Hari P. Bimb and Nand P. Joshi

5th Asian Biotechnology Conference, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 15-17 Dec., 2010

Biotechnology Applications and Challenges in Nepal

Objectives1. Identify key stakeholders in different

biotechnology sectors2. Assess the current national status in the use and

application3. Identify various government policies/legislations4. Identify priority areas for cooperation in SAARC

region5. Identify areas of expertise available for

cooperation6. Identify recent biotechnology

products/processes to be transferred7. Identify issues and challenges

Identification of Biotechnology sectors (government, semi-government, research institutions and private)

1. Medical2. Agriculture and forestry3. Food and industrial4. Environmental5. Forensic6. Bio-energy/bio-conservation7. Biotechnology education8. Biotechnology information net-work

The report is based on: National survey on use and application of biotechnology in

various sectors

Experts presentations in a 2-day national seminar on biotechnology

Stakeholders: Plant biotechnologyS.N. Name Types Level of operation Types of service

1 BU, NAST Semi-gov./MoEST Nat. and internat. R and D

2 BU, NARC do/MoAC do R and education

3 ABD, NARC do do Research

4 NPRP, NARC do National R and service

5 PPD, NARC do do Research

6 NCRP, NARC do do do

7 RARS, Lumle , NARC do Regional do

8 SQCC, DOA Gov./MoAC National R and D

9 Pl. Prot. Directorate, MoAC do do Service

10 DPR Gov./MoFSC do R and D

11 National Herbarium do do R and D, education

12 GREAT Private do R and D

13 Green Energy Mission (GEM) NGO do R and D

14 RECAST Semi-gov./MoEdu./TU

do R and D, edu, , consultancy

Stakeholders: Animal BiotechnologyS.N. Name Types Level of

operationTypes of service

1 Anim. Breed. Div. NARC Semi-government, MoAC National R and D

2 Anim. Health Re. Div., NARC

do do do

3 Anim. Nutri. Div., NARC do do do

4 Fisheries Res. Div., NARC do do do

5 Entomology Div., NARC do do do

6 Cent. Vet. Lab Government, MoAC do do

7 Rabies Vacc. Prod. Lab. do do do

8 Kathmandu University Private Nat. & global Res. and Edu.

Stakeholders: Medical Biotechnology

S.N. Name Types Level of operation

Types of service

1 IOM Semi-gov.MoE

National & international

Educ., research and service

2 NPHL Gov., MoH National do

3 Leprosy Mission INGO do Research & Ser.

4 SPPL Private Local Public Service

5 Everest Biotech Private International R &D

6 Dep. Biotech, KU Public do Edu. & Res.

7 Walter Reed US Mission do do

8 Nat. Ref. Lab. Private National Public Service

9 Om Hospital do do Pub. Ser. & Res.

10 Nepal Aushadhi Ltd Semi-gov. do Drug prod. & sale

Stakeholders: Food and Industrial Biotechnology

S.N. Name Types Level of operation

Types of service

1 DFTQC Government, MoAC

National Res., dev. & education

2 IOST Gov., MoE Nat. , Reg. and international

Educa. & Res.

3 CAT Private National Res., edu., prod. & business

4 Nepal Dairy do do Res., dev., prod. & business

5 Nepal Biotech Nursery do do Prod. & Business

6 Dep. Biotech, KU Public do R & D

Stakeholders: Environmental BiotechnologyS.N. Name Type Level of

operationTypes of service

1 Dep. Env. Sc., KU, MoE Private National, international

Edu. And Res.

2 Env. Lab., NAST Semi-gov. do Res., dev., edu. & Pub. Serv.

3 ENPHO NGO National Edu., res., & Service

4 RECAST Semi-gov. do R & D , edu., and consultancy

Stakeholders: Education in BiotechnologyS.N. Name Type Degree1 CDBotany, TU Semi-gov M. Sc. & Ph.D.

2 CDMicrobiology, TU do do

3 CDZoology, TU do do

4 CDBiotechnology, TU do M.Sc.

5 Depart. Biotechnology, KU Public B. Tech. (Biotech.)

6 Trichandra Mult. Campus, TU Government B. Sc. (Microbiol.)

7 LBEF, Sikkim Manipal Uni Private B.Sc. (Biotech), M.Sc. (Informatics)

8 NIST, TU do B.Sc. & M.Sc.

9 SAAN Intern. College, PU do B.Sc. Biotech

10 IAAS, TU Semi-gov B.Sc. , M.Sc. & Ph.D. Agric.

11 Hattisar Campus, PU Government B. Tech in Food Tech.

12 Universal Science College, PokhU Private B.Sc. Biochemistry & BioTech

13 HICAST, PU do B.Sc., M.Sc. Ag & B.V.Sc.

Stakeholders: Bioenergy, Bioconservation BiotechnologyS.N. Name Type Level of

operationType of service

1 RECAST Semi-govern. National R & D

2 Biogas Support Program/ SNV, Netherlands

INGO do Tech. and financial support

3 Consortium of Banks Gov., semi-gov and Public

do Public service, Loan providers

4 Over 40 Biogas Company

Private do Construction of biogas

Stakeholders: Forensic and Information Network in BiotechnologyS.N. Name Type Level of

operationType of service

1 National Forensic Lab.

Semi-gov. National Public service and research

2 BINASIA Asian Network Regional Information networking in biotechnology

3 Nat. Biosafety Clearing House

Government, MoFSC

International Information sharing for GMO products

Human Resources in Plant BiotechnologyS.N. Institution Higher Degree Specializations

1 NAST 5 Ph.D.

10 M.Sc.

Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Natural Product Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Molecular Systematics

Microbiology, Biochemistry, Environmental Science, Botany, Agriculture, Chemistry

2 NARC 15 Ph. D.

23 M.Sc.

Molecular Biology, Genetics, Breeding, Physiology, Pathology, Horticulture

Breeding and Genetics, Physiology, PGR, Horticulture, Botany, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

3 SQCC 1 M.Sc. Breeding

4 Plant Protection Directorate

1 M.Sc. Seed Pathology

Human Resources cntd…S.N. Institution Higher

DegreeSpecialization

5 Dept. of Plant Resources 4 M.Sc. Plant Tissue Culture

6 Nat. Herbarium and Pl. Res. Lab. 2 Ph.D.4 M.Sc.

Plant ScienceBotany, PGR, Tissue Culture

7 GREAT 2 Ph.D.

3 M.Sc.

Plant Physiology, BotanyMicrobiology, Biochemistry and Botany

8 Green Energy Mission 2 Ph.D. Biology and Bacterial Genetics

9 RECAST 4 Ph.D.

10 M.Sc.

Botany, Entomology, PathologyBotany and physiology, PGR

Current Pant Biotechnology ProgramsInstitution

Programs GLP

1. NAST Diagnosis of citrus Huanglongbing disease, Molecular characterization of Cry genes in Nepalese Bacillusthuringiensis isolates, Swertia chirayita, Tea cultivars, Bio-fertilizer, Biological control, Bio-pesticide, Mushroom diversity, High altitude Medicinal Plants

Followed

2. NARC Molecular characterization of various crops, Haploid production of rice, wheat and tomato, MAS in rice, Genetic data base of rice-bean, Tissue culture for PBS in potato, Utilization therapies against virus in potato, Molecular characterization of black-leg disease in crucifer, Production of disease free citrus and large cardamom plants

Followed

3. SQCC PCR-based GMO detection, Ex-situ conservation Followed

Current programs in plant biotechnology Contd…

Institute Programs GLP

4. Plant Protection Directorate

Plant pest and disease diagnosis Followed

5. DPR Mass production of Lokta through tissue culture Followed

6. Nat. Herb. and plant research lab.

In-vitro conservation, micro propagation of medicinal, ornamental plants and endangered species

Followed

7. GREAT Post-harvest and marketing of citrus fruits Followed

8. RECAST Medicinal plants for anti-bacterial , anti-fungal and anti-viral activities, product development of sea buckthorn, Utilization of Himalayan nettle for fiber, technology generation for utilization of buckwheat, wild patol and wild persimmon

Followed

Human Resources in Animal BiotechnologyS.N. Institutio

nHigher Degree Specialization

1. NARC 8 Ph.D.

9 M.Sc.

Genetics, Biomaterials, Pathology, Animal Reproduction, Ruminant, Aquaculture, Pest ManagementGenetics, Public Health, Ruminant, Aquaculture, Pest Management, Taxonomy

2. Cent. Vet Lab.

6 M.Sc. Molecular Biology, Serology, Microbiology, Parasitology, Public Health

3. Rabies Vacc. Prod. Lab.

6 B. V. Sc. Animal Tissue culture Technology

Current Programs: Animal BiotechnologyS.N. Institution Programs GLP

1. NARC Semen production, Artificial insemination, Elite Herd, Karyotyping of buffalo, Salmonella antigen production, Genetic improvement of Sahar fish, Mono-sex population production of tilapia, Production and testing of nuclear poly-hydrosis virus and Bt., Biological control

Followed

2. Cen. Vet. Lab. Bird flu, Japanese Encephalitis, PPR investigations, Microbiological, Serological and animal cell culture.

Followed

3. Rabies Vacc. Prod. Lab

TCARV production for animal and human use, Animal tissue culture

Followed

4. KU Genetic Variation in Cattle Followed

Human Resources: Medical BiotechnologyInstitution Higher Degree Specialization

1. IoM 1 MS8 B. Sc

Medical biotechnologyMicrobiology

2. NPHL 6 MD, MS13 B.Sc

Pathology, MicrobiologyLab. Technician

3. Leprosy Mission 1 Ph.D.1 M.Sc

Microbiologydo

4. SPPL 1 M.D.2 M.Sc

PathologyMicrobiology

5. Everest Biotech. 1 Ph.D.6 MS

3 B.Sc.

ToxicologyVet Medicine, Biochemistry, Microbiology, BiotechnologyBMLT

6. KU 3 Ph.D.5 M.Sc.

Molecular Biology, ImmunologyMicrobiology, Biotechnology, Immunology

7. WARUN 1 M.Sc. Biotechnology

8. Nepal Aushadhi Ltd. 1 M.Sc. Cellular and molecular biotechnology

Current Programs :Medical BiotechnologyInstitution Programs GLP

IoM

NHPL

Leprosy Mission

SPPL

Everest BiotechKU

WARUNNRL

Om Nursing Home

Diseases diagnostics, epidemiological

JE, Polio, Measles, Tumor and Cancer MarkerImmuno diagnosis, detecting mutations conferring Refampicin resistance, Genetic susceptibility to leprosyDiagnosis for E. coli, Salmonella and Hepatitis, HIV, HEV, Titanus, Meningitis, MMRAnti-body productionCloning and expressions of Streptomyces genes, Genetic variations in CattleInfluenza surveillanceDiagnostic service of human disease, HIV

Followed

do

do

do

dodo

do

Current Programs: Food and Industrial Biotechnology

S.N. Institution Programs

1. DFTQC GMO, LMO detection, screening yeast strains, Fermentation technology

2. IOST Fermented soybean food, dairy products, brewing, enzymes from Rhizopus and Aspergillus, Aflatoxin detection

3. CAT Shitake , Agaricus and Pleurotus mushroom Products.

4. Nepal Dairy Pvt. Cheese and butter production

5. Nepal Biotech Nursery

High value cut-flowers, conservation of endangered orchids, ex-situ conservation of high altitude medicinal plants

6 KU Herbal extracts as natural preservatives

Current Programs: Biotechnology EducationInstitution Programs

CDB, TU Ex-situ conservation of medicinal and mid-hill plants, bio-fertilizer

CDM, TU Japanese encephalitis, genetic polymorphism of Bt isolates, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Enteric fever

CDZ, TU Parasies, bio-fertilizers, vermi-compost

Microbiology Dept. of Tri-chandra college

Biofertilizer, E.coli, pre-fermenter cultures of S.cerevisiae

National College Screening and characterization of anti-microbial substances

NAFOL DNA data base of Nepalese population, Immunological study for crime detection, STR profiling for human identification and biological relationship

Plant Biotechnology Products and Processes ready to Transfer S.N. Products/Processes Authority

1 Microbial Inoculants (Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing) NAST, NARC

2 Citrus shoot tip grafting for virus elimination NAST

3 Endophytes packets as bio-pesticides NAST

4 Tissue culture Techniques for various crops, orchids, sand rooting techniques

NAST, NARC, DPR, CDB

5 Disease free potato minituber and microtuber production, disease free plants of mandarins

NARC, GREAT

6 Disease resistant crops and mushroom varieties NARC

7 Field transfer of tissue culture plants of endangered species CDB

Animal Biotechnology Products and ProcessesSN Products Authority

1 PPR disease diagnosis pen side test CVL

23

Urea Molasses Mineral Block (UMMB)Semen collection of cattle and buffalo

NARCNARC

Food and Industrial Biotechnology ProductsSN Products Authority

1 Mushroom spawn and varieties CAT

2 In-vitro conservation of endangered orchids, ex-situ conservation of high altitude medicinal plants

NBN

3 Whey beverage, Bael wine, curd powder, yeast culture, mushroom spawn production

Cen. Campus of Technology

4 Yeast strains for cider making and other fermentation, Lactic drink production technology, Yoghurt starter, Preparation of wine cider, Perry and other alcoholic beverages using pure and mixed culture, Preparation of Mesu/chhurpi, Quality evaluation of various food items

DFTQC

Environmental, bio-energy biotechnology ProductsSN Products Authority

1 ECOSAN toilet, Reed Bed waste water treatment plant, vermi-composting

ENPHO

2 Technology packeg based on Jatropha curcas oil, anti-bacterial, anti-viral , anti-fungal and anti-cancer plant extracts

RECAST

3 Biogas technology Private enterpreneurs

Issues in Biotechnology1. Awareness among policy makers and Government

commitment2. Coordination among stakeholders3. Addressing IPR, access and benefit sharing4. Lack of funds in education for practical training and R &D5. Limited activities in the country leading to brain drain

Challenges1. Streamline national commitment for S & T research2. Spill-over effect of GMO products and implementation of

biosafety obligations3. Fund raising for rDNA research for capacity building and

HR4. Retain qualified biotechnologists in the country5. Lack of legal instruments related to biotechnology

especially trade and industry, GMO, microorganisms etc.

Acknowledgement Ministry of Science and Technology/GoN Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Nepal Biotechnology Association (NBA) Nepal Biotechnology Society (NBS) All related scientists for the participation in this survey

report