Final Paper Assignment

Title: Industrial Biotechnology in Bangladesh: Present Scenario and Future Potentials.

Course Code : 04040404

Course Name : Enzyme and Protein Biotechnology

Submitted To: Submitted By:

Mohabbat Hossain Md. Manik
Lecturer Session: Fall-22
Department of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology ID- 22236001
Faculty of Biological Sciences Department of Immunology
University of Chittagong,Bangladesh Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS)
125/1 Darus Salam, Mirpur, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh

BANGLADESH UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Title: Industrial Biotechnology in Bangladesh: Present Scenario and Future Potentials

Abstract:

Industrial biotechnology has emerged as a promising field globally, offering sustainable

solutions to various societal challenges. In Bangladesh, the integration of biotechnology into
industrial processes holds significant potential for economic growth, environmental
sustainability, and social development. This paper aims to provide an overview of the present
scenario of industrial biotechnology in Bangladesh while exploring its future potentials. By
examining current initiatives, challenges, and opportunities, this study sheds light on the role
of biotechnology in shaping the industrial landscape of Bangladesh and proposes strategies for
unlocking its full potential.

Introduction

Biotechnology in its simplest connotations may be defined as a technology based on biological

systems – plants, animals and microbes or parts of it (cell, tissue, gene or DNA) to derive the
best goods and services for the benefit of human being. Although the practice of biotechnology
principles was very old, as in the case of fermentation processes like making of alcohol, yogurt,
preparation of cheese, bread etc, the term ‘biotechnology’ itself got its due place after the
principles of recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering came into picture. And now
when we talk of biotechnology we usually mean the technology derived primarily through
the use of ‘recombinant DNA’. But recombinant DNA technology in principle although sounds
to be simple (taking gene from one organism and putting into another) but in practice it is quite
complex, tenacious, costly and challenging.

Industrial Biotechnology in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, as becoming an industrial country largely depends on the performance of its

industrial sector. The growth of conventional biotechnology in industry has reasonably
developed the need of facing challenges of modern biotechnology in Bangladesh. However,
modern biotechnology as a specialized sector in industry is promising but not very old in
Bangladesh. Therefore, it needs considerable concentration from large talent pools of multiple
scientific disciplines such as molecular and cell biology, chemistry, physics, engineering,
bioinformatics, medicine, agriculture, microbiology, technology transfer & commercialization,
bioentreprise & biofinancing and intellectual property rights management.

Biotechnology offers opportunities to convert our biological resources into economic wealth
and employment opportunities. Innovative biotech products and services development will
help us to gain a more bio-based economy. The last part of the 20th century witnessed
spectacular progress in the field of Biotechnology. Such advances have had a beneficial impact
of industrial biotechnlogy. Bangladesh will also explore the opportunities of the new centuries
in the area of science and industrial biotechnology.

Increasing importance of biotechnology in the face of frequent natural calamities:

Bangladesh and many parts of the world experience periodically natural disasters such as
cyclones, drought and flood which bring in their wake near famine conditions and epidemics
claiming countless lives. Ever mounting carbon dioxide emissions are contributing to global
warming, threatening our existence from the planet. All these contingencies have increased the
world demand for flood-, drought tolerant and disease and pest resistant crops. The application
of multitude of techniques offered by biotechnology may pave the way toward its satisfactory
solution.

Scope of industrial biotechnology:

Industrial biotechnology is that set of technologies which come from adapting and modifying
the biological organism, processes, products, and systems found in nature for the purpose of
producing goods and services.

It is a bio-based process of advancing sustainable, cost and eco-efficient production of

chemicals, materials, consumer goods, and alternative energy. This is a new and exciting
approach to preventing pollution, resource conservation and reducing costs. If biotechnology
is able to be developed to its full potential then industrial biotechnology will have a larger
impact on the country than health and agricultural biotechnology combined. The following are
the areas where we can specifically use industrial biotechnology to:
-Create new and innovative products
-Modify and develop new industrial processes
-Make the Bangladeshi manufacturing industry more competitive.
-Reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing.
-Produce Green and Clean products to comply with environmental standards
-Adopt Climate Change impact.

Industrial Biotechnology

In the field of industrial biotechnology Bangladesh is yet to make real breakthroughs. Modern
biotechnological programmes involving gene transfer technology have yet to be started in real
earnestness. Whatever has been possible is through classical/old biotechnology methods.
However, the results are quite encouraging and a good number of projects are in advanced stage
which can be taken up for commercialization. Some of these research programmes are:

• Bioconversion and bioprocessing of agricultural and agro-industrial residues for feed, fuel
and chemicals.
• Genetic improvement of industrial micro-organisms like citric acid producing Aspergillus
niger through gamma radiation.(has reached commercial stage)
• Mass scale production of Spirulina (has reached commercial stage).
• Production of biofertilizer (has reached commercial stage).
• Production of amylase and gluco-amylase for scarification of low cost starch.
• Production of microbial biomass protein and single cell protein.
• Production of tannery enzymes.
• Production of alcohol from agroindustrial residues – a few distilleries in the country are
already utilizing >50,000 MT of molasses for the production of ethyl alcohol.
• Preservation of fruits, vegetables and spices by radiation and bioprocessing.
• Bioenrichment of cereal food by microbial fermentation.

Bioenergy and Environmental Biotechnology

A significant achievement has been made in the field of ‘BIOGAS’ production from animal
excreta (cowdung) and agricultural residues. The Institute of Fuel Research and Development
(IFRD) has been working since long in this field. As a result of research findings and its
subsequent development in collaboration with Department of Energy (DOE), at present more
than 10,000 biogas plants have been installed in rural areas. An extended programme to set up
about 100,000 biogas plants throughout the country has also been taken up by the government
which is now under implementation. In case of environmental biotechnology Bangladesh is yet
to start its programme by utilizing modern biotechnological techniques. Whatever has been
possible is through conventional methods. But, because of excessive population pressure and
overall industrial activity, environmental pollution is gradually increasing day by day and is
causing a real threat to human health and ecological balance. Industrial effluents, municipal
garbage and sewerage are discharged with minimum or no treatment at all into the surface
water, causing water pollution. The Department of Environment (DOE) of the Government of
Bangladesh is doing some routine work only. Among the limited activities Bangladesh Atomic
Energy Commission (BAEC) has installed advanced facilities to analyze harmful agrochemical
residues at a very low concentration. Microbial technology could be a useful tool to minimize
the solid waste and effluents causing pollution. What is needed is a broadbased
‘bioremediation’ programme involving modern biotechnological approach including the
development of microbes capable of degrading Xenobiotics and recalcitrant pollutants.

Bioethics and Biosafety

‘Bioethics’ refers to the ethical or moral obligations/rules of behaviour/professional standard

of conduct dealing with biological research. Although literally the term ‘Bioethics’ refers to all
biological research activities, actually the term has practically been evolved after the advent of
biotechnological research activities. In response to ‘Bioethics’ Bangladesh recently is going to
support the International Convention against human cloning for reproduction to be placed on
the agenda of 56th UN General Assembly. Bangladesh strongly feels that human reproduction
cloning is against the human dignity and in the long run it may also cause havoc to mankind.
Bangladesh, though belated in the field of biotechnology, for bio- ethical issues it is quite
conscious. Biotechnology, specially the work on genetic engineering, is at present at a very
nascent stage. But, before embarking on a broad-based research programme, Bangladesh
government has given thoughts for enacting ‘biosafety guidelines’ and through an expert
committee and a national seminar the national ‘biosafety guidelines’ have been framed to be
followed by the scientists working in the area of Biotechnology. Bangladesh signed the
Cartagena Protocol on 24 May, 2000. ‘The Bangladesh Biosafety Act-2001’ has been approved
by parlament in 2006. The main objective is to provide the basis of establishing a regulatory
regime to ensure safe transfer, handling, transit, transboundary movement, development, field
trial and commercial release of Genetically Modified Organisms.

Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB):

A web-based Forum called, “GNOBB” was created in 2004. Its primary objective was to
establish a global network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (BB) for the purpose of networking
and utilizing the expertise of BB both from home and abroad in promoting biotechnology in
BD. Within a short span of time, the membership rose from a mere 30 to almost 300 – a three
fold increase indicating how keen and enthusiastic are BB from both local and non-resident
Bangladeshis (NRB) to make substantial contribution toward bringing Bangladesh in the world
map of biotechnology. The website provides a search engine which may be used to retrieve
valuable information regarding member scientists individually, their field of specialization,
achievements and important publications.
At the suggestion of some GNOBB members an international conference was organized in
April last year (2007) with the main focus on preparing a draft suggesting improvement of the
national policy document on Biotechnology, announced in 2006 by the Government of
Bangladesh. The draft recommended among others, creation of the National Council of
Biotechnology (NCBT) with an autonomous status including freedom to spend within the
approved budgetary provision. We hope that during the tenure of the present regime, the
recommendations will be approved by GoB giving a new lease of life to this emerging science
of the 21st century.

GNOBB has been able to bring together many outstanding NRB biotechnologists who have
extended their help to promote biotechnology in BD. They are: Dr. Abed Chaudhury, Dr.
Zaheed Husain, Professor Ahmed Azad, Dr. Parvez Haris, Dr. Abul Ekramoddoullah, Dr. Abul
Hussam. Latest to join with offer of help is Professor Maqsudul Alam. In the current conference
three of the above distinguished scientists, namely, Dr. Abed Chaudhury, Dr. Zaheed Husain,
Professor Ahmed Azad are presenting papers to enrich its deliberations.

Potentials of biotechnology

Biotechnology is the application of any technology to biological systems and living organisms
or derivatives to develop or make useful products for specific use. Biotechnology and human
civilisation are rolling together side by side undoubtedly from the very beginning of history
but the story of modern biotechnology is not more than four dacades old. Traditional
Biotechnology, which led to the development of processes for producing various products like
bread, yogurt, or vinegar, was entirely pragmatic and lacked any understanding of the
mechanisms that led to the product. There was no deliberate design to produce a desired new
product. In contrast, modern biotechnology uses the in-depth understandings that have been
gained little by little. In the case of an established product, the new biotechnological process is
cost effective and better in various aspects than the earlier processes. Whatever is the
technology, traditional or modern, we are in a place of being blessed with the fruits of
biotechnology from dawn to dusk. Unraveling the structure of DNA by Watson and Crick in
1953 was the most important discovery in 20th century. This discovery has initiated a new era
in science that has achieved enormous speed in research and discovery with the genetic
engineering in its belt since 1970. Modern biotechnology is overpowering fictions one after
another through amazing discoveries such as Insulin-producing bacteria for the treatment of
Diabetes, making 'Dolly', the first clone of a sheep or creating artificial life 'Synthia'
introducing artificially synthesised genetic material from raw materials into an organism
without genetic material. Stem cells from which scientists are now producing heart cell-like
beating cells, and differentiating them into other cell types is an emerging discipline that takes
biotechnology a step further.

Biotechnology has applications in four major industrial areas, including health care,
agriculture, industrial uses of crops and other products like biofuels, biodegradable plastics
etc., and environmental uses. Moreover, biotechnology is not just a technological matter; its
development involves cutting-edge science, political, legal, and economic variables, and
external and internal negotiations and also to address the social and ethical challenges. A series
of derived terms have been coined to identify several branches of biotechnology namely Green,
Red, White, Gold etc.

During the last four decades biotechnology has been changing the world through considerable
progress in agriculture, health, environment, industrial sectors and so on. Within this short span
of time, recombinant DNA technology, which was hitherto considered primarily a fundamental
subject, has proved beyond doubt its applicability in several areas of human welfare. In a world
specially developing world with changing climate, increased population and heavy
industrialisation are now concentrating on the exploitation of the golden pit of biotechnology.
Many Asian countries, namely India, China, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, and
Vietnam have recognised the potential of these techniques in contributing economic growth in
an environmentally safe manner. They have made significant strides in the development and
commercialisation of biotechnology over more than two decades. Our neighboring country,
India, for example has taken the advantages of this technology in a wide variety of areas,
including crop management, forestry, biopesticides, and biofertlisers. Through international
collaboration, Kenya has taken national policy in developing transgenic plants resistant to
pathogens or environmental stress as well as vaccines for livestock. While other countries
including our neighbours have made or are making impressive progress in biotechnology,
Bangladesh very recently showed that they are also in the race with the whole genome sequence
of Jute, or introducing genetically modified variety of Bt-brinjal.

Mass propagation of Aloe vera through tissue culture.

Bangladesh is an agroeconomoy based country with a large population compared to its land
area and resources. With the country's population projected to reach 192.9 million by 2025 and
economic growth transforming the lives of millions, our food demand is expected to be much
higher than its current growth of production. Such crop production would have to be achieved
in an adverse climatic condition. Therefore, there is a growing need to develop stress tolerant
crop varieties to combat climate change induced disasters like flood, drought and intrusion of
salinity. Improvement of fisheries & livestock, biodiversity conservation, biological and
industrial waste management, health care systems, forestry and environment sectors deserve
much attention. Biotechnology can play important roles to address the above issues.

Significant initiatives has been taken by the Government of Bangladesh to promote

biotechnological research and infrastructure development in the country for enhanced
productivity, quality and value of products, stability of production systems and environmental
conservation leading to sustained food security, poverty alleviation and livelihood security.
With an aim to accelerate the research activities in the field of biotechnology, the government
has established the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) under the auspices of Ministry
of Science & Technology, as a specialised Institute in Biotechnology. Soon after its
establishment, NIB has been accepted by the national and international community.

As a consequence, NIB is working as a focal point to coordinate biotechnological activities in

the country, also an affiliated center of International Centre for Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy and is the nodal agency in Bangladesh for the
Biotechnological issues of the SAARC countries. The Institute has the potential to become the
core centre for biotechnology research in Bangladesh as well as a national resource centre for
technology transfer and human resource development in new and emerging areas of
biotechnology.

In Bangladesh, a biotechnology program on plant was initiated in the late 1970s in the
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka with tissue culture of jute. Thereafter within a span
of 10-12 years tissue culture research laboratories had been developed in different universities,
R&D organisations, and private entrepreneurs. Some NGOs (BRAC, PROSHIKA, Square
Agric-tech, DEBTECH, Swiss organisation for Development and Cooperation and others,
Institute of Integrated Rural Development, Rural Development Academy, Aman Agro
Industries) are also working on plant tissue culture; BRAC & Proshika have already marketed
tissue cultured plantlets such as potato, banana and ornamental plants in Bangladesh and
neighboring countries. As a result of intensive works on plant tissue culture protocols, plant
regeneration and micro-propagation have been developed on different crops, forest, fruit,
ornamental, medicinal and commonly important plants as well as vegetables. Currently, several
research organisations, public and private universities, private companies (Biotech seeds,
Genetic seed, Grameen Krishi Foundation, Rantic Ltd., Lal teer seed company, Matex BD Ltd.,
Safe Agriculture BD, East West Seed Company) are involved in promoting environmentally
safer agricultural and industrial biotech products. In Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission,
two new mutant lines with high yielding, early mature, relatively fine grain, dwarf and
photoperiod insensitive have been developed by using carbon ion beam radiation. Also projects
are undertaken for mass in vitro propagation of fast growing, timber yielding plant Paulownia
and multipurpose use plant alovera. Although golden rice can meet the requirement of vitamin
A to avoid blindness, it is now confined to field trials. Our poor people also suffer from other
nutrient deficiencies and hence some plants and vegetables could be modified genetically to
serve as a source of multiple nutrients.

Besides developing better varieties, different organisations are also working on varieties
capable of fighting natural calamities. Thus, research on transgenic plant development is going
on in many laboratories country-wide, which include developing pest/insect resistant varieties,
salt-tolerant varieties etc. Commendable progress has been made at the University of Dhaka in
producing salt-tolerant rice and cold-tolerant jute varieties using molecular markers. Another
impressive headway has been made to evolve disease and insect resistant pulse varieties. Also,
private venture on plant tissue culture development and commercialisation has been taken at
the University of Rajshahi, where they worked on strawberries and some exotic flowers that
went on to successful commercialisation. NIB has within its many achievements
micropropagation of different fruits and ornamental plants, and the institute is working on
transformation of stress tolerant genes into egg plant.

It has been identified that in brinjal, tomato and country bean, pesticide applications are
excessive and indiscriminate. To get relief from the pesticide residue problem and to minimise
the production loss, The National Committee on Biosafety (NCB), the highest regulatory body
for genetically modified (GM) crops in Bangladesh on December 31, 2013 officially approved
limited field release of Bt-brinjal developed by researchers of Bangladesh Agricultural
Research Institute (BARI) through the technical support of Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds
Company (MaHyCo), India. Through this decision, Bangladesh became the first country in
south Asia to cultivate the GM food crop. The varieties are genetically modified for an
additional gene Cry1Ac from soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which is resistant to
destructive insect pest brinjal, shoot borer. Bt-brinjals are expected to make a significant
contribution to pesticide residue problem and to minimise the production loss.

After a decade of research, a team at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department of
University of Dhaka led by Professor Zeba Islam Seraj made four transgenic rice varieties
capable of production in high soil salinity, far better than the ones derived from conventional
breeding. A particular pea gene 'helicase' was infused into four high yielding rice varieties
(HYVs) that helped rice plants have higher salt tolerance and higher yield potential. The team
is currently readying these varieties for confined trials in greenhouse and then on controlled
field trials.

The future potential of plant biotechnology includes working on genetic modification of herbal
plants by modern technology to develop effective drugs, beautyceuticals and neutraceuticals,
development of rapid diagnostic tools and development of post-harvest technology to minimise
the loss of agricultural produce and to produce stress tolerant crop varieties.

Biotechnology in health care and diagnostic services has been started and is rising day by day.
There are several organisations such as International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research
'Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Bangladesh Institute of Research in Diabetic, Endocrine and
Metabolic disorders (BIRDEM), and Institute of Public Health (IPH), Institute of
Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) are prominent among others. These
organisations are providing molecular diagnostics such as PCR, microsatellite marker based
diagnosis of tuberculosis, diarrhoea, cholera and hepatitis viruses etc. Development of Shigella
vaccine is being carried out at ICDDR,B. BIRDEM is providing molecular diagnostic services
like PCR of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, HIV etc.), karyotyping etc.
Recently, some private company has also been started to provide molecular diagnostic services.
The IPH is engaged in the production of vaccines and anti-sera. Intensive effort of scientists of
IPH has made small pox eradication program successful by producing sufficient quantity of
highly potent small pox vaccines. Since 1992, the IPH has also been engaged in the production
of high quality tetanus vaccines. Incepta, a leading pharmaceutical company in the country has
signed an agreement with International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
(ICGEB), New Delhi Unit, for commercially manufacturing hepatitis B vaccine. The
establishment of National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory at the Dhaka Medical College
Hospital (DMCH) made it possible the forensic tests of international standard in Bangladesh
since 2005 with the technique termed DNA fingerprinting to perform paternity tests, criminal
dispute in cases of rape and murder etc.

Computer-generated image of insulin hexamers

Animal biotechnology encompasses a broad range of techniques for the genetic improvement
of animal species, animal vaccines and development of rapid test kits to diagnose the disease
of livestock, poultry and companion animals. National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB),
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) and Bangladesh Agricultural University
(BAU), Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), etc. are working to
adopt modern biotechnological tools to develop livestock and poultry. Techniques of traditional
biotechnology like artificial insemination and selective breeding are being practiced
extensively in the country. In vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer have been carried out
successfully in the laboratories and in field trial, and are being used in some selective areas. A
number of vaccines have been developed against cattle, poultry and goat, e.g. Goat Plague
(PPR), goat pox at BLRI. Vaccines against anthrax, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), fowl
cholera, Salmonella, Newcastle disease, etc. are producing by Department of Livestock
Services (DLS) under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL). Besides, work is going
on the development of multivalent FMD vaccine at BLRI. Since 2007, poultry industries of the
country are facing avian influenza epizootics; National Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza at BLRI has been engaged to detect avian influenza virus subtype and molecular
characterisation of the pathogen. Research on DNA fingerprinting and microsatellite
genotyping methods for parentage verification and molecular characterisation of indigenous
goat, sheep, cattle and buffaloes are being varied out at NIB, BAU and BLRI. Karyotyping and
blood protein polymorphism of goat, sheep, cattle and buffalo are also under research in BLRI
and BAU.

Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) conducts some basic Biotechnological

research on seed production of endangered fish species through in vitro fertilisation, production
of carps, catfishes and genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) through selective breeding,
production of monosex tilapia, development of hydrid variety of magur and punti, and
freshwater pearl production. Besides, the faculty of science of the University of Dhaka and
faculty of fisheries of the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, develops
the techniques for characterisation of different commercially important fish species including
Hilsa through RAPD, mt DNA and RFLP techniques. No transgenic strain of fish has been
produced in the country yet.

In the field of industrial biotechnology, Bangladesh is yet to make real breakthroughs. Modern
biotechnological programmes involving gene transfer technology have yet to be started in real
earnest. However, the results are quite encouraging and a good number of projects are in
advanced stage, which can be taken up for commercialisation. Mass scale production of
spirulina, biofertiliser, bakers yeast, citric acid has been reached at the commercial stage. A
few distilleries in the country are already utilising >50,000 MT of molasses for the production
of ethyl alcohol. Research is also going on enzymes, single cell protein, etc. A five year (2011-
2015) action plan on Industrial Biotechnology has been drafted in the light of National
Biotechnology Policy, 2012. A significant achievement has been made in the field of 'Biogas'
production from animal excreta (cow dung) and agricultural residues. The Institute of Fuel
Research and Development (IFRD) have been working since long in this field. As a result of
research findings and its subsequent development in collaboration with Department of Energy
(DOE) at present more than 20,000 biogas plants have been installed in rural areas. An extended
programme to set up about 100,000 biogas plants throughout the country has also been taken
up by the government, which is now under implementation. Institute of Fuel Research and
Development (IFRD), BCSIR has installed more than 25,000 domestic biogas plants across the
country under three projects. As on 31 December 2012, a total of around 65,317 biogas plants
have already been installed in Bangladesh. Last year, three new bacterial species (Rhizobium
bangladeshense, Rhizobium binae, Rhizobium lentis) were discovered at the Bangladesh
Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), which create nodule in the lentil crops and increases
productivity of it.

These newly discovered species are promising for the productions of biofertilisers not only for
lentil but also for pea and lathyrus cultivations. Earlier Rhizobium biofertiliser production in a
pilot scale at BINA had been successful and its use in pulse crops has been found to be effective
in the farmer's field. Rhizobium biofertiliser developed for grain legumes such as lentil,
chickpea, groundnut, mungbean and soybean have significant demand in the country. The grain
legumes are the protein meat substitute of the poor and an integral part of the daily diet. The
production of grain legumes increased about 20% by using Rhizobium biofertiliser.
Bangladeshi farmers can earn more by using the biofertiliser in the growing season improving
the quality of the individual farmer, and society as a whole. Development of rice biofertiliser
is in progress at BINA, NIB, and BAU.

In Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission low dose of gamma radiation to the silkworm has
been employed for the enhanced production of silk. Significant progress has been achieved on
sterile insect technique (SIT) by utilising gamma radiation. Besides, hormonal and pheromonal
control of insects and also the integrated pest management (IPM) programme are now being
adopted for insect management. Isolation and characterisation of Bacillus Thuringiensis strains
for the control of Lepidopteran insects has been initiated at the University of Dhaka.

Sericulture Research Institute has been working for a long time for the improvement of
sericulture production in Bangladesh. Recently, Zoology Section, Biological Research
Division, BCSIR Laboratories, Dhaka has been engaged in DNA bar-coding research for
taxonomic identification and documentation of various endemic species of insects, plants and
animals including other organisms of economic importance and detection of adulteration in
processed and unprocessed food products.

Development of protocols for pathogen detection (e.g. virus and bacteria) through modern
molecular techniques like DAS-ELISA, Real Time PCR, hybridisation etc. from different
crops, forest, fruit, ornamental, medicinal and commonly important plants as well as vegetables
are being done at BCSIR. Additionally, identification of new pathogens both from plants and
animals are also being studied.

Bangladesh observed a real breakthrough in molecular biotechnology in 2010, when with the
funding of the government, collaboration within the University of Dhaka, DataSoft IT firm and
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, and under the leadership of Dr. Maqsudul Alam
successfully sequenced the genome of jute. Through this, Bangladesh became the second
country after Malaysia, among the developing nations, to have successfully sequenced a plant
genome. In 2012, the same group of scientists decoded the genome of Macrophomina
phaseolina, a Botryosphaeriaceae fungus, which is responsible for causing seedling blight, root
rot, and charcoal rot of more than 500 crop and non-crop species throughout the world. The
sequencing took place at the laboratory of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, and was done
as part of the The Basic and applied Research on Jute (BARJ) project. Last but not least, Lat
Teer Seed Company in Januray 24, 2014 announced the completion of whole genome
sequencing of Buffalo with the help of Beijing Genome Institute (BGI), China.

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field which addresses biological problems using

computational techniques, and makes the rapid analysis as well as annotation of biological data
possible. Bioinformatics plays a key role in various areas, such as functional genomics and
proteomics, and forms a key component in the biotechnology. Bangladesh is yet to explore and
secure its place in this exciting field of biotechnology. Now, that we have whole genome
sequence of few organisms, it is time to explore them for the desired outcome. In this regard,
genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics should come into play. Modern research activities on
these fields have been taken on some institutes and universities. National Institute of
Biotechnology is going to take initiatives to start research on the field of functional genomics
and to establish a core bioinformatics facility.

Besides biotechnological research, trained manpower is equally important to the proper

utilisation of the results of the biotechnology research. NIB instituted a funding mechanism for
long and short-term hands on theoretical and practical biotechnology training programs (BTP).
Graduate students in turn compete for acceptance into a BTP. Biotechnology lectures are also
on offer at school and college levels and in the community.

As biotechnology is being used widely, questions and concerns have also been rising. The most
vocal opposition has come from European countries. One of the main areas of concern is the
safety of GM food. Also, in Bangladesh, different organisations including NGOs are in active
opposition of the genetically modified organismas (GMOs) or products such as the release of
the Bt-brinjal varieties for cultivation. NIB is attempting to establish a wing to certify the
GMOs in Bangladesh as it has been assigned as the authority for these tasks.

There are a series of issues to be addressed in assessing the benefits and risks involved in the
use of modern biotechnology. In order to judge about the risks and benefits, it is important to
distinguish between technology-inherent risks and technology-transcending risks. The former
includes assessing any risks associated with food safety and the behavior of a GM product in
the environment. The latter involves the political and social context in which the technology is
used. The foods grown from GMOs may have either beneficial or occasional harmful effects
on human health depending on the the food itself. For example, a biotech-derived food with a
higher content of vitamin is likely to have a positive effect if consumed by vitamin-deficient
individuals. Alternatively, the transfer of genes from one species to another may also transfer
the risk for exposure to allergens. These risks should be systematically evaluated by governing
authorities and identified prior to commercialisation. A potential ecological risk identified is
increased weediness due to cross-pollination from GM crops spreads to other nearby plants.
Other potential ecological risks stem from the use of GM brinjal, corn and cotton with
insecticidal Bt-genes. This might develop resistance to Bt in exposed insect populations. The
monitoring of these effects of new crops in the environment and implementation of effective
risk management approaches is an essential component of future research. A technology-
transcending risk would be reduced biodiversity. Reduction of biological diversity due to
shrinking arable land, destruction of tropical forests, overfishing etc. is a significant loss far
more than any potential loss of biodiversity due to biotech-derived crop varieties. Improved
governance and international support are necessary to limit loss of biodiversity. However, our
understanding of science and long experiences with biotech-derived plants is that no evidence
is in sight that genetic transfers between unrelated organisms pose human health concerns that
are different from those encountered with any new plant or animal variety. The risks associated
with biotechnology are the same as those associated with plants and microbes developed by
conven tional methods.

Different governing bodies, policies and guidelines are in shape in our country to adress,
manage and co-ordinate biotechnological research and issues. In April, 2012, The National
Taskforce on Biotechnology of Bangladesh (NTBB), headed by the Honorable Prime Minister,
has approved the national biotechnology policy for application of the latest innovations towards
risk-free and health-proof development of agriculture, food, industry, environment and health
sectors. The policy will also address some of the core issues involving intellectual property
rights, bio-safety, bio-surveillance and bio-ethics with due emphasis on knowledge, innovation,
and indigenous practices. The NTBB also approved National Crops and Forest Biotechnology
Policy Guidelines, National Biotechnology Policy Action Plan and National Database on
Biotechnology Research and Personnel.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the industrial biotechnology sector in Bangladesh exhibits promising growth

potential and significant opportunities for further development. The present scenario reflects a
burgeoning landscape characterized by advancements in research, innovation, and industrial
applications. Various sectors including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and energy are
witnessing the transformative impact of biotechnological interventions, contributing to
economic growth, sustainability, and societal well-being.

However, to fully realize the future potentials of industrial biotechnology in Bangladesh,

concerted efforts are required from all stakeholders. Investments in research and development,
infrastructure, and skilled workforce development are essential to foster innovation and
competitiveness. Furthermore, supportive policies and regulatory frameworks that promote
investment, collaboration, and technology transfer will be instrumental in facilitating the
growth of the biotechnology industry.
By leveraging its rich biodiversity, skilled human capital, and strategic geographical location,
Bangladesh can emerge as a regional hub for industrial biotechnology, catering to domestic
needs while capturing global market opportunities. Through strategic partnerships, knowledge
exchange, and a commitment to sustainable development, Bangladesh can harness the power
of biotechnology to address pressing challenges, drive economic prosperity, and improve the
quality of life for its citizens.

In essence, the journey of industrial biotechnology in Bangladesh is at a pivotal juncture, poised

for remarkable growth and transformation. With vision, determination, and strategic planning,
Bangladesh can harness the full potential of biotechnology to become a leading player in the
global bioeconomy, shaping a more prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.