CONTENTS                                                  Mar-Apr 2000

IN THE NEWS
Biosafety protocol Ö Creation of databases on population genomics Ö Dr. Reddy's Lab lines up three new molecules for trial Ö DuPont and Aventis Pharma plan to form alliance Ö Novartis and Diversa form joint venture Ö Genetically modified animals could lead to extinction Ö Indian website on biotechnology launched Ö Mutant genes protect against adult leukaemia Ö Brain research centre in India Ö Test to detect toxins in shellfish Ö New web-based biotechnology network slated for launch Ö Spin-off company develops bioremediation products Ö Government funds for biotech research Ö R&D grant for Novogen Ö New collaboration Ö Hybrid seeds registration Ö Transgenic crops to arrive in Indian market soon Ö Plant-based antidote for snakebites

INVENTIONS/NEW PRODUCTS
Economical biotech process for vitamin C synthesis Ö New filter to treat dairy effluents Ö Alternative to gelatin Ö First artificial DNA of man-made life form designed Ö New products from proteome technology launched Ö Medically useful proteins from honey Ö Wave agitation technique for non-invasive mixing

R&D IDEAS
Alzheimer's enzyme identified Ö Gene regulating cancer growth identified Ö Novel constitutive expression system Ö Biological switch could help fight liver disease Ö Biotech process for 1,3 propanediol on the horizon Ö Injection of cells reverses diabetes in mice Ö Lean and mean Ö Non-narcotic opium poppy developed in India Ö Production of epichlorohydrin from trichloropropane

MEDICAL BIOTECH
Cost-effective anti-cholesterol molecule developed in India Ö ELISA kit for hepatitis C Ö Test to detect DNA damage Ö Genetically engineered vaccine against plague Ö Delivering genes to cancer cells Ö New anti-rabies vaccine Ö Controlling asthma attack Ö New malaria vaccine ready for human trials Ö New hepatitis-B vaccine on the anvil

AGRI BIOTECH
Biotech-based herbal drugs Ö Test tube mangoes Ö ß-carotene oil seed rape to alleviate vitamin A deficiency Ö Blackleg-resistant roundup ready canola Ö Self control Ö Transgenic cotton with animal keratin

BIOREMEDIATION
Cleaning the seas Ö Value-added waste products

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