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VATIS update : biotechnology. Vol. 1, No. 86, Jul-Aug 2007
Get PDFVATIS Update Biotechnology is published 4 times a year to keep the readers up to date of most of the relevant and latest technological developments and events in the field of Biotechnology. The Update is tailored to policy-makers, industries and technology transfer intermediaries.Vol. 1 No. 86 Jul - Aug 2007
IN THE NEWS 4
Europe may permit GM potato cultivation √ EuropaBio welcomes guidance on biosimilar medicines √ India allows first large-scale trials of GM food crop √ India’s laboratory market clocks 40 per cent growth √ Japanese researchers create 4G cloned pig
MARKET NEWS 5
Amgen to acquire llypsa, focused on kidney disease √ Chromatin and Monsanto in agreement on gene stacking technology √ Evogene and SunGene to collaborate on plant biotechnology √ Leading companies invest in biotechnology future √ Novozymes partners Kenya Wildlife Service on biodiversity √ Syngenta-IGDB collaboration in agri-biotech research √ Agilent expands genomics network in Asia-Pacific
√ Novozymes acquires enzyme activities of Biocon
GENOMICS 8
Microbial genome analysis system upgraded √ Genomic predictors of Parkinson’s disease √ New candidate gene for breast cancer susceptibility √ Gene mutation responsible for human intelligence found √ Genetic clues to anti-malarial drug resistance √ Genetic mutation for gastric cancer identified √ Scientists identify first gene linked to scoliosis
MEDICAL BIOTECH 11
Effective cervical cancer vaccine from plants √ New light on development of insulin-producing cells √ Modified mushrooms may yield human drugs √ New vaccine to stall African meningitis epidemics √ Largest ever study of genetics of common diseases √ Substance in tree bark could lead to new cancer treatment
PROTEOMICS 13
Blood proteins show promise for diagnosis of cancer √ Prions’ role in preventing Alzheimer’s √ Fusion protein to arrest cancer √ Nanoparticle- protein pairing √ RNA mystery decoded for better drug therapies
√ Researchers reveal structure of protein altered in autism
AGRI BIOTECH 16
Tomato with floral, fruity flavour √ Rice engineered to carry cholera vaccine √ Maize resistant to streak virus √ The key to orange cauliflower √ Nanotech gateway to plant cells √ Herbicide-resistant GM soybean
RECENT PUBLICATIONS 18
TECH EVENTS 1
Bolstering East Asian-Latin American value chains through digitally deliverable services
Get PDFThe liberalization by Asian and Latin American economies of their trade regimes has seen digitalization becoming increasingly important for export competitiveness and productivity growth. This report has tracked the growth and sources of digitally deliverable services in Latin American and Asian manufacturing, agricultural and services value chains. It shows that digitally deliverable services play a growing role in export-driven production in the FEALAC region, but most of them are supplied by domestic service providers However, there was the fast growth in Latin American-Asian digitally deliverable services trade in the past 15 years. Some “hidden complementarities” in digitally deliverable services between Latin America and Asia seems to exist. On one hand, Latin American firms are increasingly using Chinese financial services. In addition, they are drawing on sophisticated IT services and services using disruptive technologies such as blockchain and AI from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the Philippines. On the other hand, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia are emerging as exporters of digitally deliverable services such as gaming, animation and e-commerce. Brazil, in particular, has become a source for Agtech applications.
As the business ecosystems in Asia and Latin America become more digitized and produce new digital services, there will be greater opportunities to also expand bilateral digitally deliverable services trade. For example, there are excellent opportunities for promoting cooperation and forums for Asian and Latin American companies to learn more about Latin American and Asian fintechs, logtechs, agtechs and creative industries such as animation, and vice versa. FEALAC members can also develop new initiatives that catalyse productivity and digitally deliverable services trade, such as smart manufacturing test beds, smart city forums as well as a FEALAC blue economy initiative and fund. To further incorporate high-value-adding, digitally deliverable services into their manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors, Asia and Latin America must uphold commitments to duty-free electronic transmissions and the free transfer of data across borders.Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC)Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC
National cooling action plan methodology : holistic methodology for developing a national cooling action plan
Get PDFThis document presents a holistic methodology for developing a National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) that can be adapted to fit a country's specific context and priorities. The Methodology outlines a process that is within the reach of most countries today and can enable immediate and prioritized action towards climate-friendly cooling.The focus of the NCAP Methodology is to outline a process that is within the reach of most countries
today and can enable immediate and prioritized action towards climate-friendly cooling. The
Methodology would support any country undertaking an NCAP by reducing the development time and
effort through an overarching process as a guiding framework, addressing typical questions and
complexities through the discussion of the steps and activities, and sharing important considerations as
well as available resources to support the process.
The shape a country's NCAP will take – that is, its scope, level of detail and focus areas – will ultimately
be informed by a thorough assessment of its unique cooling landscape, its priorities, and the resources
and capabilities available to the country. But given the severity of the cooling challenge––where the
impacts of business-as-usual cooling are no longer limited to nations but cascade globally––any
holistically planned NCAP, designed with an integrated perspective of cooling, will be a significant step
in the right direction
Vatis update: new and renewable energy
No full text- Solar-powered refrigeration system
- Hydrogen from dairy and sugarcane wastes
- Materials for solar conversion
- Solar photovoltaic lantern
- Solar powered telephone exchange
- Ethanol fuel using genetic engineerin
Timor-Leste to graduate from LDC category and beyond : through structural transformation and economic diversification
Get PDFSince independence in 2002 Timor-Leste has emerged from instability and significant erosion of development gains to successfully graduate from fragility status, meet the least developed country (LDC) graduation per-capita income criterion in 2015 since the country was added to the list of LDC in 2003, and become the most democratic nation in the Southeast Asia region.
The Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 outlines the overall strategies to transform Timor-Leste to an upper-middle income country by 2030 through a diversified economy and productive human capital. However, the persistent structural challenges (such as public spending that is still highly dependent to oil and gas revenue, low private sector investment as the consequence of poor business environment, and inadequate infrastructure for growth and connectivity) and the unprecedented shocks of the economic recessions in the last four years (-3.8 per cent in 2017, -0.8 per cent in 2018 and -6 per cent in 2020) and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic pose significant challenges to the country to graduate from LDC and meet SDGs aspirations.
While the current framework for economic diversification that prioritizes development of agriculture, tourism, petroleum and manufacturing is sound in principle, it can be further shaped with concrete strategies and actions for structural transformation and economic diversification. Possible strategies could include, for example: transforming traditional farming and fishing to commercial through increasing production and productivity of niche products such as coffee, candlenut, coconut and beef; developing eco- and marine, cultural and historic, adventure and sports, religious, and convention tourism services and integrating tourism to the green and blue economic initiatives; developing a more value-added downstream industry in the south coast to capture the maximum benefits through income, jobs, and multiplier effects to other sectors (such as agriculture and manufacturing to supply foods and equipment to the industry); and improving business environment to attract FDI for export-oriented industry and supporting the growth of small scale and low skills manufacturing processes.
Strategies and actions to underpin economic diversification for LDC graduation and beyond also include establishment of a “National Committee for LDC Graduation” – led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP); creating more fiscal spaces for human capital development, agriculture, and tourism through the rationalization of expenditure, the domestic resource mobilization and a well-coordinated use of development partners support; implementing a whole-government approach (including establishment of an “Investment Promotion Board”) to improve a friendly-environment for private sector investments; ensuring inclusiveness through active participation of women and youth in development – including in MSMEs; introducing e-service platform to improve public services across the country; and promoting evidence based-policy making process through investment in and management of data, research and analyses.Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................................................ 6
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 8
2. Existing policies and strategies for structural transformation and economic diversification
.................................................................................................................................................................. 10
3. Review of recent socio-economic development and the outlook .................................................. 19
4. Impacts of and response to external shocks .................................................................................. 28
4.1 Oil price and Petroleum Fund investment return to fiscal policy ........................................ 28
4.2 Impacts of COVID-19 to LDC graduation and beyond ........................................................... 29
4.3 COVID-19 response measures – focus on COVID-19 Fund and Economy Recovery
Plan .......................................................................................................................................................... 30
5. Potential loss and mitigation strategies ........................................................................................... 32
5.1 Implication on financing and trade related supports .............................................................. 32
5.2 Strategies to mitigate costs of graduation ............................................................................... 34
6. Way forward: policies and strategic adjustments for LDC graduation and beyond ................................. 35
6.1 Innovative partnership ............................................................................................................. 35
6.2 Restructuring financial landscape ......................................................................................... 36
6.3 Promoting private sector investment to diversify the economy ...................................... 37
a) Improving business environment ............................................................................................. 37
b) Diversifying the economy with agriculture, tourism, extractive industry and manufacturing ... 38
c) Establishment of Investment Promotion Board ....................................................................... 39
6.4 More fiscal space for human capital development ............................................................ 39
6.5 Leave no one behind – focus on women and youth .......................................................... 40
6.6 Enhancing public service delivery with E-Government..................................................... 40
6.7 Promoting evidence-based policy making process............................................................ 41
6.8 National Committee for LDC Graduation ............................................................................. 42
References ....................................................................................................................................................... 44
Annexes ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
VATIS update : biotechnology. Vol. 1, No. 94, Nov-Dec 2008
Get PDFVATIS Update Biotechnology is published 4 times a year to keep the readers up to date of most of the relevant and latest technological developments and events in the field of Biotechnology. The Update is tailored to policy-makers, industries and technology transfer intermediaries.Highlights •
Scientists sequence genome of cancer patient •
Breakthrough in genetic map of wheat •
New enzyme may revolutionize production of plastics •
Chemical from medicinal plant helps fight HIV •
Hybrid rice developed for salt-encrusted land •
Scientists develop cancer-fighting tomato •Contents
Vol. 1 No. 94 Nov - Dec 2008
IN THE NEWS 4
US5 billion by 2010 ✓ China to help Pakistan’s agriculture sector research ✓ Brazil says yes to stem cell research, again ✓ Australia supports health and medical research initiatives ✓ South Africa approves growing GM sorghum ✓ RCUK opens Indian office
MARKET NEWS 6
Collaboration on Alzheimer’s disease candidate vaccines ✓ Bayer CropScience aims to expand rice seed sale in Asia ✓ Eli Lilly to fork out US$6.5 billion for ImClone ✓ Biotech firms target enhanced GM maize markets ✓ QIAGEN acquires Biosystems unit of Biotage ✓ Pharmicell to bring stem cell therapy to European market ✓ Rockeby biomed gets R&D grants from SPRING Singapore
GENOMICS 8
Scientists find genes that increase lung cancer risk ✓ Novel mechanism for regulation of gene expression ✓ Scientists sequence genome of cancer patient ✓ Genetic code of Spirulina platensis cracked ✓ First glimpse of a key DNA repair protein at work ✓ Landmark study unlocks stem cell’s DNA secrets ✓ Breakthrough in genetic map of wheat
PROTEOMICS 11
Unusually flexible ‘two-in-one’ enzyme ✓ A molecular identity crisis: a ribozyme without RNA! ✓ A motor protein that rewinds DNA ✓ Protein ‘tubules’ hide avian flu virus from immune recognition ✓ New enzyme could revolutionize production of plastics ✓ A little protein for a big problem
MEDICAL BIOTECH 13
A DNA-based vaccine shows promise against avian flu ✓ Chemical from medicinal plant helps fight HIV ✓ A vaccine type with potential to protect against TB ✓ Key trigger of embryonic stem cell differentiation in new light ✓ Scientists coax brain cells in mice to regenerate ✓ Key HIV protein points to more powerful AIDS drugs
AGRI BIOTECH 16
Hybrid rice developed for salt-encrusted land ✓ An essential gene for forming ears of corn ✓ Olive stones could yield biofuel ✓ Scientists develop cancer-fighting tomato ✓ Research on plant viruses may lead to improved crop yields ✓ A gene that may contribute to improved rice yield
RECENT PUBLICATIONS 18
TECH EVENTS 1
Universal access to all : unleashing the full benefits of electrification
Get PDFAttaining universal access by 2030, as stipulated under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, presents a critical goal for the region. Electrification targets have been widely adopted across the Asia-Pacific region with an electrification rate of 95.6 per cent achieved – a 9.4 per cent increase over 2010-18.
However, providing connections is only the first step; realizing the full benefits of electrification requires access to affordable, reliable and equitable electricity that can enable energy services, particularly for those furthest behind.
In addition, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the COVID-19 pandemic poses a risk towards reversing the current level of progress. As countries attempt to tackle the pandemic and its economic fallout, bolstering electrification efforts can help contribute to socio-economic development in line with achieving many other SDGs. Access to electricity is also an essential requirement for transportation, distribution and storage of vaccines which will be instrumental in ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
ESCAP conducted a global review to inform policymakers and relevant actors on the local impact of electrification on socio-economic development. It also looked at the distributional impacts of electrification across gender, children and different income groups. The review covered 654,378 households across more than 28 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Latin America and Caribbean region. <BR
Nepal’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe second wave of COVID-19 pandemic hit Nepal between April and July 2021 and was substantially more devastating that the first wave. As of 31 March 2021, Nepal had been cautious over the possibility of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Surge in new cases in neighboring India was a cause of concern. Considering the frequent cross-border movement of people along the 1,800 km-long porous border, rising cases in India threatened to spill over into Nepal. This unfettered movement, together with continuation of political rallies, religious and social functions and other public activities where people congregate, resulted in the onset of the second wave in Nepal by mid-April 2021. This paper reviews some of the steps adopted by Nepal for curbing the second wave and policy lessons thereof