BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH

125/06/2013

Introduction

• Definition of BT and its evolution

• Domains of BT and their application

• BT in India

• BT and public health

• Important to remember

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Convention on Biological DiversityUnited Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)• Nov 1988 Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity• May 1989 Ad Hoc Working Group of Technical and Legal Experts• Feb 1991 AHWG now k/a the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee• 22 May 1992 Nairobi Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the

Convention on Biological Diversity.• 05 June 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development

(the Rio "Earth Summit").

• It remained open for signature until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures. The Convention entered into force on 29 December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th ratification.

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Definition of Biotechnology• Any technological application that uses biological systems, living

organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.

• History

Agriculture Fermentation of beer Selective breeding of organisms Manufacturing corn starch using Clostridium acetobutylicum, to produce

acetone Development of Penicillin antibiotics Paul Berg’s Stanford experiment Diamond V. Chakraborty Bio-fuels

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Applications of Biotechnology• Health care• Crop production and agriculture• Non-food (industrial) uses of crops and other products (e.g.

biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil, biofuels)• Environmental

Branches

Bioinformatics Blue BT Green BT Red BT White BT 5

Medical Biotechnology Pharmacogenomics Biopharmaceuticals Gene therapy Genetic testing/screening Human genome project Cloning

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Pharmacogenomics• Designing the most effective drug therapy and treatment strategy

based on the specific genetic profile of a patient. Different individuals react differently to the same drug or treatment.

• It is hoped that genetic studies will lead to personalized drugs with greater safety and efficacy.

• Role in cancer, cardiovascular disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorders, HIV, tuberculosis, asthma, and diabetes.

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Pharmacogenomics

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Bio-pharmaceuticals• Medical drugs produced using biotechnology.

• They include proteins (including antibodies), nucleic acids (DNA, RNA or antisense oligonucleotides) and living microorganisms like virus and bacteria where the virulence of viruses and bacteria is reduced by the process of attenuation, they can be used for therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic purposes, and are produced by means other than direct extraction from a native (non-engineered) biological source.

• Designer drugs

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Bio-pharmaceuticals Recombinant DNA Monoclonal antibody Antisense RNA

Blood factors (Factor VIII and Factor IX) Thrombolytic agents (TPA) Hormones (insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, gonadotrophins) Haematopoietic growth factors (Erythropoietin, CSFs) Interferons (IFN-α, -β, -γ) Interleukin-based products (IL-2) Vaccines (Hepatitis B surface antigen) Additional products (tumour necrosis factor, therapeutic enzymes)

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Bio-pharmaceuticals• Use of genetically altered microorganisms such as E. coli or yeast

genetically altered mammalian cells, such as Chinese Hamster Ovary cells (CHO)

• Development of molecular diagnostic devices that can be used to define the target patient population for a given biopharmaceutical. Example: Herceptin and HER2 protein

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Bio-pharmingEDIBLE VACCINES

A pathogen protein gene is cloned Gene is inserted into the DNA of plant (potato, banana, tomato) Humans eat the plant The body produces antibodies against pathogen protein Human are “immunised” against the pathogen

Examples:a) Diarrhoea (EHEC)b) Hepatitis Bc) Measles

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Bio-pharming

• A chimeric secretory IgG–IgA antibody against a surface antigen of Streptococcus mutans (tooth decay) is tobacco-produced antibody.

• Humanized anti-herpes-simplex virus (HSV) antibody made in soybean, was effective in the prevention of vaginal HSV-2 transmission in a mouse model.

• Antibody to CEA has recently been expressed in rice and wheat.

• A plant virus vector has been used to produce a tumour-specific vaccine transiently in tobacco for the treatment of lymphoma and colorectal CA.

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Gene therapy

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Inserting a normal gene into a non-specific location Swapping abnormal gene for normal gene Repairing abnormal gene Turning a gene on or off

Gene therapy

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Genetic testing/screening

• Predictive screening• Newborn screening• Carrier screening

Chromosomal

Ex. Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome Single Gene

Ex. Sickle Cell Anemia, Cystic Fibrosis Complex

Ex. Birth defects, most cancers

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Genetic testing/screening

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Analysis of whole chromosomes Karyotyping

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Analysis of whole chromosomes FISH

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Analysis of sequence

• Sequencing

how is sequence different in patient from a normal individual?• Polymerase chain reaction

viral load, early diagnosis of leukemia, genetic fingerprinting• Gel electrophoresis

DNA cleavage properties of drugs, protein separation• RFLP

genome mapping, genetic linkage, paternity testing• Probes Microarrays (multiple mutations) Dot blots (STDs, TB, Typhoid)

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Analysis of protein shape

• X-ray crystallography• NMR spectroscopy• Dual polarisation interferometry

Analysis of protein function • Microarray analysis• RNA interference• Yeast two-hybrid system

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Human genome project

• Began in 1990 by DoE and NIH, USA

• Aims identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make

up human DNA transfer related technologies to the private sector address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from

the project

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Cloning

By technique of nuclear transfer

• Animal models of disease• Stem cells for research• Pharming for drug production• Reviving endangered or extinct species

• Dangers

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Agricultural BiotechnologyA range of tools, including traditional breeding techniques, that alter living organisms, or parts of organisms, to make or modify products; improve plants or animals; or develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses

• Improved taste, texture or appearance of foods Tomato, papaya, soybean, bread

• Production of novel substances in crop plants

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Extended shelf-life tomato(FlavrSavr Tomato)

Herbicide resistant soybean(Roundup Ready Soybean)

Agricultural Biotechnology

• Reduced vulnerability of crops to environmental stresses The gene, At-DBF2, from Thale cress, makes tomato and tobacco

resistant to drought and salty water.

• Increased crop yield

• Animal biotechnology Hybrid cows Biotech chymosin Bovine somatotrophin

• Increased nutritional qualities Golden rice

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Agricultural Biotechnology

• Insecticide resistant crops Bt cotton, potato, corn

• Herbicide tolerant crops Roundup Ready soybeans and corn and Liberty Link corn

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VEGETABLESTomato, Potato, Eggplant

Lettuce, Celery, CauliflowerCabbage, Sugarbeet, Carrot,

Cucumbers, Sweetpotato,Cassava

FRUITSApple, Strawberry,

Walnut, Muskmelon,Papaya, Grape

Transgenic Cropsfor Food

EDIBLE OILSMustardOilseed rapeCanolaSunflower

CEREALSWheat, RiceMaize, Rye

LEGUMESSoybean, Pigeon pea, Chick pea

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Industrial Biotechnology

Biomass production

Rhizobium, Blue Green Algae, Azotobacter

Biocontrol agents

biofertilisers, bioherbicides, bioinsecticides

Fermentation

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Industrial Biotechnology

Recovery of metals

desulphiration of coal by Thiobacillus spp

Metabolite production

antibiotics, enzymes, alcohol, organic acid, vitamins

Bio-catalysts

yeast and bacteria, enzymes

Bio-polymers

Polylactic acid and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate

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Environmental Biotechnology

Molecular ecology

a) Phylogeography b) Gene flow (migration and dispersal)

c) Reproductive systems/strategies

d) Relatedness e) Ecological interactions

Bio-remediation

a) Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Sphingomonas, Rhodococcus, and Mycobacterium

b) Sunflowers at Chernobyl removed Cesium and Strontium

Bio-sensors

enzyme electro-chemical devices

Bio-fuels

bio-diesel (rape seed oil, groundnut oil)

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History of Biotechnology in India

• 1982 National Biotechnology Board under the DST (MST)• 1983 under the 6th FYP, a long term plan on BT was identified

as top priority for self sufficiency• 1986 Department of BT was created under the MST

• Scientific initiatives MST - DST, DBT MoHFW - ICMR MoA MoHRD

• 11th FYP has a 73.304 crore funding for science and technology (0.89% of GNP) 33

Biotechnology in India

• A team lead by Prof. Asis Datta, Director, NIPGR, New Delhi produced GM potato variety with the help of AmA1 gene isolated from grain amaranth which contains up to 45 per cent more protein than traditional ones.

• Dr Rakesh Tuli, Director, NBRI and his team synthesized two Bt genes-Cry1AC and Cry1EC for producing transgenic Bt-Cotton.

• India accounted for the highest yearly percentage growth rate in its Bt cotton growing area (185% in 2007-08). With this India became the Fifth largest adopter of biotech crop.

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Biotechnology in India

• Biopharmaceuticals: 1.4 billion USD• Bio-agriculture: 225 million USD• Serum Ins., Biocon, Panacea Biotec

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Taskforces of DBT

• DBT BUILDER• Bioengineering• Biotechnology product and process development• Human genetics and genome analysis• ICMR expert committee on HIV/AIDS and microbiology• Promotion and popularization of Biotechnology

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Mandate of DBT

Promote large scale use of Biotechnology Support R&D and manufacturing in Biology Responsibility for Autonomous Institutions Promote University and Industry Interaction Identify and Set up Centres of Excellence for R&D Integrated Programme for Human Resource Development To serve as Nodal Point for specific International Collaborations Establishment of Infrastructure Facilities to support R&D and production Evolve Bio Safety Guidelines, manufacture and application of cell based vaccines Serve as nodal point for the collection and dissemination of information relating to

biotechnology

DBT has launched Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) to boost public-private-partnership effort in the country

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Biotech park, Lucknow

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Biotech park, Lucknow

• Bio-fertilizer unit of the Park• Plant tissue culture facility• Human DNA bank• Stem cell facility for therapeutics• Jatropha genetic enhancement programme• Quality assurance of cosmetics/food

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Biotechnology facilities under DBT National Facility For Marine Cyanobacteria, Bharatidasan University, Tiruchirapalli Tissue Culture & Cryopreservation Repository at NBPGR, New Dellhi Repository of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at CIMAP, Lucknow Animal House Facility at CDRI, Lucknow and NIN , Hyderabad Centre for Genetic Engineering and Strain Manipulation, MKU, Madurai International Depository Authority at Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh Repository for Filarial Parasites and Reagents at MGIMS, Sevagram DNA sequencing facility at University of Delhi South Campus Biochemical Engineering Research and Process Development Centre at Institute of

Microbial Technology, Chandigarh National Facility for Stable Isotope Discrimination Studies at University of

Agricultural Sciences, Banglore FACS facility at CCMB, Hyderabad NMR facilitity at TIFR ,Mumbai NMR facilities at IISc., Bangalore Biomedical Research Facility at SGPGI, Lucknow

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Achievements of Biotechnology in India

• IMMUVAC• Rabies• HIV/AIDS subtype C vaccine• JE• Cholera• TB• Malaria• Rotavirus vaccine

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Biotechnology and public health

• Preventive

Genetic screening

Vaccines

Bio-magnification

• Promotive

Nutrition

Environment

• Curative

Gene therapy

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Important to remember

Products of biotechnology

Benefits of biotechnology

Dangers of biotechnology

Issues with biotechnology

Adoption of biotechnology

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References

• Consequences, challenges and opportunities of modern biotechnology, a Joint Research Centre Report 2010, European Commission

• Biotechnology in India: Its Policy and Normative Framework, Dec 2010, GOI report along with University of Catalonia

• Key recommendations, Discussion Meet on “Energy Biosciences Strategy for India” held on 10-11th September, 2007 at New Delhi, India

• Annual report, 2007-08 and 2012-13, DBT, MST, GOI• Text of the Convention on biodiversity, available from website of UN• DBT website (dbtindia.nic.in)

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THANK YOU…

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