From: sl2k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Schitt Laowattana)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai
Subject: National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Date: 6 Oct 92 09:04:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.EeoQQ7_00Uh783sVUh
Organization: Doctoral student, Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
Ministry of Sciences, Technology and Environment
Rama VI Rd, Bangkok 10400 Thailand
Tel. 245-2498-9 FAX No. 66-2-246-4850
TELEX No. 20838 MINSTEN TH
CABLE: MINISTEN BANGKOK 10400
 
****************************************************************************
 
    In order to promote development of genetic engineering and
biotechnology in Thailand, the Ministry of Science, Technology and
Environment decide to establish the National Center for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology (NCGEB) on September 20, 1983.  NCGEB not
only supports researchers at various institutions on special projects,
but also serves as a venue for information exchange between academia and
private sectors.  In addition, the center disseminates useful
information to the public and advocates meetings for scientists from
both local and aboard to discuss various topics relevant to the pressing
issues.  Coordination of technology transfer to the private sector is
another responsiblity of NCGEB.
 
ACTIVITIES in R&D Projects
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    The center recognizes the need for R&D in genetic engineering and
biotechnology, and is sopporting researchers in the universities and
other institutes, which are well staffed and fully equipped, on various
projects NCGEB has to date supported 87 projects, some of which were
already completed.  Development, transfer and utilization of
biotechnology, and genetic engineering in 4 categories are given
immediate attention.
 
    1. Industrial Applications
 
       So far, NCGEB has given funding to 19 projects whose applications
are of value to the industry.  Some of those project include:
    
        - Production of Baker's yeast for commercial purpose
        - Development of Enzyme Preparation in Cereal Grains grown in
          Northern Thailand
        - Utilization of Shrimp Waste Products
        - Improvement of Yeast and Fermentation Process for high quality 
          export alcohol
 
    2. Agricultural Applications
 
      NCGEB in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation has been
instrumental in facilitating the transfer of biotechnology to rice
breeding programs in Thailand and has also supported 35 projects for
improving agricultural products, for instance,
 
        - Gebetic Transfomation for Rice Ragged Stunt Virus Resistance
        - Selection of Dought-Tolerant Rice from Tissue Culture
        - Production of Growth Hormone by Genetic Engineering for use in 
          promoting growth of economically important animals
        - Screening and improving Genetic Potential for of N2-Fixing Blue
          Green Algal Strains for use as Biofertilizer to improve rice yield
 
    3. Public Health, Energy and Environmental Applications
 
      The development and production of diagnostic reagent, vaccines and
preventive products, including the production of viral and bacterial
insecticide are presently being explored.  The total of 13 projects are
given support by the center.  Some representatives of these projects are
 
        - Production of new and pollution-free herbicides with rapid and 
          selective damage capability
        - Utilization and treatment of tapioca starch wastewaters
        - Technological development for the commercial production of viral
          insecticide 
 
    4. Strengthening of Infrastructure in Genetic Engineering and Biotech.
 
       R&D in biotechnology can be effiently done with the support of a
solid infrastructure.  15 projects are funded based on that prenise, for
example,
 
        - Genetic studies of latic acid bateria in Thai fermented foods
        - Syudy on the properties of DNA polymerases of Thermophilic
          Bacteria isolated from hot spring plant lectins and its application
        - In Vitro Germaplasm collection and exhange economic plants
 
 
SPECILIZED LABORATORIES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    1. Plant Genetic Engineering Unit, Kasetsart University, Kamphaengsaen
 
      The institute serves as a R&D center for basic and applied
research whose emphasis is on the economic plants that are resistent to
diseases and extreme environmental conditions.  Other R&D currently on
progress are development of herbicides through biotechnology, strain
improvement of papaya resistent to papaya ringspoy virus, and
development of virus for eliminating cotton bollworms.
 
