From searcabic at gmail.com Mon Dec 14 18:25:43 2009 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:25:43 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 14 December 2009 Message-ID: Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. *Posted 14 December 2009* *PHILIPPINES* 1-PHILIPPINES SUCCESSFULLY CELEBRATE NATIONAL BIOTECH WEEK 2-GOVERNMENT OK?S SYNGENTA?S GA21 CORN TRAIT, OPENS WAY FOR CULTIVATION OF GM CORN 3-DA PUSHES USE OF BIOFERTILIZERS IN BICOL 4--BIOTECH ABACA *BRAZIL* 5-BRAZILIAN FARMERS TURN TO GM SOYBEANS, Bt CORN *GLOBAL* 6-BAYER CROPSCIENCE AND THE INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IRRI) EXPAND RICE SCIENCE COLLABORATION 7-KEY SEED SIZE GENE IDENTIFIED *1-PHILIPPINES SUCCESSFULLY CELEBRATE NATIONAL BIOTECH WEEK* by Jenny A. Panopio 14-December-2009 SEARCA BIC News Release >From November 23-29, the Philippines celebrated the 5th Annual National Biotechnology Week with the theme "Bioteknolohiya para sa Kalikasan, Kalusugan. Kagandahan, Kabuhayan, at Kaunlaran," (Biotechnology for the environment, health, beauty, livelihood and development). The weeklong activity included business forum on bio-enterprise, book launching, biotech for kids activities, teacher?s conference and scientific session on biotech for local development and environment and a public forum on healthcare and biotechnology. The timeline of modern biotechnology development in the country, Philippine and global biotech crops adoption and benefits, and biotechnology products commercially available and those in the pipeline were showcased in the Celebration?s inter-active and techno-mart exhibits. National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) President, Dr. Emil Q. Javier, cited during the opening ceremony of the activity that biotechnology is not just for scientists or policy makers but rather it concerns every Filipino. NAST is the country's premiere advisory body on science and technology and have been an important advocate for biotech R&D and acceptance in the country. Secretary of Agriculture Arthur C. Yap believes that ?biotech is the way forward and the future of the Philippine agricultural growth, sustainable development, and is very important for national progress and survival?, according to his message which was read during the culmination of the celebration. The Department affirms to continue its investments and support for capacity building, public information campaign and funding to agricultural biotech research and innovations. The event spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology and Department of Agriculture was attended by thousands of various stakeholders such as scientists, environmentalists, health enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, decision makers, development advocates, farmers and students. The activities of the celebration were also supported by several government and private sectors in the Philippines. Presidential Proclamation No. 1414 declares every last week of November as National Biotechnology Week (NBW). The said Proclamation directs Secretaries of seven departments namely: Agriculture, Education, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Science and Technology, and Trade and Industry, to formulate a program for the meaningful celebration of NBW. For more updates on biotech developments in the Philippines, email bic at agri.searca.org or visit www.bic.agri.searca.org. *------------------------------------------------------------* *2-GOVERNMENT OK?S SYNGENTA?S GA21 CORN TRAIT, OPENS WAY FOR CULTIVATION OF GM CORN* by Ramon Efren R. Lazaro / Correspondent 09-December-2009 Business Mirror THE government has finally approved the cultivation of Syngenta?s corn trait GA21 after a period of risk assessment, paving the way for the development of corn varieties with enhanced resistance to herbicides. In a statement, Syngenta stressed that the assessments undertaken by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other agencies concerned with biosafety and environmental risks showed GA21 posed no harm to human health and the ecology. The announcement came a day after China officially approved the cultivation of genetically modified corn and rice to ensure 30-percent increases in yields. For rice alone, China hopes to harvest 500 million metric tons (MMT) by next year, raising the output to about 540 MMT by 2040. Syngenta claimed the GA21 trait genetically enhances corn seeds with a built-in resistance to herbicides and offers growers with higher yields and reduced production costs. Responding to the government approval, Syngenta said it would accelerate the development and introduction of better hybrid varieties and new traits. This, the company explained, would redound to bigger harvests in the Asia-Pacific region, which is highly dependent on rice. ?This approval further strengthens Syngenta?s portfolio of high-quality seeds and allows us to continue bringing advanced agricultural technology to the growers in this region,? said Peter Pickering, Asia-Pacific regional head of Syngenta Seeds. Syngenta is one of the world?s leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries. The company has been trying to develop better corn varieties to maximize food production. It added: ?Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers, we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life.? The Philippines actually allowed the propagation of genetically modified (GM) Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn in 2002, with commercial production commencing in 2004. For this year, about 400,000 hectares of land are devoted to the production of Bt corn and other crops. China produces about 20 percent of the world?s annual output of corn and approximately 30 percent of the yearly global rice harvest. It has a population of 1.3 billion. *------------------------------------------------------------* *3-DA PUSHES USE OF BIOFERTILIZERS IN BICOL* by Danny O. Calleja / Correspondent 08-December-2009 Business Mirror http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/ 19415-da-pushes-use-of-biofertilizers-in-bicol.html PILI, Camarines Sur?The Department of Agriculture (DA) is intensifying its campaign to draw Bicol farmers into using at least two affordable bio-fertilizer brands that increase crop production as part of the long-term strategy to wean them away from costly, imported fertilizers. Under this initiative, the agriculture department is pushing on microbial-based fertilizers with the trade marks Bio-Con and Bio-N, both environment-friendly inoculants developed by scientists of the University