NIHERST: Science and Technology

Miraculin is a glycoprotein, a molecule involved in immune responses of the body. It was first extracted from the miracle fruit (Richadella dulcifica). The taste of miraculin is not sweet but it transforms any sour flavor into sweet taste. Since the miracle fruit can only be planted in tropical countries, scientists have attempted to produce more amounts of miraculin by transferring miraculin's gene to other tomatoes. In the University of Tsukuba, scientist Kazuhisa Kato and colleagues performed molecular breeding of tomato lines for mass production of miraculin indoors.

They crossed the transgenic tomato line "Moneymaker" with a dwarf tomato known as "Micro-Tom." The resulting crossed lines produced more fruit yield and more miraculin than Moneymaker. Furthermore, the tomato's miraculin has a taste-modifying action comparable with the miracle fruit's glycoprotein. It only takes one little tomato to turn off the taste buds' sensitivity to sour taste.

Subscribers of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry can read the complete article at: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jf101874b.

Common Orchids Exhibit Rapid Adaptation Amidst Climate Change

Scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew's Jodrell University, have discovered that some plants have the capacity to adapt to climate change in a shorter span of time. Scientists used to believe that adaptation takes hundreds of years, which is too slow to counter the rapid effects of climate change. They have observed this in delicate purple European marsh-orchids, which are of hybrid origin. Although the three orchids have the same genetic heritage, they are considerably different in ecological requirements, morphology, physical characteristics and distribution.

"Our results show the importance of the environment in altering inherited traits in these orchids and also contributing to biodiversity. The epigenetic level of natural variation can be adaptive and has the potential to be rapidly released, in a few generations, in contrast to genetic variation," said Dr. Ovidiu Paun, lead researcher of the project.

Readers can access the complete article at:
http://www.kew.org/about-kew/press-media/press-releases-kew/orchid-epigenetics/index.htm

Temperature Increase Affects Rice Production In Asia

The net impact of projected temperature increases as a result of climate change will slow down the growth of rice production in Asia. This was the finding of a research team that analyzed six years of data from 227 irrigated rice farms in 6 major rice-growing countries in Asia, which produces more than 90% of the world's rice. The report was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).

"Up to a point, higher day-time temperatures can increase rice yield, but future yield losses caused by higher night-time temperatures will likely outweigh any such gains because temperatures are rising faster at night," said Jarrod Welch, lead author of the report and graduate student of economics at the University of California, San Diego. "And if day-time temperatures get too high, they too start to restrict rice yields, causing an additional loss in production." Welch added that there is a need to change rice production methods or develop new rice strains that can withstand higher temperatures.

Other members of the research team are experts from Duke University, University of California (Berkeley), the International Rice Research Institute, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

See the original news at http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/general/08-06HigherTemperatures.asp

UNCTAD technology and innovation report 2010

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development recently published “Technology and innovation report 2010: Enhancing food security in Africa through science, technology and innovation”. The 106-page report focuses on ways of improving agricultural performance in Africa and the role that technology and innovation can play in raising the agricultural production and incomes of smallholder farmers and in facilitating access to food for the poorest people both on and off the farm. It is organised in seven chapters, covering respectively key issues in the development of African agriculture; building innovation capabilities in Africa agriculture; agriculture and national food security; challenges and opportunities to achieve food security; transfer and diffusion of agricultural technology; technology mixes for small scale farming (including discussion of various crop biotechnologies); and recommendations.

See http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/tir2009_en.pdf (1.2 MB) or contact constantine.bartel@unctad.org for more information.

Agricultural biotechnologies to 2015

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published “Biotechnologies in agriculture and related natural resources to 2015”, by A. Arundel and D. Sawaya. The 105-page article provides an overview of the current state of technological development and presents estimates and projections for the types of biotechnologies expected to reach the market for use in agriculture and related natural resources to 2015. It is one of two articles published in a special issue (volume 2009/3) of the periodical ‘OECD Journal: General Papers’, written for the ‘Bioeconomy to 2030’ project.

See http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/19/36/44534300.pdf (2.1 MB) or contact david.sawaya@oecd.org for more information.

Colombia Approves GM Soybeans For Commercial Planting

The Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), the regulatory body responsible for approving GMOs for agriculture and livestock in Columbia , recently approved the commercial planting of Roundup Ready soybeans (MON-04032-6) developed by Monsanto.

The approval for commercial planting of this GM soybean was made through Decree No. 2404 of July 17, 2010. Commercial planting of this RR soybean, featuring resistance to glyphosate, will be in the Orinoco region.

In addition to this authorization, ICA approved four GM events for animal consumption and/or feed production: three on maize and one on soybeans. These are:

ICA endorsed the expansion of areas for commercial planting of Liberty Link cotton produced by Bayer CropScience. This cotton can also be planted in the humid Caribbean coast of Colombia.

In total, 13 approvals were granted in 2010 for activities with GMOs for agricultural and livestock purposes (7 in the first term and 5 in July 2010), which include biosafety tests, research studies, commercial crops (and expansion of areas for these) and animal consumption.

EU Approves 6 GMOs for Import

The European Commission approved the import of five new GMO maize varieties and reauthorized another, after member states failed to "rule definitively on the biotech dossiers". The approvals are only for the import of crops for food and feed purposes and not for cultivation. Earlier, the Commission launched plans to devolve growing rights to member states.

See the original news at:
http://www.agra-net.com/portal2/home.jsp?template=newsarticle&artid=20017796478&pubid=ag002

Bringing Dehydrated Plants "Back To Life"

Using resurrection fern (Polypodium polypodioides), collaborating scientists Ronald Balsamo, associate professor of Biology at Villanova University and Bradley Layton, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics at Drexel University have deciphered the mystery behind the plants' survival mechanism in extreme water loss. The research involved a multi-pronged approach that could detect relative levels of different proteins over time, localizing the protein in spatial regions of plant tissues, and resolving the individual locations of the proteins through a powerful microscopy technique.

The research collaborators found that dehydrins, a particular class of protein that has the ability to attract, sequester and localize water, was prevalent in places near the cell walls. The dehydrins which were surrounded by water molecules may actually allow water to act as a lubricant between the plant cell membrane and the plant cell wall or even between individual cell wall layers. This is important to prevent the drying up cell from becoming crisp that will crumble in extreme water loss. The vascular tissue of the plant is also protected from getting deformed, thus, keeping it intact once water becomes available. Localization of the dehydrin gene and transferring it to other species would be important in conferring drought resistance in other plants.

The story can be seen at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-03/ajob-bdp033110.php.

Application to OGTR for International Release of Disease Resistant GM Banana

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), Australia announced the application from the Queensland University of Technology for the intentional release of genetically-modified (GM) banana resistant to pathogenic microorganisms such as Fusarium wilt and Sigatoka leaft spot. The trial will be conducted as a proof of concept experiment to assess the disease response and/or developmental effects on the GM banana lines. The proposed trial will be conducted in one site in the Litchfield Municipality LGA (NT) on a maximum area of 1.5 ha between November 2010 and November 2014. A comprehensive Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) for the application is currently being prepared which will be out by October 2010. All inquiries and comments should be directed to the OGTR.

See the application and the original announcement at:
http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/Content/dir107-4/$FILE/dir107ebnotific.rtf

EFSA Panel's Scientific Opinion On Assessing Allergenicity

After 181 comments received in a public consultation involving both the public and private sector, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel has adopted a scientific opinion on strategies for assessing the risk of allergenicity of GM plants and microorganisms and derived food and feed. The Panel concludes that, "as there is no single test to assess the allergenicity of a GM food or feed, a case-by-case evaluation based on a weight-of-evidence approach is the most appropriate way to do this".

The Panel also provides information on how to:

In addition, the Panel recommends that for crops known to be allergenic, the whole GM plant is tested for allergenicity.

See EFSA's media release at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/gmo100729.htm

Scientists Engineer Bacteria For Direct Conversion Of Biomass To Biodiesel And Specialty Chemicals

Biodiesel is commonly produced through a series of steps involving the cultivation of a high-oil producing bioenergy crop, extraction of the crop's oil, and application of chemical processing steps. The chemical steps usually entail high energy and processing costs. Recent research could make the biomass to biodiesel conversion route less costly. A collaborative research group of the United States Department of Energy (US-DOE)-Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), recently reported the development of an E. coli bacterium which can convert biomass directly to biodiesel, and other fatty-acid-derived chemicals. Using the tools of synthetic biology, they first diverted fatty acid metabolism toward the production of fuels and other chemicals from glucose. Then they engineered the new E.coli strain to produce hemicellulases (enzymes for the conversion of hemicellulose from plant biomass into simple sugars). A complete production scheme has been reportedly demonstrated, but strategies to achieve "increases in titer, productivity and yield" are needed for industrial transition.

Filipina biochemist, first ASEAN L'oréal-UNESCO Science Awardee

National Scientist Dr. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz, a biochemist from the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines Diliman, is the first Filipino and the first recipient from the ASEAN region to be honored as one of the five laureates of the prestigious L'oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science. Out of nearly a thousand nominees worldwide, Dr. Cruz was selected and recognized by a jury led by Nobel Prize winner Gunter Blobel for her pioneering research on Conotoxins, toxins from marine snails that led to the development of non-addictive morphine.

Three decades ago, she worked in collaboration with Dr. Baldomero Olivera of the University of Utah for the isolation and characterization of peptides from the venom of Conus, a marine snail found in the Philippines. One of these peptides was developed by the U.S. biotechnology firm Cognetix Corporation in producing the Prialt Ziconotodine, a non-addictive alternative drug to morphine. Nowadays, conotoxins are used by scientists as biochemical probes to investigate the activity of the human brain. Dr. Cruz, together with the other four laureates, received $100,000 each and was conferred in the awarding ceremony held last March at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The prestigious award is given annually to women in science (one exceptional female scientist per continent), who contributed to scientific advancement in the field of Life Sciences.

View details of the award here

Luteolin: Most Effective Inhibitor of Inflammation

Molecular biologist Daniel H. Hwang of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and colleagues have found the explanationon how natural compounds in plants called phytochemicals protect us from unfavorable inflammation that can increase the risk of cancer and other disorders.

Hwang discovered that the six phytochemicals- luteolin, quercetin, chrysin, eriodicytol, hesperetin, and naringenin inhibit a specific enzyme called TBK1, which activates the formation of gene products responsible in producing inflammation. Luteolin was observed to be the most effective inhibitor among the six phytochemicals. Luteolin is present in celery, thyme, green peppers, and chamomile tea.

The techniques used by the scientists in this study could also be used in identifying other anti-inflammatory compounds present in fruits and vegetables.

Biotech And Breeding Can Improve Future Food Security, Experts Say

Agricultural production could be one of the most affected sector by climate change. Thus, scientists continue to find ways to improve food security through biotechnology and traditional breeding techniques. Mark Howden, an expert in climate change and agriculture at the Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organisation believes that scientists need creativity to combat hunger. He said that "to be able to feed this growing population, one thing we will need is an improvement in the study of genetics." He stressed this in his speech during the climate change and adaptation conference in Australia.

On the other hand, Sureshkumar Balasubramanian, a lecturer at the University of Queensland, said that there is nothing to fear about genetic modification. He supported his claim by discussing the results of his study wherein he discovered a new gene type that could possibly help farmers plant more crops in less time.

Another expert, Anna Burns from Monash University, has discovered that cyanide levels in cassava increased during drought which is hazardous for consumers. "I think genetic modification is only one option, and it would take a long time to implement in developing countries, where food security issues are most urgent," Burns said. "Traditional breeding programmes are more viable and can select for varieties with low-cyanogenic concentration. Both agricultural and social factors need to be considered in adaptation to climate change. And prevention is better than a cure," Burns said.

For more information, visit http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89785.

African Farmers Could Plant Virus-Resistant Cassava By 2015

African farmers could soon plant cassava breeds resistant to major diseases caused by viruses. One of these diseases is the cassava mosaic disease, which promotes underdeveloped growth; and the brown streak disease, which causes deterioration of roots. The mosaic disease alone destroys about 35 million tonnes of cassava in Africa annually.

US-based Donald Danforth Plant Science Center scientists conducted field trials of GM tobacco with mosaic disease-resistance in Uganda and they also have pending trials for cassava with the same modification. In addition, there is a request for permission to run field trials of cassava with brown streak-resistance. According to Claude Fauquet, Director of the Cassava Research at the Center, the transgenic crops could be commercially available in 2015. On the other hand, another team of researchers from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture are also expecting approval for field trials of cassava breeds resistant to mosaic disease in Kenya and Tanzania .

Visit http://allafrica.com/stories/201007090950.html for more information.

Consumers, Scientists, Farmers And Spanish Companies Demand Gm Crop And Technology Access

Farmers from Spain, Romania and Portugal presented to the members of the parliament (MPs) and representatives of the European Commission in Brussels a manifesto stating that "Biotechnology, a tool for agro-food cannot be ignored. The text in the rejection of positions and decisions against GMOs are not based in science. The safety of GM crops is guaranteed by the strictest and independent scientific assessment."

The farmers sounded the inequality the European Union is making in agricultural production and called for scientifically-based decisions so as not to discriminate farmers who want to grow GM crops. Spanish farmers have also attested their experiences in planting GM crops saying that the cultivation of transgenic corn yields more in a cost-effective way with higher quality and using less resource. These technologies which are available in other parts of the world should be enjoyed by other farmers in the EU.

Governments Outline Global Protocol On Planet's Genetic Resources

After seven days of thorough discussions at the 9th meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing at Montreal, the world's governments finally came up with a draft of a legally binding protocol on the access and benefit sharing of the rich genetic resources of our planet. The draft is entitled Aichi Nagiya Protocol on Access and Benefit -Sharing (ABS) and will be finalized and adopted during the 10th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention in Biological Diversity on 29 October 2010. Access and benefit-sharing pertains to the process by which the genetic resources - whether plant, animal or microorganism - are accessed in the countries of origin and how the benefits are shared to the people or countries that provide them. Ensuring unbiased and equal sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources is one of three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

"History will recall that the Aichi Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing was born here in Montreal. Once again, the Montreal magic has worked for delivering one of the most important legal instruments in the history of the environment movement," said Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention.

Read the press release at http://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2010/pr-2010-07-16-abs-en.pdf.

Dong Nai Sets Up Biotech Center

Dong Nai Province in Vietnam has just unveiled a project to build a center for biotechnology to bolster high-tech development and attract US$500 million investment in the next ten years. It will initially spend about VND1,000 billion to develop infrastructure for the center covering 208 hectares in Cam My District from 2010 to 2015, said Pham Van Sang, director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology, to reporters.

Sang said, "The center will be a multi-function complex for research and development, training, technology transfer, and production of bio-products for use in the areas of agriculture, medicine, pharmaceutics and environment. The center will mobilize the research and educational resources in biotechnology to facilitate discovery and commercialization of new technologies."

The province started work on a road linking different sections of the biotech center. Sang also noted that the province was going to complete the process necessary for the second stage so that it can be developed into a high-tech park and later as a science city.

Science & Technology News

Scientists Breed 'Miracle' Tomato Lines For Mass Production Of Miraculin