Greenhouse Medicinal Herb Transplanted to Mountains in Xinjiang. The Asian Rice Biotechnology Network: An Overview

Transcription

1 Greenhouse Medicinal Herb Transplanted to Mountains in Xinjiang Some snow lotus seedlings, cultivated in greenhouses in Gongliu County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have recently been transplanted to the Tianshan Mountains. A recent survey showed that 95 percent of the transplanted seedlings have survived and are growing well in the wild. This is the first time that snow lotuses have been cultivated on a large scale in China. The snow lotus is a precious alpine plant and a rare medicinal herb, which is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Growing in very trying conditions, the snow lotus usually blossoms when it is four to five years old and thus has a very low reproductive rate. In addition, the excessive gathering of the plant by local people in recent years has caused it to become a seriously endangered species. Miss Liang Feng Li, an academic from the Xinjiang Agricultural University said the cultivation of snow lotuses will not only prevent the precious species from becoming extinct, but will also ensure a larger supply of the herb and help increase local farmers' incomes. Taiwan Designates Seven Hospitals as the Nation's First Centers for Clinical Trials of Chinese Medicine In order to advance biotechnology in Taiwan, the Taiwanese government has certified seven hospitals to operate as the nation's first centers for clinic trials of Chinese medicine. The seven centers are the Chimei Foundation Medical Center, the Veterans General Hospital in Taipei and Taichung, National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei, Taipei Show-chwan Hospital, China Medical College Hospital in Kaohsiung and the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taoyuan County. These centers will operate in accordance with the standards laid down by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Department's Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy said that the establishment of the seven centers was in line with government's objective of capitalizing on ancient Chinese medicine knowledge and export related products to the global market. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has drawn up a five-year blueprint for the development of the Chinese medicine industry and has earmarked NT$3.5 billion (US$86 million) for the project. The development of Chinese medicines in Taiwan has always been based on established documentation of the longstanding practice and clinical experiences of Chinese physicians from ancient times, but not on proven science. General Information and Statistics The Asian Rice Biotechnology Network: An Overview With funding from the Asian Development Bank and the German Government, the Network aims to assist the national biotechnology research systems in Asia to apply biotechnology to meet their own national needs with regard to rice variety improvement. The Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) was established 40 years ago to help farmers in the developing countries grow more rice without harming the environment. About three billion people around the world eat rice every day. Ninety percent of the world's rice is grown and consumed in Asia. To meet the increasing demand for rice, with increasing challenges such as less arable land and less water supply, biotechnology will no doubt be an important tool. Realizing this, the IRRI established the Asian Rice Biotechnology Network (ARBN) in 1993 with an aim to provide a vehicle for collaborative research in rice biotechnology with universities and rice breeding institutes of the national agricultural research systems (NARS) in Asia. The funding for the ARBN is provided by the Asian Development Bank and the German Government's Bundesministerium für Technische Zusammenarbeit (BMZ). In this article the BMZ project is featured. 307

2 The BMZ funding was in three phases. Phase 1 funding : Budget : DM 2.21 million (US$1.11million) Accomplishment : Establishment of the Asian Rice Biotechnology Network During the first phase of funding from BMZ, the focus was on the development of biotechnology tools and products for NARS rice breeding institutes. These developments were accomplished with the participation of following eight NARS institutes: Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, India Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, China China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen, Thailand Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand. During the first phase of funding from BMZ, the focus was on the development of biotechnology tools and products for NARS rice breeding institutes. During this period, achievements in biotechnology tools development include the following: DNA sequencing to convert 350 mapped RFLP markers to low-cost PCR markers, with a cost reduction of 90% per marker assay. Establishment of protocols for the genetic engineering of a range of rice cultivator popular in Asia. Construction of a greenhouse for growth and testing of genetically engineered rice. Production of anther culture-derived mapping populations for mapping genes for blast and blight resistance and submergence tolerance. Development of a capacity for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis in the context of mapping genes for control of height, yield, and drought tolerance. The following biotechnology products were developed: New varieties for more durable resistance to bacterial blight through a combination of four bacterial blight resistance genes using DNA marker technology. New varieties for more durable resistance to blast through a combination of three blast resistance genes using DNA marker technology. Low-cost DNA marker-aided selection kits for three gall midge resistance genes important in southern China and eastern and central India. Transgenic rice with enhanced resistance to yellow stem borer and striped stem borer following the insertion of a synthetic cryia(b) gene through biolistic transformation. Phase 2 funding : Budget : US$1 million Accomplishment : Enhancment of the Yield Stability of New Plant Types. During the funding period, this ARBN component made available to NARS and IRRI breeders new biotechnology tools and products to protect highyielding rice from major biotic and abiotic stresses. Transgenic technology was used to introduce resistance against sheath blight and yellow stem borer into rice. DNA marker-aided selection was used for rapid transfer of brown plant hopper resistance and salinity tolerance to rice. The participating institutes for this phase include: China National Rice Research Institute, Hangzhou, China Directorate of Rice Research, Hyderabad, India CRIFC Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen, Thailand PhilRice South China Institute of Botany, Guangzhou, China Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, India National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faisalabad, Pakistan University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand Technische Universitat, Munchen, Germany Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA DNA marker-aided selection was used for rapid transfer of brown plant hopper resistance and salinity tolerance to rice. 308

3 Phase 3 funding : Budget : DM1.6 million (US$969,696) Aim : To Achieve Rice Yield Potential Through Biotechnology During this phase, the BMZ project hopes to increase rice production using biotechnology. Transgenic rice varieties have been developed by incorporating the Bt gene into the rice plant. Biosafety regulations for field testing of the transgenic are in progress or nearing completion in several Asian countries. The objectives and expected outputs of current activities are given below: Objective To develop and use transgenic rice with Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) genes for stem borer resistance. Expected output Broader rice gene pool for stem borer resistance Transgenic seeds released for further use by the NARS. Rice has been successfully transformed with Bt genes at the IRRI and numerous NARS and advanced laboratories. Bt maize, potato, and cotton plants have been developed by the private sector and released to farmers in several countries. The IRRI and its collaborators have the resources required to produce improved lines of Bt rice with multiple toxin genes and gene promoters. Biosafety regulations for field testing of transgenic plants are in effect or nearing completion in several Asian countries. These progress is a high probability of success in producing and field testing improved lines of Bt rice. Objective To develop and use transgenic rice with PR-genes for enhanced sheath blight resistance. Expected output Rice germplasm with sheath blight resistance developed Field tests of transgenic rice for sheath blight resistance Multiple resistance developed with Bt and PR genes for stem borer and sheath blight resistance. PR genes in plants provided considerable protection against fungal attack. It was demonstrated previously by the IRRI scientists that PR gene integration and expression in rice provided significantly higher levels of resistance against the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. They are now aiming to introduce different classes of PR genes, alone and in combinations, which will eventually be expressed in different tissues and which will provide more protection against fungal attack. Objective Marker-aided selection for quantitative traits. Expected output Introgress and map quantitative trait locus (QTL) for brown plant hopper and sheath blight from exotic sources into elite varieties Evaluate QTL x E interaction for brown plant hopper resistance Near isogenic introgression lines in elite backgrounds produced; some lines characterized (phenotyping and genotyping) QTLs for brown plant hopper resistance effective in multiple environments identified. Marker-aided introgression of desirable QTLs for target quantitative traits. The probability of success in using a new breeding strategy for simultaneous identification and transfer of desirable QTLs affecting complex traits, including BPH resistance, is very high because of its versatility and flexibility. In principle, it allows evaluation of the maximum gene flow across key germplasm from diverse origins through tracking QTL/marker associations, through simultaneous identification, characterization, and use of superior alleles or allelic combinations in many loci of agronomic importance, and through elimination of linkage drag. It also allows easy generation of large numbers of near isogenic introgression lines sets for many important loci. Further generation of corresponding near isogenic lines from these near isogenic introgression lines and development of new improved cultivars for the target environments can be done easily by marker-aided pyramiding of multiple desirable QTLs of different origins into elite genetic backgrounds. 309

4 Top Scientists to Speak at BioMedical Asia 2001 With the theme "Biomedical Sciences in the Post Genomic Era: Challenges and Opportunities," the premier forum for biomedical sciences in Asia will highlight the latest developments in biomedical sciences and their impact on the Asia- Pacific region. More than 30 of the world's top scientists in the field of biomedical sciences will speak at the BioMedical Asia 2001 Conference and Exhibition, to be held in Singapore from 19 to 21 September The keynote speakers for this event include: Dr Sydney Brenner, Distinguished Professor, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, USA; Dr Leroy Hood, President and Director, Institute of Systems Biology, USA; Dr David Baltimore, President, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), USA, and winner of the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; and Dr Frank Douglas, Executive Vice President, Head Drug Innovation and Approval, Aventis Pharma AG, Germany. By assembling experienced and knowledgeable people to focus on key issues, we believe we are offering participants an excellent opportunity to gain an inside track on the latest views and developments in the field, said Professor Louis Lim, Chairman of the BioMedical Asia 2001 Steering Committee. "By assembling experienced and knowledgeable people to focus on key issues, we believe we are offering participants an excellent opportunity to gain an inside track on the latest views and developments in the field," said Professor Louis Lim, Chairman of the BioMedical Asia 2001 Steering Committee. "In view of the excellent quality of the speakers, I am sure BioMedical Asia 2001 will offer an exciting and lively exchange for all participants," he added. With the theme "Biomedical Sciences in the Post Genomic Era: Challenges and Opportunities," the event will highlight the latest developments in biomedical sciences and their impact on the Asia- Pacific region. The objective of this event is in line with Singapore's vision to be a world-class hub for biomedical sciences. "BMA 2001 promises to be a breakthrough event for Asia in one of the hottest fields of scientific endeavour on the planet," said Ellis Rubinstein, Editor of the journal Science. The scientific sessions will showcase cutting-edge research and new innovations, while the business and investment sessions will provide insight into the latest commercial technologies, new start-ups and potential business ventures. These sessions include: Genes, Genome & Medicine From Research to Business Business Investment Opportunities Social and Ethical Issues in Genomics Gene Testing and Genome Revolution Global Business Opportunities & Strategic Alliances Intellectual Property Rights Emerging Technologies The concurrent BioMedical Asia 2001 Exhibition complements the Symposium. Some of the leading companies serving the biomedical sciences and related industries will feature a wide spectrum of the latest innovations and technologies. These include the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare sectors. Venture capital and investment firms, start-ups, and research institutes are also participating. For more information contact: BioMedical Asia 2001 Secretariat c/o Times Conferences & Exhibitions 1 New Industrial Road Times Centre, Singapore Tel: Fax: / tce@tpl.com.sg "BMA 2001 promises to be a breakthrough event for Asia in one of the hottest fields of scientific endeavour on the planet," said Ellis Rubinstein, Editor of the journal Science. 310

5 China's OTC Drug Market Prospers Backed by favorable government policies and the large demand, the market for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is increasing rapidly in China. Mr. Hu Shengyu, vice-chairman of the China OTC Association, said that China represents the fastestgrowing OTC drug market in the world and is expected to be the largest market in the near future. The sales revenue of China's OTC drugs is expected to reach RMB60 billion (US$7.3 billion) in 2005, five times higher than that of 2000, which was RMB12 billion (US$1.5 billion). Experts predict the market will expand by up to 30 percent annually within the next five years. Mr Hu said the government's policy of fostering OTC drug sales made it possible for China's OTC market to take off. China's State Drug Administration (SDA) has recently unveiled names of the second batch of OTC drugs, which can be bought in pharmacies and supermarkets without doctors' prescriptions. Mr. Hu Shengyu, vice-chairman of the China OTC Association, said that China represents the fastest-growing OTC drug market in the world and is expected to be the largest market in the near future. At present, there are some 2200 different OTC drugs available in the Chinese market, nearly half the total of the 5000 types of drugs. The government started classifying OTC and prescription drugs since Mr. Hu expects the nation's large population, especially the growing aging group, to fuel the demand of OTC drugs, which are easier to obtain. Increased income and improved healthcare awareness are prompting the public to consume more drugs to combat common ailments. Mr. Hu added that the changes in China's healthcare system are taking patients away from hospitals, who now prefer to buy drugs over the counter. The new medical insurance system, which was first implemented in some big cities, stipulates that patients pay a certain percentage of the expenses unlike the earlier system, under which employers pay almost all expenses. At present, there are some 2200 different OTC drugs available in the Chinese market, nearly half the total of the 5000 types of drugs. The government started classifying OTC and prescription drugs since As a result, the patients are more likely to buy OTC drugs instead of paying high hospital consultation fees to obtain prescriptions to buy drugs. Most OTC drugs are for simple health problems such as colds and diarrhea, and the government is cautious to set the standard for new OTC drugs to ensure dangerous medications are dispensed only upon doctors' prescription. Mr. Hu stated that competition is becoming intensified in the OTC market with chain drugstores offering lower prices and better services. In southern China's city of Shenzhen, where the chain drugstores prosper, sales of OTC drugs account for more than 50 percent of the total drug sales, despite the fact that OTC drugs only account for 10 percent on the national total. Last year, the Chinese people spent a total of RMB110.8 billion (US$13.4 billion) on drugs. Mr. Wang Zhihua, president of Zhongshan Pharmaceutical Co based in Nanjing, China, said that the domestic drug producers should gear up to tap the OTC market. To capture the new emerging market, the domestic drug manufacturers should pay more attention to brand building, marketing and packaging of the drugs. Foreign brands are currently better known than domestic brands in China. Mr. Wang Zhihua, president of Zhongshan Pharmaceutical Co based in Nanjing, China, said that the domestic drug producers should gear up to tap the OTC market. To capture the new emerging market, the domestic drug manufacturers should pay more attention to brand building, marketing and packaging of the drugs. 311

6 Tainan Science Park to be Extended Taiwan's Tainan Science-based Industrial Park is to be extended by construction of a new site. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 23rd of June. The Tainan Science-based Park is located in Tainan County, while the extension site is situated in Luchu, a rural township of Kaohsiung County approximately 40 kilometers away from Tainan. The new site covers 573 hectares, offered by the landowner Taiwan Sugar Corp, a state-run enterprise. The development costs are estimated at a total of NT$ billion (US$610 million). The Luchu Park will contain the IT industry and biotechnology industry. The first phase development of 283 hectares is to be completed in 2004, while the second phase development of 290 hectares is scheduled for completion in mid When fully occupied, the Luchu Park will need almost one million kilowatts of electricity and tons of water per day, and it will create jobs. The Tainan Science-based Park is located in Tainan County, while the extension site is situated in Luchu, a rural township of Kaohsiung County approximately 40 kilometers away from Tainan. India and New Zealand to Cooperate in Food Processing India and New Zealand will be expanding their bilateral cooperation in food processing and food safety. In the pipeline will be opportunities for joint ventures between their agro industries. This was announced during the Indian Minister of State for Food Processing, Mr Chaoba Singh's visit to New Zealand. Mr Singh held talks with New Zealand's trade negotiations minister Mr Jim Sutton as well as other leaders. Besides joint venture between companies of the two countries, the visit also highlighted collaborations between research, training and technology institutions of the two countries. The Indian delegation also discussed cooperation in fields such as food safety and aggregate measure of support under the WTO dispensation. First of the industrial collaboration agreements to be finalized would be in the honey and fruit juice sectors. Taiwan to Boost Mango Sales in China, Hong Kong and Singapore Taiwan agriculture officials said that they will be holding mango-tasting events in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore from 30 June to 11 July this year, aimed at opening its mango market in China and increasing sales in Hong Kong and Singapore. Taiwan produces more than tons of mangoes every year, but most of them are sold in the domestic market. Taiwan produces more than tons of mangoes every year, but most of them are sold in the domestic market. An officer from the Taiwan Agricultural Strategy Coalition said, "Foreigners do not know Taiwan grows delicious mangoes." "The move is also part of our effort to reduce the impact of joining the WTO on Taiwan farmers." Taiwan at present only exports mangoes to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Direct trade with mainland China is still banned. Currently only star fruit is exported to mainland China via Hong Kong. Taiwan expects to join WTO at the same time or shortly after China joins. With its entry into the WTO, Taiwan has to open its market to foreign fruits, which will certainly hurt the sales of domestic fruits. Taiwan at present only exports mangoes to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Direct trade with mainland China is still banned. 312

7 Medical Library Service Available to the Public in Beijing The Union Medical University (UMU) Library under the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the National Medical Library under the China National Science and Technology Center were recently opened to the public, the aim being to provide medical library service to the public in Beijing. The UMU library has been built on its predecessor Union Medical College Library, which was set up with funds from the US Rockfeller Foundation in As a famous medical library, it boasts a long history and a large collection of valuable books. Now the library has a collection of over biological and medical books and journals, along with over a thousand ancient works on traditional Chinese medicine. It is equipped with multi-media reading rooms, as well as Internet surfing facilities. The China National Science and Technology Center was set up in June 2000 and opened to the public at the end of last year, to provide searchable network of science and technology documents for professionals. It is a joint library of the Institute of Engineering under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. ORDER FORM Homepage: Please send orders to your regular book supplier or directly to your nearest World Scientific office: USA World Scientific Publishing Co. Inc Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661, USA. Toll-free fax: Toll-free: sales@wspc.com New subscription rate for 2001 UK World Scientific Publishing (UK) Ltd. 57 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9HE, UK. Fax: Tel: sales@wspc.co.uk SINGAPORE World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. Farrer Road, P O Box 128, SINGAPORE Cable: "COSPUB Fax: Tel: sales@wspc.com.sg HONG KONG World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. P O Box 72482, Kowloon Central Post Office, HONG KONG. Fax: Tel: wsped@pacific.net.hk INDIA World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. #10, Royal Park, 34 Park Road, Tasker Town, Bangalore INDIA. Fax/Tel: wspcind@blr.vsnl.net.in TAIWAN World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd. 4F-5, No. 88, Sec 3, Hsin-Sheng S Road, Taipei, TAIWAN. Fax: Tel: wsptw@ms13.hinet.net ISSN: Asia-Pacific Biotech News I wish to subscribe to the English US$206 Per annum English edition (developing countries US$ 94 Per annum (The frequency for this publication is fortnightly) Customers in Europe, please note our teleordering mnemonic is WSPC. Prices subject to change without prior notice. Please send me a complimentary copy of the ASIA-PACIFIC BIOTECH NEWS! Name: (Prof/Dr/Mr/Ms) Address: Fax: Tel: Organization: City: State: Zip: Country: METHODS OF PAYMENT : Please enclose your personal cheque (made payable to World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.) or details of your credit card for individual subscription. Cheque/Bank draft enclosed for Charge my VISA MC Amex Diners Club Card No: Exp. Date: Signature: Bill my company/institution: (Please attach purchase order) Please add my name to your mailing list. My field of interest is NEW JERSEY LONDON SINGAPORE HONG KONG BANGALORE "RUSH ORDERS" In USA and Canada Call toll-free In Europe Fax: In other countries Fax: