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Thailand

çSuper RiceéThailand takes the leadin developing the perfect crop

The fightagainst diseasesThai researchers take onmalaria, TB and more

BIO-OPPORTUNITIES

Thailandûs BioParkIntegrated biotechnologyinfrastructure comesto the fore

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Enormous natural biodiversity and climatic range, along tradition of agriculture and modern food-basedindustries, broad-based academic and human

resources, and a very attractive investment climate makeThailand an ideal base for biotechnology research anddevelopment (R&D). Indeed, the Thai government hasnamed biotechnology as a priority area for development.

Central to the Government's commitment isThailand's National Biotechnology Policy Framework(2004-2009), which will bring about investments of 5,000million Baht (US$125 million) in biotechnology R&D, andthe establishment of more than 100 new companies inthe biotechnology field. This major initiative is supportedby Thailand's strong scientific infrastructure, including anintegrated biotech cluster in the Thailand Science Park onthe outskirts of Bangkok. Other biotech clusters are beingdeveloped at regional universities to capitalize on the richbiological, agricultural and academic resources existingin the country.

A number of multinational corporations have alreadybased their biotechnology R&D activities in Thailand,taking advantage of the broad tax privileges and othergovernment assistance. Meanwhile, Thailand is currentlythe focus of international "medical tourism", with itsworld-class hospitals, outstanding doctors and othermedical staff. The country's expertise and services in thisfield are attracting patients from around the world, as wellas leading biotechnology companies eager to undertakemedical R&D, drug testing and clinical trials.

I sincerely hope that individuals involved in thebiotechnology field will use this publication to gaininsights into Thailand's prospects and promise as aleading centre for biotechnology R&D.

(Thaksin Shinawatra)Prime Minister

Message fromHis ExcellencyThaksin ShinawatraPrime Minister of Thailand

Contents

Published by:National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd.Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, ThailandTel. +66 (0) 2564 6700 Fax. +66 (0) 2564 6701Website: http://www.biotec.or.th

3 - Take a look at Thailand- Thailand Science Park - “Where innovation and technology grow”

- Thailand’s f irst Biopark- The ITAP Program

- Growing foreign interest at the Thailand Science Park

- Building a stronger research base for Thailand

- Opportunities in the agricultural sector- Seed pathogen testing at Bioscience Service Lab

- Betagro Science Center- Rice: Strengthening the country’s lifeline

- Cassava and the promise of biofuel

- Cassava Starch Biosynthesis Program

- Shrimp Biotechnology in Thailand

- Shrimp Biotechnology Business Unit- Shrimp Genome Project

- Shrimp-breeding R&D promises a better industry- ‘Medical Tourism’: Putting the fun into clinical procedures

- The Pharmaco-genomics Project

- Drug discovery and the fight against diseases- Bioinformatics: When biology meets IT

- Building a microbial enzyme catalog

- BIOTEC and the world- Regional Training Center in Biotechnology

- Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS)- Technology Management Center (TMC)- Office of the Board of Investment (BOI)

- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)

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With its incredible biodiversity, centuries-old traditionsin agriculture, wealth of quality human resources andstrong government and institutional support,

Thailand is an ideal location for biotechnology development.

The Thai government has long recognized the potential and importanceof biotechnology to national development. As long ago as 1983, the Na-tional Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) was cre-ated to encourage the fledgling biotechnology industry in the country. Morerecently, formal directions for the biotechnology industry were placed underthe National Biotechnology Policy Framework (2004-2009) with targets tobring about investment in biotechnology research and development of overUS$125 million and the emergence of over one hundred new companies inthe biotechnology business.

Under the Framework, emphasis is being placed on applying core tech-nologies such as genomics, bioinformatics, and plant and animal breedingusing molecular markers to accelerate development in areas such as agricul-ture and food processing, medical care and environmental technologies. Thesix goals highlighted under the National Biotechnology Policy Frameworkare:

1. Emergence and Development of New Bio-Business2. Biotechnology Promotes Thailand as Kitchen of the World3. Thailand Represents Healthy Community and Healthcare

Center of Asia4. Utilization of Biotechnology to Conserve the Environment and to

Produce Clean Energy5. Biotechnology as the Key Factor for a Self-Sufficient Economy6. Development of a Qualified Human Resource System

With Thailand's inherent natural advantages, its stable economic andpolitical environment and its positive investment climate, each of these goalspromises a wealth of opportunities to the foreign investor.

Biodiversity and Agricultural PotentialThailand lies at the 'biological epicenter' of the Indo-Pacific region with

enormous, untapped and unique biodiversity. Straddling several climatic zones,Thailand encompasses several distinct ecosystems within its borders, fromcool temperate highlands in the north, rich lowland plains in the center, aridplateaus in the northeast and lush rainforests in the south. Mangrove forestand coral reef environments fringe much of the country's coastal areas. Thisclimatic variation also means that a wide range of crops can be cultivated,from major food crops such as rice, maize, cassava and sugar cane to a broadgamut of tropical fruits, to tea, coffee and vegetables in the cooler parts ofthe country. Thailand's enormous biodiversity and agricultural potentialpresent a spectrum of opportunities for biotechnology companies, from drugdiscovery to seed testing, cosmetics and health care development to cropbreeding and more.

Take a look Thailand Science Park -"Where innovation andtechnology grow"

The Thailand Science Park is the major physical manifesta-tion of Thailand's commitment to research and developmentin science and technology. Under the management of the Na-tional Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)and in operation since 2002, the Park has been built to ac-commodate foreign and local companies of all sizes, withlease or rental space, equipment and lab support, a networkof specialists and researchers in various fields, and variousother supporting services to help companies get up and run-ning as quickly as possible. The Park is essentially a servicecenter for scientific and technological research and develop-ment activities, particularly activities with potential commer-cial applications. Companies establishing operations in thePark receive maximum promotional privileges from the Boardof Investment and the Revenue Department.

The Park offers four main technology clusters, compris-ing the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotech-nology (BIOTEC), National Electronics and Computer Tech-nology Center (NECTEC), National Metal and Materials Tech-nology Center (MTEC), and National Nanotechnology Center(NANOTEC). Modern supporting infrastructure includes so-phisticated building automation and telecommunications sys-tems, a high-speed Internet system, video conference facili-ties, exhibition area and a training and conference center. Apool of over 1,000 NSTDA researchers are available to pro-vide research services to the various branches of industrytogether with a network of researchers and staff from theThai universities.

The Thailand Science Park is located in the northern sub-urbs of Bangkok with fast links to the Bangkok ring-road sys-tem, the international airport and the main highway linkingBangkok with northern Thailand. For more information, pleasevisit http://www.nstda.or.th/sciencepark/

at Thailand

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The Industrial Technology Assistance Program (ITAP) is one of the mostsuccessful programs in helping growing firms climb up the technologyladder. ITAP, a program of the Technology Management Center, can suc-cessfully diagnose and find solutions to the problems and needs of com-panies by sourcing qualified experts in the field, either from Thailand oroverseas. The Technology Management Center can subsidize up to 50percent of the expenses of experts brought in to help at factories. Theprogram has successfully helped firms increase their productivity, cutdown on waste, boost quality to help them penetrate overseas markets,introduce quality management systems and more.

The Technology Management Center has received around 1,500ITAP requests and is currently handling around 1,000 of these. To ex-pand coverage, the Center is working with provincial universities to setup ITAP regionally.

For more information, please visit http://www.nstda.or.th/itap

Human ResourcesThailand has a solid pool of scientists

at the graduate to researcher level and ex-cellent doctors and other medical staff dueto years of government emphasis on humanresource development.

Government efforts are leading to more gradu-ates in biology fields as well as other scientific fields. Foreign companiessetting up operations in Thailand can easily recruit staff of various levelslocally. Agricultural workers are also readily available in all parts of thecountry with the skills and experience necessary to grow all types of crops,undertake seed trials and more. And while labour in Thailand is certainlynot the cheapest in Asia, the cost is still relatively inexpensive and thequality very high. The Thai government is actively developing Thailand asa biotechnology-training hub for the entire region.

InfrastructureWhile the bulk of scientific research and development still takes

place in many universities, educational institutes and hospitals through-out the country, Thailand does have specific science and technology clus-ters dedicated to research and development for commercial applications.Chief among these is the Thailand Science Park (see separate story) whichincorporates a biotechnology park with incubation, laboratory and pilotplant space for biotechnology start-ups. The fully integrated park offers

services such as professional researchers, shared equip-ment, soft loans, tax incentives and various support-

ing programs to help new companies get a goodstart. Most importantly, office space and utili-ties are very reasonably priced compared withother countries in the region.

Currently, some 50 companies are rentingspace in the facility, with about one third active

in biotechnology. Expansion of the Science ParkPhase II is ongoing while a Phase III expansion is

planned.Other biotechnology clusters are under development to capitalize

on the differing local resources in various parts of the country. These in-

BioPark is the first biotech hub in Thailand for agro-business and life science research andservice. With a vision to enhance the competitiveness of industry with biotechnology, theNational Biotechnology Policy Committee has approved the establishment of the BioParkin an extension area of the Thailand Science Park. An additional US$16.5 million has beenearmarked to develop the existing biotech cluster of Thailand Science Park to a full BioPark,resulting in an expansive 40,000 sq. m. by 2009. Currently, BIOTEC has one building hous-ing a laboratory and incubator space, greenhouse and eight pilot plant modules. With theexpansion, another building will be added with more biotechnology labs, some of whichwill be BSL-3, and additional companies. A convention hall and broadband Internet facili-ties are already available, and technology management, IP, Database and other facilitiesalready exist at the Science Park.

It is anticipated that the BioPark will create an R&D-driven environment for emerg-ing and sustainable bio-businesses, acting as a hub for agro-business and life scienceresearch, an incubation center for new bio-business and a regional training hub for bio-technology development.

Thailand's first BioPark

clude science parks at the King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburiin Bangkok, Chiang Mai University in northern Thailand, the Prince of SongkhlaUniversity in the south of the country, and Khon Kaen University,Mahasarakham University, Suranaree University of Technology and UbonRajathanee University in the northeast.

Business ClimateThe Thai Government's National Policy Framework for Biotechnology

(2004-2009) underscores the vital role to be played by biotechnology inThailand's national economic and social development. To support the goalsof this national policy, various government agencies and other organizationsare empowered to offer a range of incentives for biotech investors.

The Board of Investment (BOI) is the main government agency offeringprivileges and incentives to investors. Companies that invest in biotech orbiotech-related businesses in Thailand may receive full privileges, if theirprojects receive approval from the BOI. The privileges can be divided into taxand non-tax. Tax privileges comprise of corporate income tax exemption up

The ITAP Program

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to 8 years, import duty reductions or exemptions on ma-chinery and raw materials. Non-tax privileges include landownership rights for foreign investors, permission to bringin foreign experts and technicians, and rapid processing ofvisa and work permit applications (often with a one-stop,same-day service).

Companies with research and development activitiescan also apply for 200% tax credit on R&D activities fromthe Thai Revenue Department.

Investors in biotechnology may qualify for financial sup-port packages from several other organizations, dependingon the project's aims. The Technology Management Center,the commercial arm of the National Science and TechnologyDevelopment Agency, offers grants and soft loans for re-search and development or to upgrade manufacturing pro-cesses for up to 75 percent of the project budget for tech-nology development projects (not exceeding 30 million bahtor approx. US$750,000) with a competitive interest rate. Vari-ous other programs are available from the Technology Man-agement Center, including the Industrial Technology Assis-tance Program (see separate story), the Support for Technol-ogy Acquisition and Mastery Program (STAMP) and manymore.

The National Innovation Agency (NIA) under the Min-istry of Science and Technology is offering financial supportand technical services for innovators seeking marketing as-sistance. NIA can award soft loans for marketing and feasi-bility studies with a budget up to 5 million baht (approx.US$125,000) for three years. NIA can also enter into jointventures (less than 25 percent) with companies and otherinvestment organizations if it has a potential innovation.

Intellectual PropertyThailand has moved rapidly on intellectual property

issues, enacting several laws that are applicable to the pro-tection of biotechnology products and processes - the PatentAct, the Plant Variety Protection Act, the Bill on the Law ofTrade Secret, etc. Patent protection is available in Thailandfor inventions and processes that are new, possess an in-ventive step, and are capable of industrial application. Newlegislation is continuously being reviewed and drafted tokeep up with developments in technology in order to pro-vide a quality framework for the advancement of thecountry's biotechnology sector.

Thailand Science Park has at-tracted a number of foreign in-vestors, many setting up opera-tions in the Park to take full ad-vantage of the well-equippedinfrastructure, common facili-ties and superior location. Someare establishing research col-laborations with national cen-

ters with a strong possibility of becoming tenants. The internationally recognizedTokyo Institute of Technology, for instance, set up its Tokyo Tech Office in the Thai-land Science Park in October 2002 to foster academics, industrialists and govern-ment agencies. Other leading international companies working with NSTDA re-search centers include Shiseido and Novartis, a testament to NSTDA's strong re-search excellence.

PSB Test: A Thailand success storyAlthough Singapore is often cited as a hub for sci-

ence and technology in Asia, one Singaporean com-pany made the decision to set up a subsidiary in Thai-land to capitalize on this country's excellent pros-pects in biotechnology, particularly its large pool ofagri-based exporters, good infrastructure, and its well-equipped science park.

PSB Test (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a Board of Investment-promoted Singaporean subsidiary, offers third-party independent testing and cer-tification services for food products, electrical goods and appliances, building ma-terials and consumer products. Formerly a testing body of the Singaporean gov-ernment, the privatized PSB Test offers accredited testing services mainly to USimporters of foodstuffs such as shrimp. The company examines samples of thefood for trace residues or pathogens such as bacteria. If the sample tests nega-tively for residues, the company will issue a certificate guaranteeing the quality ofthe sample so that the buyer can go ahead with the purchase. Because the testsare conducted before the sale, the buyer can avoid purchasing a contaminated lot,which would normally only be detected by the governing agency at the port ofentry.

Currently, the company is involved in testing mainly shrimp, but huge poten-tial for other food products exists. The company is also now offering testing forelectrical appliances and equipment at its well-equipped lab in the Thailand Sci-ence Park.

PSB Test (Thailand) was one of the first companies to take up residence inthe Thailand Science Park in 2002, taking advantage of the excellent location closeto major inter-city highways and ring roads, and the pleasant environment aroundthe park. The company is also able to benefit from the Science Park's excellentsupporting facilities, such as the auditorium, which can be used for private confer-ences and seminars, strong human resources support and proximity to many ma-jor Thai universities.

Although competition in the testing field is quite tough, PSB Test (Thailand)is able to succeed because of its excellent lab facilities and scientific equipment,its well-established reputation among international buyers, and its willingness toexpand into new and promising business areas.

For further information, please visit http://www.psbtest.com

Growing foreign interest at theThailand Science Park

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Mandated to further develop Thailand's research infrastructure,BIOTEC has established laboratories for conducting research and/orproviding technical services. The core facility is the BIOTEC CentralResearch Unit located at the Thailand Science Park, BIOTEC's largestin-house research unit, with programs covering food biotechnology,plant and animal biotechnology, tropical diseases, and bioresourcesassessment and utilization. Other research units, many based at uni-versities throughout Thailand, are dedicated to marine biology, bio-chemical engineering and pilot plant design, cassava and starch tech-nology, medical biotechnology, shrimp molecular biology and bio-technology, rice genomics, and peat swamp and rainforestbiodiversity. Currently, BIOTEC employs 115 Ph.D.-level researchersand over 200 technicians and lab staff, most overseas graduated incore technologies.