of the Philippines-Los Ba?os (UPLB), and tested to increase crop yields by as much as 20 percent. Bio-N is a microbial-based inoculant available from suppliers in 49 newly established mixing plants nationwide, while Bio-Con is a commercially produced variety that is now being tested in the corn-farm clusters in Mindanao, the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Palawan, according to Jose Dayao, DA?s regional executive director for Bicol, based here. Dayao said experts from UPLB and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have recommended the use of Bio-N and Bio-Con as affordable, growth-boosting and environment-friendly alternatives to imported chemical fertilizers after these substitute fertilizers were screened for their effectiveness on a variety of agricultural crops. The use of organic fertilizers will not only increase yields per hectare, but will, in the long haul, actually save for farmers hundreds of millions of pesos. Organic fertilizers are believed to help reduce reliance on expensive, imported chemical fertilizers in palay and corn farms, he said. He noted that Bio-N, for instance, supplies at least 50 percent of the nitrogen requirements of rice, corn and vegetable crops and that five 200-gram seed packets are enough for 1 hectare planted to rice or corn. Bio-N promotes shoot growth and root development in crops; increases the yield per hectare; and develops the resistance of corn crops to wind and certain plant diseases. ?It is an environmentally safe inoculant that can eliminate the risk of groundwater pollution caused by the leaching of nitrate, especially in loose soils,? the Bicol DA chief explained. Developed by Dr. Mercedes Garcia of the UPLB?s National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biotech) several years ago, Bio-N is a microbial inoculant made with a bacterium called Azospirillum. It helps the plant fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. Dayao said nitrogen is one of the main nutrients required by plants. Although the atmosphere is composed of 78-percent nitrogen, plants cannot readily utilize the gas as nutrient. It has to be converted into a form that can be used by the plants. Traditionally, farmers apply chemical nitrogen like urea to their crops, but sometimes, chemical fertilizers do more harm than good. Synthetic fertilizers can make the soil acidic, degrading its fertility. In the long run, they pollute the soil, air and water table. Aside from these, most of the chemical fertilizers available in the country, particularly urea, are imported. With the current peso-dollar exchange rate, the prices of these fertilizers are exorbitant for farmers. The advantage of using Bio-N is that it provides the nitrogen needed by plants without harming the environment. The Azospirillum in Bio-N converts the nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form that can be readily used by the plant. Rice and corn plants become robust with Bio-N and since microorganisms, like bacteria, are natural components of the environment, this inoculant does not damage the soil. Most of all, it helps increase harvest, Dayao said. It is cheaper than chemical fertilizers because Bio-N is made from local materials. The bacterium in Bio-N is isolated from the common talahib. Farmers can save a considerable amount by substituting or supplementing Bio-N with chemical nitrogen. He explained that a pack of urea now costs P44, while Bio-N costs only P30 and is enough to apply for 20 kilograms of rice or 3 kilograms corn seeds. In 1 hectare, a farmer will need only five packs of Bio-N. Biocon promotes growth with marked increases in yield ranging from 10 percent to 20 percent, while reducing the use of chemical fertilizers by 30 percent to 50 percent, he said. Biocon is currently being used in selected areas covered by the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn Program in Mindanao, Central Luzon, the Ilocos region and Cagayan Valley. It is now under evaluation of the UPLB and PhilRice experts for wider use in the GMA Rice Program, Dayao said. With Bicol emerging this year as among the top rice-producing regions in the country with the wide use of hybrid palay seeds, he said using bio-fertilizers would further boost the region?s production. A hybrid-rice variety, also referred to as the F1, is the direct product of crossing two genetically different parents. In hybrids, the positive qualities of both parents are combined, resulting in a phenomenon called ?hybrid vigor? or ?heterosis? that results in better reproductive characteristics, Dayao said. These factors result in higher yields than ordinary rice by 15 percent, and with proper management, farmers harvest up to 240 cavans per hectare per season or 12 tons per hectare per year, Dayao explained. The entire Bicol region had a total of about 291,000 hectares of land devoted to rice that contributed almost a million metric tons of the staple food to the country?s overall production per year. Most of these areas, however, are still using ordinary rice variety and synthetic fertilizers. Certainly, when the DA is able to expand the coverage of the hybrid varieties and use of bio-fertilizers in the region, Dayao said, ?we expect more production.? *------------------------------------------------------------* *4-BIOTECH ABACA * 06-December-2009 The Philippine STAR MANILA, Philippines - The introduction of a high-yielding, bunchy top virus-resistant variety is expected to boost the country?s abaca industry, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. Undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo Serrano said the new hybrid abaca variety is resistant to the dreaded bunchy top virus, a major disease that infects abaca, a source of fiber internationally known as Manila hemp. The bunchy top virus can cause three percent up to 77 percent loss in yield. According to Serrano, the hybrid abaca variety assures farmers of increased yield by as much as 300 percent, and an even better quality fiber. Alicia Ilaga, outgoing direc-tor of the DA Biotechnology Program Office (BPO), said the commercial viability of this superior abaca variety was introduced during an investors? forum by the technology deve-loper, Dr. Antonio A. Lalusin Jr. of the Crop Science Center of the Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines Los Ba?os held at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City last Nov. 25. Lalusin hopes to forge business ties with private investors for the mass propagation of the hybrid abaca. Dubbed Ok ang Kabuhayan sa Biotech, the investors? forum was held to forge