    2. Mocrobial Genetic Engineering Unit, Mahidol University
 
      Current study includes development of a new strain od bacteria
capable of conteolling and eliminating disease-carrying insects,
particularly s detailed study of a gene responsible for killing mosquito
larvae.  Study of inserting such gene in photosynthelic bacteria, A
quadruplication one of the use of DNA probe for detecting microorganisms
are currently being investigated.
 
    3. Marine Biotechnology Laboratory at Sichang Marine Science
Research and Training Station, Chulalongkorn University
 
      This laboratory is strategically located on Sichang Island and is
conductiong R&D in aquaculture technology and in marine bioresources for
industrial and medical purposes.  Present research topics include
improvement of oyster species, techniques for abalone cultivation,
physiological studies of Spirulina app. and hybridization of king prawn.
 
    4. Biochemical Engineering and Pilot plant Research and Development
Unit, King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi(KMITT)
 
      This unit instituted to strengthen personel capability in
biochemical engineering e.g. designing, construction and maintainance of
a pilot palnt where R&D in biotechnology for new products with improved
production effiency is carried out.  Some examples of the on going
research are development of biogas production from waste materials of
the pine apple cannery, production control and analysis of baker's yeast
using computer and development of biosensors. etc.
 
    5. Microbiological Service Unit, Thailand Institute of Scientific
and Technological Research
 
      This unit provides services to researchers and the industry for
basic research, education and possible commercialization.  R&D in
microorganism preservation and the utilaization of microorganisms in
both environmental and industrial concerns are strongly emphasis in this
particular organization.
 
    6. Bioservice
 
       The Bioservice unit(BSU) was established in 1991 as a core
facility of NCGEB.  The main objective is to provide biomolecular
resources and service to researchers from both governmental and private
sectors.  Currently, the unit provides analysis of biological samples
using new techniques such as flurescene activated cell sorting,
capillary electrophoresis and also provides custom synthesis of
oligonucleotides.
 
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    1. Research grants are given to master(137) and doctoral(30)
students at various universities in Thailand.
 
    2. Scholarship are given to students to pursue their study aboard
with a strong enphasis for biotechnology.  A number of scholarship were
awared to individuals and civil servants already stationed at the
network institutes of affilited offices to study biotechnology in the
countries proficient in the specialized field such as USA, England,
Japan, Australia, Norway, Canada and France.
 
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    NCGEB has been cooperating with various institutions abd research
institutes in foreign countries on a number of projects ranging from
senior scientist exchange program to collaborative projects with other
countries including U.K., USA, Australia, The Netherland, Japan, Germany
and countries within ASEAN.
 
INFORMATION SERVICE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    1. NCGEB with cooperation from scientists and experts from various
branches of technology-has studied and gather data and information on
the status of R&D in biotechnology for further reference and policy
formulation.
 
    2. An ectensive collection of reference, leading journals in the
area of biotechnology and on-line computer services are available for
researhers and entrepreneurs.
    
    3. Progress on biotechnology are disseminated by "Biotechnology
Business News" and "Plant Biotechnology Newsletter" which are published
periodically by NCGEB.
 
 
THE BIOTECHNOLOGY NETWORK
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    1. Chaing Mai University
    2. Chulalongkorn University
    3. Kasetsart University
    4. Khon Kaen University
    5. King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi (KMITT)
    6. Maejo Institute of Agricultual Technology
    7. Mahidol University
    8. Prince of Songkhla University
    9. Sriakarinwirot University, Prasanmit campus
    10. Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research
 


Schitt(DJ)  Laowattana

****************************************************************************
Current Address in USA:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
USA
Tel. No. 268-8880
Fax. No. 268-3348
e-mail: sl2k@andrew.cmu.edu


Permanent Address in Thailand:

Center of Operation for FIeld roBOtics Development(FIBO)
King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi
91 Suksawasd 48  Ratburana  Bangmod
Bangkok 10140, Thailand

Tel. No. 428-3374, 427-4421 and 4270151-9 Ext. 461
Fax. No. 427-8077, 427-8787

*****************************************************************************