statesof India

The DBT program on Development/Up-gradation of Infrastructure in MedicalColleges in the NER was started in the year2009. The program is now operational in 12medical colleges/ institutions in four statesof the Region, namely Assam, Nagaland,Tripura and Manipur. Labs of 21 PrincipalInvestigators have been renovated/upgradedfor carrying out quality research on varioushealth problems prevalent in theregion using modern biotechnology toolsand technologies. Various scientificequipments including 27 high costequipments such as flow cytometer, Real-Time PCR machine, Hi-speed centrifuges, -80º C freezers etc. have been procured andinstalled.

Establishment of Biotech Hubs for theNorth Eastern States

A Biotech Hub Scheme was initiated duringthe year 2010-11 and continuing during 2011-12 with the broad purpose of promotion ofeducation and research in Biology/LifeScience/Biotechnology. Institutes/Colleges/Universities of higher education of the

North Eastern Region of India offeringundergraduate and/or postgraduate coursesin any branch of Biology/Life Science/Biotechnology/Environmental Science/Chemistry /Physics/ Computer Science /Biomedical Sciences/ Agri/ VeterinarySciences for 3 years to establish/upgrade abasic biotechnology lab, develop abioinformatics center, avail biotechnology e-journal, support for organizing training forteachers etc. 6 State level and 34 institutionallevel biotech hubs were established and 52additional institutional level biotech hubssanctioned at various colleges/universities/institutes during this year. Thesefacilities will impart research insight amongthe budding science students attheir formative stage of science education(UG/PG level) and research career (PhDlevel).

North Eastern Bioinformatics Network(NEBINet)

Twenty seven bioinformatics centersestablished in all the 8 states of the NERwere networked as the North EasternBioinformatics Network (NEBINet). TheseBioinformatics centres are provided withlatest IT equipment to support the researchactivities of the host institutions in NER.The network is quite popular in outreachof various programmes to NER in additionto information collection and dissemination.

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DBT’s e-Library Consortia (NER-DeLCON)

DBT’s e-Library Consortia for North EasternRegion (NER-DeLCON) was established inthe year 2010 through which more than 900High Impact e-journals were subscribed byDBT and the facility was offered to 15selected NER institutions. During the year2011, 3 new institutions were added fromNER in the consortia. An assessmentindicated that scientists, faculty and studentsof these 18 institutions were using thesubscribed e-journals extensively and alsoencouraging institutions in theneighborhood to utilize this service.DeLCON may be accessed atwww.delcon.gov.in.

BABRONE

During the year, DBT has sanctioned aproject on creation of an online humanresource repository of Biotechnology andBioinformatics resources of North East India(BABRONE). This online repository will befirst of its kind that will providecomprehensive information regardingbiotechnology and bioinformatics resourcesof NE India preferably via open-sourcesoftware.

Network Program on Development ofDigital Database of Bioresource of NERIndia

A network programme with 8 PIs from 7different institutes of NER ondevelopment of a digital database of bio-resources of North East India has beensanctioned by DST. The Programme isaimed at digitizing, structuring,developing suitable databases and makesit available in the public domain. Theduration of the project is for 3 years witha budget of Rs. 258 lakhs.

Human Resource Development

Overseas Associateship for NERscientists

A special programme was developed to

train early and mid-career Scientists

holding permanent positions in NE region

conducting research to generate human

resource in cutting edge areas of

biotechnology. The Overseas Fellowship

has been awarded for both short (3 & 6

months) and long (1 year) term period.

During the last year 21 scientists availed

associateship in established institutions in

different foreign countries including USA,

Japan, Canada, UK, Germany and France.

During this year Seven Overseas

Fellowship has been awarded to for long

term training while 27 were approved for

short term period.


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Award of Biotechnology NationalAssociateship to Scientists working inNorth Eastern States

National Associateship Programme fortraining both for short term and long termhas been initiated for the award ofBiotechnology National Associateship forconducting research or training in NationalInstitutions/research laboratories in differentareas of biotechnology such as (i)agriculture, food and feed biotechnology;(ii) animal biotechnology; (iii) aquacultureand marine biotechnology; (iv) food andnutrition; (v) environmental biotechnology(vi) industrial biotechnology: materialsbiotechnology, reaction and process design;(vii) medical biotechnology; (viii) nano-biotechnology and bioengineering; (ix)bioinformatics and IT-enabledbiotechnology; (x) intellectual property andpatent law.

Entrepreneurship Development in NER

DBT had entrusted a project to BiotechConsortium India Limited (BCIL) to organizea series of Entrepreneurship DevelopmentProgrammes (EDPs) in NER for handholdingthe budding entrepreneurs and assisting

them in establishment of a successfulenterprise in NER.

A training programme on entrepreneurshipdevelopment sanctioned to The Energy &Resources Institute (TERI), Guwahati forproduction of superior quality plantingmaterial using in vitro technology inNortheast India. This programme aimed atenhancing the technical capability of theentrepreneurs and scientists researching/engaged in mass production of tissuecultured plants and appraising them aboutthe current development in this field.

Centres of Excellence

For strengthening agro-biotechnologyresearch in NER, DBT partnered with AssamAgricultural University, Jorhat to establisha ‘DBT-AAU centre for AgricultureBiotechnology’ at AAU, Jorhat. The majorfocus of the centre will be on: (a) Basicresearch-Gene technology, molecularbreeding and microbial gene prospecting,(b) HRD component with strong Ph.D.programme, and (c) Extending technologybenefits through enhanced production of bioinputs etc.

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NEW LEGISLATIONSAND REGULATIONS

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DNA Profiling Bill

Human DNA Profiling Bill has been

formulated by the Department in

consultation with the Centre for DNA

Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad.

The objectives of this Bill are to regulate

the use of DNA analysis of body substance

profiles; making provision for

establishment of DNA Profiling Board to

lay down standards for laboratories,

collection of body substances; to establish

a National and /or State DNA Data Banks

to create policies for use and

access to information from data bank etc.

and for matters connected therewith or

incidental thereto. The Draft Bill was

subsequently circulated to the concerned

Ministries and Departments of the Central

Government to obtain their comments. The

draft Bill has since been revised,

wherever necessary, according to the

comments received. Draft Bill has been

sent to the Chief Secretaries of all the States

for information and feedback. The

document is being further revised based

on the discussion held with the experts to

bring more clarity on various issues.

Regional Centre forBiotechnology (RCB) Bill

Regional Centre for Biotechnology wouldbe an international nodal institution forbiotechnological sciences at the interface ofmultiple disciplines and would be anautonomous body under the statute ofParliament as an institution of internationalimportance for biotechnological Education,Training and Research. Hon’ble Minister forScience & Technology and Earth Sciencesintroduced a Bill (Item No. 27) during thewinter session (9th Session of XV Lok Sabha)on 20th December, 2011 to facilitate theestablishment of the institution and Trainingand Education as Category-II institutionunder the auspices of UNESCO to undertakeresearch in the field of biotechnology andto provide for matters connected therewithor incidentally thereto.

Biotechnology RegulatoryAuthority of India (BRAI) Bill,2010

BRAI will be an independent, autonomous,statutory agency and will be established

New Legislations and Regulations

300


through the act of parliament by theGovernment of India to safeguard the healthand safety of the people of India and toprotect the environment by identifying risksposed by, or as a result of, modernbiotechnology and managing those risksthrough regulating the safe developmentand deployment of biotechnology productsand processes. The Authority will be

responsible for regulating the research,transport, import, manufacture and use oforganisms and products in health care,agriculture, veterinary and environment. TheBRAI bill after cabinet approval has beentabled in Lok Sabha for introduction. Adetailed establishment plan has beenprepared with requirements of humanresource, infrastructure and managerialaspects.

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ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

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Administration

Administration is responsible to provide agood and ambient working atmosphere forthe in-house scientists, officers and staff.Logistic supports were given for organisingvarious Task Force & Expert Committeemeetings successfully. Modern officeequipments like laptops, computers,multimedia projectors, photocopiers, etc.were made available within the Departmentto maximise the work output. Being ascientific department, a large number ofmeetings, interactions and quick referralwith technical experts, specialists,academicians and scholars from far reachingplaces and across the world are held.Therefore, to obviate unnecessary travellingand to minimise expenditure on thisaccount, an effective Video ConferencingSystem has been made operational in theDepartment. The System is widely used inthe Department for such purpose.

Presently, the Department does not have itsown building or campus and is facingshortage of office space. This has restrictedthe long felt expansion plan of theDepartment. Two pronged strategies are

being taken to tackle the issue- first bygetting some additional built-up officespace and second by getting a piece of landto make its own building.

Establishment

Establishment Division has been entrusted

with the functions relating to mainly the

service matters of in-house scientists, officers

and staff of the Department. These matters

include their recruitment & promotion to

various posts, Flexible Complementing

Scheme (FCS), grant of financial up-

gradation under ACP/MACP Scheme,

reimbursement of medical claims, grant of

various advances etc. During the period

under report 1 post of Scientist ‘C’, 2 posts

of Junior Analyst and 5 posts of Multi

Tasking Staff were filled up on direct

recruitment basis. Under Flexible

Complementing Scheme (FCS), One Scientist

of the department was promoted i.e. one

from Scientist ‘E’ to Scientist ‘F’ and seven

cases of grant of promotion to their next

higher grade under FCS were also

processed. 12 officials were granted financial

up-gradation under the Modified Assured


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Career Progression (MACP) scheme. Theofficers and staff were deputed for varioustraining programme conducted by theinstitute of Secretariat Training &Management, National Productivity Counciland other such institutes to enhance theirskills in relevant fields.

The category-wise position of postssanctioned and filled as on 31.12.2011 is asunder:-

Category of posts Posts sanctioned Posts filled

Group ‘A’ 76+8 Plan 66+2 Plan

Group ‘B’ 89 66

Group ‘C’ 87+1 Plan 67+1 Plan

Total 252+ 9 Plan 199

Groups/ Group ‘A’ Group ‘B” Group ‘C’ Grand Total

76+8 Plan 89 87+1 Plan 252+9 Plan

66+2 Plan 66 67+1 Plan 199+3 Plan

Scheduled Castes 02 10 21 33

Scheduled Tribes 03 03 09 15

Other Backward Classes - 06 04 10

Physically Handicapped 02 03 - 05

Sectioned strength/

Total Filled

Grievance Redressal

Department has established an effectivegrievance redressal mechanism to deal withthe public as well as the staff grievancepetitions. All public grievances receivedduring the period of April-December, 2011,

Representation of SC/ST/OBC/PH: The number of SC/ST/OBC/PH employees in variousposts as on 31.12.2011 is as under:

Parliamentary mattersNo meeting had been held during April –December, 2011.

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were disposed of in a time bound manner.The department regularly updated progress,disposal and pendency of public grievanceson the website of Department of Reforms &Public Grievances.

Vigilance Unit

A Vigilance Cell is functioning in theDepartment to handle vigilance andcomplaint cases expeditiously. During theperiod of April – December, 2011, only 3vigilance case was registered. However,complaints received from various sourceswere processed timely and the CentralVigilance Commission was kept apprisedof the progress and final outcome of thesecomplaints. In pursuance of the instructionsof the Central Vigilance Commission, a‘Vigilance Awareness Week’ was observedin the Department from 3rd to 7th November,2011.

Progressive Use of Hindi in theDepartment

Hindi division ensures progressive use ofHindi and implementation of Governmentpolicy on Official Language in theDepartment. An Official LanguageImplementation Committee, constitutedunder the chairmanship of the JointSecretary (Admn.) in the Department,reviews progressive use of Hindi in every

quarter and suggests corrective measuresfor promoting use of Hindi. During the year,all documents were issued in bilingual formand the letters received in Hindi werereplied to in Hindi only under Section 3(3)of the Official Languages Act, 1963. In orderto strengthen the monitoring system ofprogressive use of Hindi, the officers whosign the papers have been made the check-points. Under Rule 8(4) of the OfficialLanguage Rules, 1976, Establishment,Administration, PPVC, Cash sections andLibrary in the Department have beennotified to do their 100% work in Hindi.Hindi fortnight was organized in theDepartment during 1 - 15th September, 2011,in which 8 different competitive eventsnamely Essay, Hindi-English Translation,Debate, Scientific Articles, Noting &Drafting, Hindi Quiz, Hindi Typing andAntakshari were held to promote use ofHindi in official work. Ten officers andtwenty eight other employees were givencash prizes in a prize distribution ceremonyorganized under the chairmanship ofSecretary (DBT) on 19 October, 2011 in whichthe first prize of Rs.2000/-, second prize ofRs.1500/-, third prize of Rs.1200/- and 5consolation prizes of Rs.1000/- were given.Secretary, DBT gave away the prizes andthrough his speech motivated the officersand staff to work in hindi. With a view toencourage writing original books onbiotechnology related subjects in Hindi, the


304


Department has been carrying out an awardscheme namely “Dr. Jagdish Chandra BoseHindi Granth Lekhan Puraskar Yojna” since2002. Under this scheme, one second prizefor Rs. 50,000/-, one third prize for Rs.25,000/- and two consolation prizes for Rs.10,000/- each were awarded for the selectedbooks for the year 2009. During the year,103 officers/employees were impartedtraining in three Hindi workshops/ScientificSymposia organized in the Departmentduring the year. All the Sections/Divisionsof the Department were inspected by theofficials of Hindi section during the year inorder to ensure the progressive use of Hindias well as to facilitate officials of the variousDivisions for making them more efficient inHindi working. In order to review theimplementation of official language hindiin the department’s autonomous bodies/public sector undertakings, an inspectionhas already been carried out in theRegional Centre of Biotechnology,Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) andinspection of other four offices such as NII,New Delhi; NIPGR, New Delhi; NBRC,Gurgaon and BIBCOL, Bulandshahar arescheduled to be carried out by the end ofthe year of report.

Sports and Cultural Activities

A number of DBT officials participated inthe Inter-ministry Tournaments 2011-12 and

distinguished themselves with excellentperformance. Dr. Gulshan Wadhwa, Ms.Alka Mankad, Ms. Rajani Kushwaha andMs. Mahak Garg represented DBT in Inter-Ministry Badminton Tournament 2011-12held at AIIMS, Gymkhana, New Delhi andand Ms. Alka Mankad won Silver Medal inWomen Doubles (Veteran). Ms. RajaniKushwaha, Mr. Anurag Mishra, Ms. MahakGarg and Mr. D. Rajshekhar representedDBT in Inter-Ministry Chess Tournament2011-12 held at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi,for the first time. The officials of Departmentof Biotechnology are also participated inthe Inter-Ministry Music & Dance and ShortPlay Competition, 2011-12 in the events ofFolk Dance – Solo and Folk Dance-group,Western Dance and Folk Music categories.

Fig.15.1

99th Indian Science Congress

Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon’ble PrimeMinister inaugurated the 99th Indian ScienceCongress held at KIIT, Bhuvaneshwar on

Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Information System NetworkAnnual Report : 2011-12 Administration and Finance

305

❖ ❖ ❖

3rd – 7th January, 2012. The Focal theme forthe Science Congress was “Science andTechnology for Inclusive Growth ofwomen”. The Exhibition on :Pride of India”was inaugurated by Shri Vilas RaoDeshmukh, Hon’ble Minister for Science andTechnology and Earth Sciences.

More than 12000 registered delegates fromIndia and abroad, including five NobelLaureates have participated in the ScienceCongress. The Department took part in theexhibition during the science congress withillustration of DBT’s major activities,

Fig.15.2

programmes and new schemes. NobleLaureates visited the DBT exhibition stall,enthusiastically interacted on variousprogrammes of DBT. Dr. Gulshan Wadhwa,Dr. Peyush Goyal, Shri Anadi Sharma, RanjitSingh, Shri Pramod Kumar and ShriNarendra Kumar from the Departmentcoordinated the exhibition as two teams.Statistics in Bioinformatics – an exclusivesession was held in the Science Congress,which was chaired by Dr. T. MadhanMohan, Adviser, DBT.

Finance

The Department of Biotechnology wasallocated an amount of Rs.1426.92 Crores(Rs. 1400.00 Crores (Plan) and Rs.26.92Crores (Non-Plan) for the year 2011-12. Thiswas revised to Rs.1376.70 Crores (Rs. 1350.00Crores (Plan) and Rs.26.70 Crores (Non-Plan). The financial statement showing thedetails of actual expenditure during 2010-11, B.E. and R.E. 2011-12 in respect ofvarious programmes/schemes is enclosedin Annexure-V.

ANNEXURES

Annexure-I

307

The short term training programmes conducted during the year

1. Molecular Biology Dr. Prakash M. Halami, 4th -19th March, 15Techniques Scientist E1, Food 2011in Microbiology Microbiology Department,

Central Food TechnologyResearch Institute (CFTRI),Mysore, Karnataka-570020

S. Title of the Organizers Duration No. of

No. Programmes Participants

Agroindustrialapplications ofplant tissueculture,Agrobacteriummediated genetransfer and PCRtechniques

CynobacterialSequencingTechniques

Methods inBiotechnology,molecular biologyand bioinformatics

Dr. S. Rathinavel AssociateProfessorPG and ResearchDepartment of Botany,Saraswathi Narayanan College(Autonomous) Madurai-625022 (T.N)

Dr. L. Uma, Director,National Facility for MarineCynobacteria, Department ofMarine Biotechnology,Bharathidasan University,Tiruchirappalli-620024 (T.N)

Dr. J. Joel Gnanadoss,Assistant Professor,Department of Plant Biologyand BiotechnologyLoyolaCollege(Autonomous)Chennai-600034(T.N)

23rd May to11th June,2011

27th Feb to 9th

March,2012

1st - 21st Feb,2012

15

15

15

2.

3.

4.

Annexures

308


Number of Biotechnology students trained by companies underBiotech Industrial Training Program (BITP) during 2011

S. Name of com[pany No. of students No. trained

1 Abexome Biosciences Pvt Ltd 5

2 Advanta India Limited 1

3 Advinus Therapeutics Limited 1

4 AG Bioteck Laboratories (I) Ltd. 3

5 Agri Biotech Foundation 3

6 Aptus Biosciences Pvt Ltd 3

7 Ara Healthcare Pvt Ltd 15

8 Arbro Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2

9 Aristogene Biosciences Pvt Ltd 4

10 Ashmar Technologies and Research Pvt Ltd 2

11 Asian Institute of Gastroenterology 4

12 AstraZeneca Pharma India Ltd 3

13 Atash Seeds Pvt. Ltd 1

14 Aumgene Biosciences Pvt. Ltd. 3

15 Aurigene Discovery Technologies Limited. 1

16 Aurobindo Pharma Ltd 2

17 Auroprobe Laboratories 100

18 Avesthagen Limited 3

19 Azyme Biosciences Pvt Ltd. 1

20 Bangalore Biotech Labs Pvt. Ltd. 45

21 Barwale Foundation 8

22 Beckman Coulter India Pvt Ltd 1

23 Bejo Sheetal Seeds Pvt Ltd 4

24 Best Biotek Research labs (P) Ltd. 2

25 Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Corporation Ltd 2

26 Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd 2

Annexure-II

Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Information System NetworkAnnual Report : 2011-12 Annexures

309

27 Bhat Bio Tech India P Ltd 6

28 Biocon Ltd. 10

29 Biological E Ltd 10

30 BioMed Informatics 10

31 Bioserve Biotechnologies (India) Pvt Ltd. 7

32 Bio-tech Laboratory, Neri, Unit of Ankur Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 6

33 Cavinkare Pvt Ltd 1

34 Century Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2

35 Clairvolex Knowledge Processes Pvt. Ltd. 1

36 Clonz Biotech Private Ltd 1

37 Codon Biotech Private Limited 6

38 CPB India P Ltd 1

39 Dabur Research Foundation 9

40 Dr.Surapaneni’s Genomic Solutions Pvt Ltd 4

41 Embio Limited 2

42 Enzene Biosciences Private Limited 4

43 Epitome Consulting and Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. 1

44 Gangagen Biotechnologies P Ltd 1

45 Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited 8

46 Geno Biosciences Pvt Ltd 1

47 Genotypic Technology Pvt Ltd 3

48 GenPro Biotech 4

49 Global Transgenes Ltd 1

50 GVK BioSciences Pvt Ltd 2

51 Hash BioTech Labs Pvt Ltd 7

52 Health Line Pvt Ltd 1

53 Healthcare Global Enterprises Ltd 1

54 Imgenex India Pvt Ltd 9

55 Indian Immunologicals Ltd 6

56 Indo-American Hybrid Seeds (India) Pvt. Ltd. 11


Annexures

310


57 Indus Seeds 6

58 Institute of Molecular Medicine 1

59 Intas Biopharmaceuticals 10

60 Jai Biotech Industries 1

61 Jai Research Foundation 1

62 Jay Biotech 4

63 JK Agri Genetics Ltd 6

64 Juan Biotechnology Private Limited 3

65 Jubilant Biosys Limited 11

66 Kaveri Seed Company Ltd 2

67 KEE GAD Biogen Pvt. Ltd. 3

68 Kemwell Pvt Ltd 1

69 Kilpest India Limited 1

70 Krishidhan Research Foundation Limited 1

71 L J International Ltd 1

72 Labland Biotech Pvt Ltd 7

73 Laila Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd 3

74 Leadinvent Tech Pvt Ltd 1

75 Lifecare Innovations Pvt Ltd 2

76 Lonza India Pvt Ltd 2

77 Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd. 1

78 Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation Limited 5

79 Manipal Acunova Ltd. 2

80 Mediclone Biotech Pvt. Ltd 10

81 Metaome Science Informatics (P) Ltd 5

82 Micro Labs Ltd 1

83 MITCON Consultancy Services Ltd. 4

84 Monsanto Holding Private Limited 1

85 Myko Tech Private Limited 1

86 Nandan Biomatrix Limited 2



311

87 Natural Remedies Pvt Ltd 8

88 Nectar lifesciences ltd 2

89 Nirmal Seeds India Pvt Ltd 4

90 Ocimum Biosolutions 3

91 OncQuest Laboratories Ltd 6

92 Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd 8

93 Oriental Aquamarine Biotech India Private Limited 3

94 Panacea Biotec Ltd 5

95 Pelican Biotech and Chemical Labs Pvt Ltd 3

96 Perfint Healthcare Pvt Ltd 3

97 Piramal Diagnostic Services P Ltd 1

98 Polyclone Bioservices Pvt Ltd 1

99 Praj Industries Limited 4

100 Pranav Agro Industries ltd 1

101 Premas Biotech Pvt. Ltd 2

102 Probiosys 3

103 Prosetta Bioconformatics Pvt Ltd 1

104 Radiant Research Services Pvt. Ltd. 3

105 Rashmi Pharma Pvt. Ltd. 1

106 Rishi Herbal Technologies Pvt Ltd 4

107 Roche Diagnostics India Pvt Ltd 2

108 S&S Agro Biotech Pvt Ltd 4

109 S.P.Y Agro Industries Ltd. 2

110 S4BIO 7

111 Sai Lara Biotechnologies 4

112 Sandor Proteomics Pvt Ltd 6

113 Sangenomics Research Labs Pvt Ltd 2

114 Serum Institute of India 1

115 Shantha Biotechnics ltd 4

116 Shodhaka Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd 5


Annexures

312


117 Shri Meera Labs Pvt Ltd 5

118 Simbiosys Biowares India Pvt Ltd 1

119 Span Diagnostics Limited 3

120 SPC Biotech Private Limited 4

121 Sri Biotech Laboratories India Limited 3

122 Sri Raghavendra Biotechnologies P Ltd 9

123 Subhash Fertilizer Private Limited 2

124 Subhasree Biotech 4

125 Sugen Life Sciences Pvt Ltd 8

126 Sun Agrigenetics P. Ltd. 5

127 Super Religare Laboratories Ltd 2

128 Surya Pharmaceutical 1

129 T Stanes and Company Ltd 9

130 Tapadia Diagnostic Centre 1

131 Tata International Ltd 1

132 Tectona Biotech Resource Centre 9

133 Tex Biosciences P Ltd 1

134 The Gene Tech 2

135 Tropilite Foods Pvt Ltd 2

136 Tulasi Seeds Pvt. Ltd. 1

137 UB Nizam Breweries Pvt. Ltd. 1

138 United Breweries Limited 2

139 Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) 1

140 Vimta Labs Ltd 3

141 Virchow Biotech Pvt. Ltd. 1

142 Vittal Mallya Scientific Research foundation 1

143 Vivo Biotech Ltd 2

144 Wockhardt Limited 4

145 Xpression Biotek Pvt Ltd 3

146 Zenotech Laboratories Ltd 2



313

Products /Processes under development through BIPP support

Annexure-III

Drug for Diabetes associated Heart Failure

Anti- TNF-alpha Antibody scFv for treatment ofInflammatory Diseases

Process for Asymmetric Synthesis ofHexahydrobenzophenanthrenes, Dopamine D1Agonists

Technology development for implant basedsustained release formulations incorporatingtherapeutic peptides/ recombinant proteins

Identification and Development of PromiscuousAnticancer Compounds from Microorganisms

Development of animal component freebiosimilar recombinant protein therapeuticsusing mammalian platform technology

Production of poly (lactide-co-glycolide)nanoparticles (PLG-NP )and poly (lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles encapsulatingantitubercular drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid andpyrazinamide- PLG-NP-ATDs) in GMP facilities

1. Torrent PharmaceuticalsLimited, Gandhinagar

2. ARA Healthcare Limited,Gurgaon

3. TCG Life Sciences Limited,Kolkata

4. Bharat Serums and VaccinesLimited, Mumbai

5. (i) Amrita TherapeuticsLimited, Ahmedabad

(ii) National Institute ofImmunology, New Delhi

(iii) B.V. Patel PERDCentre, Ahmedabad

6. Wockhardt Limited,Aurangabad

7. Life Care Innovations Pvt.Ltd., Gurgaon

S. Company/Collaborator(s) Product/Process descriptionNo. Name

Health Care/Drugs/Vaccines

1.

2.

Annexures

314


Mucosal Vaccine For HPV

Recombinant Human Papillomavirus vaccine

Bio-similar interferon beta 1a: processdevelopment

Immunogens and monoclonal antibodiesagainst pandemic H1N1

Clinical Development of PolysialylatedErythropoietin

Development of HPV Vaccine

Development of HCV genotype 3a basedreplicon system

Novel combination therapy for treatment ofresistant and non responsive cancers

Development of an Affordable, Asia specific15 valent Pneumococcal Ploysaccharide - CRM197 protein conjugate Vaccine

8. Virchow Biotech PrivateLtd., Hyderabad

9. Gennova Biopharmaceu-ticalsLimited, Pune

10. Gennova Biopharmaceu-ticalsLimited, Pune

11. (i) Serum Institute of IndiaLimited, Pune

(ii) Indian Institute ofScience, Bangalore

(iii) National Institute ofImmunology, New Delhi

12. Serum Institute of IndiaLimited, Pune

13. Serum Institute of India Ltd.,Pune

14. (i) RAS Life Sciences,Hyderabad

(ii) Institute of Liver andBilliary Sciences, New Delhi

15. (i) Sphaera, Manesar

(ii) Leadinvent, Delhi

(iii) International Centre forGenetic Engineering andBiotechnology , New Delhi

16. Tergene Biotech Pvt. Ltd.,Secunderabad



315

17. Rasayani Biologics Pvt. Ltd.

18. Bigtec Private Limited,Bangalore

19. Amar Immunodiagnostics Pvt.Ltd., Hyderabad

20. Abexome, Bangalore

21. Revelations Biotech Pvt. Ltd.,Hyderabad

22. Chromous Biotech Pvt. Ltd.,Bangalore

23. (iv) Bharat BiotechInternational Limited,Hyderabad(v) Christian MedicalCollege, Vellore(vi) KEM HospitalResearch Centre, Pune(vii) Translational HealthScience and TechnologyInstitute, New Delhi

24. Torrent PharmaceuticalsLimited, Gandhinagar

Evaluation of Platinum Nano Particles for theTreatment of Hormone Refractory ProstateCancer

Point-of-Care detection of infectious diseaseusing handheld microPCR

Immunodiagnostic kits for detection ofautoimmune diseases

Establishment of vitro phamacological Assayplatform for biosimilars

Development of low cost rapid quantitative PCRtechnology for molecular diagnosis

Multiplex Fast-PCR based diagnosis andprognosis of tuberclulosis

Rotavirus Vaccine Candidate 116E

Clinical development of TRC150094, a novelDiiodothyronine (T2) analogue, for the treatmentof cardiovascular (CV) risk factors defined byMetabolic Syndrome (MS).


Health Care/Diagnostics

Health Care/Clinical Trial

Annexures

316


25. Biocon Limited, Bangalore

26. Biocon Limited, Bangalore

27. Panacea Biotec Limited,New Delhi

28. V-Life Sciences TechnologyPvt. Ltd., Pune

29. Biological E Limited.,Hyderabad

30. Stempeutics Research Pvt.Ltd., Bangalore

31. Crystalin Research Pvt. LTd.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind,Placebo Control Study of IN-105 tablets [oralinsulin] in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellituswho have inadequate Glycemic Control onOptimal doses of Extended Release MetforminTablets.

Open label, randomized, Multicentric studies toComapre safety and efficacy of Recombinantinsulin aspart-biphasic and regular withNovoLog® Mix 70/30 and NovoRapid in T1DMand T2DM patients

H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine

Clinical Investigation of Galnobax for thetreatment of Diabetic foot Ulcers

A Multicentric, Parallel Randomised (2:1) OpenLabel Phase III Clinical Study To Evaluate TheImmunogenicity And Safety Of BE’s InactivatedJE Vaccine In Healthy e”1 To <3 Year Old IndianSubjects In Comparison With Purified InactivatedJE Vaccine (IXIARO®) Of Intercell – An Non-Inferiority Study

A Randomized, Double Blind, multicentric,placebo controlled, Phase-II study assessing thesafety and efficacy of Intraarterial (Hepatic) Ex-vivo cultured adult allogenic mesenchymal stemcells in patients with liver cirrhosis

Clinical trials of novel anticancer drug cocrystal



317


32. Perfint Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.,Chennai

33. Strand Life Science,Bangalore

34. Frontier Lifeline PrivateLimited, Chennai

35. IMGENEX India Pvt. LTd.,Bhubaneswar

36. Intas Biopharmaceuticals Pvt.Ltd., Ahemedabad

37. Incozen Therapeutics Pvt.Ltd., Hyderabad

38. Vinvish Technologies Pvt.Ltd., Trivendrum

39. Transasia Biomedical Ltd.,Mumbai

40. Agada Medical Technologies

1. Maharashtra Hybrid SeedsCompany Limited, Jalna

2. Maharashtra Hybrid SeedsCompany Limited

Solution for planning, execution and confirmationof targeted ablation therapy

Hepatotoxicity prediction platform

Porcine Pulmonary Xenograft as a Conduit inCardiovascular Surgery

Development of High Expression plasmid vectorsfor production of biosimilar herceptin and otherrecombinant proteins and antibodies

Mucosal formulations of Parathyroid hormone(PTH)

Discovery and Development of potent, selectiveand novel c-Met kinase inhibitors in cancer

Design and Development of photo dynamictherapy laser system

To develop novel 3rd Generation HIV (Antibody)& 4th generation (HIV Antigen and Antibody)immunoassay forma using flash typechemiluminiscence and magnetic particles asmatrix

Percutaneous Aortic Valve Technology

Stress tolerant rice

Sucking Insect Pest tolerant rice and cotton

Health Care

Agriculture

Annexures

318



3. Metahelix Life Sciences PrivateLimited, Bangalore

4. Metahelix Life Sciences PrivateLimited, Bangalore

5. Kaveri Seeds Company Ltd.,Secunderabad

6. JK Agri Genetics Ltd.,Hyderabad

7. Advanta India Limited,Secunderabad

8. (i) Advanta IndiaLimited, Secunderabad(ii) Indian AgricultureResearch Institute, NewDelhi

9. (i) Bejo Sheetal SeedsPrivate Limited, Jalna(ii)International Centre forGenetic Engineering andBiotechnology , New Delhi

10. (i) Sri Biotech Labora-tories India Ltd., Hyderabad(ii) University of DelhiSouth Campus, Delhi

11. Mother Dairy Fruit andVegetable Private Limited,Noida

Transgenic rice tolerant to rice yellow stem borer

Deregulation Trials Phase I of Transgenic MaizeEvents Expressing Metahelix Synthetic Cry1C,Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab Genes for Tolerance to Stemand Cob Borers

Development of biotic stress resistant rice throughconjunct use of bio-and hybrid technologies

Development of Bt-rice with two cry genes

Drought and multiple diseases & pests tolerantrice through Multi stacking genes

RNAi and other cuting edge technologicalinterventions to develop insect-pest diseases &viruses tolerant tomato hybrids for Indian &International markets

‘Herbicide & Stress tolerant’ transgenic Onion

Control of Shoot and Fruit Borer Insect Pest(Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée) in Brinjal ThroughRNA interference

To conduct confined field trials and biosafetystudies on genetically engineered Brassica juncea(Male sterility and restorer lines as pollinationcontrol mechanism) for heterosis breeding andyield improvement


319


12. Tata Chemicals Limited, Pune

13. (i) Nirmal Seeds Pvt.Ltd., Jalgaon(ii) TheEnergy and ResourcesInstitute, New Delhi

14. Ankur Seeds Pvt. Ltd.,Nagpur

15. Stellence PharmScience Ltd.,Bangalore

16. Bioseed Research India Ltd.,Hyderabad

17. Sri Biotech Laboratories IndiaLtd., Hyderabad

18. Abhay Cotex India Pvt.

1. Avesthagen Limited,Bangalore

2. Richcore Lifesciences Pvt Ltd.,Bangalore

3. Nagarjuna Fertilizers andChemical Limited, Hyderabad

Inorganic and polymer nano-composites formicronutrient & pesticide delivery: Boosting crophealth and yield.

Development of nutritionally improved mustard(Brassica juncea) varieties/hybrids having lowerucic acid and low glucosinolate content usingmarker assisted selection

Third generation RNAi for engineering Tomatoleaf curl (ToLCV) and tospovirus (GBNV)resistance in tomato

Development of a bio-efficacious value-addednovel neem-based biopesticide formulation

Development of rice hybrids with improveddrought and salinity stress tolerance

Development of Actinomycetes basedmetabolites as delivery systems for soil healthmanagement in Groundnut

Single step extraction of cottonseed withmiscella refining

Self-glucogenic Pearl Millet for Bio-ethanolproducts

A process for Enhanced Ethanol Yield fromMolasses Fermentation

Biological Hydrogen Production

Energy

Annexures

320


4. (i) Bharat PetroleumCorporation Limited, GreaterNoida(ii) The Energy andResources institute, NewDelhi

5. Thermax Limited, Pune

6. India Glycols Limited,Kashipur

7. SPC Biotech, Hyderabad

1. Span Diagnostics Limited,Surat

2. Intas BiopharmaceuticalsPrivate Limited, Ahmedabad

Butanol production from lignocellulosic biomass

Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) forWaste to Energy Solutions

Setting up a 10 ton Lignocellulosic biomass/dayprocessing plant to produce about 3000 Litreethanol/day

Bioconversion of Agricultural Waste from Mangokernel, to Polylactic acid a bio-plastic

Establishment of cGMP compliant BioprocessFacility for large-scale production of Microbialantigens and Monoclonal antibodies

Facility for high end structural and functionalcharacterization of protein therapeutics andpeptides


Capacity Building through Infrastructure Support


321

As a follow-up of recommendations of theInter-Departmental Committee set up underthe chairmanship of Secretary (Expenditure)to consider issues regarding GenderBudgeting, the Department has establisheda “Gender Budgeting Cell”. The terms ofReference of the Cell are as follows:

• To make an assessment of the benefitsreaching women through the existingprogrammes and schemes of theDepartment. The assessment is to bereflected in the Annual Report of theDepartment.

• To come up with specific schemestargeted towards women.

• To clearly bring out scheme-wiseprovisions and physical targets forbenefitting women in the Annual Planand Performance Budget of theDepartment.

Gender BudgetingAnnexure-IV

The Gender Budgeting Cell has takennecessary action as per the guidelines/circular of Ministry of Finance for identifyingspecific schemes for which budget needs tobe earmarked for the benefit of women.Department’s social DevelopmentProgramme on Biotechnology for Womentargets the women beneficiaries in terms ofboth employment and income generation.There is also a Special Biotechnology AwardScheme for encouraging outstandingWomen Scientists, In addition, under otherschemes quantification regarding number ofwomen beneficiaries has been done inrespect of M.Sc./M.Tech. Biotechnologyteaching programme, Biotech IndustrialTraining Programme, fellowships fordoctoral and post doctoral research, awards,overseas associateship schemes and otherawards including travel support, StarColleges, Project Investigators (PIs) in DBTfunded projects. The details of the genderbudgeting is as given below:

Annexures

322


Schemes TotalBudget

Allocationfor theYear

2011-12

(Rs. incrore)

Expenditureincurred tosupportwomenduring2011-12

(Rs. incrore)

No. ofWomen

benefittedthroughvarious

activitiesduring2011-12

BudgetEstimates forfinancial year2012-13 tosupport women

Benefits earmarkedfor women during2011-12

S.No

No separatebudget isearmarked tosupportwomen.However, thebudget forwomenprogrammes isbeing spentfrom the totalbudgetallocated forthe year 2011-12

The programmeshave beensupported forR&D,infrastructurestrengthening,capacity building,bioinformatics,etc. In addition,special awardschemes havebeen initiated toencourage womenscientists andstudents.

1. Human ResourceDevelopment 54 27 1000

2. Bioinformatics 19 9.14 32

3. Biotech facilities Centresof Excellence andProgramme support 27 15.22 98

4. R&D 394.40 55.60 405

5. Biotechnology for 13.00 4.47 7011Societal Development

6. International Cooperation 25 9.80 22

Scheme-wise Provisions and Physical Targets Benefiting Women


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Annexures

324


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Annexures

326


National Institute of Immunology, NewDelhi

1. Recombinant sp_0845 protein as an anti-

pneumococcal vaccine. Patent

application No. 1047/DEL/2011 dated

11.04.2011.

2. Isolation, cloning, sequencing and

functional analysis of beta-casein

promoter along with the regions of

exon1, intron1 and exon2 using

mammary gland derived cell line of

buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Patent


15/4/2011.

3. Rhodanine compounds as tubulin

binding anti- cancer agent and their

application in treating cancers. Patent


20.04.2011.

4. Synthetic peptides and random

copolymers for the treatment of

autoimmune disorders. Patent


05.05.2011.

5. Knock down model of dickkopf

homologue 3 (dkk3) for assessing role

List of patents filed/ granted during 2011-2012Annexure – VI

of said dkk3 in spermatogenesis and sex

reversal. Patent application No. U.S. 13/

102,682 dated 06.05.2011.

6. A Novel typhoid vaccine eliciting

memory antibody response from single

dose immunization. Patent application

No. 1539/DEL/2011dated 30.05.2011.

7. A Sortase-Click Reaction Suite for

Defined Protein Dendrimer Assembly:

Synthetic Example of a Multivalent

Vaccine. Patent application No. 3113/

DEL/2011 dated 01.11.2011.

8. Monoclonal antibody specific to

hemagglutinin from influenza virus h1-

subtypeand uses thereof. Patent


23.12.2011.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology,Thiruvananthapuram

1. A method for synthesis of dendrimer

polymeric resins for Solid phase peptide

synthesis, Indian Patent No. 248244

granted.

2. A Mouthwash Composition for

Managing Oral Mucositis, Process and


327

Methods Thereof. Patent Application No.

PCT/IB2011/054877 dated 03.11.2011.

Centre for DNA Finger Printing andDiagnostics, Hyderabad

1. A method of altering levels of plasmids.Indian Patent 246791, granted on16.03.2011.

2. Virus resistant transgenic silkworms.Indian Patent filed on 4.06.2011.

National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune

1. Creation of Artificial Bone-MarrowEnvironment and Uses Thereof:International patents have been filed invarious countries. Granted and sealedin New Zealand.

2. Preservation of Human hematopoieticstem/progenitor cells using mannosebinding lectins of plant origin. Indianpatent sealed. International applicationsbeing defended by DBT

Translational Health Science andTechnology Institute, Gurgaon

A method and device for detection of anti-transglutaminase antibodies. Patent filedApplication No. 1133/DEL/2011

List of Patents filed/ granted under DBTfunded projects during 2011-12

1. Silk protein blend film development andcommercialization for burn woundmanagement. Filed in India: ApplicationNo. 367/CHE/2007; filing date: 23/02/2007

2. Tissue engineering of homologus naturalbiomaterial for clinical use.

• Filed in PCT: Application No. PCT/IN2008/000404; Filing date: 25/06/08 forsmall diameter vascular graft fromprocessed cadaver cephalous vein andApplication No. PCT/IN2008/000405;Filing date: 25/06/08 for AmnioticMembrane.

• Filed in India: Application No. 2221/CHE/2007; Filing date: 25/06/08,(G.136) for Amniotic Membrane andApplication No. 2222/CHE/2007; Filingdate: 25/06/08 (G.137) for smalldiameter vascular graft from processedcadaver cephalous vein

3. Development of a platform forproduction of complex peptides andproteins, filed two patents in India:

• Application No. 3211/MUM/2010; Title:Expression of complex proteins in yeast;

Annexures

328


Purpose: To cover expression andproduction of recombinant humanprethrombin in yeast and production ofhuman thrombin.

• Application No. 3213/MUM/2010; Title:Yeast expression platform for expressionof complex proteins and metabolites;Purpose: To cover the novel yeastexpression platform developed by thecompany that overexpresses 3chaperones, the overexpression of eachof which can be controlled - leading toproper folding and high expression oftarget protein (Ex: Human SerumAlbumin), in yeast.

4. Novel methods of isolation ofbiochemicals from crustaceanexoskeleton. Filed in India: ApplicationNo. 1153/CHE/2008; Filing date: 16/10/08.

5. Design, synthesis, evaluation anddevelopment of the Novel H3 and otherGPC receptor ligands for varioustherapeutic applications. Filed in India:Application No. 3278/MUM/2011; Filingdate: 23/11/2011.

6. Method for Production of FermentableSugars from Biomass”, PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/IN2010/000355. Enterednational phase in Australia, Brazil,

Canada, China, EPO, Indonesia, Japan,Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa,South Korea, Srilanka, USA andVietnam.

7. Continuous Countercurrent FluidizedMoving Bed (FMB) and/or ExpandedMoving Bed (EMB), PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/IN2010/000133: Enterednational phase in US, Korea, China,Canada and EPO.

8. Complete Specification filed for “Aprocess for isolation of natural andbioactive proteins and other minorcomponents from defatted oil seedmaterials” following provisionalapplication No. 3577/MUM/2010.

9. Indian Patent Granted for “A Processfor Purification of Immunoglobulinsusing a Pseudobioaffinity Adsorbent”Application No. 635/ MUM/2006; Granted Patent No. 248707, date ofgrant 9 August 2011.

10. Process for Fractionation of biomass;Application No: 1762/MUM/2010; PCT/IN 2010/000634; Inventors: Lali, ArvindMallinath; Varavadekar, JayeshSuman;Wadekar, Prathamesh Chandrashekher.

11. A process for production of fermentablesugars from lignocellulosic substrates


329

(Indian Patent: Application No. 1348/DEL/2011)

12. The Art, Method, Manner, Process andSystem of Chitosan hydrogel/Nano ZincOxide Membranes for Wound DressingApplications. Indian Patent, File. No.1025/CHE/2010, Date.12th April, 2010.

13. Filed a provisional Indian patent-“organic fertilizer from degradation ofraw chicken-feather by iron-oxidemagnetic nanoparticle (mnp) bound â-keratinase”. Application number 1416/kol/2011, dated 18.12.2010

14. Indian patent filed: 0033nf2011dated 09-05-2011

15. United States patent has been grantedand the title of the project “A processfor producing a bio-pesticidecomposition containing Trichoderma

harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens”Patent No: US7,923,005B2

16 A novel 2-3 dimensional fabricationtechnique of microchannels in softpolymers using soft lithographytechnique, Indian patent

17. Integrated dielectrophoresis based rapidconcentration of pathogenic bacteria andtheir quantitaion using Flourescencetechniques, Indian Patent.

18. Infectious DNA vaccines againstchikungunya virus. US PatentApplication Number: US2011/000001

19. Consensus sequences of chikungunyaviral proteins, nucleic acid moleculesencoding the same, and compositionsand methods for using the same PCT

NO: PCT/US09/39656

20. Anti-Chikungunya monoclonalantibodies and uses thereof. Patentapplication number: 20110143333

Annexures

330


International Centre for Genetic Engineeringand Biotechnology, New Delhi

1. Cry 1Ac & Vip 3A gene productsdeveloped for Insect Resistancetransferred to Nagarajuna Fertilizers andChemical Ltd. (MTA), India.

2. Insulin - recombinant Gene producttransferred to The United Laboratories,China

3. Recombinant Hepatitis B Surface Antigen- recombinant Gene Product transferredto The United Laboratories, China

National Institute on Plant GenomeResearch, New Delhi

Next Generation Challenge Programme onChickpea Genomics has generated wholechickpea transcriptome and transferred to

List of Technologies developed/ transferred during 2011-2012

Annexure-VII

M/s. Genotypic technology Pvt. Ltd.,Bangalore for the development of “ChickpeaExpression Microarray”.

Medical Biotechnology: Infectiousdiseases

An immuno-chromatographic rapid visualtest named “Crystal TB confirm” fordetection of tubercle bacilli in culturedeveloped at University of Delhi SouthCampus (UDSC).

Aquaculture & Marine Biotechnology

RT-PCR kit was developed for diagnosis offish nodavirus.

Biodesign Programme

A faecal incontinence device has beendeveloped under the Stanford-IndiaBiodesign Programme.

Annual Report : 2011-12 Biotechnology Information System NetworkAnnual Report : 2011-12 Abbreviations

331

AAU Assam Agricultural University

AcKA Acetate Kinase

ACTREC Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer

API Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

ARI Agharkar Research Institute

ATM ataxia-telangiectasiamutated

ATR ATM and Rad 3-related

AVD Abnormal vaginal discharge

BAC Bacterial Artificial Chromosome

BBB Blood brain barrier

BHU Banaras Hindu University

BIBCOL Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Corporation Ltd

BIF Bifidobacteria

BIPP Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme

BIRAC Biotechnology Industry Research & Development Assistance Council

BIRAP Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Programme

BMI Body mass index

Bp Base pair

BSL Biosafety level

BT Behavioural Therapy

BUILDER Boost to University Inter disciplinary Life Science Departments for

Education and Research Scheme

BY 2 Tobacco bright yellow cell line

CA Controlled storage

Caco2 Colorectal adenocarcinoma cells

CARI Central Avian Research Institute

ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations

332


CCMB Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology

CD4 Cluster of differentiation

CDFD Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics

CDHA Calcium deficient hydroxyapatite nanocarriers.

CDSA Clinical development service agency

CEB Centre for Energy Bioscience

CFU Colony forming units

CHO Chinese Hamster Ovarian cell line

CI chymotrypsin inhibitory

CIBA Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture

CIFA Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture

CIMAP Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

CIPHET Central Institute of Post Harvesting and Technology

CIRB Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes

COE Centres of Excellence

CPP’s Caseinophosphopeptides

CPPRI Central Pulp & Paper Research Institute

CSFR Cassava Starch Flour Residues

CSRTI Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute

CSSRI Central Soil Salinity Research Institute

CTAB Cetyl Triethyl Ammonium Bromide

CTCRI Central Tuber Crop Research Institute

CTEP Conferences, Travel, Exhibitions and Popular Lectures

DFE Dairy and Food processing Engineering

DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid

DNAJB6 DnaJ homolog subfamily B member 6

DRR Directorate of Rice Research

DU Delhi University


333

E.coli Escherichia coli

EBF Early B cell factor

EhCaBP Entamoeba histolytica calcium-binding protein

ELISA Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay

EPD Electrophoretic deposition

EPN Entomopathogenic Nematodes

ERá Estrogen Receptors Alpha

ESE1 Epithelium-Specific ETS transcription factor-1

EST expressed sequence tags;

ETS Erythroblast Transformation Specific

FAME Fatty Acid Methyl Ester

FCR Feed Conversion Ratio

FFA Free Fatty Acid

FPE Food Processing engineering

FSH Follicle Stimulating Hormone

FTIR Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy

FVM Finite Volume method

GADVASU Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

GBPUAT Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

GCSF Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor

GL Ganoderma lucidum

GMO Genetically modified organisms

GNP Gold Nanoparticles

GSI Gonado Somatic Index

GST Glutathione S- Transferase

GUS beta-glucuronidase;

HAMP Histidine kinases, Adenylyl cyclases, Methyl binding proteins, Phosphatases

h-BRCA1 Human Breast-Cancer-Associated Gene 1

Abbreviations

334


hCG Human chorionic gonadotropin

hGBPI human Guanylate Binding Protein-1

HIV Human Immuno Deficiency Virus

HPLC High performance liquid chromatography

Hsp70 Heat Shock Protein 70

IARI Indian Agriculture Research Institute

IAVI International AIDS Vaccine Initiative

IBD Inflammatory bowel disease

IBIN Indian Bioresource Information Network

IBSD Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development

IC International Collaboration

IC50 Half maximal inhibitory concentration

ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research

ICGEB International Centre for Genetic and Engineering Biotechnology

ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

ICT Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai

IDA International Depository Authority

IF1, 2 Initiation Factor 1 and 2

IFNã Interferon-gamma

IGFRI Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute

IGIB Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology

IHBT Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology

IIAR Indian Institute of Advanced Research

IICT Indian Institute of Chemical Technology

IIHR Indian Institute of Horticulture Research

IIMT Indian Institute of Minerals Technology

IISc Indian Institute of Sciences

IISER Indian Institute of Science and Education Research


335

IIT Indian Institute of Technology

IL-1 Interleukin-1

ILS Institute of Life Sciences

INFâ Interferon-beta

INM Integrated Nematode Management

iNOS Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase

InStem Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

IOCL Indian Oil Corporation Limited

IPM Integrated Pest Management

IRRI International Rice Research Institute

IU International unit

IVCOL Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited

IVRI Indian Veterinary Research Institute

IVTD In vitro true digestibility

IYBA Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award

JNU Jawaharlal Nehru University

LAB Lactic acid bacillus

LDC leprosy-derived corynebacteria

LEEP Loop electrical excision procedure

LOI Letter of intent

MAMC Maulana Azad Medical College

MAP Mitogen-activated protein

MCC Microbial Culture Collection Centre

MCF 7 Breast cancer cell line and

MIRS Multiple Insecticides Tolerant (resistant) Strain

MKU Madurai Kamaraj University

mRNA Messanger Ribo Nucleic Acid

MSSRF MS Swaminathan Research Foundation

Abbreviations

336


Mtb Mycobacterium tuberculosis

MVC Madras Veterinary College

N2a Neuroblastoma cell line,

NABI National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institution

NARI Nimbakar Agricultural Research Institute

NBAGR National Bureaue of Animal Genetic Resources

NBDB National Bioresource Development Board

NBRC National Brain Research Centre

NBRI National Botanical Research Institute

NCBS National Centre for Biological Sciences

NCCS National Centre for Cell Sciences

NCI H 460 Lung cancer cell line

NCIM National collection of industrial microorganisms

NCL National Chemical Laboratory

NDRI National Dairy Research Institute

NEERI National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

NEHU North East Hill University

NFkB nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells

NGS Next Generation Sequencing

NH Nerve cell homing

NIAB National Institute of Animal Biotechnology

NIBMG National Institute of Biomedical Genomics

NII National Institute of Immunology

NIIST National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology

NIPGR National Institute of Plan Genome Research

NIRRH National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health

NLS Nuclear Localization Signal

NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance


337

NRC National Research Centre

NRCPB National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology

NTFP Non-timber Forest products

OMP Outer Membrane Protein

OPV Oral Polio Vaccine

ORT Oral rehydration therapy

PaLCuV Papaya leaf curl virus

PAT Process Analytical Technology

PAU Punjab Agriculture University

PCR Polymerase chain reaction

PDA Potato dextrose agar

PDP Project Directorate on Poultry

PduW/TdcD Propionate acetate kinase

PEO Plasma Electrolytic oxidation

PGE2 Prostaglandin E

PGN Peptidoglycan

PGPR Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

PHA Polyhydroxyalkanoate

PHE Post harvest engineering

PI Proteinase Inhibitory

PNA Peptide nucleic acid

PPIases Peptidylpropyl isomerases

q PCR quantitative Polymer Chain Reaction

QTL Quantitative Trait Locus

R&D Research & Development

RAP80 Receptor Associated protein 80

RAPD Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA

RBD Random Block Design; RNA: ribonucleic acid

RCGM Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation

Abbreviations

338


rDNA recombinant deoxyribonuclies acid

RGCB Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

RHD Rheumatic Heart Disease

RIP Receptor Interacting Protein

RNA Ribo Nucleic Acid

RRF Ribosome Recycling Factor

rRNA Recombinant Ribonucleic Acid

RT- PCR Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition

SAU State Agricultural University

SBIRI Small Business Innovation Research Initiative

SBRL Seri Biotech Research Laboratory

SC Schedule Caste

SD Standard Deviation

SDS PAGE Sodium Dodicyl Sulphate Polymerase Acryl Gel Electrophoresis

SGPGIMS Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences

SHG Self Help Group

SiRNA Small Interfering RNA

SKUAST Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology

SL Structures lipids

SLE Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

SNB 19 Human Embryonic cells- Normal cells

SNP Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism;

SRI Systemic Rice Intensification

ST Schedule Tribe

SVVU Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University

TANUVAS Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

TERI The Energy and Resources Institute


339

THP-1 Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line

THSTI Translational Health Science and Technology Institute

TI Trypsin inhibitory

TNAU Tamil Nadu Agriculture University

TNFá Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha

UAS University of Agricultural Sciences

UCS University College of Science, Kolkata

UDSC University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi

UOH University of Hyderabad

URL Uniform Resource Locator

VIA Visual Inspection by Acetic Acid

VMSRF Vittal Malaya Scientific Research Foundation

WDCM World Data Centre for Microorganism

WF Weaning foods

WFCC World Federation for Culture Collection

WHO World Health Organization

WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization

WSSV White Spot Syndrome Virus

❖ ❖ ❖