Other specialized laboratories have been set up in collabora-tion with academic and government agencies, providing close inter-action between BIOTEC researchers and academic staff. The special-ized labs at universities also serve as a training ground for graduatestudents.

The largest in-house research unit, BIOTEC Central ResearchUnit covers a diverse spectrum of research topics. The core staff atthe facility are full time researchers, with project staff and invitedexperts from other universities and overseas hired to provide assis-tance in specific areas. The Unit also enjoys a strong relationshipwith the private sector, facilitating technology transfer for commer-cial applications and offering a number of contract services.

The first-class laboratory facilities and equipment at the Cen-tral Research Unit are available for use by researchers from otherinstitutions, for companies setting up pilot plants in the ThailandScience Park or for hire to private companies.

For more information on BIOTEC research units, please visithttp://www.biotec.or.th

Building a stronger researchbase for Thailand

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Thailand has a deep agriculture-based culture stretch-ing back centuries and permeating every aspect ofdaily life. Today, Thailand boasts a very strong

agricultural sector supported by extensive agro-based andfood-processing industries.

The country is one of the top five net food exporters in the worldwith an export value in excess of US$7.5 billion annually. Thailand is aworld-leading producer of natural rubber, rice, cassava, maize, sugar-cane, seafood, canned tuna and canned pineapple. The country hasunique and substantial genetic resources of plants animals and micro-organisms.

This abundance and culture present broad opportunities forinvestment in biotechnology research and commercial development.Clear opportunities exist in the areas of marker-assisted selective breed-ing for the development of disease-resistant crops, for example. Thistechnique is particularly useful for resistance involving multiple genes,such as bacterial wilt disease in tomatoes, the development of 'superrice' and in the selective breeding of commercially important marinespecies, such as oyster, black tiger shrimp and more.

The use of recombinant DNA techniques in the production oftransgenic plants with superior properties, including resistance to diseases, insect pests and abiotic stress, represents another highly prom-ising area for research and commercial application in the country.Transgenic tomato plant carrying the coat protein gene of tomatoyellow leaf curl virus was first developed to control the serious virusdisease of tomato. The same approach was taken to develop transgenicpapaya and pepper for the resistance to papaya ringspot virus and chillivein-banding mottle virus, respectively. Transgenic varieties are under-going greenhouse testing in accordance with Biosafety Guidelines. TheGovernment has yet to review its policy towards field trial evaluation.

More recently, biotechnology is being harnessed to produce fuelsand eco-friendly materials from Thailand's surfeit agricultural biomass.The production of bioethanol from cassava, sugar cane and other agri-cultural materials is being heavily promoted by the government for useas a gasoline additive in automobile fuels. Other technologies that mayreduce the country's dependence on petroleum are being activelypursued.

The following articles present some specific examples of theapplications of biotechnology in agricultural development in Thailand.

Opportunitiesin the agricultural sector

Disease testing for plant pathogens and issuance of phytosanitarycertificates is currently undertaken exclusively by the Thai govern-ment. In the past, with the relatively small amounts of seeds ex-ported from Thailand, this service has proved adequate. However,with greater emphasis placed on seed exports today, the volume ofwork and the degree of sophistication in testing are increasing.

To answer the needs of seed producers and chemical compa-nies for disease testing services, Bioscience Service Co., Ltd. (BSSL)was established in 2004 by a group of Thai plant pathologists. BSSLoffers diagnostic testing and resistance screening for a wide rangeof viral, viroid, bacterial and fungal diseases in many plants usingbiological, microbiological and molecular techniques such as bioas-say, ELISA, TBIA, DBIA, PCR, RT-PCR and nucleic acid hybridizationtechniques. Pathogen testing for plants such as cucurbits, tomato,pepper, orchids, legumes, corn, sugarcane and others is available.The company also produces antibodies for pathogen detection, andtheir respective antigens through recombinant protein expressionsystems, as well as by directly purification of proteins from the patho-gens themselves.

BSSL makes use of the excellent laboratory facilities in theincubator unit of the Thailand Science Park. As well as the standardlab equipment and facilities available, BSSL has also benefitedthrough knowledge exchange through cluster meetings with seedgrowers, which are organized by BIOTEC.

BSSL is the first company in Thailand offering plant diseasediagnosis services and hopes in future to attain government ac-creditation to act as a certification laboratory to serve the growingnumbers of seed exporters from Thailand as well as pesticide com-panies. Apart from the greater range of services and techniquesavailable, BSSL is also able to offer a much faster turnaround fortest services and field inspections. The company can also provideshort course training on molecular techniques and plant pathogendiagnosis, as well as laboratory facilities and equipment for smallresearch projects.

For more information, please visit http://www.bioservice.co.th

Seed pathogen testing atBioscience Service Lab

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Betagro Science Center, initiated and funded by Betagro Group, is Thailand’s latest ad-vanced agro-based research and development base that offers promising potential forinnovative products and services to support the country’s food and food-related indus-tries.

Betagro Group is one of Thailand’s biggest and most diversified agricultural andanimal husbandry companies with growing presence in major international markets. Itstarted out as a producer and distributor of animal feed but has since expanded tobecome a fully integrated agricultural organization with activities covering swine inte-gration, poultry integration, regional and feed business, animal health and other re-lated activities in Thailand and overseas.

In 2005, the group recorded revenues in excess of US$650 million with more than17,000 employees and 25 subsidiaries. Around 20 percent of the company’s revenue isgenerated through export sales of value-added food products to countries worldwideincluding the EU and Japan.

Since its establishment, Betagro Group has invested inresearch and development relevant to its business at sev-

eral facilities. With the launch of the Thailand Science Parknorth of Bangkok, Betagro Group consolidated its re-search activities under one roof in the purpose-builtBetagro Science Center in order to conduct more effec-

tive research projects. The center is the first and the big-gest private facility in the Thailand Science Park.The focus of research at the four-storey center is mainly in

food safety – detecting bacterial, viral or chemical contamination in products to offerthe highest-quality meat products and to satisfy the stringent regulations of other coun-tries. This work includes the detection of emerging animal diseases, such as bird flu.Testing for contamination takes into account the entire chain of production, from theproduction of feed right through the preparation and cooking of the finished product.

Meat quality is another emerging focus of Betagro Group research. The projectseeks to find ways to impart more desirable traits in food products, such as the textureand juiciness of meat, the taste, and the nutritional content, for instance.

More investment is being channeled into research on animal health and medi-cines to support the opening of a new Betagro pharmaceuticals plant in 2006. Newproduct spin-offs are also being developed at the center such as the use of corncob inmetal polishing and as oil absorbent for use in garages.

Currently, the Betagro Science Center employs 44 staff members with more to berecruited in the coming year to run the fast-expanding agricultural and food research inThailand. For more information, please visit http://www.betagro.com.

Betagro Science Center

Strengtheningthe country's lifeline

Rice:

Rice has played an inseparable and integral role in theculture and everyday life of Thais down the ages. Recordsshow that rice may have been cultivated in Thailand as longas 5,500 years ago. It has long been considered the main-stay of the Thai economy and to this day remains thecountry's most important crop, as a food and as a foreignexchange earner.

In recognition of the crop's central importance in Thailife, much effort has been channeled into the research anddevelopment of rice over the years. For hundreds of years,this essentially took the form of varieties improvement us-ing conventional breeding techniques. More recently, bio-technology has played a greater role in rice improvement,particularly the development of new rice strains using mo-lecular markers.

The rice biotechnology program was launched byBIOTEC in cooperation with researchers from various uni-versities, the Department of Agriculture and other concernedagencies. Major areas of research have coveredpostgenomics, the development of molecular markers forrice breeding, mechanisms of parthogenesis in rice bacte-rial and viral diseases, and more.

One of the major areas of global research has beensequencing of the rice genome, an international effort toelucidate all 12 chromosomes of the rice genome. Thailandtook part in this program with sequencing of the ninth chro-mosome. This program was launched not just to uncoverthe life secrets of rice but also to discover new genes andopen the way for new breeding efforts to improve the yieldand quality of rice as a sustainable food source for the fu-ture. This program also helped bring Thai researchers intothe genomics era.

Molecular breeding techniques are help-ing Thai researchers develop super ricestrains capable of resisting disease,

drought, flooding and with better nutritional valuethan ever before.

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Development of 'Super Rice'The development of 'Super Jasmine Rice' is one of the major long-term

research programs ongoing at the Rice Gene Discovery Unit, a BIOTEC-fundedresearch centerlocated at theK a m p a e n g s a e nCampus ofThailand's KasetsartUniversity. The mainthrust of the researchis to develop,through marker-as-sisted selectionbreeding techniques,new rice strains thatdemonstrate toler-ance to drought,flooding and salt, re-sistance to major dis-

eases such as blast, bacterial blight and brown plant hopper, and good aromaand cooking qualities. However, the complex genomic locations of many ofthese positive traits ensure that development of a super rice is no easy task.The total research is likely to take decades rather than years, but the enor-mous economic and social benefits make it worthwhile.

The first phase of the research involves the identification of variousgene locations using molecular markers for the various traits. Currently, thegene providing the aromatic properties of the rice has been identified, whilethe location of the part of the genome denoting submergence tolerance isunder development. It is expected that the gene sites providing drought tol-erance will have been worked out by 2010.

The second phase of the work involves pyramiding the various genomiclocations through molecular breeding to generate genetically fixed lines ofrice showing all the desirable traits.

Successful completion of the 'Super Jasmine Rice' project would bringenormous benefit to Thailand's rice production, improving competitive-ness under a free market system, improved yield as a result of greaterresistance to disease and tolerance to abiotic stresses, and improved en-vironmental conditions through reduced use of pesticides. The 'super rice'would become important in sustainable rice farming in Thailand.

Functional Food - the Future for RiceDespite its importance as the primary food source for half of the world's

population, rice is not nutritionally rich. Most commonly consumed varietiesof rice are protein deficient and lack vitamin A and iron. This is the root causeof malnutrition in millions of people in the poorest developing countries whereconsumption is heavily dependent on rice. In response to this, several insti-tutes around the world are undertaking studies to develop functional rice -strains of rice with higher-than-usual nutritional content. One of the firstamong these is the transgenic Golden Rice, developed by the Swiss FederalInstitute of Technology, which has a high content of beta carotene (the pre-cursor of Vitamin A) in its endosperm. Golden Rice can be crossed with locallysuitable rice strains to bring improved nutrition to people in developing re-gions.

A future direction for research in Thailand will be the development ofiron-rich rice strains. Many people in Thailand and other Asian countries suf-fer from anaemia as a result of insufficient dietary iron, particularly growingchildren and pregnant women. Development of iron-rich strains of rice, utiliz-ing wild rice varieties in breeding programs, could alleviate nutritional prob-lems in Thailand and many other countries. Similarly, the development of ricestrains rich in antioxidants such as selenium, vitamin E, carotenoids, tannins,polyphenols and more could be achieved either through a combination ofselective breeding with wild rice strains and new genetic engineering tech-nologies. Such techniques can be harnessed to create rice varieties suitablefor diabetes sufferers or to serve the exact requirements of various industrialusers, for instance. Indeed, the potential applications and benefits of suchresearch are virtually limitless.

Rice is a tropical grass under the genus Oryza. Of the 23 known rice species,only two are cultivated: Asian rice (Oryza sativa Linn.) and African rice (O.glaberrima Steud.) with over 120,000 varieties. Rice is the main source ofnutrition for more than half of the world's population with 90% consumed in

Asia. In Thailand, rice is inextricably linked with all as-pects of Thai life, culture, customs and tradition. Thai-land alone has over 3,500 strains of rice includingworld-class varieties such as Khao Pin Gaew and KhaoHom Dok Mali. Rice is truly the heart and soul of theThai lifestyle.

DT : Drought ToleranceSUB : Submergence

ToleranceBB : Bacterial Leaf BlightBL : BlastBPH : Brown Plant-hopperST : Salt Tolerance

Milestones in the Development of Super Rice

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Biotechnology and the lowly tropical root crop cassavaare helping solve Thailand's national energy crisis, sub-stituting expensive imported petroleum products with

cost-competitive fuels from nature.

In most sectors of agriculture in Thailand, biotechnology is playing alargely supporting role, helping farmers overcome problems such as diseaseand quality concerns, and helping boost the yield of various crops throughselective breeding and other techniques. However, in the case of cassava,biotechnology represents the major processing technology, which is beingutilized to produce eco-friendly fuel for use as a petroleum admixture. Per-haps this is the clearest example of biotechnology working to improve socio-economic performance at the national level.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a tropical root crop and source oftapioca starch, is the third most important food crop in Southeast Asia (afterrice and maize), with Thailand and Indonesia numbered among the world'sleading producers. This crop can be readily grown in upland areas with infer-tile soil and low or unpredictable rainfall, where other crops cannot be growneconomically. Throughout Asia, millions of farmers depend on cassava as asubsistence food crop.

Production of cassava in Thailand expanded during the 1970s and 80sin response to the government export promotion policy. In the 1990s thetotal planted area of cassava decreased although overall production contin-

Cassava and the promise of biofuel

ued to rise through improved yields and the introduction of better breeds.Currently, Thailand has around 1 million hectares under cassava, producingaround 20 million tons of root annually.

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During the last decade, molecular biology and genetic engineering techniques have broughtabout a greater understanding of starch biosynthesis in plants, particularly in corn, wheat,potato and rice. Little information is currently available on starch formation in cassava,however, and only a few genes participating in starch biosynthesis have been character-ized.

The Starch Biosynthesis Laboratory was formed at the BIOTEC Central ResearchUnit with the goal of further elucidating the process of starch biosynthesis in cassava.The lab is currently focussing on two important aspects of starch production in cassava:the sucrose partitioning pathway and the biosynthetic pathway of storage starches.

Cassava StarchBiosynthesis Program

Information garnered from the isolation and characterization of genes involved inboth pathways will lead to a better comprehension of how cassava generates its starchfilled tubers. Various functional analysis techniques, such as RNA interference and geneover-expression, are also being used to determine the precise effects of individual geneson the properties of starch produced. The lab is also working towards the isolation oftuber-specific promoters and the development of in-vitro tuberization systems, both ofwhich will serve as excellent tools for the genetic dissection of the cassava starch bio-synthetic pathway.

The knowledge gained from this research will greatly facilitate the effort to obtaincassava cultivars with enhanced starch characteristics or yield which can be used inmany food-related and other industries in Thailand.

Although cassava has never been important as a foodin Thailand, derivatives such as dry chips and pellets for ani-mal feed have been a major export commodity for Thailand,with relatively easy market access to the EU and more re-cently to China. Domestically, cassava is used to produce anarray of derivative products including native starch, modi-fied starch, biodegradable plastics, sago pearls, and thosederived from utilizing enzyme technology, such as MSG, glu-cose, fructose, sorbitol and citric acid which find applica-tions in the food & beverage, feed, paper, textile and ply-wood industries in Thailand overseas.

Importantly for Thailand, cassava can also be used toproduce bioethanol, which can be blended with gasoline toproduce more eco-friendly fuels and to partially substitutepetroleum imports.

Despite the great importance and economic potentialof cassava, very little research was undertaken in Asia upuntil the 1990s. To redress this balance, the Cassava StarchTechnology Research Unit was established in 1995 by theNational Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnol-ogy, Kasetsart University and private-sector agencies includ-ing the Thai Tapioca Development Institute. The ResearchUnit is located within Kasetsart University, Bangkok.

The main aim of the unit is to support the industrialsector and Thailand's global competitiveness by focussingon research into starch properties, processes, modificationsand applications. Initially the Unit focussed on the develop-ment of core competencies - fundamental research to gaina clear understanding of the plant and its properties. Thisresearch subsequently expanded to the processing of cas-sava and is now mainly targeted at the utilization of theplant and its derivatives.

Currently, the main thrust of the Unit's research is intoimproving utilization of cassava derivatives to substituteother products, such as the production of ethanol for gaso-

hol. Research projects areconducted on the basis ofnational strengths, combin-ing basic research with in-dustrially oriented applica-tions. The results of researchare sent to cassava breed-ers with the Ministry of Ag-riculture who have suc-ceeded in producing strainswith the various positivetraits and enhanced qualityrequired for industrial use,feed, etc. For more informa-tion about the Cassava andStarch Technology ResearchUnit and its ongoing activi-

ties, please visit http://www.cassava.org

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Thailand is one of the world's leading producers of cultivated shrimpwith a total export volume of approximately 400,000 metric tons in 2004.Given the importance of the industry, BIOTEC has since the early 1990's hadan active program to support research and development in shrimp cultiva-tion and has helped Thailand to become a leader in research on shrimp mo-lecular biology and biotechnology.

Major achievements include the discovery and characterization of sev-eral new shrimp pathogens, particularly viruses, and the development ofmolecular diagnostic methods for them. These include PCR and realtime-PCRprotocols and antibody detection methods that are marketed by BIOTEC'sShrimp Biotechnology Business Unit (SBBU) in the form of practical detec-

Shrimp Biotechnologyin Thailand

Thailand's shrimp farming sector, perhapsmore than any other, illustrates how bio-technology can bring clear benefits and

advancement to industry and the economy ina variety of ways.

tion kits. For example, SBBU currently leads the world in devel-opment and production of lateral flow immunochromatographicdiagnostic strips for major shrimp pathogens. Three virus strips(Yellowhead virus, Gill-associated virus and White spot syndromevirus) and one bacterial strip (luminous Vibrio) are already onthe market and strips for three other viruses (HepatopancreaticParvovirus, Monodon baculovirus and Taura syndrome virus) arein the mid to late development phases. Others are in the re-search phase. Thailand has also been the leader in carrying outand stimulating research on shrimp-viral interactions. It is theonly country where inactivated virus preparations (SEMBVAC)have been used since the mid 1990's for the control of whitespot disease, and it counts one of only two laboratories in the

world that have recently reported breaking research on the successful use ofRNAi to protect shrimp against viral pathogens.

In addition to research on shrimp health, BIOTEC sponsors a major shrimpgene discovery program that has assembled an EST database of several thou-sand shrimp uni-genes whose activities are being studied for potential appli-cation in shrimp health management, in shrimp maturation or in selectivebreeding of the giant black tiger prawn under BIOTEC's newly launched shrimpdomestication and breeding program. Shrimp genome database activities alsoinclude development of genetic markers (microsatellites, AFLP, etc.) that willbe used in the gene discovery and genetic selection program. BIOTEC is com-mitted to long-term support of this important Thai industry and considers itto be a model for the development of other important aquaculture species.

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The Shrimp Biotechnology Business Unit(SBBU) was set up in 1999 to commercializeproducts developed by Thai researchers fromBIOTEC, Mahidol University and other researchinstitutes and universities in Thailand. Currentlyoccupying 640 sq. m. of space in a pilot plant within the ThailandScience Park, SBBU offers a variety of in-house products and servicesfor the Thai and international shrimp industry.

The Unit's first products drew on the diagnostic technologiesdeveloped by Thai researchers since the mid 1990s. Diagnostic PCRtest kits for crustaceans, based on DNA probes, were initially devel-oped for white spot syndrome virus, which devastated shrimp stocksin Thailand and China in the mid 90s. Kits have since been developedfor IHHNV, HPV, MBV, Yellow Head Virus and Taura Syndrome Virus.These diagnostic kits are produced under the 'Ezee Gene' trademark.

To better serve individual farmers, SBBU, in conjunction with re-searchers at Srinakarinviroj University, has developed and commer-cialized a range of easy-to-use rapid test strips utilizing monoclonalantibody techniques for the detection and monitoring of shrimp dis-eases.

SBBU undertakes private-sector contract research for shrimp andfood fish in such areas as feed, probiotics, immune stimulants, feedattractants, disinfectants and water control with its extensive tankand wet lab facilities, and access to commercial shrimp ponds andhatcheries. The Unit also offers a number of training courses on shrimpdisease diagnosis, with theoretical and practical skills for individuals,small groups or classes from the private or public sector.

Although the Shrimp Biotechnology Business Unit is still locatedwithin the BIOTEC Pilot Plant Module, it is now capable of indepen-dent, commercially viable operations and will soon be spun-offas a private-sector enterprise. For more information, seehttp://www.shrimpbiotec.com

Shrimp BiotechnologyBusiness Unit

Thailand took the lead in initiating the Asia-Pacific ShrimpGenome Consortium in 2004, hoping that a detailed studyof the black tiger shrimp genome would present a clearerpicture of the biological and physiological processes in shrimpand ultimately enhance the sustainability of this industry.

The newly emerging science of genomics will enablethe discovery of genes from different tissues of the blacktiger shrimp - under normal, infection or stress conditions -to identify tissue-specific genes, genes which respond toinfection and stress, and genes related to commerciallyimportant traits such as disease and environmental

resistance, reproductiveefficiency and product

quality. Genomiclibraries arebeing developedfrom the DNA ofdomesticatedshrimp familiescurrently held in

Thailand. Fromthese, identification

and characterization ofmarker-assisted selection

(MAS) responsible for disease

Shrimp Genome Project

resistance, stress response, growth and fecundity can beundertaken. The molecular markers and other datagenerated by the research will vastly improve theefficiency and effectiveness of selection and geneticimprovement of the strains suitable for cultivation.

The results of the Shrimp Genome Project can beused to increase the productivity of these economicallyimportant cultured organisms and potentially enhancethe sustainability of the entire shrimp industry.

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One major obstacle facing the global shrimp industry is the heavy reliance on wild shrimpbroodstock and lack of clear knowledge on shrimp mating behavior. Wild starter shrimp arenot pathogen-free, inconsistent in quality, and are susceptible to a spectrum of diseases. Ulti-mately, the poor growth characteristics of these shrimp constitute a serious threat to thefuture of the industry.

To facilitate the genetic improvement and successful breeding of domesticatedbroodstock, BIOTEC has cooperated with other key agencies to establish the Nucleus Breed-ing Center in southern Thailand. Built with an investment of 80 million Baht (US$ 2 million)and due to be completed in May2006, the fully integrated 8-hect-

are research center is raising shrimp under a biosecurity system using genetic marker tech-niques to produce healthy, improved shrimp. Pathogen-free shrimp larvae with the desirableeconomic traits are sent to the Broodstock Multiplication Center for raising, multiplicationand stocking into hatcheries, nurseries and grow-out ponds. The Center also serves as astore for genetic stock.

So far, eight generations of shrimp have been successfully raised with a 46 percentegg laying rate, 64 percent fertilization rate and 55 percent hatch rate. These figures mayimprove further following the outcome of shrimp hormone research and development beingcarried out by BIOTEC that may improve productivity without the need for the conventionaleyestalk ablation.

Shrimp-breeding R&D promisesa better industry

'Medical Tourism':Putting the fun into clinical procedures

Thailand has long been a popular destination for touristsseeking fabulous islands and beaches, steamy junglesand a unique and exotic culture. Now add to that the

allure of medical treatment, as more and more visitors cometo Thailand for quality medical care in combination with thecountry's traditional attractions.

The main attraction for 'medical tourists' to Thailand is easy access tohigh-quality medical treatment at bargain prices, and, in some cases, to treat-ments that are unavailable in their home countries. Thailand has becomeincreasingly popular for a wide range of procedures, as varied as cosmeticsurgery, dental work, hip and knee replacements, back surgery and more.Thailand enjoys a major cost advantage over the United States and Europewith prices as much as five to ten times cheaper. Increasingly, patients fromareas such as the Middle East are coming to Thailand for their medical treat-ment, following tighter restrictions on travel to the United States after Sep-tember 11.

The Thai medical sector served as many as 1 million foreign patients in2004 and most private hospitals are gearing up toward capturing more ofthe inbound market. The public health ministry anticipated foreign exchangeearnings from the medical service sector to reach 23 billion baht (US$ 575million) in 2005. Leading private hospitals are gaining a large proportion oftheir patients from overseas - in some cases as much as 50 percent - withmore anticipated in future.

As well as the low cost of treatment in Thailand, visitors are attractedby the excellent medical services available here. Thai doctors and other medi-cal staff study abroad, speak international languages and are among thebest qualified in the region. Many private hospitals also have translators tofacilitate convenient communication with foreign visitors. The hospital facili-ties themselves offer spacious, luxurious accommodation and in some waysseem more like five-star hotels than hospitals, with in-house restaurants andfood courts, spa and fitness facilities and more.

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Stem Cell TechnologyMore and more people are coming to Thailand for treatments that are

unavailable in their home countries. One major area that is growing in impor-tance internationally is medical treatment using stem cell technology.

In Thailand several groups have established or plan to establish stemcell research activities with a view to commercial applications. All these groupsare concentrating their efforts on blood-derived stem cells that are extractedfrom the patient or from cells from umbilical cord blood.

Theravitae, an Israeli-Thai firm, has developed a technology to harveststem cells from a patient's own blood. Harvested stem cells are allowed to

multiply and are then re-injected into a patient's heartor arteries to regenerate diseased or damaged tis-

sue. The company is now collaborating with a fewselected private hospitals in Thailand to offerthis treatment.

Interest in this innovative and seeminglyeffective treatment is growing. By the middleof 2006, 100 people are expected to come toThailand for such treatment every month.

Currently, the blood stem cell procedureis not approved in the United States and is only

likely to become available there in the next5-10 years. Thailand can therefore expect to see

significant increases in the number of foreign heartpatients seeking stem cell treatment in the country.

"Stem Cells for Life" is another organization set up by a Thai clinicalpharmacologist to undertake a number of research and development projectsfor clinical applications, including stem cell applications.

To get up and running commercially, the company will initially focus oncell production for drug testing applications, in particular liver cells which arereadily available in Thailand. The company will collaborate with hospitalsthroughout Thailand to source liver tissue. A similar application involves theuse of skin fibroblast technology to repair skin in burn victims and similarcases. A commercial spin off of this technology could be the regeneration ofskin for cosmetic applications. Cells generated from a skin biopsy could beused to repair damaged skin without the risk of rejection, allergic reaction orthe frequency of applications required in, say, Botox treatments.

In its next stage, Stem Cells for Life aims to establish a cord blood bank-ing facility in the Thailand Science Park. Blood from the umbilical cord ofnewly born babies can be frozen in liquid nitrogen with the cells remainingviable even after 20 years. Normally, blood from the umbilicus is discardedafter birth.

Cord blood may offer protection against a range of debilitatingdiseases in later life. Stem cell transplants from cord blood have a number ofadvantages over conventional bone marrow transplants, including increasedimmune tolerance, ease of availability, and better ability to regenerate bloodcells.

Stem Cells for Life has a number of other clinical projects at the plan-ning stage, including the use of bioartificial liver using isolated porcine livercells to purify the blood of liver failure patients. The new firm hopes to com-mence operations in early 2006, with research and development facilities inthe Thailand Science Park. Although Stem Cells for Life is a commercial op-eration, the firm aims to devote a significant portion of its research budget todirectly benefit the public.

General practitioners have long realized that medicines which workwell for the vast majority of people, may not work so well for indi-vidual patients. What works for one may not work for another. It isthought that slight differences in the genetic make-up of peopleaccount for their different responsiveness to drugs. Discovering howa person's genetic make-up affects his body's response to medica-tion is the basis of the Pharmaco-genomics Project, an initiativebeing undertaken by the Thailand Center of Excellence for LifeSciences in conjunction with Mahidol University and Oracle Corpora-tion (Thailand) Ltd.

Pharmaco-genomics facilitates the development of personal-ized medicines, drugs tailor-made to best suit an individual's geneticmake-up. A knowledge of pharmaco-genomics allows medical practi-tioners to prescribe the most appropriate and efficacious medicationfor a patient, while minimizing side effects from a course of treat-ment.

The team working on the Thai Pharmaco-genomics Project isdeveloping a clinical database of patients suffering from diseases suchas thalassemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthri-tis, HIV-AIDS, SLE, leukemia, DPD and PTSD. The database enables theprocessing of clinical information from patients and groups ofpatients to build up a genetic 'family tree'.

The results of the Pharmaco-genomics Project can be used toincrease the efficiency of new drug research and development in jointstudies with leading pharmaceutical companies as well as reduceoverall costs to the public health system.

For more information, please visit http://www.tcels.or.th

The Pharmaco-genomicsProject

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Like other tropical countries, Thailand is subject to many endemic infectiousdiseases which impact heavily on the quality of life of large numbers ofpeople, particularly those living in remote and undeveloped areas of thecountry. Malaria, dengue, haemorrhagic fever, tuberculosis and diarrhoearepresent the most serious diseasesfacing people in the tropics. Eventhough many of these ailments af-fect millions of people worldwide,very little effort has been made todevelop preventive and curativemeasures, largely for commercialreasons.

To address this situation, con-siderable research is being under-taken in Thailand by local research-ers in collaboration with interna-tional teams to combat tropical dis-eases.

Researchers at the BIOTECCentral Research Unit have focussedtheir efforts in combating malariaand tuberculosis, two serious dis-eases affecting millions worldwide.

Malaria is estimated to causeup to 1 million deaths throughoutthe world each year, with childrenbeing especially vulnerable. The ma-jor problem with malaria is thoughtto be the development of drug-re-sistant strains of the disease, coupledwith insecticide resistance amongmosquitoes. The BIOTEC team aimsto develop new anti-malarial drugscapable of overcoming drug resistantstrains of malaria, using both synthetic chemical compounds and naturalproducts as sources. To do this, the team has succeeded in using crystal X-ray diffraction technology to elucidate the structure the dihydrofolate re-ductase (DHFR) enzyme, which is the target of conventional antifolate anti-malarial drugs. This was then compared with DHFR extracted from the mu-

Drug discovery andthe fight against diseases

tant drug-resistant strains to identify differences in the enzyme structure.Careful analysis of the structure of the drug resistant enzyme can be used todesign new drugs can bind the mutated DHFR. Currently, the award-win-ning BIOTEC team is working with universities all over the world to develop

and test new drugs that are affective against thedrug-resistant parasites.

Tuberculosis is another serious disease kill-ing as many as 1.5-2 million people annuallyaround the world. This bacterial disease is a par-ticularly serious threat to immuno-compromisedpeople, and is the leading cause of death amongAIDS sufferers. Added to the threat is the emer-gence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis whichhas rendered many of the conventional first-linedrugs ineffective.

The BIOTEC anti-tuberculous drug researchteam is currently concentrating its research ef-

forts in four broad areas: high-throughput drug screening; drug target iden-tification and validation; mechanisms of drug resistance; and mycobacterialepidemiology. This four-prong research approach is helping in the search forand development of new anti-tubercular drugs to improve current treat-ments and to provide more effective treatment of latent tuberculosis infec-tions.

Bioinformatics:When biology meets IT

With the recent complete sequencing of the genomes of many organisms,such as pathogenic bacteria, many plants and higher organisms, and the hu-man genome, biologists have found themselves faced with huge amounts ofdata which they can not easily manipulate or interpret using conventionalmeans. For example, finding a small change in a particular gene (possibly asingle nucleotide polymorphism) which may cause a genetic disease, by lookingthrough the long strings of DNA nucleotides and comparing these to normalgenes, is much worse than finding a needle in a haystack.

To handle this enormous complexity, the science of bioinformatics wascreated, which uses sophisticated software techniques, databases and pow-erful computers to look for irregularities in genes which may lead to diseasesor different traits.

The BIOTEC-funded bioinformatics unit at the Thailand Science Parkworks closely with medical research center in universities such as the Thalas-semia research center of Mahidol University to try to find the causes of differ-ent severity levels of thalassemia (known to be a single gene disorder) whichis one of the most common genetic diseases. Thalassemia results in defi-

The computer model represents the comparative binding of the pyrimethamine drug and the bindingsite of the enzyme DHFR in P. vivax (A) Wild-type and (B) the mutant DHFR.

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Building a microbialenzyme catalog

ciency of hemoglobin A and varying degrees of anaemia. Patients with severethalassemia require regular, life-long blood transfusions and usually have alow quality of life resulting in very low life expectancy. Currently, doctorsrecommend pregnancy termination to parents of thalassemia sufferers, evenif the child may be born with mild thalassemia, a non-debilitating form of thedisease. The team at BIOTEC is working closely with medical scientists toidentify the positions in the genes which cause the different forms of thedisease so that doctors can precisely identify which form of the disease willbe expressed and recommend the most appropriate treatment to parents.

Internationally, work in bioinformatics is being used to identify manygene-based disease associations, such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovas-cular diseases and osteoporosis. In these cases, many genes may be acting inconcert to express a particular medical condition.

The bioinformatics unit is also active in the area of pharmacogenomics- determining why certain drugs do not work for certain people and workingto develop personalized drugs to target the specific protein structures of thesepeople.

Thailand's rich and largely uninvestigated biodiversitypresents huge potential for the development of en-zymes, which can be used commercially in industries

such as animal feeds, textiles, pulp and paper, alternative en-ergies and environmental technologies.

The Molecular and Enzyme Screening Laboratory, a part of the BIOTECCentral Research Unit located in the Thailand Science Park, is working toisolate and characterize enzymes from the country's rich biological resourcesto build up a bank of enzymes which could be effectively utilized by bio-technology firms or industries in general.

A major aspect of the Laboratory's research focuses on the isolationof genes encoding enzymes with potential uses from the collection of fungiat the BIOTEC Culture Collection and also from unculturable microorgan-isms, via metagenomic technology as well as direct PCR-based cloning,from local environments such as hot springs and soil. The target of theresearch is to produce novel enzymes such as xylanases, cellulases, amy-lases, lipases, phytases and proteases which have high potential in indus-

trial applications. Several genes from the fungi have been successfully clonedand expressed in yeast, and large amounts of the recombinant enzymes weresubsequently produced without contamination of mycotoxins.

The lab has the necessary technology to conveniently upscale enzymeproduction and also to investigate structure-function relationships of theenzymes, permitting selective engineering of enzymes with desirable proper-ties, such as the ability to operate over wide temperature or pH ranges.

Such enzymes may find applications in the food processing sector toimprove the texture, appearance, flavour or aroma of foods and drinks; theproduction of biodiesel from vegetable oils; the production of bioethanol frombiomass such as bagasse or rice straw; or in the decomposition of wastes andbioplastics, to name a few examples. A number of commercial operationshave taken samples of the thermotolerant recombinant enzymes to evaluatefor applications in the animal feed industry.

The BIOTEC Molecular and Enzyme Screening Laboratory offers a vari-ety of additional services for research facilities and companies, including bothquantitative and qualitative assays for several enzymes, with fast results atreasonable prices. For more information, please visit http://enzymelab.biotec.or.th

TR159 Endophyte BCC 4124

Filamentous fungi,Cryptrovalsa sp. producing

xylanase

Screening for industrial enzymes

Cellulase activity Xylanase activity Starch-degradingenzyme activity

Protease activityInvertase activity

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Recognizing the need for human resource developmentin science and technology in neighboring countriescoupled with the available resources of high-caliber Thai

researchers and state-of-the-art infrastructure at laboratoriesin Thailand, BIOTEC initiated the Human Resource DevelopmentProgram in Biotechnology for Neighboring Countries in 2001.

This program specifically addresses the underlying causes of the short-age of skilled manpower in the field of biotechnology in the region, whichare lack of facilities, equipment, technical know-how, limited research anddevelopment in biotechnology and inadequate training facilities and equip-ment.

The 3-month training courses consist of teaching of basic and advancedtechniques, designing and conducting a mini research project and site visitsto factories or project sites. The activities are conducted under the guidanceof BIOTEC researchers. The trainees are provided with living and research/training expenses and are assigned a researcher to provide guidance. Theprogram has successfully drawn funding from the ASEAN Foundation andthe New Zealand National UNESCO Commission.

Feedback received from the trainees have been highly positive and sup-portive of this Program. Trainees were able to obtain the lab techniques andalso practice the skill to design and conduct research project. The training

RegionalTraining Centerin Biotechnology

has prepared them well for pursuing higher education or work as researcherswhen returning to home institutes. In addition, the Program also creatednetworking among researchers in ASEAN.

At the recent survey conducted in 2004, out of 32 trainees, six of themwent on to win scholarships for graduate studies in foreign countries such asSIDA scholarships to study at the Asian Institute of Technology, UNESCO In-ternational Post Graduate Course in Biotechnology, scholarships to study inGermany and Canada. Most trainees returned to their work in academic andresearch institutes and have kept close contact with BIOTEC trainers and re-search staff.

A total of 46 scholarships were granted within the past 5 years. Fromthis critical mass of well-trained young researchers now working in neighbor-ing countries, BIOTEC now embarks on building up research collaborationwith our neighbors. An MOU was reached with the Science, Technology andEnvironment Agency (STEA) in Lao PDR in 2004 and both the Institute ofBiotechnology (IBT) and the Institute of Tropical Biology (ITB) in Vietnam in2005. Currently, the joint research focuses on microbiology study, biodiversityand sustainable utilization of bioresources.

With BIOTEC's relentless effort in building up research capability for theregion, the strategic location of Thailand in central ASEAN and the stronggovernment's commitment to work closely and assist neighboring countries,international agencies such as UNESCO, FAO and Rockefeller Foundation, haverelied on BIOTEC's expertise to cater the training for the region making BIOTECa "Regional Training Center in Biotechnology". The Asian Development Bank(ADB) has recently launched a 2-year project titled "Strengthening Capacityand Regional Cooperation in Advanced Agricultural Science and Technologyin the Greater Mekong Subregion" for 2005-2007 and the project is based atthe National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).

BIOTEC has developed close linkages with overseas organizations at the multi-lateral, regional and national levels. These include compatible research labora-tories, academic institutes as well as private sector partnerships.

Collaboration with foreign advanced institutes helps BIOTEC develop its capability and facilitatesinward technology transfer. In collaborations with neighboring countries, BIOTEC is actively providingassistance. BIOTEC's global network includes:

* Institute of Tuberculosis Research, University of Illinois, USA* NanoDetection Technology LLC, USA* Technical University of Denmark (DTU)* Korean Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)* Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE), Japan* Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan* Nara Institute of Science & Technology (NAIST), Japan* International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Japan* Hunan Agricultural University, China* Anhui Agricultural University, China* Kunming Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica of China* Research Institute of Science, Technology and Environment Agency, Lao PDR* National University of Laos* Singapore Polytechnic* Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam* Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam* Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia

BIOTEC and the worldBIOTEC is an active participant in regional

and global activities. The Center currently holdsthe chairmanship of the ASEAN Sub Commit-tee on Biotechnology, and takes part as a mem-ber of the ASEAN Sub Committee on Food Sci-ence and Technology. Recognized for its pro-fessional staff, the Center was selected to hostthe Executive Secretariat of the UNESCO Net-work for Microbiology and Microbial Biotech-nology since 1999.

Viewed as the leading research organi-zation in the region and its strong commitmentto form equal partnerships, BIOTEC chairs theAsian Consortium for the Conservation andSustainable Use of Microbial Resources (ACM)for the 2005/2006 term, and has recently beenaccepted to join the membership of the Gen-eration Challenge Programme, putting the Cen-ter on the global map among elite institutessuch as Cornell University and the National In-stitute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS-Japan).

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The Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) is a non-profit,governmental organization, established by Royal Decree on June 18, 2004.

TCELS was created to foster public-private partnerships in life sciences,ultimately to bring health benefits to the people of Thailand and to positionThailand as a leading world-class investment center for life sciences.

The Center is dedicated to support and develop Thailand's life sciencesindustry, by providing investment support, enhancing research and develop-ment capacity, and creating local and worldwide cooperation. TCELS helpsto forge collaborations and partnerships among government departments,educational institutes, private companies, and financial institutions, bothwithin and across national boundaries. In addition, TCELS helps bring to-gether different groups with different values to achieve common goals in lifesciences.

The Center facilitates major research and development projects in hu-man life sciences focussing on the 'missing links' that are not covered underexisting ministry budgets. Major projects currently being facilitated by TCELSinclude the Pharmacogenomics Project, which seeks to discover how anindividual's genetic make-up affects his body's response to medication; theTsunami Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Genomics Center, which aims to es-tablish the correlation that exists between a person's genes and mental dis-orders; and the establishment of the Genomics Institute of Thailand.

Thailand Center of Excellence for LifeSciences (TCELS)22nd Fl., CMMU Building, 69 VibhavadiRangsit Rd.,Samsennai, Phayathai,Bangkok 10400, ThailandTel. +66 (0) 2644 5499, 2644 9524-6Fax. +66 (0) 2644 9538Website: http://www.tcels.or.th

Technology Management Center (TMC) is the administrative arm of the Na-tional Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), under the Min-istry of Science and Technology.

Although formally created in 2005, TMC has been in operation for around10 years, helping drive Thai industry, particularly small and medium-sized en-terprises to become knowledge-based, and to move up the technology lad-der. TMC has particularly facilitated the growth of high-tech industry.

TMC offers a variety of assistance schemes to industry, including finan-cial assistance, facilities assistance and technology assistance. Financial assis-tance takes the forms of research grants (usually granted through individualtechnology centers in NSTDA); soft loans for research and development, com-pany start-ups, new technology, etc.; co-investment in pioneering or high na-tional impact projects; and tax incentives offered in conjunction with the Rev-enue Department for R&D projects.

Facilities assistance primarily includes the facilities at the Thailand Sci-ence Park, which has land for lease, rental space and incubator space forstart-up firms, starting from as small as 10 square meters, and extensiveequipments and human resources.

TMC offers a variety of technology assistance programs, ranging frominformation services, training programs, testing and analytical services, con-tract research, consultancy and matchmaking services, technology licensing,and more. The Industrial Technology Assistance Program is one of the mostsuccessful programs, helping firms overcome technical obstacles and proceedup the technology ladder.

Technology Management Center (TMC)111 Thailand Science Park, PhahonyothinRoad., Klong 1, Klong Luang, Pathumthani12120, ThailandTel. +66 (0) 2564 7000 Fax. +66 (0) 2564 7122Website: http://www.nstda.or.th

Thailand Center ofExcellence for Life Sciences

TechnologyManagement Center

The Office of the Board of Investment is a government body established towork with you as your one-stop shop for investment-related services. TheBOI helps investors in three key ways:

* to reduce the risks associated with investment* to reduce initial investment costs and to improve the overall rate of

return on investment* and to provide support services at all timesThe BOI offers two kinds of privileges (Rights and Benefits): tax and

non-tax. Tax-based privileges include exemption or reduction of import du-ties on machinery and raw materials, and corporate income tax exemptions.Non-tax privileges include permission to bring in foreign nationals, own land,and take or remit foreign currency abroad.

Beside a broad spectrum of attractive privileges for investors, the BOIoffers a wide range of valuable services such as obtaining official permitsand documents required for conducting business (i.e. visas, work permits,and permanent residency permits) as well as gaining access to utilities, suchas water, electricity and telecommunications.

The BOI also provides investment matchmaking services to both Thaiand Foreign investors seeking cooperation in the areas of technology, man-agement and marketing, as well as looking for joint-venture partners.

Moreover, the BOI Unit for Industrial Linkage Development (BUILD)

encourages growth in supporting industries in Thailand by providing infor-mation on subcontracting opportunities and offers its support to buyer firmsseeking sourcing networks in Thailand. It helps small and medium-sized sup-pliers in Thailand to achieve standards required to enter into productive sub-contracting arrangements.

BUILD's extensive database on subcontractors in Thailand provides valu-able information for firms seeking specific components or raw materials.BUILD has the Vendors-Meet-Customers Program, which promotes subcon-tracting by arranging factory visits to electronics and automotive assem-blers.

As the first Investment Promotion Agency in the world to receive theprestigious international ISO 9000 certification, all investors - Thai or inter-national - can be confident that when they invest in Thailand, they will re-ceive fast, fair and transparent treatment ... from the BOI.

Office of the Boardof Investment

Office of the Board of Investment555 Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road, Chatuchak,Bangkok 10900, ThailandTel: +66 (0) 2537 8111 Fax: +66 (0) 2537 8177E-mail: head@boi.go.thWebsite: http://www.boi.go.th

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BIOTEC is one of the four main centers of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) in Thailand. BIOTEC operates outside thenormal framework of government departments and state enterprises, enabling it to interact with the private sector more effectively and rapidly tosupport research, development and technology transfer for the promotion of industry, agriculture, medicine, human and natural resources and theenvironment.

BIOTEC focuses its efforts on high, medium and basic technology levels in areas which may lead to commercial applications or satisfy nationaldevelopment goals, particularly in terms of human resource development. The Center mobilizes the resources of government, academic institutions, aswell as collaborating with local and foreign private companies to achieve common goals in the commercial development of biotechnology.

BIOTEC's state-of-the-art research facilities and support staff at the Thailand Science Park serve as a nursery for innovation and ideas in the privatesector. The incubator services help new enterprises grow until they are sufficiently mature and able to invest in their own research facilities. The Centeris also active in technology spin-off companies and providing services on a commercial basis.

National Centerfor Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Rd., Klong 1,Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, ThailandTel. +66 (0) 2564 6700 Fax. +66 (0) 2564 6701Website: http://www.biotec.or.th

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