public-private partnership on the application of these advances in agricultural biotechnology, such as the high-yielding, virus-resistant abaca. ?The business model offered by this technology is tissue culture laboratory and nursery operations. Like all superior crops developed through tissue culture, this superior abaca variety will be the next sought-after variety, both by operators of commercial plantations and individual farmers,? Ilaga said. Abaca is endemic to the Philippines. It is an important export crop and is a major dollar earner for the country, generating $80 million annually from 1996 to 2000. The Philippines supplies 85 percent of abaca in the world market. As of 2008, abaca was cultivated in about 140,000 hectares in 52 provinces. The demand for abaca pulp and fiber, Serano said, will continue to increase as more countries shift to the use of natural fibers in their bid to eliminate dependence on materials that use fossil fuels. He said car manufacturers use abaca as composite materials for vehicle interiors and automotive parts. The country?s abaca industry is relying solely on traditional varieties for its survival in the absence of new and improved varieties, until the introduction of the high-yielding, virus-resistant hybrid abaca variety, Ilaga stressed. *------------------------------------------------------------* *BRAZIL 5-BRAZILIAN FARMERS TURN TO GM SOYBEANS, Bt CORN *by Giovani Ferreira and Jos? Rocher 08-December-2009 Agriculture Online The 2009-10 planting of genetically modified seeds exceeded the cultivation of conventional crops in Brazil, shows a country-wide survey conducted by RPC Crop Expedition PRC (a Brazilian media company). Industry leaders in Rio Grande do Sul, Parana and Mato Grosso state, the largest producing regions, say the transgenic seeds will take 67.4% of the Brazilian soybean area in the 2009/2010 crop. Already the Bt corn, technology that controls Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), occupies 39.5% of the area. Both Brazilian states, Mato Grosso and Parana, have 22.8 and 8.2 million hectares respectively (56.3 and 20.2 million acres) this summer. Roundup Ready soybean and Bt corn are the only two transgenic technologies available for commercial cultivation in Brazil. Until last year, most estimates indicated participation below 50% for transgenics, considering these two grains, which are the most important crops in the country. With options more adapted to the various regions of the country and in its fourth edition, the Roundup Ready soybean (resistant to glyphosate) widens its participation and consolidates a turn around over the conventional soybean. The choice of RR is due to costs and weed handling, but also has to do with logistic, market and price, always depending on the region where it is planted. Brazil's corn farmers have adapted to Bt corn seed faster than the switch from conventional to transgenic soybean seed. In the largest Brazilian state producer of soybean -- Mato Grosso, who has 6 million hectares planted with that culture (14.8 million acres) Crop Expedition, a Brazilian crop tour, estimates the RR share in 55%. It is almost 10 points less than the coverage reported in Parana, the second in the ranking of soybeans. In Rio Grande do Sul, this rate reaches 95%. Mato Grosso has an exclusive boarding to GM seeds facilitated by industries who want to engage the European market. Ademir Rostirolla, from Campos de Julio town, takes part of this group and plants only conventional seeds. "GM seeds have to be sent to ports farther away", he said. The distance of 800 kilometers would be enlarged to 2.5 thousand kilometers. The discussion about logistics and costs is weaker in Rio Grande do Sul. Gelson Melo de Lima, director of production in Cotrijal cooperative, explains that the crops are too susceptible to climate and has much problems with weeds. In that case, GM is not an option but a necessity, he said. Giovani Ferreira and Jose Rocher are agricultural journalists with the nationwide newspaper, Gazeta Do Povo, in Brazil. *Brazil Bt corn acres jump* 2009/10 is only the second season Brazil is using Bt corn, but 39.5% its planted area is already covered with GM seeds. In a year, Bt biotechnology adoption grew seven times in the country. In Parana state, which accounts for 35% of the Brazilian annual corn production, GM acreage is eight times bigger than a year ago. Around 41% of the states corn area is planted with Bt corn. Brazil has this summer 7.9 million acres of GM corn, 1.02 million acres in Parana. The country planted a total of 20.2 million acres of corn in 2009/10, 2.5 million acres in Parana. The projections are from the RPC Crop Expedition. Last season, only 5% of the 23 million acres Brazil dedicated to the corn crop were planted with GM seeds, according to Abrasem, the Brazilian Seeds Producers Association. In Parana, Bt corn accounted for 4% of the total area (3.3 million acres), according to RPC Crop Expeditions survey, which was expanded this year. In 2008/09, the first season to legally incorporate the Bt technology, Brazilian farmers had a hard time finding GM seeds due to short supply. Not only does the Bt technology work, but it also pays, says Modesto Daga, grain producer in Cascavel (West Parana). He planted 50% of his corn fields with GM seeds last summer. The result was so good that he decided to follow the same strategy this year."Fall Armyworm is a real problem around here because corn is almost a permanent culture. The second crop is planted right after the summer crop is harvested", he explains. Daga says that last season his non-GM corn demanded up to four insecticide applications to control corn borers, while the Bt fields required only one."Some of my neighbors who planted only non-transgenic corn have applied insecticide three or four times this year. My Bt corn didn't need any so far," he says. *------------------------------------------------------------* *GLOBAL 6-BAYER CROPSCIENCE AND THE INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IRRI) EXPAND RICE SCIENCE COLLABORATION *11-December-2009 via Checkbiotech Green Monheim - Bayer CropScience and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Ba?os, Philippines, have signed an agreement to establish a Scientific Know-how and Exchange Program (SKEP). The main goal of the collaboration is to strengthen rice productivity through improved utilization of rice genetic diversity for crop improvement, disease management in rice, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and capacity building for young rice scientists. The agreement will