Major Biotechnology R&D Institutions and their Programmes Ts. OYUNSUREN Ph.D Center for Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, MAS, NFP of BINASIA

What is Biotechnology ? Biotechnology is the "science and technology of harnessing the natural and biological capabilities of plants, animals, and microbes for the benefit of people". Biotechnology is the application of biological knowledge, techniques and use of living organisms to make a product or run a process. Generally, biotechnology can be divided into the traditional and the new, or modern biotechnologies

Traditional Biotechnology The use of biological processes or organisms for the production of materials and services of benefit to humankind. Many of techniques used in traditional biotechnology are not new in Mongolia. Traditional biotechnology had been used for long time in nomads life for processing of dairy products such as making of airakh ( fermented horse milk), kefir, cheese and other milk products, for preparation of leather items, for improving of livestock breeds etc. Traditional biotechnology techniques are still used widely in nomads life.

Modern Biotechnology The scientific manipulation of living organisms, especially at the molecular genetics level, to produce new products, such as hormones, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and others Genetic engineering Genomics Cell and tissue culture Proteomics Cloning Bioinformatics Bio-nanotechnology

Biotechnology Policy Documents The research and development of modern biotechnology have started since 1986 1986 -the Biotechnology was declared by the Mongolian Government as one of the main priority areas of science and technology for the National Economy Development 1989-Complex Program of Science and Technology Towards the Year 2005 had emphasized the necessity to promote research and development on bioproducts 1991- National Program on Biotechnology for 1991-1995 was elaborated by the Ministry of Science and Education , but due to social economical changes faced to the country was not considered by the Government

Biotechnology Policy Documents-2 1998 –National Program on Biotechnology /Biotechnology Sub-Program/ was adopted by the Government 2002 - National Program of Science and Technology Development towards the Year 2010 has special section for Biotechnology 2002- Signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Law on Biosafety ? /2005/ National Biotechnology Strategy ? /2005/

Strategic objectives of National Biotechnology Programmes To establish capacity building for the development of biotechnology To promote and coordinate R&D activities in Biotechnology that are focused towards meeting national R&D objectives To develop and improve R&D capability

Strategic Directions underlying the National Biotechnology Programme Research & Development Human Resource Development Management of Biotechnology International Collaboration Effective National Policy

Mongolian Academy of Sciences The Biotechnology research and development is being conducted mainly by following institutions: Mongolian Academy of Sciences - Center for Biotechnology and - Division of Microbiology at the Institute of Biology - Institute Chemistry and Chemical Technology

3. Ministry of Food and Agriculture 2. Ministry of Health - Center for Biotechnology, Institute of Public Health 3. Ministry of Food and Agriculture - Institute of Animal Husbandry - Institute of Veterinary - Food Institute

Research and Production companies Monenzyme Research and Production Co. Biokombinat Shim Co. Tsagaan Zalaat Co. Shine Ekhlel Co.

Profile of Institutes Institution Established No. of employees Main activities Center for Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, MAS 2001 15 Application of genetic engineering, plant cell culture methods for molecular biology research, creation of recombinant organisms, micropropogation of useful, endangered plants. Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biology, MAS 1988 21 Establishing of microorganisms database found in soil and other environmental circumstances, elaboration of methods for making of different products using microorganisms

Veterinary Research Institute, Mongolian Agricultural Univ Veterinary Research Institute, Mongolian Agricultural Univ. Ministry of Food and Agriculture 1961 110 A testing common and task-narrow methods of modern biotechnology in veterinary, diagnosis, prevention and therapy of diseases of farm animals, and development of vaccines and drugs against different diseases. Research Institute of Animal Husbandry, Mongolian Agricultural Univ. Ministry of Food and Agriculture 150 The enhancement of livestock development by increasing a number of high quality animals with use of methods of selective breeding and embryo transfer.

Mongolian Biotechnology Association Re-established 2004 15 members and 8 member organizations, To develop a national biotech program in cooperation with Government agencies, to provide members and member organizations with up-to-date biotechnology information, to promote technology transfer, education and training Biotechnology Education, Research and Production Center , Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health 2002 86 Preparation and production of different products for human health

Biotechnology Productions Biotechnology Education, Research and Production Center, Public Health Institute produces: specific immunoglobulins, gastoglobulin, albumin, protein, complex of aminoacids 2. Biokombinat Co. produces: diagnostics for animal Brucellosis (Rose –Bengal antigen, Complement fixation test antigen , Milk ring test antigen, Agglutination test antigen, Positive serum, Negative serum, Brucellin), for Tuberculosis (Bovine Tuberculin, .Avion Tuberculin), for Salmonellosis , for Fowl typhoid, for Anthrax (Ascoli precipitin test antigen, Positive serum), for Enzootic abortion of ewes and Serums ( Serum antisalmonellosis, Serum antipasteurellosis, Serum anthrax, Serum antienterotoxaemia, Serum anti colibacteriosis, Serum anti enterobacteriosis).

3. Monenzyme Science and Production Co. Ltd 3. Monenzyme Science and Production Co.Ltd. produces 30 kinds of products. The main products include proteolytic enzymes from pancreas, bile powder, peptone, casein, dried mare’s milk, mare milk based cosmetics, dried yogurt, mare’s milk oil, mumie powder and liquorices root powder. At present “Monenzyme” R. & P. Co. Ltd. is establishing small unit for production of rapid and ELISA diagnostics of infectious and socially related diseases. 4. SHIM Research and Production Co. produces nitrogen fertilizer based on Azotobacter

Achievements Plant Tissue Culture -Virus free potato planlets using meristem culture, virus diagnosis and micropropagation techniques have been obtained and transfered to farms of the Darkhan Agriculture Research Institute. -Micropropogation of some endemic and medicinal plants

Embryo transfer To increase number of elite groups of goats with high quality of cashmere To increase the milk production of dairy cows

Vaccines Serum-derived vaccine for HBV Genetically modified strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which expresses HBsAg Vaccine against brucellosis and salmonellas

Biofertilizers Nitrogen fertilizer based on Azotobacter crococcus

Diagnostics HCV HBV AFP Ku fiver Ovine sarcocistosis Oestrosis

Cosmetics Green algae Horse milk

Food additives Yeast derived protein additives Vitamins, aminoacids

Biotechnology Education 6 universities and institutes have biotechnology teaching activities Graduate Postgraduate courses Study in foreign countries /by 2003 about 30 students/ Postgraduate Training Post-doctoral fellowship

Constrains Biotechnology capacity building is weak Lack of funds Teaching, research and skills facilities do not meet international standards Lack of Biotechnology Industry Best practices from other countries are not utilized fully

Needs - to develop economic and political integrations - to arise all attentions from policy makers, scientific, public and international communities - to build and strengthen biotechnology capacity - to transfer a new technology - to establish and develop biotechnology industry - to improve and expand International collaborations

Thank you!