Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Indian Agriculture-Case of Nanobiotechnology
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Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Indian
Agriculture-Case of Nanobiotechnology
Kalpana Sastry, R
National Academy of Agricultural Research Management
Hyderabad
Invited lecture- 66th ABDC- October 6,2012. Session Ii b: Agricultural Biotechnology: Going beyond GM. Hyderabad.INDIA
Copyrighted presentation©Plan of Presentation
• Introduction
• Emerging Sciences for Agricultural Development and Challenges
• Framework for Assessing Nanobiotechnology
• Current trends of work in agri-nano biotechnology
• Concluding Remarks
Copyrighted presentation©Indian Agriculture – Recent Concerns
• Transition –
– from traditional farming patterns yielding less than 0.5 t/ha in the
1950s to more technology-driven systems yielding 4 t/ha
• But decline
– in contribution of agriculture and allied sectors in GDP
– steady decline in farm incomes and enhanced rural distress
• Compounded by degradation of the natural resource base
• National policy goal of 4% growth in agriculture
– Warrants effective use of improved technologies in the rural sector
through ensuring the continuous flow of new technologies
Copyrighted presentation©Nanoscience to Nanotechnology
• Leads to creation of improved materials, devices and
delivery systems at molecular level
• Set of technologies at nanometre scale, not a
single technological field.
• Application areas: Materials, Electronics, Optoelectronics,
Medicine, Biotechnology, Measurements, Manufacturing,
Environment, Energy, agriculture and food.
Copyrighted presentation©Challenges for Integration of ET
• Increasing costs for R&D,
• Shortage of trained manpower
• Policy framework for integrating the new
technologies into applications across the
agri-value chain
Copyrighted presentation©Objective(s) of this study
• Address emergence of nanobiotechnology
• Integration and institutionalization in the
Indian agricultural landscape
• Through exploring the current
technological innovations
– in nanobiotechnology and understand their
possible role in enhancing agricultural
productivity
Copyrighted presentation©Nanobiotechnology
• Against a premise that nanobiotechnology
– uses NT concepts and tools for studying the basic foundations of
biology or developing biological (?)/medical procedures
– proposes engineering methods for construction of biological
molecules with the functions that differ essentially from their
natural functions
– uses NT tools/approaches for manipulations with materials that
differ from previously known synthetic or biochemical methods,
being applied during in biological practice
Copyrighted presentation©Sectors of Agri-
Biotechnology Agri-Production Systems
Green Biotechnology
Veterinary Biotechnology Food Security
Interventions Tools of
Food Biotechnology Nanotechnology* Nutrition Security
Blue Biotechnology Livelihoods Security
White Biotechnology Ecological Security
Nanobiotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology Agro-biodiversity conservation
Agri-nanobiotechnology
* Nanoparticles/Quantum Dots/Carbon nanotubes/ Dendrimers / Fullerenes /Biosensors / Diagnostic kits/MEMS/Biochips/ Microfluidics / Nanofluidics /Smart delivery
systems/Nanofilteration/Nanospheres/Nanofibres/Nanowires
Use of science-based interventional tools at a nanoscale in the agri-value chain
under the canvas of agri nanobiotechnology
Copyrighted presentation©Challenging
• Most research in nanobiotechnology is at
an early-stage
– Its application to agricultural production systems
– is probably still at a conceptual level to permit realistic
assessments
• In such situations,
– analysis of patents granted in the area and related areas
have often been used for making assessments about
emerging technologies
Copyrighted presentation©Methodology
• Base data collected through empirical
research methods
• Technology roadmapping and database
management concepts
– used to develop a framework
– to map the potential of these technologies against the
current gaps of knowledge in agri-nano-biotechnology
– Patents used R&D indicators
Copyrighted presentation©Patent Analysis
• Growth and accumulation of patents in a new
area of technology considered
• as indicating directions for subsequent investments
and related product/process innovations
• Patent analysis
• assess current status and trends in technology development
• classify and map the technology to relevant application areas for
strategic planning
Copyrighted presentation©Methodology
• Standardized search methodology, and a
technology-based process methodology
– Used to search, assemble and characterize available patent
information in nanoresearch areas
• Set of 469 patents with implications for agri-
nanobiotechnology retrieved
• Analysis of whole text patent documents based
on description and background of the invention
indicated
– five possible areas
Copyrighted presentation©Broad Areas of Application Biotechnological Tools in
Agriculture
S. No Areas
I Genomics
II Genetic Engineering
III Genetic Transformation
IV Therapeutics
V Bio-industry
Copyrighted presentation©Indicative Areas of Nanoresearch
Nanoresearch Potential Application in Nanobiotechnology
Area
• Nanofibre DNA analysis
DNA sequencing
Nanofilteration to obtain ultra- dense fermentation broth
for cell cultures
Post-harvest technology, e.g. nanofilteration for
production of oiligosaccharide rich syrups
• Nanoprobe DNA sequencing
• Graphene DNA sequencing
nanoribbon
• Nanosphere Transfection with expression vectors
Gene therapy
Copyrighted presentation©Indicative Areas of Nanoresearch-II
Nanoresearch Area Potential Application in Nanobiotechnology
• Nanobeads Nanovaccines
DNA vaccines
• dendrimers Diagnoses, treatment and eradication of malignant tumors in
small animal populations
• Quantum dots Genetic analysis
Drug discovery
Disease diagnostics
• Buckyballs Drug delivery
• Carbon Enzyme based biofuel production
nanoparticles
Copyrighted presentation©Knowledge Mapping Framework for Integration of Biotechnology with Nanoresearch Areas
1.
Copyrighted presentation©Prospective area of Advantages of incorporating Indicative future applications
agri-biotechnology nanobiotechnologies
Genomics DNA sequencing: Genome sequencing project
High throughput can be extended to wild and
Enhanced accuracy weedy species which are the
Relatively less time source of resistance genes to
Operates on a small scale several biotic and abiotic
More reliability stresses
Enhancing agrobiodiversity
conservation
Genetic engineering Not host specific Greater efficacy of the
Increased recovery of viable transformed technique with assured results
cells
Increased gene expression
Sustained release of encapsulated DNA
Non-dissociation of plasmid DNA-
nanoparticles during various steps of
transfection
Cell cultures substrate mimics 3-
dimensional in-vivo cell growth
Copyrighted presentation©Prospective area of agri- Advantages of incorporating Indicative future applications
biotechnology nanobiotechnologies
Genetic transformation Particle mediated DNA delivery Transgenics in non-food
;Enhanced surface area of species such as fibre crops
nanopaticles; and draught animals for
Greater and uniform adsorption of enhancing rural income
DNA to nanoparticles
Therapeutics Minimal toxic side effects to normal Assured plant and animal
cells with gene therapy health care
Direct in-vivo gene transfer devoid of
viral vectors for gene therapy
Greater interaction of the nanodrugs
with cells, proteins and viruses
Efficient targeted drug delivery
Bioindustry Enhanced processing of post-harvest Reduced environmental
material pollution with the efficient use
Enzyme based biofuel production of bioenergy based fuel
with increased speed of electron ensuring ecological security
transfer between the electrodes
without needing a mediator molecule
Copyrighted presentation©Potential of NBT in Agriculture
• Study indicates potential application of nanoscience
based processes and products in biotechnology with
applications in agricultural systems
• The type of drivers of technological changes identified in
various sub areas of nanobiotechnology can form base
for major trajectories in technology development
• Most research at early-stage levels
• But offers several opportunities for applications
– In agricultural systems to enhance productivities, conserve agro-biodiversity,
improve quality of products and also catalyse ecological security of fragile
ecosystems
Copyrighted presentation©ELHS Approach
• Precautionary approach advocated
globally
• R &D at the nanoscale, nanotechnology
applications and societal implications
– form a coherent and interactive system, which
schematically may be visualized as a closed loop
• Nanotechnology success is determined
• by an architecture of factors
– such as creativity of individual researchers, training
of students in nanoscale science and engineering,
– connections between organizations,
– patent regulations, physical infrastructure,
– legal aspects,
– state and federal policies, A closed loop.
– and the international context. Source: Roco 2003.
• The success of nanotechnology cannot
be determined only by doing good R&D in
academic and industry laboratories!
Copyrighted presentation©Sources/Routes of Exposure
Occupational Hazards
Consumer
Ecosystem
Environment
Copyrighted presentation©
Source: Royal Society Report,2004Evidences - Translocation of Nanoparticles in non-
targeted areas
• Deagglomeration, translocation, and distribution reported to play
key roles in the fate of NPs once they gain entrance into the human
body
– NPs, which are smaller than 20 nm, can transit through blood vessel walls.
– Magnetic nanoparticles, for instance, can image metastatic lesions in lymph
nodes, because of their ability to exit the systemic circulation through the
permeable vascular epithelium (Bogdanov et al., 2005)
• Some NPs indicate tendency to penetrate the blood-brain barrier
through paracellular movement, passive diffusion, transport and
endocytosis (Lockman et al., 2003; Kreuter, 2004).
Copyrighted presentation©Responsibilities of Researchers
• A need to be develop code of conduct
• Initial studies (started since 2007-08 only)
indicate technical competence with
sensitive ethical compass : a required
element of all NT researchers
• 13 specific ethical responsibilities at 3
levels identified [ McGinn.2010.]
Copyrighted presentation©Suggested Approaches
• Current approaches to risk management for engineered
nanomaterials,
– engineering control,
– Administrative control,
– PPE and health surveillance,
• Parallel approaches already in practice in occupational health and
biosafety
• Further research and investigation is needed to evaluate the
effectiveness of these approaches
– across the spectrum of engineered nanomaterials being used and generated in
laboratories and industry.
• For agri-nanotechnologies-
– farmer /usergroups interaction a must
– With an aim to identify the risk implications of nanotechnology for worker health,
– and to devise ways to protect workers/farmers/end users
– from any identified adverse health effects of working with nanomaterials by
developing novel approaches to risk assessment and management.
. Copyrighted presentation©Suggested Approaches
• Move away from generalised discussions
– towards a recognition of case specific differences
• Encourage better characterisation of nanomaterials with
– Requirement of reporting on their use
• Increase funding for research
– on (eco)toxicology and environmental fate and behaviour
• Use lifecycle perspectives when considering environmental impacts
• Develop international standards flexible enough
– to adapt to new methods and findings
• Include social and ethical considerations in policy making, especially
in the framing of priorities for risk research
• Commit to environmentally sustainable and socially robust
innovation
Copyrighted presentation©Developing Safe agri-
Nanobiotechnologies through
Sound Science
Thank you
R.Kalpana Sastry
kalpana@naarm.ernet.in
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