allow both parties to extend their scientific collaboration, to the benefits of rice farmers in Asia and elsewhere. In April 2008 Bayer CropScience joined the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC), an IRRI-led partnership program between the public and private sector to develop and share hybrid rice technologies. The SKEP agreement includes four joint activities. First, Bayer CropScience will join a wide international effort that seeks to capture the genetic diversity of rice by establishing a new in-depth dataset of rice genome information for more than 2,000 different rice varieties and wild species. Secondly, both parties will develop tools to rapidly and reliably detect the presence on rice seeds of bacterial blight ? a major disease in many Asian rice-growing countries. Current tests are inadequate and sometimes produce false positive results. The new toolkit will be made widely available. Furthermore, the collaboration includes the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields following a switch from transplanted rice to direct-seeded and water-saving irrigation. Fourth element of the agreement is the support a full PhD scholarship, provided by Bayer CropScience, for a promising young rice scientist. ?Rice is the most important food crop on our planet, and by our research for high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties we intend to make a contribution to securing the world?s food supply in the 21st century. Our collaboration with IRRI will contribute to strengthen and build the future research capacities needed?, said Professor Friedrich Berschauer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience. ?This agreement will build on IRRI?s capacity to deliver rice science solutions that help rice farmers increase their yields in an environmentally sustainable way and in so doing help lift farmers and consumers out of poverty?, said IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Dr. Achim Dobermann. ?IRRI brings its strengths in conserving the world?s largest collection of rice, breeding new varieties of rice, and expertise on all aspects of environmentally sustainable rice production to the partnership. We are looking forward to combining our strengths with those of Bayer CropScience to increase the scope and impact of rice research,? he said. The agreement between Bayer CropScience and IRRI will ensure IRRI can continue to widely deliver its research, including the seed of new rice varieties, to its many partners. There are no allowances for exclusive access to IRRI?s research or research outcomes. *About Bayer CropScience* *Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.4 billion (2008), is one of the world?s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of more than 18,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com. About IRRI Established in the Philippines in 1960, IRRI is the oldest and largest international agricultural research institute in Asia. It is an autonomus, nonprofit rice research and training organization with about 1,300 staff and offices in 15 major rice-growing countries. IRRI's mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. IRRI works closely with national agricultural research and extension systems as well as farming communities and a range of international, regional, and local organizations. Through these partnerships IRRI conducts research and provides training and education for those helping rice farmers by disseminating information and proven, sustainable technologies. For more information visit www.irri.org. Contacts: Bayer CropScience: Richard Breum, phone: +49 2173 38-3270 E-mail: richard.breum at bayercropscience.com IRRI : Sophie Clayton, phone : +63 917 552 6082 E-Mail : s.clayton at cgiar.org Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer?s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. Source: Bayer CropScience* *------------------------------------------------------------* *7-KEY SEED SIZE GENE IDENTIFIED* 06-December-2009 Science and Technologies Scientists from the John Innes Centre in Norwich, UK and the University of Freiburg in Germany have uncovered a gene in plants that is responsible for controlling the size of seeds, which could lead to ways of improving crops to help ensure food security in the future. Increasing seed or grain size has been key in the domestication of the crops used in modern agriculture, and with a growing world population, further increasing the yield of crops is one goal of agricultural research. Michael Lenhard, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), has identified a gene in the model plant Arabidopsis that determines overall seed size, and is now investigating how this could be used to for the improvement of crops. Publishing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team from the John Innes Centre, an institute of the BBSRC, demonstrated that the gene acts locally at the base of the growing seed. It produces an as yet unidentified mobile growth signal that determines final seed size. If the gene is turned off, smaller seeds are produced, but crucially if the gene is turned on at a higher level than normal, seeds a third larger in size and weight are produced. This is the first time such a reciprocal effect on seed size has been observed, and points to the fundamental importance of this gene in plant development. More work is now needed before this research can be applied to crop plants. One effect of increasing the seed size in the experimental plants was to decrease the total number of seeds produced, so there was no overall increase in yield. The scientists did notice an increase in the relative oil content of the larger seeds, so the effects of altering this gene in oil seed rape is currently being investigated. Unravelling this gene's role in determining the final seed size will also be important for other strategies for increasing yield, an example of how fundamental plant science can inform and drive efforts to ensure food security. Professor Mike Bevan, Acting Director of the John Innes Centre, said "This work shows how JIC's focus on understanding the mechanisms controlling plant growth can have immediate useful application for crop improvement." * Story Source: Adapted from materials provided by John Innes Centre. Journal Reference: 1. Adamski et al. Local maternal control of seed size by KLUH/CYP78A5-dependent growth signaling. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2009; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0907024106* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DISCLAIMER*: Articles that are posted in this news service do not necessarily reflect the views of SEARCA. To post in e-group, e-mail bic at searcaweb.org. To UNSUBSCRIBE, click here . [image: Subscribe A Friend] [image: Subscribe A Friend] [image: ISAAA Celebrates the Life of its Founding Patron, Nobel Peace Laureate] *Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines discusses agriculture trends in his home country * *Pe?alba is SEARCA?s new deputy director * *---------------------------------------------------------* *Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE. * *---------------------------------------------------------* *BioSquare 2010* *Geneva, Switzerland 01 - 02 February 2010* *IUFRO Kuala Lumpur 2010* *Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 07 - 10 March 2010* *8th PCIERD Regional and National S&T Fora and Competition in Industry and Energy Research and Development* *Manila, Philippines March 2010* *CALL FOR PAPERS* ** ** *SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center College 4031, Laguna, Philippines Tel +63 49 536 2290 ext 406/169 Fax +63 49 536 4105 E-mail: bic at searca.org* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From searcabic at gmail.com Wed Dec 23 14:59:42 2009 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:59:42 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 23 December 2009 Message-ID: Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. *Posted 23 December 2009* *PHILIPPINES* 1-PHILIPPINES UPGRADES GMO AND PATHOGEN DETECTION LAB 2-VIRUS-RESISTANT PAPAYA WILL BOOST INDUSTRY 3-GM RICE APPROVAL IN CHINA MAY LEAD TO RP PROPAGATION 4-BPI OPENS P3.1-M FACILITY TO TEST GMOS, ENSURE SAFETY *CHINA* 5-SYNGENTA EXPANDS BIOTECH R&D CAPABILITY IN CHINA *PAKISTAN* 6-Bt COTTON VARIETIES AWAIT APPROVAL *ARGENTINA* 7-SYNGENTA RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR NEW CORN TECHNOLOGIES IN ARGENTINA *GLOBAL* 8-IRRI, BAYER PARTNER TO BOOST GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTIVITY *1-PHILIPPINES UPGRADES GMO AND PATHOGEN DETECTION LAB* by Jenny A. Panopio 18-December-2009 SEARCA BIC News Release The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry Plant Quarantine Service (BPI-PQS) upgraded its molecular testing facility for plant pathogen and GMO detection in order to enhance efficiency and effectivity of lab analyses and comply with international standards. The improvement of the facility and procurement of necessary equipment were provided through a grant from the DA-Biotechnology Program Unit through the assistance of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). The upgraded facility was donated by DA and ISAAA to the BPI during the turn-over ceremony held last December 15. ?The Philippines? biotech regulation continues to evolve and learn from its experiences since the first approval of GM product in 2002. We need to set-up necessary infrastructure for the testing and detection of GMOs and plant pathogen in order to continuously perform our tasks as the main regulatory agency for biotechnology in the country? said BPI Assistant Director Clarito Barron during the turn-over ceremony. To date, the Bureau has now approved 51 events for the direct use and importation of several biotech crops such as alfalfa, corn, soybean and potato. The enhancement of the molecular laboratory of BPI-PQS will further boost the confidence of the general public on the capability of BPI in implementing DA Administrative Order No.8, the policy that governs the importation and release into the environment of plants and plant products derived from the use of modern biotechnology. With increased capability, the molecular laboratory can carry out testing of agricultural products suspect of GMOs not approved by AO No.8 and monitor the entry of pests of quarantine importance. The facility also opens opportunities to test samples to be sent by other neighboring countries for GMO and pathogen detection. For additional information on biotechnology updates in the Philippines, email bic at agri.searca.org or visit www.bic.searca.org *------------------------------------------------------------* *2-VIRUS-RESISTANT PAPAYA WILL BOOST INDUSTRY* by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter 20-December-2009 Business Mirror FAST-TRACKING the commercial release of the ring-spot virus-resistant papaya (PRSV-R) will result in economic benefits totaling P9.82 billion for consumers and producers in the country. This will happen if the PRSV-R variant will be commercially released next year, according to a recent publication released by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (Isaaa). ?The larger welfare benefit to consumers is realized due to the decrease in papaya prices in the market brought about by the increase in output,? the publication read. ISAAA estimated that if the PRSV-R is released next year, the economic benefit to consumers is estimated at P5.6 billion while the benefit to producers is valued at P4.2 billion. A delay of five years, however, could significantly cut the estimated net benefit to around P5.1 billion. ?Investing more in the development and regulatory activities that facilitate the early commercialization of PRSV-resistant papaya technology will result in substantial payoffs to farmers and consumers,? the publication said. The PRSV-resistant papaya technology is estimated to take 12-14 years before it can be commercially released. The discovery and development stages, which include cloning and transformation and further breeding and initial candidate event selection, respectively, have already taken place from 2000 to 2006. Isaaa noted that further product testing and regulatory compliance is estimated to take another six years. The total development and regulatory costs will amount to at least P29.29 million or an average of P2.66 million per year. The development cost comprises 44.4 percent of the total cost and regulatory compliance cost, 55.6 percent. The major cost items were personnel services, supplies, and repair and maintenance at the development stage and confined and multilocation field trials at the regulatory phase. Isaaa noted that the costs of the tests to comply with the regulations contribute substantially to total costs. The papaya-ring spot virus was first detected in the Philippines in 1982 in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions, causing substantial damage to papaya orchards. With an occurrence of 60 percent to 100 percent, Isaaa noted that PRSV almost wiped out the papaya industry in Southern Tagalog, a major papaya-growing region in the country. The virus is widespread in Luzon, some parts of the Visayas and?may spread in Mindanao where papayas are grown for export by multinational companies. The absence of a variety totally resistant to PRSV prompted researchers at the Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os, to develop PRSV-resistant papaya through genetic engineering. The Philippine government has supported the papaya genetic-engineering project starting in 1998 through the Department of Science and Technology, and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development. Additional funding support was provided by Isaaa and USAID through the Agricultural Biotechnology Project II. In terms of area planted in 2000, Isaaa papaya ranks sixth in the Philippines among fruit crops. The country contributes a little over 1 percent of global papaya production, with Brazil and Mexico accounting for 30 percent. Average yield of papaya in the Philippines is about 14 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha) on small farms and 70 to 90 MT/ha from plantations and commercial farms. One of the goals of the Isaaa publication was to evaluate the potential benefits of the product to ?ensure that investments are focused only in products with the greatest potential to help resource-poor farmers and consumers in partner countries.? *------------------------------------------------------------* *3-GM RICE APPROVAL IN CHINA MAY LEAD TO RP PROPAGATION* By Melody M. Aguiba 19-December-2009 Manila Bulletin The approval of the genetically modified (GM) rice in China may lead to the same propagation of GM rice in the Philippines even as local hybrid rice firms may also later engage this high-yielding rice technology here. International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) Global Coordinator Randy A. Hautea said the approval of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) rice in China augurs well for the development of GM rice in the Philippines. He said though that another two years of field trial on a specific rice variety will have to be conducted on China?s Bt rice even after the approval of the GM rice in November this year. The approval of the GM stem borer-resistant rice in China has the potential to raise $4 billion in revenue yearly from an average yield increase of eight percent and an 80 percent decrease in insecticide use. ?Rice is the most important crop in the world. The approval of Bt rice in China may likely help encourage our own biotech research,? said Hautea. Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) officials said local hybrid rice companies may actually bring in the Bt rice technology in the country. But while SL Agritech Corp. (SLAC) has brought in Chinese technology in local hybrid rice, SLAC Chairman Henry Lim Bon Liong said the company is not likely to go into GM rice in the near term since there is still so much room for the hybrid rice technology in the country yet. *------------------------------------------------------------* *4-BPI OPENS P3.1-M FACILITY TO TEST GMOS, ENSURE SAFETY* by Melody M. Aguiba 18-December-2009 Manila Bulletin The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) opened on Tuesday a P3.1-million facility that will test the entry of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and secure food safety and ensure that local crops are not contaminated by illegal imports. The testing facility for plant pathogen and GMO detection will enable the Philippines to keep up with its neighboring countries in GMO detection capability even as liberalized trade has been opening up the local market to more potential contaminants. ?It will enable us to test unapproved transformation events (GMOs). We have to be more careful in allowing the entry (of imported commodities) specially now with the approval of Bt rice in China,? said BPI Plant Quarantine Officer-in-Charge Merle B. Palacpac during the launching of the laboratory in Los Ba?os, Laguna. Costing only P2 million under an initial budget proposal, the facility obtained a bigger budget from the Department of Agriculture?s (DA) Biotech Program Implementing Unit (PIU) in an aim to upgrade the earlier two-room laboratory into a five-room laboratory. This will make local GMO detection technology closer to other South East Asian countries technologies. The facility further needs to acquire a P5 million real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) device which is several times more powerful than regular PCR, according to Dr. Antonio Laurena of the Institute of Plant Breeding. The real time PCR machine is capable showing result of the presence of a GMO from a sample in just 15 minutes while the regular PCR will take four hours to produce the results, Laurena said. The real time PCR has more powerful detection capability, easily identifying a single GMO seed in 2000 seeds. The regular PCR device has limited detection capability, being able to detect one GMO seed in say only 100 seeds. Palacpac said the project involves a highly-necessary personnel training in laboratory activities such as sample preparation, genomic DNA isolation, use of PCR, electrophoresis, staining and visualization of DNA. The program is also supported by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). At present, detection kits are mostly only commercially available for approved GMOs, while government does not have extensive capability to test for unapproved GMOs that may be illegally dumped into the local market. Since the need for biotechnology techniques in the country is increasing, Palacpac said it looks apparent that the government should up a separate agency for biotechnology compared to the present setup where all related biotechnology activities (whether involving plant or animals) are still all under DA. While budget allocation for these critical facilities is so limited, BPI Asst. Sec. Clarito Baron said DA is introducing a reorganization where DA-Biotech will have a more fixed, and hopefully an increased, budget. *------------------------------------------------------------* *CHINA 5-SYNGENTA EXPANDS BIOTECH R&D CAPABILITY IN CHINA *21-December-2009 Syngenta Press Release ? Permanent facilities in China, to be completed in 2011, will expand Syngenta?s existing biotech center in Beijing, to accelerate scientific discoveries and biotech innovation ? Estimated total investment of $100 million USD is committed in the initial five years Research Triangle Park, N.C., USA, December 21, 2009 ? Last week, Syngenta held a ground-breaking ceremony for the permanent site of Syngenta Biotechnology (China) Co., Ltd. (SBC). SBC, the first foreign-invested biotech research institution in China, officially started operations in 2008 at a temporary location in the Zhongguancun Life Science Park in Beijing. Syngenta has grown the facility to over 70 employees and has committed an estimated total investment of over $100 million USD in the initial five years. SBC is one of two global research facilities for Syngenta, both of which are supported by a number of additional research and development sites. SBC specializes in early research of agronomic traits for key crops such as corn and soybean and focuses on yield improvement, water optimization, disease control and biomass conversion for biofuels. ?This is an important milestone for biotechnology at Syngenta? said Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, head Biotechnology Research and Development, and president of Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc. ?The capability expansion in China, combined with that of our U.S. biotechnology facility, will enable us to continue providing new solutions that increase crop yield and productivity, and offer additional choices for growers.? A leader in biotechnology research and development, Syngenta recently announced that Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., the U.S. facility located in Research Triangle Park, N.C., leased 100,000 additional square feet of space and signed an agreement to purchase 50 acres in RTP for potential future expansion. In October, Syngenta was named as one of the Top 20 Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Employers by Science magazine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com . ### * Media contacts: Jane Bachmann Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc. 919-541-8538 or jane.bachmann at syngenta.com Casey Novak Gibbs & Soell, Inc. Public Relations 919-870-5718 or cnovak at gibbs-soell.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ?expect?, ?would?, ?will?, ?potential?, ?plans?, ?prospects?, ?estimated?, ?aiming?, ?on track? and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.* *------------------------------------------------------------* *PAKISTAN 6-Bt COTTON VARIETIES AWAIT APPROVAL *by Aftab Maken 19-December-2009 The News International Punjab Seed Council to take decision in Feb along with deciding on endorsing Chinese and Monsanto Bt cotton ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Seed Council is all set to approve locally developed Bt cotton varieties along with two other options of having Chinese and Monsanto technologies for boosting cotton production to meet local requirements, The News has learnt. Ten Bt cotton varieties that include CEMB-I & II, Bt-121, FH-113, MG-6, IRFH-901, IR 1524, Star-008, 802 and 703 will be put before the Punjab Seed Council, which is likely to meet in the first week of February, for its approval, an official privy to the development told this correspondent. ?Yes, the varieties which would be placed before the council have the characteristics of Bt gene,? an authority on GMO crops told this correspondent from Lahore, adding ?the expression level for effective resistance against pest is minimal.? ?These seed companies don?t even have qualified scientists for developing GMO seeds but they are presenting their seeds for approval by the council,? he alleged. There is no officially approved Bt cotton variety in the country and about 80 per cent of Bt cotton cultivation is based on un-approved varieties in the main cotton-growing areas of Punjab. The Ministry for Food and Agriculture (MINFA) and Monsanto (USA) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) this May for using collective expertise to expand cotton production in Pakistan through the introduction of Monsanto?s insect-protection technology Bollgard-II. This LOI defines in general the basis for the parties to extend cooperation to advance transgenic technology in the agriculture sector of Pakistan. Under the LOI, they will pursue collaborative efforts to introduce genetically modified cotton varieties in Pakistan. However, the LOI has been lying with the law ministry for vetting since May and a powerful lobby backed by a parliamentarian and former federal minister from southern Punjab is blocking the US company?s move to introduce the technology, an official of the food ministry told this correspondent requesting not to be named. Chairman PARC Dr Zafar Altaf has brought nearly one ton of Bt seed from China when he visited China last year. Similarly, the Government of Punjab also signed an agreement with Chinese for bringing Chinese Bt technology. With this local approval of Bt variety and Chinese introduction of Bt, an official of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture told The News that it would definitely help not only to enhance the cotton production but also to un-controllable CLCV menace. However, the negotiations between the ministry of food & agriculture and Monsanto for bringing Bollgard-II technology will have lasting effect on cotton production, he added. *------------------------------------------------------------* *ARGENTINA 7-SYNGENTA RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR NEW CORN TECHNOLOGIES IN ARGENTINA *22-December-2009 Syngenta Press Release Basel, Switzerland, December 22, 2009 ? Stacked trait approval broadens offer to Argentine growers ? Reinforces Syngenta corn offer in Argentina Syngenta announced today that it has received cultivation approval for its genetically modified corn trait Bt11xGA21 from the Ministry of Agriculture in Argentina. Bt11xGA21 is a double-stacked corn trait combining insect resistance and herbicide tolerance in a single product. The product will be available to Argentine growers for the 2010/2011 season. Davor Pisk, Chief Operating Officer Syngenta Seeds, said: ?We are pleased to receive this approval, which underlines the ongoing support for modern agricultural technology in Argentina. Syngenta already has a strong position in corn in Argentina and this approval will further strengthen our offer in the country, while bringing growers higher value and more convenience.? Bt11xGA21 stacked corn is approved for cultivation in the United States, Canada and since November in Brazil. Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 24,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com or www.growmorefromless.com. *Syngenta Analyst / Investor Enquiries: Jennifer Gough Switzerland +41 61 323 5059 USA +1 202 737 6521 John Hudson Switzerland +41 61 323 6793 USA +1 202 737 6520 Syngenta Media Enquiries: M?dard Schoenmaeckers Switzerland +41 61 323 2323 Syngenta Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore. * *------------------------------------------------------------* *GLOBAL 8-IRRI, BAYER PARTNER TO BOOST GLOBAL RICE PRODUCTIVITY *by Jennifer Ng / Reporter 15-December-2009 Business Mirror LOS Ba?os, Laguna?based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Bayer CropScience are collaborating on a project aimed at strengthening rice productivity. IRRI and Bayer have signed an agreement to establish a Scientific Know-how and Exchange Program (Skep). Bayer said in a statement that the collaboration aims to improve the use of rice-genetic diversity for crop improvement and disease management, reduction of greenhouse -gas emissions and building the capacity of young rice scientists. The agreement will allow IRRI and Bayer to extend their scientific collaboration to benefit rice farmers in Asia and elsewhere. ?Rice is the most important food crop on our planet, and by our research for high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties, we intend to make a contribution to securing the world?s food supply in the 21st century. Our collaboration with IRRI will contribute to strengthen and build the future research capacities needed,? said Prof. Friedrich Berschauer, chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience. The Skep agreement includes four joint activities. First, Bayer CropScience will join a wide international effort that seeks to capture the genetic diversity of rice by establishing a new in-depth dataset of rice-genome information for more than 2,000 different cultivated and wild-rice species. Second, both parties will develop tools to rapidly and reliably detect the presence on rice seeds of bacterial blight, a major disease in many Asian rice-growing countries. Current tests are inadequate and sometimes produce false positive results. The new toolkit will be made widely available. Furthermore, the collaboration includes the measurement of greenhouse-gas emissions in rice fields following a switch from transplanted rice to direct-seeded and water-saving irrigation. The fourth element of the agreement is the support a full PhD scholarship, provided by Bayer CropScience, for a promising young rice scientist. In April 2008 Bayer CropScience joined the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC), an IRRI-led partnership program between the public and private sectors to develop and share hybrid-rice technologies. ?This agreement will build on IRRI?s capacity to deliver rice-science solutions that help rice farmers increase their yields in an environmentally sustainable way and, in so doing, help lift farmers and consumers out of poverty,? said Dr. Achim Dobermann, IRRI deputy director general for research. ?IRRI brings its strengths in conserving the world?s largest collection of rice, breeding new varieties of rice, and expertise on all aspects of environmentally sustainable rice production to the partnership. We are looking forward to combining our strengths with those of Bayer CropScience to increase the scope and impact of rice research,? he said. The agreement between Bayer CropScience and IRRI will ensure IRRI can continue to widely deliver its research, including the seed of new rice varieties, to its many partners. There are no allowances for exclusive access to IRRI?s research or research outcomes. Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about ?6.4 billion in 2008, is one of the world?s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, nonagricultural pest control, seeds and plant biotechnology. The company offers a range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for nonagricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global work force of more than 18,000, and is represented in more than 120 countries. Established in the Philippines in 1960, IRRI is the oldest and largest international agricultural research institute in Asia. It is an autonomous, nonprofit rice research and training organization with about 1,300 staff and offices in 15 major rice-growing countries. IRRI?s mission is to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure that rice production is environmentally sustainable. IRRI works closely with national agricultural research and extension systems, as well as farming communities and a range of international, regional and local organizations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DISCLAIMER*: Articles that are posted in this news service do not necessarily reflect the views of SEARCA. To post in e-group, e-mail bic at searcaweb.org. To UNSUBSCRIBE, click here . [image: Subscribe A Friend] [image: Subscribe A Friend] [image: ISAAA Celebrates the Life of its Founding Patron, Nobel Peace Laureate] *Scholarships for 2010 available at the Food Security Center-University of Hohenheim, Germany * *Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines discusses agriculture trends in his home country* *---------------------------------------------------------* *Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE. * *---------------------------------------------------------* *Chemical Kinetics and Switching Behaviour of Biological Networks* *Speaker: Dr. Baltazar Aguda Visiting Professor, Ohio State University Rm A-102, Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os, Los Ba?os, Laguna, Philippines 05 January 2010, 2:30 - 4:00 PM* *Combinatorial microRNA regulation of a Cancer Network* *Speaker: Dr. Baltazar Aguda Visiting Professor, Ohio State University BIOTECH Seminar Room,University of the Philippines Los Ba?os, Los Ba?os, Laguna, Philippines 06 January 2010, 2:30 - 4:00 PM* *BioSquare 2010* *Geneva, Switzerland 01 - 02 February 2010* *IUFRO Kuala Lumpur 2010* *Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 07 - 10 March 2010* *8th PCIERD Regional and National S&T Fora and Competition in Industry and Energy Research and Development* *Manila, Philippines March 2010* *CALL FOR PAPERS* *------------------------------- JOB VACANCY @ ISAAA KC Program Associate Deadline of Application is on 30 December 2009 View details here* ** ** *SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center College 4031, Laguna, Philippines Tel +63 49 536 2290 ext 406/169 Fax +63 49 536 4105 E-mail: bic at searca.org* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From searcabic at gmail.com Wed Dec 23 16:11:53 2009 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:11:53 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Holiday Greetings from SEARCA BIC! Message-ID: Right click any image to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: