DBT Coffee Table Book

Shri Narendra ModiHon’ble Prime Minister of India

I am happy to note that the Department of Biotechnology,

Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India has

completed a successful journey of 30 years. The Biotechnology

Sector has made significant contribution to the economy of

our Country. India has been globally recognized for its

significant contribution in developing a Rotavirus vaccine

indigenously.

I am particularly pleased to note that the Department has

made concerted efforts to meet ambitious targets by

promoting research, innovation, industry-academia

interactions and nurturing bio-entrepreneurs. I am confident

that the Biotechnology Sector will contribute immensely to the

National Missions to Make in India, Start-up India, Swachh

Bharat, Digital India and Skill India.

I wish the Department all success.

New Delhi

February 3, 2016 (Narendra Modi)

MESSAGE

Prime Ministeriz/kku ea=hiz/kku ea=h

VISIONAttaining new heights in

biotechnology research,

shaping biotechnology

into a premier precision

tool of the future for

creation of wealth and

ensuring social justice-

specially for the welfare

of the poor

THE FRONT PAGE OF GAZETTE NOTIFICATION FOR

ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Science and technology has helped reduce

poverty and advance prosperity; fight

hunger and improve nutrition; conquer

diseases, improve health and give a child a

better chance to survive; connect us to our

loved ones and the world; spread

education and awareness; and, given us

clean energy that can make our habitat

more sustainable.

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiat Indian National Science Congress, 2016

PM with Indian startups including biotech startups in California

'the biotech vision expands and enriches

our larger vision of building India as a

prosperous and modern nation, making

full use of the latest advances in science

and technology. It rightly recognizes that

Research and Development is necessarily a

global effort’

Shri Atal Bihari VajpayeeFormer Prime Minister of India

We have cutting edge technologies, the finest

scientists with the greatest intellectual

acumen, we have enthusiastic research

fellows who are putting their hearts and souls

into ensuring that the science can really be

connected to the people and solve the

problems of the country.

Shri Harsh VardhanSpeech at Indian National Science Congress, 2016

"IT (INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY)STANDS FOR 'INDIA TODAY,'

BT (BIOTECHNOLOGY)STANDS FOR ‘BHARAT TOMORROW.’

Dr. Harsh VardhanUnion Minister for Science & Technology

and Earth Sciences

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MINISTER

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

NEW DELHI - 110001

MESSAGE

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209, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001 Ph.:+91-11-23316766, 23714230; Fax: +91-11-23316745

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209, Anusandhan Bhawan, 2, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001 Ph.:+91-11-23316766, 23714230; Fax: +91-11-23316745

The Department of Biotechnology would be celebrating its 30th Foundation Day on 26th

February, 2016. These 30 years have been crucial for the growth of Life Sciences and

Biotechnology in the Country and DBT's impact has been both national and global.

In its 30 years journey the Department of Biotechnology has spearheaded cutting edge

research, developed talent pool in Biotech, instituted regulatory capacity, forged industry

academia interactions, strengthened international partnerships, created institutional

infrastructure, guided policy thinking on biotech and supported key missions.

Since its inception in 1986 the department has been responsible for positioning India as one

of the top biotech destinations of the world. Having supported over 15000 research projects

in nearly all life sciences research institutes, laboratories and Universities across the

country, the Department has contributed immensely to Human Resource and

Infrastructure Development. 16 state of the art autonomous aided institutions are pursuing

cutting edge research. India was one of the first countries to introduce post graduate

courses in Biotechnology and this has helped us to create the required skilled workforce.

India is a leading vaccine manufacturing hub and the development of the low cost Rotavirus

vaccine has been a major accomplishment.

Setting up of BIRAC a Public Sector of DBT was a game changer for promoting Industry

Research and Innovation. More than 300 companies, 150 young Start ups and

Entrepreneurs have been supported. India is today a preferred partner for international

collaborations and DBT has partnerships with US, UK, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Denmark,

EU, Finland, Canada, Norway, Australia and several other countries.

Given that biotechnology is now recognised as a globally transformative enterprise the

Indian Biotechnology Sector has a renewed mission of being a leader in this journey, The

National Biotech Development Strategy announced recently lays out a clear road map for

building this enterprise. I am confident that the Department of Biotechnology will

accomplish this task very successfully

On the occasion of completing its 30th years journey, I congratulate DBT and wish it success

in its current efforts and good luck in its future endeavours.

(Dr. Harsh Vardhan)

Shri Y S ChowdaryMinister of State for

Science & Technology and

Earth Sciences

On the occasion of the 30th Foundation Day of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), I would

like to convey my appreciation to all those who have made outstanding contributions for

research and development in this sector. Biotechnology today is one of our sunrise sectors

and the growth rate witnessed over the last few years instills confidence that India will soon

emerge as the Global Biotechnology Hub. During the last 30 years, the DBT has been

instrumental in spearheading biotechnology research across the country and finding

affordable solutions to complex problems of societal and public health relevance.

The Department has laid special impetus on forging industry academia linkages and

promoting bio-entrepreneurship in a large way. Today through the efforts of the

Department, capacities in cutting edge research and innovation have been established and

strengthened both in Public and Private Sector.

Many technologies and products have successfully reached the market and in the coming

years, I am confident that the Department will take this sector to new heights.

I would like to congratulate the DBT and the entire team for their successful Journey of 30

years and wish them good luck for the future.

New Delhi: (Y S Chowdary)

01.02.2016

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MINISTER OF STATE FOR

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

NEW DELHI - 110003

MESSAGE

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Room No.501, Prithvi Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 Phone: 011-24629796 / 24629787 / 24629789 Fax: 011-24669707

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Room No.501, Prithvi Bhavan, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 Phone: 011-24629796 / 24629787 / 24629789 Fax: 011-24669707

Few governments, the world over, have

specific science funding agencies focused

on biotechnology. The Indian

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is

therefore unique not only in India but

perhaps in the world. It was a recognition

by the Government of India that life

sciences and biotechnology are special

because they link humans to agriculture,

health, energy and to development of a

sustainable planet. That small step in

early 1980s in creating a new agency has

led to the fashioning of an ecosystem

that is vibrant and now ready for

exponential growth. While it is vital to

have specialised agencies in agriculture,

in medicine and other areas, what makes

the DBT special is that it is outside of

these very important downstream

science agencies and ministries, and yet

at the same time, it can bring the latest in

science to collaborate with them.

Prof. K VijayRaghavanSecretary, Department of Biotechnology

STRIVING FOR

EXCELLENCE

DBT founders brilliantly interpreted While there are immense challenges, international agencies to support

biotechnology and its rules of within them lie immense basic and applied science. We must

business to mean all of life sciences- opportunities. Our focus is to harness quality resources to bear on

from foundational basic science, all combine high quality basic science, complex problems. We must have a

the way to society and industry. This which is very important, with catalytic effect, and for that we need

view also brought into DBT's ambit translational aspects. We should aim to work with all science agencies,

areas that life science interfaces to look beyond proximal translations- with all ministries, international

from medical technologies, the low-hanging fruits- but instead agencies and importantly with state

agriculture and the underlying look adventurously into what can be governments. Partnership is indeed

chemistry, physics, engineering and transformative. This requires a the key for success for solving the

computer science. The DBT has been mixture of deep, explorative science complex challenges.

adaptive in its history in sensing the with identifying elements that can

best science has to offer, and result in innovative products and

welding that that with foundational processes. This will require us to be

science as well as translation. nimble and to develop mechanisms

to sense and identify important Judiciously supporting research and

growth areas.the quest for knowledge and

understanding are difficult enough The DBT was born and grew in times

but taking discoveries into when the country's science was

application is an enormous task The much smaller and country's life

big ships of application do not sciences research and biotech

change course as fast as the changes industry was young. Today we need

in the science and technology. The new ways to address our problems The DBT has a culture of openness

DBT plays the role of the rudder in which deal with our current size. The and self-criticism and we believe,

the national science enterprise- be it way to do this would involve change through this, we will continue to

in agriculture, in health, in preventive in our internal processes to address impact in the future.

medicine and in collaborating with matters of scale. We must leverage

industry, trying to gently steer these our resources and bring in other

ships in new and effective directions resources from national and

While there are immense

challenges, within them lie

immense opportunities. Our focus

is to combine high quality basic

science, which is very important,

with translational aspects.

It gives me great pleasure to see the growth of Biotechnology

in the country and the vital role that the Department of

Biotechnology has played.

Scientific pursuits must be undertaken with a level of humility

and respect towards humanity and life in general. With rapid

advances in technology, this responsibility has become even

more significant. I am proud to have been part of the efforts

to create and foster such an environment for our scholars,

researchers and scientists.

The Department of Biotechnology has always been the

catalyst for the development of cutting edge scientific

research by integrating educational programs with industrial

partners creating a clear path from academia to the market.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of

the Department, I wish all of those involved the best for a

bright and meaningful way forward.

Dr. S Ramachandran Former Secretary, DBT

M E S S A G E

It is more than twenty years that I retired from the

Department of Biotechnology in 1995. As I am a plant

scientist by training and profession, I have keenly followed

the progress of Indian biotechnology overall and plant

biotechnology in particular.

The overall scenario of biotechnology in India has grown

immensely and DBT has played a significant role in

developing and nurturing all areas of biotechnology. In the

field of plant biotechnology we have gained immensely

from micropropagation, genomics, transgenics, marker

assisted breeding- the success of these programmes has

brought real benefits to farmers and common man. Similar

achievements have also been made in healthcare, energy

and environment.

In this 30th year of DBT, I congratulate all who have been

associated with the leading organisation and hope that the

Department will continue to lead the path to greater glory

for the country.

M E S S A G E

Dr. C. R. BhatiaFormer Secretary, DBT

India has achieved excellence and self reliance in several areas of

scientific endeavours since independence. The Department of

Biotechnology, in the last three decades, has played a pivotal role in

making India an innovation hub in biotechnology that has impacted not

just our country but rest of the world. The last 30 years have seen

extensive growth in modern biology in setting up new institutions,

infrastructure and research and development towards innovative

products. DBT has been able to build a culture of excellence, team-

spirit, networking and transparency in the organisation as well as in its

autonomous institutions. The foundation for future has been laid and

biotechnology with a mission approach will reach even greater heights.

Through DBT's efforts India has been able to build a leadership role in

healthcare, agriculture, plant tissue culture, bioresource management,

animal health, conservation of biodiversity and pollution abatement.

I extend my heartiest congratulations to DBT and its fraternity for

completing 30 years. It has steadfastly remained focused with a

mission bringing the fruits of research to common man. I am confident

that in future DBT will continue to progress fast towards nurturing

scientific talents and the welfare of humankind.

Dr. Manju SharmaFormer Secretary, DBT

M E S S A G E

Congratulations to DBT for completing 30 years. It has been a great

journey and DBT has given great contribution in strengthening

biology in India, in promoting innovation, discovery,

entrepreneurship, empowering people, supporting public-private

partnership, supporting creativity both in academy and industry, and

being so adaptive in learning all the time and empowering them in

succeeding their journey. DBT's impact on translational science has

been outstanding, whether it is agriculture, vaccines, diagnostics,

biological drugs, devices or in generating knowledge that enables

product innovation or solution design.

Having a department like DBT was critical for India because

biotechnology is the source of solutions for creating new crop

varieties, for designing vaccines, drugs, diagnostic devices and

environmental technologies. Within the field of biotechnology there is

immense potential to do for human beings, animals and for our

environment. I would say biotechnology, in the next century is going

to be a great source of solutions for the many challenges that our

planet, our country India and its people face and DBT would play a

tremendous role in achieving this and nurturing the full potential of

biotechnology for our country's development. I congratulate the

entire team in DBT for its magnificent efforts, the past leaders who all

were outstanding and the officers of DBT and institutions who have

supported for its cause.

Dr. M K BhanFormer Secretary, DBT

M E S S A G E

From 1980 onwards the value of molecular genetics in transferring genes across cross sexual barriers and

in creating novel genetic combination started getting serious scientific attention. India is predominately an

agricultural country and agricultural progress in turn depends very much on the improvement made in

crop plants through both mendelian and molecular genetics. The Government of India set up under my

Chairmanship a National Biotechnology Board in 1982 for harnessing the tools of biotechnology in

strategic research in the field of agriculture, industry, medicine and environment. The Board was elevated

in 1986 to the status of a Department of Biotechnology with Dr R Ramachandran as its first Secretary.

Much of the progress made in our country in harnessing the tools of biotechnology for human wellbeing is

due to the leadership and support provided by the Department of Biotechnology.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of DBT, I congratulate and thank all connected with its

development as well as successive Prime Ministers and Ministers for the strong political support they have

extended to this frontier science and technology. We are on the threshold of harvesting economic results

from the work done so far. I wish the Department continued success and growth in making biotechnology

the flagship of our movement for converting our bioresources into jobs and income.

Dr. M S SwaminathanFounder Chairman and Chief Mentor

UNESCO Chair in Ecotechnology

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation

M E S S A G E

I have been a close witness to the dramatic growth of the DBT from its initial birth as the

National Biotechnology Board in 1982. The country recognizes the immense contribution of DBT

for the growth and excellence in life science research in the country. This has formed the bed

rock for the establishment of the Biotech industry, which is poised to fly not only in terms of

revenues but also in terms of addressing the real concerns of health and disease, food and

agriculture, environment and energy in the country. I wish the department a glorious future and

to flourish as a jewel in the crown of R&D establishments in the country.

Prof. G PadmanabanFormer Director IISc, Bangalore

M E S S A G E

Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was formed in 1986, the first such example of a Government Department

coming up anywhere in the world. DBT has played a stellar role in nurturing, growing and advancing

biotechnology in India over the past three decades. I have been proud to be associated with DBT right from its

inception in various capacities. I have proudly watched DBT's proactive, ambitious and farsighted initiatives,

which have made a huge impact on Indian agriculture, health care, industry and environment on one hand and

raising the global standing of India in the sphere of biotechnology on the other.

DBT has fostered cutting edge research and frontier innovation, with a strong emphasis on translational

research. Through initiatives like BIRAC, it has pioneered a strong biotechnology industry base in India. DBT's

world class institutions are contributing today by balancing global level research excellence on one hand and

relevance to the nation on the other hand.

I will like to wish all the very best in DBT's journey towards its Golden Jubilee. I will not be there when DBT

celebrates its Golden Jubilee, but I am sure by then India will be one of the leading developed nations with

globally ranked biotechnology institutions and bio-enterprises, the credit for which will be, I am sure, due to

our DBT, of which the whole nation is so proud today.

Dr. R MashelkarFormer DG, CSIR

M E S S A G E

It has been a privilege to be associated with the department of biotechnology from its inception three

decades ago. During this period a nascent seed has grown into a blossoming tree. It has not only contributed

to the development of required manpower, established biotech infrastructure, catalyze all aspects of

research-basic, applied translational-both in academia and industry , but also led to the creation of more than

a dozen national research institutions to broaden the Indian Knowledge base in various fields of bioscience

relevant to biotechnology. More recently by establishing BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance

Council) it has catalyzed the innovation driven biotech Industry by promoting entrepreneurship, industry-

academia interaction and providing venture capital. DBT has unquestionably provided a major role in all

round growth of biotechnology to provide a vast range of bio-products for national and international

markets, which has led to global recognition of Indian biotech industry as a major player.

I take this opportunity to wish the department to achieve greater heights.

Dr. P N TandonFounder President, NBRC

M E S S A G E

My journey of building Biocon, mirrors the last three decades over which the Indian Biotechnology sector has

grown from a handful of fledgling start-ups to amature industry encompassing diverse skills and capabilities in

discovery research, development and large scale bio-manufacturing. It has been an eventful yet rewarding

journey that has seen India emerge as a credible leader in Vaccines, Biosimilars, Agri-Biotech and Bio-IT. The

potential of biotechnology in India is yet to be fully realized and the path ahead is both exciting and challenging

as we focus on innovation driven by high science to move from 'me too' products to 'breakthrough' products

and technologies. With enabling policies, adequate funding and high quality infrastructure, the Biotechnology

sector has the potential to propel India into a global leadership position in the knowledge economy!”

Dr. Kiran Mazumdar ShawCMD, Biocon

M E S S A G E

C O N T E N T S

05

31

61

107

1986-1995 Early Beginnings &

The First Steps

1996-2005 The Decade of Expansion:

Strengthening Institution Building and

Research Capabilities

2006-2015 Amplification:

Deep Science, Translation and Enterprise

The Societal Impact

1982The National

Biotechnology

Development

Board established

1985Postgraduate

programmes in

biotechnology launched

in six universities

Feb 27th Gazette notification for

formation of Department of

Biotechnology.

Dr. S Ramachandran becomes

the Secretary DBT.

National Institute of

Immunology established

SAC-DBT established

Indo-US Vaccine Action

Programme launched

BTISnet programme

launched

1988ICGEB begins operations

at Delhi

NCCS established in Pune

Oilpalm & other tissue

culture programmes

initiated

1996Dr. Manju Sharma

becomes Secretary

National Gene

Banks Started

1997NBRC established in Manesar

CDFD established in Hyderabad

Several Repositories established

Biovillage Mocha established

in Gujarat

1998CDFD launched

NIPGR established

National Bioresource

Development Board set up

Oilzapper launched

2000Launch of the DBT's Ten

Year Vision Document

Jan Vigyan Programmes

launched

2006SBIRI for funding

industry in PPP

mode launched

2007National Biotechnology Development Strategy launched

RCGB established in Thiruananthapuram

Stanford India Biodesign launched in partnership

among IIT Delhi, AIIMS and Stanford University

DBT established an Centre for Energy

Biosciences (CEB) at ICT Mumbai

Ramalingaswami Fellowship Launched

Tata Innovation Fellowship Launched

Vivek Hybrid QPM variety developed

20092008BIRAP- Pilot programme setup

BIPP a high risk funding for

industry programme launched

Lucknow Biotech Park

formally inaugurated

BUILDER programme launched

Star College Programme launched

DBT-Wellcome Trust Fellowship

THSTI & RCB at Faridabad,

inSTEM & C-CAMP in

Bangalore and NIBMG Kalyani

established

North Eastern Region

Biotechnology Programme

Management Cell established

1999

1986 1986

TIMELINE

1989BIBCOL and IVCOL

established

Large cardamom

programme initiated

1990BCIL established

Biosafety Guidelines

formulated

1992World's first IVF

buffalo Pratham born

1993Email facility using

ERNET launched

1994Dr. C. Bhatia becomes Secretary

HIV Tridot HIV detection kit

transferred to J. Mitra & Co.

Technology transfer of

cardamom

2001IBSD established in Manipur

India joins International Rice

Genome Consortium

Leprovac a vaccine for

leprosy launched

BTISnet grown to 57 centres

across the country

2002Institute of Life Science

becomes part of DBT's

Autonomous Institutes

Bt Cotton launched

Supercomputing Facility

established in IIT Delhi

2003 2004Dr. MK Bhan becomes

the Secretary

Bioprahar launched

Detection kit for

Shrimp's WSSV virus

infection launched

2005CSCR established in

CMC Vellore

DBT-Third World

Academy Sciences Italy

(DBT-TWAS) fellowship

India joins the

International

Consortium of

Lepidoteran

Genome Project

2010 2012 2013 2014DBT contributes to

'Make in

India'programme

Wheat Genome

Sequenced

BTIsnet is spread

160 institutes

BIRAC Established

Partnership between

DBT, Bill & Melinda

Gates Foundation

Prof. K VijayRaghavan

becomes the Secretary

MoU with TEKES Finland

2014/15National Biotechnology Development

Strategy 2015 launched

Rotavac Launched

DBT contributes to Startup India programme

DBT pan-IIT Centre for Bioenergy launched

1986-1995EARLYBEGINNINGS &THE FIRSTSTEPS

Since independence until the 1980s, India had built

substantial scientific infrastructure in areas such as space and

agriculture lead by leading stalwarts Homi Bhabha and MS

Swaminathan. The focus on science, since independence, also

extended to modern biology including molecular and

structural biology which had put roots at several places in the

country such as IISc and TIFR Mumbai. By early 1980s India

also had a few biotechnology focused companies that

manufactured vaccines, enzymes and other biotechnology

products.The growth of biotechnology and its potential to

deliver valuable solutions to innumerable human needs did

not go without notice of the science policy makers in India.

The Indian S&T policy makers especially the Scientific Advisory

Committee to the Cabinet in 1981-82 strongly suggested the

creation of a 'National Biotechnology Board' (NBTB) which was

formed in 1982 under the Chairmanship of Dr. MS

Swaminathan and with the Dr. S Ramachandran as Member

Secretary to provide a focused impetus to the emerging field

of biotechnology. The Board consisted of several eminent

scientists such as MS Swaminathan, MGK Menon, Obaid

Siddiqui, the then Secretary Department of S&T who lent their

support to the functioning of the Board. The Board's mandate

was to encourage research, develop infrastructure and build

skilled human resources in biotechnology. To further boost

this emerging field in India, the Government of India took the

decision to create a separate Department of Biotechnology

(DBT) in February 1986. In December 1986, DBT formally

shifted to block two of the CGO complex, Lodhi Road.

DBT's mandate is to nurture R&D, technology validation & transfer and

build world class infrastructure and Centres of Excellence (CoE), create

top class skilled human resources, facilitate industry-academia

collaboration and take emerging technologies and products to the last

mile for the benefit of the society. From its early days, DBT has given a

sustained focus on to all aspects of its mandate and evolved a policy

of continual engagement with stakeholders.

The governance structure of DBT evolved to establishing a Scientific

Advisory Committee (SAC-DBT) in 1986 consisting of experts drawn

from science, economics, technology and industry. SAC-DBT provided

advice DBT in a range of areas especially on short term and long term

programmes, industry collaboration and international connect. Under

the auspices of SAC-DBT, the strategy adopted by DBT to initiate wide

ranging national and international projects has been through creation

of 'Taskforce'- a group of high level experts who advise, mentor and

monitor multitudes of programmes.

In addition, DBT also constituted an overseas committee of experts

called SAC-O with members drawn from the USA, Germany and

Netherlands which included senior scientists such as Dr. Inder Verma,

Dr. Ananda Chakrabarty and other world renowned science leaders.

By 1994-95, DBT had established many such Taskforce in several

leading areas such as agriculture, healthcare, marine biotechnology,

environment, industrial biotechnology. One distinctive feature of DBT

has been its openness to partner with agencies, both national and

international, to initiate and deliver important programmes. DBT, since

its inception, has partnered with DST, CSIR, ICMR, ICAR, DAE, DoS and

host of other agencies.

06 Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence

SAC-O Meeting, 1996

Hon’ble PM Shri V.P. Singh along with DBT Secretary

Dr. S. Ramachandran at an Exhibition of Biotechnology, during the

Parliament Consultative Committee on S&T meeting held on 1st March, 1990

DBT's Vision & Strategy

"Attaining new heights in

biotechnology research,

shaping biotechnology

into a premier precision

tool of the future for

creation of wealth and

ensuring social justice-

specially for the welfare

of the poor”

07Department of Biotechnology

CREATING NEW INSTITUTESCreating the Pillars of Indian BiotechnologyResearch, Development & Skilling

DBT initiated creation and operationalisation of new institutes that aimed at conducting world class

research, build skilled workforce and create impact in the society. In the early 1980s, DST (NBTB) had

initiated the establishment of National Institute of Immunology (NII) which became functional in 1986

becoming the first autonomous institute of DBT.

In the meantime, another institution was taking shape through a transnational initiative where India

played a significant role. India was a member and a host country, along with 46 signatory countries for

UNIDO's efforts to establish the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)

at Trieste Italy and New Delhi. The Government of India extended both financial and infrastructural

support to ICGEB at New Delhi which started its operations from March 1988.

Professor MGK Menon

unveiling the

foundation stone of the

first building of NII

while Professor S.

Vardarajan and

Professor GP Talwar,

Founder Director looks

on (October 27, 1983)


DBT also initiated the National Facility for

Animal Tissue and Cell Culture (NFATCC) at

Pune with the mandate to carry out research in

animal and human cell and tissue culture

especially characterisation as well as be a

repository/tissue bank. NFATCC then evolved

into National Centre for Cell Science in 1988.

The laboratory building of the NII was inaugurated

and dedicated to the nation by the then Prime

Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi on 6th October, 1986

Shri JRD Tata in conversation with

Dr. GP Talwar, Founder Director, NII

Construction of ICGEB building


Construction of NFATCC Lab on UOP Campus NCCS Building (1996)

BIBCOL in Bulandshahr


Besides these DBT established public

sector units such Bharat Immunologicals

and Biologicals Corporation Limited -

BIBCOL in 1989 at Bulandshahr to

manufacture vaccines such as oral polio

vaccines (OPV). The company went public

by 1994 and at the turn of the century

ithad manufactured more than 170 million

doses of OPVs. DBT also established the

Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited

(IVCOL)in 1989 in partnership with Indian

Petrochemicals Corporatiion Limirted,

Pasteur Merux Serums and Vaccines.


DBT focused on transferring the

fruits of research into society and

the department initiated linkages

with industry. DBT established

Biotechnology Consortium India

Limited (BCIL) in 1990 for

technology transfer, training and

skilling, information

dissemination& was inaugurated

by Hon. PM Chandrasekhar.

Hon'ble former PM

Shri Chandrasekhar

inaugurating BCIL,

December 20, 1990

From very early on the focus of DBT was to build

cutting edge research institute and transferring the

fruits of research to society

EARLY INFRASTRUCTURENew centres & Facilities

DBT initiated strengthening of infrastructure in Further, it built infrastructure in the nascent autonomous

biotechnology across the country, first focusing on places institutes, established several national facilities and

where bioscience research was already prominent such repositories such as the National Facility for Microbial

as IISc Bangalore, TIFR Bombay (now Mumbai), Jawaharlal Type Culture Collection (MTCC) at Institute of Microbial

Nehru University, New Delhi, Centre for Cellular & Technology (IMTECH) Chandigarh, National Facility of Blue

Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, NCL Pune, TNAU Green Algal Collection at IARI New Delhi, National Facility

Coimbatore, MS University Baroda and Madurai Kamraj for Marine Cyanobacteria at Bharathidasan University

University, Madurai to name a few. In the early days, IISc Tiruchirapalli and National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture

received an umbrella programme from DBT covering Repository at NBPGR, Pusa, New Delhi. A Biochemical

several aspects of biotechnology research such as Engineering Research & Process Development Centre was

Primate Research Laboratory and Centre for opened in IMTECH along with MTCC.

Reproductive Biology & Molecular Endocrinology, a

Protein Peptide Sequencing Facility, Molecular Virology

Group, Plant Genome & Gene Structure, Immunology

Programme and an Oligonucleotide Synthesis Facility.

Similar programme support on multitudes of research

areas was provided to CCMB Hyderabad including the

fields of tumour rejection, molecular sex determination

and lens protein studies.

Six Crop Biotechnology & Plant Molecular Biology (CPMB)

centres were established in JNU Delhi, Madurai Kamraj

University Madurai, TNAU Coimbatore, NBRI Lucknow,

Osmania University Hyderabad and Bose Institute

Calcutta (now Kolkata). Similarly, Genetic Engineering

Units were established in MKU Madurai, JNU, Banaras

Hindu University (BHU) and IISc Bangalore and an Animal

House Facility was created in CDRI.



Superconducting magnet of the

600 MHz NMR spectrometer

Vacuum testing during

freeze-drying of cultures

1500 Ltr. Pilot

Plant in operation

at IMTECH,

Chandigarh

An integrated BTISnet was established in 1986- with the Biodiversity Network (ABBNET) with the responsibility to

aim to provide information resource on genetic data, co-ordinate with seven other participating nations viz.

bibliographic references, and management information. China, Indonesia, Nepal, Phillipines, Sri Lanka, Thailand

BTISnet created a network of distributed information and Vietnam.

centres and sub-centres. From its early inception, eighty BTIsnet also initiated development of software packages

seven institutions became part of the network and were for computing the size of DNA fragments after

connected by distributed information centres. Satellite electrophoresis as well as size of proteins. Besides,

communication network was provided by VSATSs and BTISnet also aimed at developing educational software. In

later large bandwidth network was created using VPN the midst of strengthening infrastructure, DBT started

access thus establishing a Bio-Grid India. By 1994-95, accessing and utilising email communication through

DBT in partnership with FAO (through UNDP's FARM ERNET in 1993.

programme) had established an Asian Biotechnology &

BTISnet

Annual Course-Coordinators Meeting for Post-Graduate Programmes 1992



TRAINING AND SKILLINGA new generation of biotechnologists

DBT kick started development of skilled human Through BCIL, DBT provided access for industrial training

resources through focused postgraduate level of biotechnology students through its flagship BITP

programmes in biotechnology that were initially started programme. The department also initiated 'Technician

at 6 universities in 1985 and later expanded to cover 29 Training programme', DBT Scholarship in Biology (from

universities by end of 1995. The department also 1989) for outstanding higher secondary school students

initiated specialised postgraduate courses in agribiotech, and School Teacher's Training programme. These efforts

marine biotechnology, medical, veterinary biotechnology led to creation of the first pool of human resources

and biochemical and bioprocessing engineering. The trained in various aspects of biotechnology. A whole host

department initiated Biotechnology National of other programmes were initiated.

Associateship for training scientists within India and

Biotechnology Overseas Associateship.

Course coordinators meeting held in DBT, New Delhi

Students at work at UDCT Bombay in M.Sc. Bioprocess

Technology Programme, 1992

Participants at workshop Genes & Development organised through

DBT at NII, December 1988 (Photo credit Dr. M Balasubramanian)

DBT and its autonomous

institutions also organised several

workshops to train postgraduate

and doctoral students.


A young volnteer explaining the model of a bacteriophage to the

then Hon’ble Minister of State for S&T, Shri K R Narayanan


Secretary DBT addressing DBT scholars in Biology

In the initial years biotechnology was a

nascent area and DBT initiated several

activities to popularise biotechnology with

couple of primary objectives- improve

public understanding of biotechnology and

attract talent to pursue research and

development in the field. The department

published a wide variety of publications

including monographs such as 'Shot in

Arm' and 'Gene Power'. It also participated

in national and international exhibitions.

The department funded 'Popular Lecture'

series across several institutions. It also

produced several short films, such as

'Biotechnology in conquest of Diseases' in

1993, to popularise biotechnology.

POPULARISATION OF

BIOTECHNOLOGY


EARLY RESEARCH PROGRAMMESTargeted & Mission Modes

In the first decade, DBT concentrated on stimulating Chandigarh, NII Delhi, Cancer Research Institute Bombay.

research and development programmes across the It also transferred HIV detection kits to Ranbaxy and

country- both in the newly established institutes as well Lupin. DBT, through support to CDRI, Lucknow supported

as in other institutions and places of research. development of a diagnostic kit for kala azar and

development of antifertility vaccine at NII.The panoply of focus for research extended from basic

sciences, health and vaccines, industrial biotechnology, In 1994, a HIV Bidot/Tridot test devices were

plant molecular biology, animal biotechnology, manufactured for the first time for detection of

aquaculture, plant molecular biology, seribiotechnology, antibodies to HIV-I and HIV-II in human sera/plasma.

biofertilisers& pest control and environmental The technology was developed by DBT and transferred

biotechnology. In basic sciences, a range of studies in to J Mitra & Co.

protein engineering, m-RNA splicing and basic molecular

biology of Leishmania donovani (at IICB, Calcutta),

mycobacterium genome (at IISc), macrophage function (at

IISc), genome analysis at IISc and 'Genetic studies of

disorders in the Indian gene pool' at AIIMS especially

molecular characterisation of two of the commonest

single gene disorders viz. beta thalassemia and Duchenne

muscular dystrophy were undertaken. In a manjor effort,

DBT initiated a joined vaccine programme for cholera, TB

and Japanese encephalitis.

In the arena of human health and vaccines, a multi-

centric project on drug targeting in infectious, cancerous

and auto-immune diseases with liposome and antibody

as carriers was initiated at CDRI Lucknow, IISc Bangalore

and Delhi University. DBT contributed to development of

rapid detection of HIV infection by supporting HIV

diagnostic kit detection development at PGIMER

HIV Tri-dot detection Kit


Venturing into bio-medicine, DBT conducted clinical trials One of the pioneering early mission mode project was

of an immunomodulatory drug to treat leprosy. Similarly 'The cattle herd improvement programme' which was a

in plant molecular biology and agriculture, a massive five year (1987-92) multi-institutional mission that

integrated approach to create transgenic lines of crops, focused on embryo transfer technology. This was

such as Bt cotton, mustard, rice, chickpea with improved implemented by National Dairy Development Board

varieties was undertaken in several institutions such as (NDDB) as the lead agency and National Institute of

the Bose Institute, DU and the six CPMBs. Further, Immunology (NII), IVRI, NDRI and CFSP&TI as

projects for crop improvement in tea, coffee, rubber, collaborating agencies where suitable infrastructure was

cashew were initiated. created. Through the network efforts of cattle

improvement, the world's first IVF buffalo calf (PRATHAM) The first transgenics were produced in model plant

was born at NDRI Karnal. Tobacco at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (DBT) within 3

years of such reports from Europe and the US laboratories. Within a few years, more than 300 calves (both cows and

In a landmark decision, DBT permitted the import of some buffaloes) were born using embryo transfer technology

100 seeds of Cocker-132 cotton with bacterial gene that is thus integrating the advanced technology for helping

responsible for resistance to boll worm which was later cattle farmers.

used by MAHYCO to develop Bt cotton.

Clinical trials of Leprosy VaccinePeanut Lectin Structure

Banerjee et al, PNAS 1994, 91, 227-231

Eleven Calves produced from 15 embryos collected in a single flush from a Holstein Cross-bred


World's first in vitro produced buffalo calf 'PRATHAM' in 1992.


Praman assay kit for

pregnancy diagnosis in

buffaloes. The kit uses the

principles of enzyme amino

assay and a visual colour

difference for diagnosis of

pregnancy as early as 22-24

days after insemination. The

test kit is based on EIA

qualitative estimation of

progesterone.

Tissue culture raised plants of coffee - hardening in the Green House

Tissue culture raised vanilla


One of the major programmes of the

DBT, established in the early years, was

the focus on tissue culture and micro-

propagation. It established two Tissue

Culture Pilot Plant Facilities at TERI New

Delhi and NCL Pune with the focus on

micropropagation of several important

plant species such as Teak, Eucalyptus,

cardamom, vanilla, apple, black pepper

amongst others. Several millions of

tissue culture clones were planted for all

these important species which showed

superior growth potential.

Oilpalm cultivation in during the late 1980s at Bhadra reservoir, Karnataka

and Sindhudurg, Maharashtra (Photo Credit Dr. S Natesh, DBT)


The Oilpalm Demonstration Projects (ODPs) were institutions, public sector corporations and private

launched in 1988-89 to explore the feasibility of oil palm copmpanies drew ambitious plans for expansion under

cultivation in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and oil palm.The technology Mission on Oil Seeds and Pulses

Maharashtra. Working with the State Governments, (TMOP) too supported implementation of the oil palm

private players were roped in to establish oil processing programme and aimed at increasing the acreage to 100K

units such as the Godrej Oil Palm Konkan Limited in hectares. At Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, DBT

Maharashtra, Oswal Palm India in Karnataka. The seed to initiated R&D in oil palm-water relations and

oil gained ground during the first decade and several Non photosynthesis of oilpalm.

Governmenatl Organisations (NGOs), financial

Tissue culture, micro-

propagation and oil

palm projects became

some off the biggest

programmes of DBT

Two year old oil-palm plantations intercropped with Jasmine in Karnataka.


The then DBT Secretary, Dr. S Ramachandran

verifying a tissue culture cardamom

plantation 1992.

Another large programme during this

decade was the Tissue Culture

Cardamom Product Plan (from 1989)

that aimed at tissue cloning high

yeilding cardamom clones.

Silkworm rearing

Azolla in the rice fields


In seri-biotechnology, DBT provided

support to host of institutions such as

Central Silk Board, Central Sericulture

Research & Training Institute (CSR & TI),

Mysore, NII Delhi, Department of

Botany, DU to carry out several lines of

research in silkworm feed, diagnostic

kits, and artificial diet.

In the realm of biofertilizers, DBT

supported a large number of projects

through its 'Technology Development &

Demonstration of Biofertlizers' especially

in first identification of particular strains

of Rhizobium & blue green algae (BGA)

and then field testing the BGA and

rhizobium in crop cultivation such as

rice. DBT also concentrated in its efforts

to boost the aquaculture and fisheries

sector including large scale carp farming,

feed development, diagnostic, isolation

of bioactive compounds and

cryopreservation of prawn embryo.

DBT was cognisant of the fact that while biotechnology It established an oversight committee called Review

solutions create immense economic and social impact, Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) to approve,

however the new methods and processes in monitor and strengthen safety guidelines and regulation

biotechnology such as recombinant technology needed in the biotech landscape. Further, DBT worked closely

safety guidelines such that the products did not pose any with Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) in guiding

risks to environment, human and animal health. In this the functioning of Genetic Engineering Approval

regard, DBT framed Recombinant DNA safety guidelines Committee (GEAC).

for research in recombinant products, in handling and During this decade RCGM gave permission to several

use of genetically modified life forms including microbes, organisations to carry out transgenic experiments such as

plants and animals. DBT put into action in setting up of permission to Proagro PGS India (for Mustard), MAHYCO

Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBSCs) to ensure the (for importing Bt cotton seeds) and Shantha Biotech

strict compliance of the safety guidelines in the country.


BIOSAFETY GUIDELINESSafety, Efficacy, Ethics & Transparency

DBT started international collaborations with several

nations such as Sweden, Germany, USA, UK, Russia,

China, Japan, Cuba, Poland, SAARC countries, G-15

amongst others. One of the earliest partnership that

DBT forged in 1987 is the Indo-US Vaccine Action

Programme with the two nodal agencies being DBT

from India and National Institute of Allergy and

Infectious Diseases (NIAID) USA.

It aimed to develop vaccines for a range of conditions

such as dengue, malaria, hepatitis, chickungunya and

enteric diseases including rotavirus. Another

collaboration with the US aimed at 'Contraceptive

Development Research in Immunology was launched.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONSReaching out to the world

Hi Tech Chemostal received by Centre for Biotechnology, Anna

University, madras under the Indo-Swiss Collaboration.


The 7th

meeting of Joint

working Group

on Indo-US

Vaccine Action

Programme

held on 14th &

15th July 1993.


The partnership with Switzerland focused on several Tissue Culture" were also initiated between NCL Pune and

areas such as development of diagnostic tools for foot & University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala. With

mouth disease (IVRI Bangalore and University of Berne), Germany, the initial collaborations included projects that

infrastructural facilities for advanced biotech processes at aimed at agricultural projects such as nitrogen fixation in

Anna University University of Madras, bioprocess crop plants at JNU, New Delhi.

development and genetic manipulation in microbial Partnership with SAARC centred around advanced

systems (MS University Baroda and Institute of training in genetic engineering, and joint workshops on

Biotechnology, Zurich).various aspects including immunodiagnostics.

The collaboration with Sweden focused on 'Applied The multitude of programme support that DBT

Biocatalysis' between Swedish Agency for Research & Co-established in the first decade created the early

operation in Developing Countries (SAREC) and CFTRI, beginnings of a biotech ecosystem in India.

Mysore, IIT Delhi, BERC New Delhi and University of Lund,

Sweden. Joint projects in tissue culture especially "Tree

DBT sponsored SAARC Workshop on Trends in Diagnostics


Visit of Dr. James Watson to CDFD in 1997.

1996-2005THE DECADEOF EXPANSION:STRENGTHENINGINSTITUTION BUILDING ANDRESEARCH CAPABILITIES

The ecosystem for biotechnology had achieved a certain pace and

momentum by late 1990s- appropriate infrastructure had been built and

multitudes of programmes had been initiated in R&D including training

of skilled human resources. At this juncture, DBT released a ten year

vision document which was unveiled by the Hon. Prime Minister Atal

Bihari Vajpayee on 7th September 2001. The document provided a

decadal perspective and set the vision for nation's biotechnology as

"attaining new heights in biotechnology research, shaping biotechnology into

a premier precision tool of the future for creation of wealth and ensuring

social justice specially for the welfare of the poor".

BIOTECHNOLOGY - A VISIONTen Year Perspective

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Hon’ble Minister of S&T

Shri M.M. Joshi releasing DBT’s Biotechnology - A Vision, September 2001

A major push for Indian biotechnology

came from Jan Vigyan programme that was

launched in 2000. Of the 21 mission

programmes, ten were initiated by various

departments within the Ministry of S&T,

four of which were launched by DBT in the

areas of new generation vaccines, herbal

product development, improvement of

coffee and establishment of mirror sites of

genomic database


Foundation Stone

Laying of Centre for

DNA Fingerprinting

and Diagnostics by

Hon'ble PM Shri

Deve Gowda, 28th

January 1997

SPURT IN INSTITUTIONAL GROWTH


In the second decade, a series of new institutions were Genome Research which later became National Institute

established & operationalised while existing institutions of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) in 1998. DBT's focus

were strengthened thus rapidly filling the gap in on improving research and development in bioresources

infrastructure and human resources. Besides as well as commitment to develop the potential of the

strengthening NII, NCCS and ICGEB, DBT established the North East region of India resulted in establishment of

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) in Institute of Bioresource & Sustainable Development

1997 at Hyderabad wherein it initially operated out from (IBSD) at Imphal, Manipur in 2001. During this period,

CCMB and later moved to its own premises. Recognising DBT provided necessary support to transform two state

the need for a modern research centre in neurology, level institutes into national centres- Institute of Life

DBT announced its intention to set up the National Brain Sciences (ILS) at Bhubaneswar and The Rajiv Gandhi

Research Centre(NBRC) in 1997 at Manesar Haryana. Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Trivandrum became

Similarly, DBT's initial focus on boosting plant science autonomous institutes within the DBT umbrella in 2002

research especially in genomics through its efforts with and 2007 respectively.

JNU, University of Delhi, and other agencies resulted in a

strategic decision to establish National Centre for Plant

NBRC Campus at Manesar

National Institute of Plant

Genome Research

(NIPGR) was established

in 1997-98. It moved to its

premises in 2005. Hon’ble

President Dr. APJ Abdul

Kalam inaugurating the

new campus in 2005. Also

present are Dr. MK Bhan,

Former Secretary DBT and

Dr. MS Swaminathan and

Prof. Asis Datta Former

Director NIPGR.


Second SAC of IBSD in 2003 with Dr. Manju

Sharma (Secretary DBT) and Dr. MS Swaminathan.

Hon'ble Minister Shri MM Joshi inaugurating the First

Meeting of the Institute of Life Sciences Bhubaneswar, 2003

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruananthapuram


In the second decade, a super computing facility for in-silico

studies in genomics, proteomics and drug design was

established at IIT Delhi in 2002 which hosted 70 processors

(Ultra Spare III cu. 9000 Mhz), Sun Cluster and 16 processors

PC cluster. The facility's mandate was to create, maintain and

provide state of the art facility to develop new scientific

methods and new software for protein structure, prediction

and active site directed rational drug design.

A 'Malaria Parasite Repository' at Malaria Research Centre,

Delhi was made fully functional in 1997. Isolates of P

falciparum, P. Vivax were collected. Similarly, Repositories for

Filarial Parasite and Reagentsw was established in Tropical

Disease Research Centre, MGIMS, Sevagram. At the

repository, B malayi infection is maintained in Mastomys.

Several more repository platforms were created- for example

a 'Repository on Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Material' was

established in 1997 at CIMAP, Lucknow and another'

Repository on Cryopreservation of blood cells was

established in1997 at Indian Institute of Haematology,

Mumbai. Additionally, a ‘Repository of HIV Sera’ was started

at PGINER Chandigarh and JALMA Agra.

EXPANDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE

A super computing facility for in-silico studies in genomics,

proteomics and drug design was established at IIT Delhi in 2002


A rapid expansion of infrastructure was carried out to build the

foundation of the future biotech ecosystem


DBT established several germplasm banks

Dedication to the nation of

the Tissue Culture Pilot Plant

Facility at TERI New Delhi

The Filarial

Parasite

Repository


BTISnet

The BTISnet was expanded rapidly and by 2002-03, it consisted of 10 Distributed Information Centres, 50 Sub-

Distributed Information Centres (Sub-DICs) and an apex Biotechnology Information Centre(BTIC) which co-ordinated

the functioning of the entire network. The BTISnet centres had developed more than 100 databases on various

aspects of the biotech field. DBT successfully established a high speed and bandwidth network in the form of Virtual

Public Network (VPN) named as BIOGRID INDIA through HCL Infosystems and co-ordinated by National Brain

Research Centre. Eleven institutions including JNU, University of Delhi South Campus, IGIB, NII, NBRC, MKU, IISc,

CDFD, University of Pune and IMTECH were networked under this project.

Connectivity of BIOGRID IndiaThe Alpha version of the software entitled, “Gene to Drug, A

proof of concept” developed by the research group was

released on July 31, 2002. Hon’ble Minister (S&T) Professor

M.M. Joshi, Displaying the same to the audience.

Malaria Parasite

Repository' at

Malaria Research

Centre, Delhi, 1997

Repositories for Filarial

Parasite and Reagents

in Tropical Disease

Research Centre,

MGIMS, Sevagram

Repository on Medicinal

and Aromatic Plant

Material' was established

in 1997

at CIMAP

National Neurosciences

Information Centre

and Human Brain

Tissue Bank for

neurobiological studies

were established at

NIMHANS Bangalore

Repository on

Cryopreservation of

Blood Cells was

established in1997 at

Indian Institute of

Haematology, Mumbai

Repository of HIV

Sera was started at

PGINER Chandigarh

and JALMA Agra

DBT CREATED

SEVERAL REPOSITORIES



DBT built a comprehensive pedagogical system for studies. DBT also expanded its support for researchers

biotechnology education. The postgraduate programmes who wished to pursue doctoral (DBT JRF fellowship) and

were expanded to include both general courses as well as post-doctoral studies.

specialised courses (such as Pharmaceutical BITP industrial training was expanded and mobility was

biotechnology, medical biotechnology, marine encouraged through Biotechnology Overseas

biotechnology etc). By 2004, the number of courses at the Associateship Programme and Visiting Scientists from

postgraduate level had expanded to more than 50 Abroad programme. DBT continued to support several

postgraduate level courses across universities and other awards, fellowships and training programmes such

academic institutions- 30 of which were MSc in general as, National Women Bioscientist Award which by 2004

biotechnology, 7 were in agriculture biotechnology, 6 in had supported 20 women scientists. A National

MTech in biochemical engineering, bioprocess Bioscience Award for Career Development supported

technology, 3 in neurosciences, 2 in marine biotechnology scientists below the age of 45 in basic and applied

and 1 each in medical biotechnology, industrial research consisting of a cash amount of INR100,000, a

biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology. DBT also citation and a research grant of INR 300,000.

expanded its support for researchers who wished to

pursue doctoral (DBT JRF fellowship) and post-doctoral

BOOSTING THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Awardees of National Bioscience Awards 2000 for

Career Development with Hon'ble Minister (S&T)

Shri M.M. Joshi and MoS (S&T) Hon’ble B. Rawat

Conference of Women Scientists and Technologists

in National Development in 2002

To recognise senior scientists's work,

DBT launched a new " Distinguished

Biotechnologist Award" and to foster

industry R&D the “Biotechnology Product

& Process Development and

Commericialisation Award” was also

instituted. Through its Patent Facilitating

Cell (BPFC), DBT provided patenting

facilities to scientists in India. BPFC also

started conducting IP workshops and

seminars to create awareness about IP

issues.DBT continued to award Biology

Scholarships to 10+2 students to

encourage excellence in biology

National Bioscience Award for Career Development 2000-01

IP Workshop conducted by DBT’s

Patent Facilitating cell (BPFC)

The first Golden Jubilee

Biotechnology fellowship Awards.

Prof. G. Padmanaban, IISc.

Bangalore, (Sr. Fellowship),

Dr. Syed E. Hasnain, NII, New Delhi

and Prof. Jayant B. Udgaonkar



DBT continued to focus on building and

strengthening both basic research as well as

applied research across India.New lines of

research were initiated in structural biology,

oncology, apopotosis, medical microbiology stem

cell biology, vaccine programmes, animal and

seri-biotechnology, environmental biotechnology.

QUICKENING OF

BIOTECH RESEARCH

Collection of Umbilical cord blood from human

for stem cell isolation and preservation. DBT

funded studies on standardisation of methods

for isolation of stem cells from umbilical cord,

bone marrow and their cryopreservation.

Building upon the infrastructure that already had been cell research including technologies for preservation of

laid and that was been established, research progressed haemopoietic cells- DBT funded studies on

in the areas of proteomics (at JNSCASR, IISc, PGIMER, standardisation of methods for isolation of stem cells

NCL and BHU to name a few) and focus was as diverse from umbilical cord, bone marrow and their

as characterisation of enterotoxin (1ETN), folding of cryopreservation. Projects on adult stem cells as well as

HLA-B27 (implicated in Ankylosing Spondolitis) hsp 60 embryonic stem cells were extensively funded at NCCS

expression in Drosophila melanogaster. Scientists at Pune, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Centre for Human Genetics

JNCASR elucidated the structure of Palsmodium Bangalore, NBRC Manesar, IICB Kolkata and CMC Vellore.

falciparum Adenylosuccinate Synthetase at 2A CMC Vellore established a technology for clinical grade

resolution, Focus was also on several aspects of stem purification of CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells.

BASIC SCIENCE TAKES OFF


Leprovac Vaccine was released. The technology was

developed at NII and transferred to Cadila

Pharmaceuticals

In the arena of health, Leprovac- an immunomodulator therapy

was released on the occasion of the first 'National Technology Day'.

DBT also established a series of 'Genetic Diagnosis and Counselling'

units across India (numbering 14 by 2001).

HUMAN HEALTH

Isolation of stem cells from blastocyst using immunosurgery, NCCS, Pune


Signing of MoU 1997-98 on technology transfer of HIV I & II

detection developed by NII New Delhi in presence of

Hon'ble Minister HRD and S&T, Shri MM Joshi

Testing for brain impairment in children

LVPEI carried out work on limbal stem cells for Human Brain Tissue Bank is a national facility and was

transplanting it to patients with ocular surface disorders first of its kind that focused on neurobiology research

with 70% success. The first haploidentical stem cell utilising a scarce material and by 1997 it had collected 125

transplantation was carried out using CD34+ cells CSF/sera samples from viral encephalitis, TB meningitis,

collected from a father of a child patient who suffered dementia, Alzheimer and parasitic diseases.

from Glanzmann thrombasthenia. This was first of a kind

of transplantation in India. At AIIMS, a rapid pre-natal

diagnosis method of uncultured amniotic fluids using

interphase cytogenetics and in-situ hybridization

technique FISH was developed for identifying

chromosomal abnormalities wherein the results could be

delivered within 24 hours instead of 2-3 weeks by

conventional cytogenetic method. Similar genetic studies

to detect mutations and chromosomal abnormalities

were carried by CMC Vellore. The department initiated

several studies in oncology and cancer biology especially

molecular characterisation of oral cancer, breast cancer,

cervical cancer at several research locations such as

Jaslok Hospital, AIIMS, ACTREC Mumbai & CRI Mumbai,

NCCS Pune, ICPO Delhi and IISc Bangalore.

Significant progress were achieved in indigenous efforts

to detect HIV I and II especially at Cancer Research

Institute, Mumbai, NII and University of Delhi with some

of the technologies being transferred to Cadila

Pharmaceuticals and ACE Diagnostics & Biotech Ltd.

Liposomal mediated drug delivery especially clinical trials

for safety and efficacy of the liposomal amphotericin B

was conducted at Seth GS Medical College & KEM

Hospital, Mumbai. A National Neurosciences Information

Centre and Human Brain Tissue Bank for neurobiological

studies were established at NIMHANS Bangalore. The


Hon'ble President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam interacting with

Dr. MK Bhan and others for understanding the status of

stem cell biology in the country, 2004

LVPEI carried out work on limbal stem cell transplantation to

patients with ocular surface disorders with 70% success (2003)

In the field of animal biotechnology, DBT

continued its focus on ETT and extending this to

other important cattle breeds. For detection of

Infectious Bovine Rhinotrachetitis (IBR) a kit was

manufactured by BAIF Development Research

Foundation. Funded by DBT, Vittal Mallaya

Scientific Research Foundation (VMRSF)

Bangalore developed an Elisa kit to detect snake

bites. Research in the use of animal by-products

was conducted for example at CLRI, reconstituted

type I bovine collagen membrane was used a

wound cover in periodontal regeneration

especially in gingival recession.

ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY &

AQUACULTURE

Field trails of IBR vaccine


DBT also funded development of Anthrax vaccine which was transferred to Panacea Biotech in 2001. DBT continued to

focus on developing and expanding fish farming and prawn culture. In Aquaculture, besides the focus of increasing

productivity of fish and carp farming, focus was also shown to diagnostics (for example diagnostics for detection of

white spot disease of shrimp WSSV), molecular epidemiology, cell lines development (development and selection of

selected fin-fish cell lines),anticlastogenic and antitumour agents, proteases from deep sea fungi.

Development of a

detection kit for

Shrimp's WSSV virus

infection by

UAS,Mangalore, 2004

Prawn culture

Fish farming


During this decade, in the field of crop biotechnology, was indeed a large scale programme involving several

DBT launched major programmes on transgenic institutions (NIPGR New Delhi, IARI New Delhi, UAS

research on at least a dozen food and non food crops Dharwad, ICRISAT, UDSC New Delhi, TERI New Delhi,

such as brinjal, banana, cotton, okra, cauliflower, pigeon Directorrate of Rice Research Hyderaabad, MSSRF

pea, sorghum, tomato, mustard, mungbean and wheat. Chennai, Osmania University,MKU Madurai and biotech

This was the decade when for the first time in India a r- companies such as Mahyco, Ankur Seeds, JK

DNA product Bt Cotton was released in the market. This Agrigenetics, Hyderabad, Mahendra Hybrid Seeds.

AGRICULTURE & CROP BIOTECHNOLOGY

MEC Chairman & members visiting the contained

experiment; fields of Bt Cotton, 1999

DBT funded several projects for generation of

transgenic crops that have superior qualities- namely

cotton, rice, brinjal, sugarcane and mustard


Bt Cotton was

released in India

for the first time

in 2002.

Transgenic sugarcane, 2003

India joined the International

Rice Genome Consortium (a

consortium of 12 countries)

and was assigned to

sequence Chromosome 11.

The sequencing work was

lead by Dr. Akhilesh Tyagi

(Department of Plant

Molecular Biology, University

of Delhi) and Dr. Nagendra

Singh of National Centre on

Plant Biotechnology, IARI.

Hon’ble PM Shri. Atal Bihari

Vajpayee’s message on completion

of the rice genome

Chromosome 11 of Rice

DECIPHERING THE

RICE GENOME


Dr.AkhileshTyagi (Department of Plant Molecular Biology,

University of Delhi) and Dr. Nagendra Singh of National

Centre on Plant Biotechnology, IARI

Along the lines of rice genome sequencing, India joined the the

International Consortium on Lepidopteran Genome Project, that included

eight countries, the Indian silkworm genome initiative aimed at sequencing

greater than 20,000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Bombyx mori and

muga silk worm (Anthrecea assama) at CDFD Hyderabad and close to 10,000

ESTs from tropical tasar silk worm (A mylitta) at IIT Kharagpur


The focus on tissue culture expanded in the second decade.

Field view of Patchouli grown in experimental plot. KET's

Scientific Research Centre, Mumbai


DBT continued its focus on the mission

programmes of Oilpalm and black pepper. Two

major initiatives that DBT initiated were

establishing tissue culture program for mass

propagation of selected elite genotypes especially

large cardamom, vanilla amongst host of other

important plant species such as Teak, banana,

sugarcane, tea, saffron and turmeric. As

mentioned, DBT had created two 'Tissue Culture

Pilot Plants' (TCPPs) with micro-propagation

facilities at TERI, New Delhi and NCL Pune. By 2000,

these two facilities had the capacity to produce 2

million plants. Micropropagation technology for

Teak, bamboo, Eucalyptus, Sugarcane were

transferred to Cadila Pharmaceuticals,

Ahmedabad. Micropropagation techniques were

used to generate clones of saffron plant, walnut,

bamboo, casurina among many others.

EXPANSION OF TISSUE CULTURE

The two tissue culture facilities in NCR and TERI had the capacity

to produce more than 2 million plants by 2000

Tissue culture

saffron

Tissue culture of

tea, 2003

Tissue culture

of vanilla



With the approval of the Cabinet, in 1999, a National example, a cold tolerant gene was identified from a plant

Bioresource Development Board (NBDB) was established species in Himachal while salt tolerant gene was identified

that launched a major multi-institutional collaborative and cloned from the mangrove ecosystem. Several

programme on "Bioprospecting of Biological Wealth bioactive molecules with biocidal activities were also

using Biotechnological Tools". This involved 15 partner identified and characterised. Later biome level maps of

institutions to landscape and create a biome level other areas were also created.

ecological zone map as well as collection, The NBDB also initiated evaluation and characterisation of

documentation, molecular characterisation and gene rice accessions (at IGAU Ranchi) and in this project about

prospecting. The project initially chose two hot spots for 5000 rice germplasm were obtained and characterised on

study- the North Eastern Himalayas and South Western the basis of grain colour, size and other special features. In

Ghats. This programme also drew upon the collaboration parallel to the bioprospecting program, DBT also launched

between DBT and Department of Space to create a major programme on molecular taxonomy for

ecological zonal maps. This programme documented inventorisation, documentation and molecular

extensively priority species from Western Ghats and characterisation of economically important plant species

coastal systems and screened for anti-microbial and anti-and their sustainable use.

pesticidal properties against several microbes. For

BIORESOURCE USE AND BIOPROSPECTING

Hon’ble Minister S&T

Shri M.M. Joshi

addressing at the 1st

meeting of the National

Bioresource

Development Board


Sea weed cultivation

During this decade the UNDP implemented FAO's

FARM project with DBT as the 'Biotech Node' . DBT

had the responsibility to provide technical support

for biotechnology and bioinformatics activities to the

member countries.

The then DBT Secretary Dr. CR Bhatia

at FAO-FARM event


Vegetation Type Map of Arunachal Pradesh

Environmental Biotechnology and bioremediation was gaining importance due to anthropogenic

activities especially related to growth in extractive industries such as mining and oil exploration. DBT

initiated a focused programme on 'Petroleum Biotechnology' in 1992 and one of the projects sanctioned

was to TERI- to investigate indigenous microbial strains that can degrade petroleum oil and sludge. After

seven years of research, TERI developed a consortium of microbesbranded as 'Oilzapper' which could

successfully clean oil spills. The product received extensive national and international recognition. DBT

continued its focus on generating new varities of biopesticides and Funding from DBT at ICGEB resulted

in development of a biopesticide 'Bioprahar'in 2005.

ENVIRONMENT


TMOilzapper developed by TERI

through DBT funding

Sludge oil in experimental land

Hon'ble Minister of S&T, Shri. Kapil Sibal launching

Bioprahar developed by ICGEB which was transferred

to Nirmal Organo Biotech.

Oilzapper treated land regenerated with

vegetation (Photo credit: Dr. Banwari Lal, TERI)


India and Syria sign

a workplan to

collaborate, 2002.

Dr. Manju Sharma

signing the

agreement

DBT connected globally for collaborative work on issues in biotechnology that impact health, agriculture and

environment by building new linkages with countries and strengthening existing bridges. DBT also reached out to

many countries and signed bilateral agreements with countries such as Syria (2000), Sudan (2002), Brazil (2002),

Mauritius (2002), Sri Lanka and ASEAN. The department continued to focus on several ongoing partnerships such as

Indo-Sweden (bioremediation of mine dumps, at NEERI), Switzerland (bioferlizers, biopesticides, marker assisted

breeding, transgenic technology esp. Golden rice). With the US, DBT built upon the existing vaccine programmes in

partnership with the Indo-US Vaccine Action Plan as well as Contraceptive and reproductive health research. To

complement this partnership a new partnership was mooted in agriculture (Indo US Collaboration in

agribiotechnology) in May 2003 and the first meeting of the Joint Working Group was in December 2004. The projects

supported under the Indo-US agriculture collaboration umbrella were development salt and drought resistance

transgenic rice, R&D in late blight in potato and fruit and shoot borer disease resistant egg plant (brinjal). On the

whole, DBT indeed came into its own in its second decade- building upon the foundations that were laid in its early

years. The third decade of DBT was beckoning for geometric expansion and amplification.

EXPANSION OF GLOBAL WINGSGlobal Partnerships for Biotechnology



Shri Kapil Sibal at the

Consultative Meeting for

the Regional Centre for

Training and Education in

Biotechnology

A MoU for biotechnology was

signed between India and

Denmark by the Hon’ble

Minister of State for Science

and Technology of India Sh.

Kapil Sibal and the Hon’ble

Minister of Science,

Technology and Education of

Denmark Mr. Helge Sander

India and the US expanded their collaboration to include

agricultural biotechnology. Hon'ble Minister Shri. Kapil

Sibal, Ambassador of the USA Dr. David Mulford and

Secretary DBT, Dr. MK Bhan, 2004

Indigenous Rotavirus vaccine being administrated to infants under Phase-1 clinical trial

The third decade of DBT was

beckoning for geometric expansion

and amplification



Workshop for new DBT officers who joined in 2008-09

Dr. Robert J. Hay, Head- Animal Cell Culture, ATCC, USA visits NCCS

2006-2015AMPLIFICATION:DEEP SCIENCE,TRANSLATIONAND ENTERPRISE

Hon'ble Minister for S&T Shri Kapil Sibal releasing the

National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2007 with

Secretary, DBT, Dr. M. K. Bhan

The cover of NBDS 2007 outlining the key

elements of the 'The Future Bioeconomy’

The key elements of NBDS 2007 were reinforcing the regulatory

framework, interministerial co-ordination, a stated goal of promoting

the biotech industry and investing 30% of DBT's budget in public private

partnerships for fostering innovation and translation. The 2007 strategy

also put forth the goals to launch focused funding programmes for

industry such as Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP)

and Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) to help in

discovery research as well as scale up and facilitate commercialisation.

Another important stated goal was to establish an industry focused

organisation Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council

(BIRAC) to nurture the industry. The strategy envisaged revamping the

pedagogical systems in colleges and universities as well as rapid

expansion of PhD and postdoctoral fellowships.

KEY ELEMENTS OF NBDS

By the time DBT entered its third decade, biotechnology

was very much entrenched in the nation's canvas of S&T. A

whole host of academic institutions had been built that

moved the gears of the biotechnology ecosystem.

Industrial activity in this domain had also been noticed in

the radar especially beginning from late 1990s. DBTs

responded to the emerging scenario by an extensive

stakeholder consultation culminating in a new strategy,

the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2007

which looked to change the ecosystem significantly

through deep science, translation and enterprise.



The NBDS strategy aimed at amplifying

translation and unleased a second wave of

cutting edge institutions that focused on deep

science as well as translation & were

committed to take the fruits of research for

societal benefit. One of the early new centres

that DBT built at the start of the third decade

was the Centre for Stem Cell Research (CSCR)

at the campus of CMC Vellore in 2005.

THE SECOND WAVE OF

INSTITUTION BUILDING

Hon'ble President APJ

Abdul Kalam at

CSCR,CMC, Vellore


CSCR at CMC Vellore


Regional Centre for

Biotechnology,

Faridabad

Campus of THSTI,

Faridabad

that forms a

cluster with RCB


Within a few years, DBT established Translational Health in 2009 one focused on research and translation in stem

Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in 2009 at cells and regenerative medicine called Institute of Stem

Faridabad and co-located THSTI along with Regional Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine (inSTEM) and

Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) which was built under the another for platform technologies and high end

auspices of UNESCO. Both THSTI and RCB together form instrumentation as well as an incubator called Centre for

the Biotech Science Cluster in the North. The focus of Cellular & Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP). Both inSTEM

THSTI focus is vaccine & infectious diseases, paediatric and C-CAMP were housed within the already existing

biology, human microbial ecology, biodesign, drug campus of National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)

discovery and policy for biomedical research, while RCB's to form the Bangalore Biocluster. In the East, DBT

focus is to initiate research in multidisciplinary fields of established National Institute of Biomedical Genomics

biotechnology including biomedical science, (NIBMG), in 2009, to carry out functional and

bioengineering, biochemical science, agriculture, climate translational genomics for human health and disease. In

change amongst others. Together, THSTI and RCB formed Northern India, DBT established National Agri-Food

the foundation for the Biotech Science Cluster. With a Biotechnology Institute to carry out research in

similar philosophy to build a biotech cluster in the Indian agriculture and food science.

startup hub, Bangalore, DBT built two new organisations

inSTEM, Bangalore


Hon'ble PM Shri. Narendra Modi visiting inSTEM in 2015. In

frame are Prof. Sumantra Chattarji & Prof. K VijayRaghavan,

Secretary DBT and Former Director NCBS


Campus of NIBMG, Kalyani, West Bengal


Dr. MK Bhan, Secretary DBT cutting the celebratory

cake during the 1st Foundation Day of NIBMG. Also

present are Prof. P Majumder, Director NIBMG,

Dr. Eric Green Director National Human Genome

Institute, USA and Prof. Obaid Siddiqui Founder

Director, NCBS (1998)

NABI, Mohali, Punjab


Building upon its exercise of creating institutions parks in the country such as the Lucknow Biotech Park

focussed on conducting research in biotechnology, DBT Lucknow, Biotechnology Incubation Centre (BTIC) at

set into motion a strategy to seed clusters that consists Shapoorji Pallonji Park, Hyderabad, Golden Jubilee

of academic institutions (build upon a foundation of Biotechnology Park for Women, Chennai, TICEL Park,

deep science) and surrounded by elements that facilitate Chennai, Guwahati Biotech Park Technology Incubation

translation and DBT's focus was to connect different Centre Guwahati, Biotechnology Park, Karnataka,

elements of the biotech ecosystem into a cluster such Biotechnology Park Kerala. These parks initiated the

that such that the entrepreneurial energies of each of development of clusters and create a pool of skilled

these elements can combine to cascade bio-innovations. entrepreneurs.

DBT provided extensive support to several biotechnology

CLUSTERING FOR COMBINATORIAL POWERBioclusters, BioParks, Technology Centres and Platforms

DBT'S EMERGING BIOCLUSTERS

Bioclusters: DBT set into motion a strategy to seed clusters that consists of academic institutions

surrounded by elements that facilitate translation and build upon a foundation of deep science

National Health Technology Biocluster: THSTI & RCB along with a Biotechnology Incubator

Agri-Food Biotechnology Mohali Cluster: NABI surrounded by MHRD's Indian Institute of

Science Education & Research (IISER), a management school and a nanoscience institute

as well as Panjab University

Bangalore BioCluster: Centred around DAE's National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS)

with inSTEM and C-CAMP as well as University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore


Biotech Park,

Lucknow formally

inaugurated by Sri

Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble

Minister for Science

& Technology and

Earth Sciences,

Government of

India on 7th

December 2008

Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women Society at Chennai


C-CAMP, Bangalore

As mentioned before, besides these parks, DBT, through

inSTEM, built a state of the art technology platform,

C-CAMP, housing high end instruments that are accessible

to startups, SMEs and big companies from all across India.

It houses expertise for proteomics, next generation

sequencing (NGS) and manages a con-focal microscopy

facility and incubation facilities for biotech start-ups.


• High Throughput Genomic Analysis in Human Complex Disorders at JNU, New Delhi

• Structural Studies on Proteins and Nucleic Acid Fragments at University of Madras, Chennai

• National Facility for Microarray Genetics and Cell Imaging at IIT Kanpur

• Aerosol Containment Facility at NII New Delhi

• Centre for Excellence in Epilepsy and Magnetoencephalography at NBRC

NEW FACILITIES

In the last decade, DBT has focused on

building the nation's capabilities in

bioenergy and reduce the country's

dependence on fossil fuels. In

partnership with the Institute of

Chemical Technology (earlier called

UDCT) at Mumbai, DBT established an

Centre for Energy Biosciences (CEB), in

2007, that has an integrated focus on

both basic as well as translation

capabilities with the major areas of

focus being bioethanol, biodiesel,

bi-hydrogen and biomethane

especially development of Indigenous

lignocellulosic Ethanol Technology -at

demonstration level with rice straw

and wheat straw.


Hon'ble Minister for S&T Dr. Harsh Vardhan at the

DBT-ICT Mumbai Centre, 2015

DBT-ICT Cellulosic Ethanol Demonstration

Plant at India Glycol Ltd., Kashipur


Signing of the MoU by Dr. R K Malhotra Director (R&D) of Indian Oil and Dr. Renu Swarup,

Senior Adviser, DBT in the presence of former Secretary DBT, Dr. MK. Bhan and

Mr. RS Butola, Chairman Indian Oil Corporation, 2011(Photo credit: Indian Oil Corporation)

Inauguration of DBT IOC Bioenergy Research Centre, 2015 by Secretary, DBT, Prof. K VijayRaghavan

Similar facilities have been created in partnership with ICGEB in

establishment of DBT-ICGEB Centre for Advanced Bioenergy Research.

In 2011, DBT signed an agreement with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to

establish a Bioenergy Research Centre which was inaugurated in 2015. In

2015, DBT established a DBT-Pan IIT Centre for Bioenergy- a partnership with

five Indian Institute of Technologies (IIT)-Bombay, Kharagpur, Guwahati,

Jodhpur, and Roorkee and coordinated by IIT Bombay.


Inauguration of the CCBT laboratories by Professor Sir Leszek

Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge along

with Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT

In the emerging area of chemical biology, DBT last decade, The BTISnet has now expanded to include 170

established a Centre for Chemical Biology and centres that include centres for excellence, Distributed

Therapeutics (CCBT) in 2014- a multi-disciplinary centre Information Centres, Distributed Information Sub-Centres

which is a partnership between inSTEM and NCBS and bioinformatics infrastructure facilities.

Bangalore. The centre aims to conduct cutting edge In 2006-07, a new scheme within BTISnet was initiated

research in small molecule tools targeting novel class of namely Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facilities (BIF) to

target molecules that are important in biomedicine. One foster bioinformatics studies through an appropriately

of the earliest incoming wave of biotechnology that DBT named programme called 'Biology Teaching through

sensed was the role of growing information being Bioinformatics' which now includes 70 colleges spread

generated from biological systems- be it cellular across the country. These institutions use various forms of

networks, structural biology and even genomics that bioinformatics teaching tools such as video clippings,

were being classified into databases and access to these demonstrations and webinars. BTIsnet also established

databases was becoming crucial. several Centres of Excellence (COE) in bioinformatics - at

DBT responded to the incoming Big Data conundrum by Bose Institute Kolakata, IISc Bangalore, JNU New Delhi,

taking a bold step in initiating the BTISnet right at the Maduraj Kamraj University, Madurai Kamraj University and

beginning in 1986-87. BTISnet grew at a rapid pace in the University of Pune.

BTISnet became the BIOGRID

of India allowing scientists to

study and research on

computational biology,

Genomics and structural

biology efficiently and

collaboratively


In other infrastructural new programmes, DBT

established a focused 'DBT's North Eastern

Region Biotechnology Programme

Management Cell'-NER BPMC- in 2009 to

develop the North Eastern region of India

especially the seven sister states of Assam,

Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland,

Arunanchal Pradesh and Mizoram. Several

initiativesa in North East were undertaken

such as establishment of a Bioresources

Centre at NEHU, Meghalaya, establishment of

a biotechnology incubator in Assam and a

Network Programme on Developing Drugs

from Medicinal Plants and a Center for

Excellence on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Biotechnology (FAB-COE) at College of

Agriculture, Tripura.

Geographical locations of BTISnet in 2009-10

DBT focused on re-engineering and transforming the centres of biology and

biotechnology education- beginning with undergraduate colleges,

universities and research institutes.

HUMAN REOSURCESTranforming the Pedagogical Systems &Reaching Out to the World to Attract Talent

Hon'ble Minister of S&T

Shri. Harsh Vardhan

laying the Foundation

Stone of the Technology

& Skill Development

Centre at IBSD, 2015.

Dr. MK Bhan, Former

Secretary, DBT,

interacting with

Students at NBRC



DBT Star College Scheme Workshop organised by Fergusson College Pune (Photo Credit: Fergusson College website)

In addition to all the postgraduate programmes that were expanded, DBT launched the 'Star Colleges' scheme

in 2008 to strengthen undergraduate life science teaching and infrastructure as well as training. Starting with

25 colleges in 2008, the scheme is now being implemented in 92 colleges. A major outcome besides

infrastructure development has been knowledge sharing especially laboratory SOPs, e-resources, various

platforms for sharing experiences and learning amongst colleges.

Student

Symposium

for Khorana

Program

Scholars

One of the major strategies was to tap into the high encourage scientists who are conducting cutting edge

calibre resource in the Indian expat scientist community world class science with the emphasis on translation. This

and bring them back into India- this was done via an fellowship has been extended to 37 scientists. The DBT

innovative program called Ramalingaswami Re-entry Wellcome Trust Alliance Fellowship programme was

Fellowship launched in 2006 which by 2015 had attracted initiated in 2008 between DBT & Wellcome Trust UK which

150 fellows back into India- many of whom have secure is funded equally for a fellowship programme in various

permanent positions in India. DBT initiated the Tata aspects of biological and biomedical sciences- from

Innovation Fellowship in 2006 to foster, reward and fundamental studies to clinical and public health.

Launch of DBT-Wellcome Trust India

Fellowship Programme, 2008 in

presence of Hon'ble Minister S&T &

Earth Sciences Shri. Kapil Sibal. In frame

left to right Dr. Virander Chauhan,

Former Director ICGEB, Dr. Mark

Wolport, Wellcome Trust, Dr. MK Bhan-

the then Secretary DBT, Dr. Natesh S,

Former Senior Adviser DBT and Prof. K

VijayRaghavan, Current Secretary DBT

and the then Director NCBS



NEW SCIENCE & FRONTIER AREAS

New Research revealed a novel 'assembly line' manufacturing process used by the TB bacterium-

and a potential target for therapeutics sabotage. A. The end to end orientation of PKS12B. Active

site residues C. Model for docking domains of PKS12

The start of the new millennium ushered several cutting and regenerative medicine including tissue engineering,

edge technologies many of which influenced the bioengineering, medical technologies including MEMS

directions taken by biotechnology and life sciences. The based systems. Many of these such as RNAi were platform

global consortium for Human Genome Initiative and technologies that impacted every sphere- healthcare,

later Rice Genome and Tomato genome had shown that agriculture and environment. The flavour undoubtedly

global enterprise for collaborative science was the future was 'deep science', 'translation' of deep science and

and India had to walk in tandem with the rapid changes weaving an 'enterprise mode to take the fruits of research,

that were taking place. The science, including as some say popularly, from "bench to bedside" or from

biotechnology, that emerged in the last decade, "farm to fork". This needed a change in the cultural DNA-

coinciding with the 3rd decade of DBT, cut across integrating 'entrepreneurial' spirit in institutions as well as

disciplines breaking boundaries between traditional build new institutions with 'entrepreneurial' attitude -

approaches for doing science. DBT's new policy NBDS taking informed risks such that outcomes could be

2007 took notice of this and re-doubled its efforts in new non-linear.

vistas such as RNAi technologies, nanoscience, stem cell


As mentioned, DBT while continuing to focus on canonical areas also started several programmes in

nanoscience, molecular immunology, neuroscience and neuriobiology, regenerative medicine and its

application, bioengineering and biodesign to name a few.

BASIC SCIENCESNew Paths for exploration

TEM image demonstrating the binding of Transferring gold

particles on the surface of M tuberoculosis H37Ra

These two fields cut across several disciplines impacting with nanodimensional phosphors as potential

agriculture, animal husbandry, environment and drug electrolumiscent materials and it was also used to in

delivery and healthcare. Programmes at several places several projects that focused on developing

such as IGIB, New Delhi focused on generating nanopesticides.

nanoparticles using a novel cross-linker wherein the net

charge of the nanoparticles could be modulated and

characterised in terms of their ability to interact and bind

with DNA- the study could show that nanoparticle-DNA

complex exhibit multiple fold efficacy of gene transfer.

Other projects involved using nanoparticles mediated

drug delivery of doxorubicin for hepatic cancer (in IICT

Mumbai). Projects at IICT also aimed at developing

colloidal nano-carriers for entraping anti-malarial drugs

such as Primaquine and Halofantrine. Many pioneering

projects in use of nanoparticles in drug delivery systems

were conducted in NCL Pune, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute

of Medical Science & Technology, RGCB Trivandrum and IIT

Guwahati, University of Madras, PERD Ahmedabad, IIT

Chennai and Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi to

name a few. Nanotechnology projects were also

kickstarted in agriculture in plant pathogen detection

NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY


GMR Gold driven Hsp90-RNAi

suppresses polyQ induced eye

degeneration in UAS-MJDtr-Q78

expressing flies. BHU, Varanasi

Macrophage engulfing

antigen entrapped

polymer particles

(Photo credit: Dr. A. K.

Panda, NII, New Delhi)


RNAi technology: Like the focus on nanotechnology, DBT network project on "Development and stress specific

also mapped the global move in sciences in using RNAi genomics of small non-coding RNAs in Brassica sps., rice

technology in various fields and initiated several RNAi and wheat involving Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi

projects in 2007. At IISc, researchers carried out, and ICGEB New Delhi. Further, studies involving transgenic

microarray based expression profiles of all known tomato plants with RNAi construct with an ODC gene of

human miRNA tissues and three normal brain tissues Fusarium oxysporum showed increased resistance to wilt

which resulted in identification of grade IV glioblastoma disease caused by Fusarium. Basic research in

and also to differentiate the primary glioblastoma from developmental biology, infectious diseases and several

the secondary. Similarly, in plant sciences DBT initiated a other areas continued to gain pace.

Transgenic tomato plants (raised with ODC RNAi construct) show greater

resistance to wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum (right)

Section of the mouse cortex at embryonic day

16 where the green fluorescent cells are the

ones in which BMP signalling has been

inhibited and hence their migration from the

ventricular zone has been slowed down

(Photo credit Jonaki Sen, IIT Kanpur)


Outer edge of a differentiating human embryonic stem cell colony (BJNhem20) shows generation of multiple cell types in a

spatially and temporally regulated manner. Each color represents a different protein or combination of proteins. Nuclei are

stained blue (Photo Credit: Dr. Maneesha Inamdar, JNCASR Bangalore)

Toxoplasma gondii infected

human fibroblast Host Cell

Nucleus (Blue), Toxoplasma

(Red and Green)

(Photo credit: Dr. Puskar Sharma,

NII, New Delhi )

Stem cell research and regenerative medicine became a

high focus area with multitudes of interdisciplinary teams

working on several aspects of stem cell biology


Differentiating human embryonic stem cell colony shows generation of

multiple cell layers as seen by staining for marker proteins (Green: Rudhira;

Red: Vimentin; Blue: nuclei). Dr. Maneesha Inamdar, JNCASR Bangalore)

In plant biology, like the previous decade

India joined a consortium to decipher the

tomato genome and the wheat genome

and the DBT created several other

focused program such as the Maize

Improvement Programme from which

emerged a very high quality Maize QPM

version of Vivek Hybrid-9.


India joined the

International Tomato

Genome Sequencing

Project with Dr. Akhilesh

Tyagi and Dr. JP Khurana

Department of Plant

Moecular Biology,

University of Delhi,

South Campus

Inauguration of SOL

2009 which highlighted

outcome of Tomato

Genome Sequencing.

Dr. M. K. Bhan lighting

the lamp alongwith


Shri Prithviraj Chavan


A pilot plant for the recovery of

Sericin from the waste

degumming liquor of silk was

set up by IIT, Delhi jointly with

an industrial partner. The waste

degumming liquor was purified

and converted into readily

usable powder

DBT also continued to focus on generating novel biopesticides

and bioferilizers. TERI developed a biopesticide against cotton

bollworm. DBT through BCIL, transferred 'Bollcure' technology

to 2 Indian companies, Sri Biotech and Pasura Biotech; and a

US company, Marrone Biotech. The formulation is being

produced on a commercial scale by TERI at TERI Gram near

Gurgaon. It obtained an organic certification by Vedic organic

certification agency (VOCA), which certified that 'Bollcure' is fit

for use in organic agriculture in India and abroad.

With funding from DBT the Department of Plant Molecular

Biology, University of Delhi developed a technology through

use of novel nucleotide sequences from rice Tungro bacilliform

virus (RTBV) which can be used for selective expression that

can be used to induce desired characteristics in specific plant

parts. Further the promoter technology was transferred to Bejo

Sheetal Seeds Pvt. Ltd, Jalna on November 24, 2008.

Signing of license agreement

with Pasura Biotech Ltd. for

Bollcure. 2008


Commercial Launch of Diagnostic Kits for Celiac Disease developed

ICGEB by the then Hon'ble Minister S&T, Shri Jitendra Singh, 2014

Dengue detection kit developed

by scientists at ICGEB


Neuroimaging

at NBRC

MRI Diffusion Tensor

Imaging to demarcate

Brain's Nerve Fibres for

taking precaution

during Surgery

Computational

Neuroscience &

Neuroimaging

Laboratory, National

Brain Research Centre


Biotechnology interfaces with several other disciplines-

engineering especially design engineering is core of medical

technology. There is a big lacunae in India for medical

technologies as almost three fourth's of medtech products are

imported into India. To address this lacunae, DBT initiated a

few streams of activities- it started a pioneering collaborative

programme called Stanford India Biodesign in 2007 involving

Stanford University, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS)

and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi with BCIL as

management partner. By 2015, Stanford India Biodesign

evolved into a School of International Biodesign with partners

QUT Australia and the Japan Federation of Medical Devices

Associations (JFMDA). SIB has licensed 13 technologies,

launched 1 device in the market and has created 9 start ups.

BIOTECH INTERFACE WITH

ENGINEERING & DESIGNStandford India Biodesign & HTIC

Discussion Meeting on Stanford India

Biodesign Programme in 2007

Fecal Incontinence Device Soft Tissue Biopsy Device


Limb immobilization device

Auditory Impairment Screening Device

DBT initiated a Centre for Biodesign &

in-vitro diagnostics at THSTI through a

multi institution network involving

THSTI, ICGEB, AIIMS and University of

Turku, Finland. And further DBT has

established a Health Technology

Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT Madras

Research Park. which aims to develop

cutting edge medical technology & its

adoption as well as diffusion through

collaboration with industry

To spur the industry DBT

initiated several pioneering

activities such as setting up of

BIRAC, Stanford India

Biodesign, and HTIC. Together

they are creating linkages with

industry to build novel

products that are high quality

and affordable.


The stated goal of the NBDS 2007 was to spur the and grow the emerging biotechnology industry in India

biotechnology innovation as a whole. DBT also and catalyse the growth of the industry to global

integrated into its focus to foster and support an excellence. BIRAC quickly grew and strategized to

innovation culture in the industry. Two pioneering implement its mandate with several new programmes.

schemes were launched within a short space of time. Besides, managing SBIRI and BIPP, BIRAC has launched

First, in 2005-6, DBT launched Small Business and implemented pioneering flagship schemes such as

Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI). The aim of SBIRI early stage funding for startup through Biotechnology

was to focus and build incremental innovations and Ignition Grant (BIG), Bioincubator Support Scheme (BIS),

essentially energise the R&D capital of SMEs. DBT social innovation programme SPARSH and an focused

followed up SBIRI with another programme called programme to bring together industry and academia

Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programmne called Contract Research Scheme (CRS).

(BIPP)- a PPP model in true sense where innovation Together these programmes have had an invigorating

risks are shared both by the innovator company and impact on the emerging biotechnology landscape in

the Government. The aim of BIPP was to support high India. BIRAC has supported, 300 companies, 170 startups

risk projects all the way from proof-of-concept to and entrepreneurial individuals. 45 new startups were

validation and scale up. Together, BIPP and SBIRI have created through support from BIG and 199 startups

supported 340 high level R&D projects.incubate in BIRAC supported incubators. BIRAC has

In another landmark decision, DBT received a cabinet facilitated commercialisation of 23 products and 19

approval to create a unique nodal biotech industry technologies and 45 IPs have been generated- a

agency Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance testament to the power of 'Make in India'.

Council (BIRAC) in 2012 with the mandate to nurture

ENGAGING & SPURRING THE INDUSTRYThe creation of nodal biotechnology industry agency BIRAC


3rd Foundation Day BIRAC with dignitaries, Shri Utkarsh Palnitkar, Dr. Renu Swarup, Prof. G Padmanaban, Prof. K VijayRaghavan,

Shri Amitabh Kant, Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Shri Pramod Chaudhari, Dr.VM Katoch & Dr. MK Bhan

Hon'ble MoS S&T Shri. Y. S. Chowdary,

releasing BIRAC's Brochure at the 3rd

Foundation Day, 20th March 2015 along

with Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary,

DBT and Chairman, BIRAC


Biotech Start Up Culture

BIRAC’s BIG funding is creating a vibrant biotech startup culture in the country


Some products catalysed by BIRAC funding

Fluorescence reader to detect multiple

infections by Designinova with ICGEB

and University of Turku, Finland

Aina device- designed and developed by

Janacare to measure blood glucose, HbA1AC,

lipids (HDL, LDL, TrG) and creatinine

Maxio: a device designed and made in India by

Perfint Chennai, that aids in surgical ablation of

tumours. It has received an FDA approval

Malaria diagnostic kit by Genomix


ROTAVAC: ROTAVIRUS VACCINEThe journey from clinical observation to impact through extensive collaborative efforts

Childhood diarrhoea, especially in newborns and infants, is a leading cause of mortality in India. It is reported that

Rotavirus diarrhoea is responsible for close to a tenth of all children dying before they reach five and India has the

largest incidence of Rotavirus related deaths in the world. The story of indigenous development of Rotavirus

vaccine in India is an example of how an initial discovery at a leading Indian hospital AIIMS of a strain 116E as a

potential candidate for rotaviral vaccine, combined with support from national and international agencies catalysed

the final delivery of this life saving vaccine from discovery to final product. It also exemplified how combination of a

dedicated trans-national team can overcome hurdles to successfully bring a product to the market.


® ROTAVAC India's first

indigenously developed

vaccine is launched in the

private market. In July

2014, the Indian Prime

Minister announced the ®introduction of ROTAVAC

into the publicly funded

Universal Immunization

Programme (UIP)

Hon'ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi launching the Rotavac vaccine in presence of Hon'ble Minister

Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and

Parliamentary Affairs, Hon'ble Minister S&T, Dr. Harsh Vardhan and MoS S&T Shri YS Chowdary

The release of Rotavac by the Hon'ble PM Shri. Narendra collaborative mechanisms with Indo-US Vaccine Action

Modi along with Hon'ble Minister of S&T Dr. Harsh Program, PATH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NIH and

Vardhan, Hon'ble Minister Shri Venkaiah Naidu, Minister BIRAC) in the progress of the 116E candidate to an

for Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty eventual vaccine. The manufacturing license was agreed

Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon'ble Minister with Bharat Biotech International. A whole host of

of State S&T, Shri Y. S. Chowdary. Also present are organisations were involved during the clinical studies and

Prof. K. VijayRaghavan (Secretary DBT), Dr. M. K. Bhan multi-centre Phase 3 clinical trials- Society for Applied

(Former Secretary DBT & discoverer of the 116E strain), Studies (SAS), Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, King

Dr. T. S. Rao (Former Senior Adviser, DBT) and Dr. Edwards Memorial (KEM) Hospital Research Centre, Pune,

Krishna Ella Founder CMD Bharat Biotech. DBT played a THSTI and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

significant role (both directly as well as through


The efficacy of the 116E vaccine was found to be a

similar to that of the already existing vaccines,

however the cost of the 116E vaccine was

significantly reduced to US$1. Bharat Biotech

manufactured the rotavirus 116E vaccine in the

name of Rotovac. In 2015, the vaccine was included

in the universal immunization programme in India

by the Hon'ble PM Shri. Narendra Modi.

The Second

ASEAN-India

Bioinformatics

HRD Programme

DBT, since its inception has maintained a very open culture to

forge alliances with several nations to further R&D in

biotechnology, promote knowledge exchange, leverage

strengths of partner countries as well as build and foster

research capabilities. It has built a panoply of collaborations

with both the leading nations in biotechnology as well as

emerging biotech nations including the US, UK, Germany,

Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Australia, Canada Japan, Russia,

Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, Vietnam, ASEAN and the SAARC

countries as well as the G-15.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONSLeveraging Combinatorial power of collaborations


Indo-US: DBT's engagement with the US extends from its for collaboration in translation and clinical research. The

early days of association, since July 1987, in the Indo-US level of engagement with the US was expanded to include

Vaccine Action Programme 1987 which supported Indo-US Brain Research Collaborative Partnership in 2014

vaccine projects for malaria, TB, rotavirus and with projects in JNU as well as Indo-US Collaboration on

leishmaniasis. These vaccine development projects Expansion of Vision Research as well as Indo-US low cost

involved several Indian partners such as ICGEB, AIIMS an diagnostic and therapeutic medical technologies. Recently

NII. In 2007, DBT also engaged with NIH's National the Indo-US started a collaboration focusing on

Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NBIB) renewable energy.

Dr. MK Bhan Secretary DBT signing an agreement with Dr. Elias A Zerhouni to renew the two decades long

partnership of Indo-US Vaccine Action Program. Also present are Dr. S Natesh Senior Adviser DBT, Director

NIAID, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, Director Fogarty International Center, Dr. Roger I. GlassScience and Technology

Counselor from the Embassy of India, Dr. Kamal Kant Dwivedi (Photo Credit: Fogarty International Center, 2007)


DBT's engagement with the UK gathered pace with signing

of an agreement with the Biotechnology and Biological

Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in 1998 to facilitate co-

operation in several areas of biotechnology including Cancer

Research Program (implemented through NII & Queens

University Belfast), crop improvement and a unique Indo-UK

Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES). Besides, as mentioned

before, DBT partnered with Wellcome Trust UK to esablish

DBT Wellcome Trust fellowships

Signing of MOU between DBT and TEKES, Finland in presence of Hon’ble President of India on a visit to Helsinki, Finland

INDO-UK INDO-FINNISH

DBT's engagement with Academy of Finland as well as

TEKES aims to boost excellence in innovation and

enterprise. One of the aims of the collaboration is to

develop a Diagnostic Centre in THSTI in partnership

with University of Turku. The collaboration also

extends to joint research in synthetic biology, food

allergen and microbiota studies.


INDO-SWISS, INDO SWEDEN & INDO JAPAN

The Indo Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB) was initiated in 1974 and DBT actively participates in the

Governing Body of ISCB. In a separate MoU with Switzerland signed in 1999, DBT has built a partnership in

many aspects of biopesticide development, agriculture especially in improvement in biotic and abiotic stress

tolerance in pulses and other crops such as cassava.

The collaboration between DBT and VINNOVA of Sweden is being developed in the areas of mobile health for

ante-natal & post-natal care, TB as well as studying silk (through Silk2Heal) for would dressing material as well

as optimising silk production. The Indo-Japan collaboration has gathered pace especially DBT's partnership

with AIST Japan in several areas such as bioinformatics, cell engineering and establishment of DBT-AIST

International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB)

Signing DAILAB in presence of AIST President, Dr. Ryoji

Chubachi (Right) and DBT Secretary,

Dr. K. VijayRaghavan (Left), Smt. Deepa Gopalan

Wadhwa Indian Ambassador to Japan (Centre)

Joint launch of Cohort Study at AIIMS (From Left: Prof. M. C. Misra,

Director, AIIMS; Sh. S. Jaipal Reddy, Hon'ble Minister S&T & India ES; Ms.

Edith Schippers, Hon'ble Minister Health Welfare and Sports, The

Netherlands; Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT and HE A. Stoelinga,

Ambassador of The Netherlands to India. (2013-14)


DBT established a partnership with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch the Grand

Challenges Programmes which will focus on Family Health, Nutrition and Sanitation. BIRAC is the

programme management unit of this partnership.

DBT-BIRAC-BMGF

Grand Challenges

Awardees, 2014

DBT - BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION - BIRAC


THE NATIONAL

BIOTECHNOLOGY

DEVELOPMENT

STRATEGY 2015-2020

The stated policies in the NBDS 2007 document

of building PPP models for boosting both deep

science and enterprise were implemented.

Later DBT-BIRAC in partnership with

Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises-

the nodal biotech industry association released

a roadmap plan titled “Indian Biotechnology-

the Roadmap to Next Decade and Beyond,” in

2012, that gave a goal of reaching US$100

billion Indian biotech industry by 2025. The

implementation of NBDS-2007 revealed

insights about the immense possibilities that

lie in harnessing the power of biotechnology to

address the challenges that India faces.

DBT deliberated a new strategy built upon the

NBDS 2007 such that the department can

broaden and deepen the biotech research and

enterprise in the country.


After a two year extensive consultation a NBDS 2015-2020 (also referred to as NBDS-II) was released by the Hon.

S&T Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. The document outlines the strategies that DBT will adopt to scale and amplify

the outcomes of NBDS 2007 and create an Indian bioeconomy of US$100 billion by 2025. The NBDS-II aims at

boosting the skilled workforce by re-engineering the university system, establishing EMBL like centres in the

country, evolve a data policy and data centres, enhance and encourage úse inspired research in basic and

interdisciplinary sciences, nurture and amplify innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise by leveraging BIRAC

to nurture bioentrepreneurship, create Innovation and Translational Accelerators, create 150 TTOs and through

BIRAC nurture and strengthen entrepreneurship. The policy goals including establishment of a BIRAC AcE Fund

became part of the National programme on Startup India 2016 plan.

Release of the National Biotechnology Development Strategy by Hon’ble Minister S&T

Dr. Harsh Vardhan on 30th December 2015, along with Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT


DBT and CNRS agreed to jointly set up National Institute of Marine Biotechnology. Prof. K VijayRaghavan,

Secretary DBT signing an MoU in presence of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi and Hon'ble Francois Hollande


THESOCIETALIMPACT

Devanai from Pooncheri village showing healthy

worms from a vermicompisting pit

As a young department within the administrative Leprovac, disease (both human & animal) testing kits, Bt

structure of central governance, DBT has been able to cotton and other superior hybrids, Oilzapper, industrial

deeply impact all sections of society- first and foremost it products and vaccines such as Rotavac have impacted not

has built a foundation for biotechnology in India that only the lives of citizens of India but also the world.

combines positive aspects of blue skies research as well The direct impact that DBT has forged is its numerous

as translation of research in bringing positive societal programmes that it runs to improve society through direct

change be it in healthcare, agriculture and nutrition, interventions- be it training farmers for mushroom

industrial and environment- especially through cultivation, biopesticides, bee keeping, silkworm rearing,

innovative products and processes. Some of the vermiculture, production of essential oils, pig farming,

examples examples have been shown in this book. The aquaculture and health screening camps such as

impact is both in terms of tangible elements (the screening for genetic diseases. DBT has also responded to

research outcomes, pool of researchers, infrastructure) natural disaster situations such as the Latur in 1993, Bhuj

as well as the intangibles such as the culture. DBT has earthquake or the 2004 Tsunami- running rehabilitation

managed to create a culture of research and innovation programmes for the affected, training women for livelihood

in the country- the outcomes of which are triggering generation and many other social impact activities.

other innovation sparks. The examples of drugs such as

Tissue culture silk cotton sapling being grown

by village women



Over the years, DBT has directly

interacted with farmers, women self help

groups (SHG) and villagers. This has

provided DBT an excellent tool to

understand the needs at the ground level

Inauguration of essential oil production unit

in Hime village, Arunachal Pradesh

DBT has continued to train local villagers in techniques

of vermicomposting and usage of vermicomposted soil

DBT has trained thousands of villagers in mushroom culture


Uldan farmer with

Palmarosa crop

Through its societal programmes, DBT has

provided training for bee rearing and cultureTraditional system of production of rooh

from Kewda flowers, RRL, Bhubaneswar

Distillation unit for lemon

grass in Uttar Pradesh


Packing of harvested vermicompost in bags

Packing flax snacks by women self help groups

Making of flax biscuits by beneficiaries

Through its efforts DBT has

impacted thousands of families

especially in health diagnostics

and livelihood generation


Farmers supported by DBT for aquacultureInoculation of Trichoderma by the

farmers with help of isolation chamber

Computer assisted sperm class analyser

to assess semen quality for pig farming


Popularisation of quail farming in Assam

Feeding of Grower Giriraja by beneficiary

Dr. MS Swaminathan visiting a Giriraja centre in Imphal, 2011

Grower Giriraja at a beneficiary farm


Kissan mela organised for the beneficiaries

DBT in an innovative move established a

'Biovillage'in Gujarat near Porbandar

and initiated integrated programmes to

use biotechnology tools for economic

development of the village.

Activities in DBT's adopted BioVillage


A view of the Mocha Village

DBT also runs extensive genetic disorder

screening and counselling patients. One

of the examples of high end translational

R&D positively impacting people and

solving their problems is the case of

'Mobile Eye Surgical Unit'that was

designed at the DBT centre HTIC at IIT

Madras in partnership with Shankar

Netralaya to provide access for cataract

surgery in remote corners in a

controlled, germ free environment.

Blood samples being taken from women near Lucknow for

study of genetic disorders SGPGIMS, LucknowHealth awareness programme


Dummy Text

Health awareness programme

Back view of Mobile Eye Surgical Unit developed by

HTIC in partnership with Shankar Nethralaya

Front view of Mobile Eye Surgical Unit

Mobile surgical unit parked in a village Cataract operation being conducted

The last three decades of DBT's journey has shown that how a small step by the Government

can result in positive non-linear outcomes. DBT's impact on the landscape of Indian S&T

landscape including academia and industry. It has facilitated, fostered and catalysed the

translation of research into products and processes for societal benefit. DBT has gained the

experience of sowing the seeds of scientific endeavour, nurturing the seedlings and seeing the

fruits of R&D bring benefit to the local, national and global communities.

The global dynamics of S&T are changing rapidly- new forms of technologies are coming to the

fore and influencing global scientific endeavours. DBT needs to remain nimble such that it can

sense and respond to the fast moving research and technology development.

If the goal of achieving US$100 billion biotech industry has to be accomplished then DBT

needs to scale. The tools to scale are many, however the optimal scaling strategy would involve

leveraging existing partnerships and building new partnerships to bridge gaps.

The National Biotechnology Development Strategy lays the template for future growth to

reach a US$100 billion dollars by 2025. DBT would exponentially scale up its efforts to achieve

the targets and bring even greater societal benefits for the nation.

THE FUTURE BECKONS

Department of Biotechnology

6th-8th Floor, Block 2, CGO Complex

Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003, India

Website: www.dbtindia.nic.in

Akar/Del/Feb/2016

February, 2016

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Through this Coffee Table Book we have tried to capture the 30 years

glorious and eventful journey of Department of Biotechnology. This has

been possible because of the contribution of all our DBT colleagues, both

present and retired, and also the contribution of the DBT aided

Autonomous Institutes and the Scientists and researchers across the

country who have received funding support from DBT. The names of the

Scientists and Researchers who have contributed are so many that they

cannot be listed in this Acknowledgment.

We would like to thank our Former Secretaries Dr. S. Ramachandran,

Dr. C.R Bhatia, Dr. Manju Sharma, Dr. M.K Bhan and also

Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, Prof. G. Padmanaban, Dr. R.A Mashelkar,

Prof. P.N Tandon and Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw for having shared their

thoughts with us on this special occasion. We would like to specially thank

Dr. K.VijayRaghavan, Secretary, DBT for his continuous guidance and

support for the publication of this Book.

The Publication Team comprising Dr. Renu Swarup, Sr. Adviser, DBT;

Dr. Madhan Mohan, Adviser, DBT; Dr. Kalaivani Ganesan, Scientist'D', DBT;

Dr. Vaishali Panjabi, Scientist 'D', DBT and Dr. Satya Prakash Dash, Head,

SP&ED, BIRAC have made special effort to ensure that each major event is

captured in this Coffee Table Book. There could be some omissions which

were not intentional.

Publication Team

Cover Picture

Stem cells application can be a transformative

tool to alleviate variety of human conditions

thus positively impacting healthcare. DBT has

supported both basic and applied research and

development in stem cells. The cover picture

highlights the the outer edge of human

embryonic stem cell line BJNhem20, showing

generation of multiple cell types. (Photo credit:

Dr. Maneesha Inamdar, JNCASR)

Photo Credits

Most photographs used in this book have been

sourced from DBT's Annual Reports or were

provided by DBT's partners including its

Autonomous Institutes and their websites.

Some photographs have been sourced from

Dr. Maneesha Inamdar JNCASR (cover page,

stem cell pictures in page 84 & 85),

Dr. M Balasubramanian (Genes & Development

workshop picture page 16), Dr. S Natesh, DBT

(page 23, 24), Press Information Bureau

(page 31, 97), Dr. Akhilesh Tyagi, NIPGR

(rice genome pictures, page 48, 49),

Dr. Banwari Lal, TERI (Oilzapper and its related

pictures page 55), Biospectrum (page 61),

Wikipedia (page 67), DBT-IOCL (page 74),

Fergusson College website (page 78), IUSSTF

(page 79), Dr. A. K. Panda, NII (macrophage

picture, page 82), Dr. Jonaki Sen, IIT Kanpur

(mouse cortex picture, page 83),

Dr. Pushkar Sharma, NII (Toxoplasma picture,

page 84), Dr. Purnima Sharma, BCIL (signing of

license agreement picture, page 87), Dr. PK Roy,

NBRC (page 89), Fogarty International Center

(Page 99), Dr. Mohanshankar Sivaprakasam,

HTIC (page 115).

The copyrights of the photographs remain with

the owners and any inadvertent omission is

regretted.

Documents

DBT Coffee Table Book