The National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, during short span of time, it has established itself as Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology by upgrading its infra-structure and improving the quality of scientific manpower. As first Director General, it is always heartening to see this Institute blossom.
The pace of development in biotechnology over the last few years has been mind boggling. Increasing number of transgenic crops, completion of Arabidopsis and rice genome along with human genome are some of the milestones. Health biotechnology has also moved on from drug discovery pursuits to other areas. Stem cell research holds a great promise for future use of this technology in disease therapy. Numerous biotechnology innovations have also made an impact in industry and environmental conservation. NIBGE has been alive to all these developments and has accordingly developed its research programmes. One of the objectives while establishing NIBGE was to develop ‘receiving units’ for the new emerging technologies. For this purpose, NIBGE has developed infrastructure which is at par with international standards and has thus been able to establish several linkages with various biotechnology laboratories in advanced countries.
NIBGE has become internationally a lead centre for research on cotton leaf curl virus by deciphering the virus genetic code and documenting the genetic diversity existing in the field. A useful input from University of Arizona, Tuscon; John Imn Centre, Norwich, UK; Imperial College and Queen Mary College London resulted in accumulation of useful data, which is now being utilized for developing transgenic cotton resistant to CLCuV. Similarly establishment of a Plant Genomic Laboratory in collaboration with PARC (Pakistan Agricultural Research Council) is a step in right direction. The Institute has also excelled in the area of biofertilizers with support from IAEA and more recently from Islamic Development Bank through which Biofertilizer Resource Centre (BIRCEN) has been established at NIBGE. Commercialization of biofertilizers under the trade name of BioPower is greatly helping in development of sustainable agriculture.
The Institute has been a pioneer in establishing PCR based diagnostic techniques for infectious diseases which are now routinely done in many hospitals. Our contribution regarding genotyping of Hepatitis-C virus in our local population has also been greatly appreciated. NIBGE is soon going to have state-of-the-art equipment (CV Chromoscan) for doing human chromosomal analysis, karyotyping, molecular diagnosis for genetic disorders and cancers and comparative genomic based hybridization.
NIBGE by all means, has emerged as a focal point for all national and international activities related to biotechnology in the country. Human resource development is the cornerstone for development in this area. NIBGE is thus contributing effectively by conducting M.Phil Biotechnology programme in collaboration with the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. This is now being extended to Ph.D. programme. NIBGE has also taken a lead role in the finalization of Biosafety Guidelines for Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). For this purpose a series of training courses for capacity building in Environmental Impact Assessment will be held during the current year.
Bioinformatics is fast developing as a discipline and NIBGE has already initiated a Bioinformatics Cell, with the help of computer specialists in simulation and modeling. Other organizations of PAEC are instrumental in providing help and assistance in this regard.
In the present scenario of WTO and various IPR constraints, development and commercialization of biotechnology has become complex and needs special skills. Through the commercial biotech company, PIBS, established by NIBGE, efforts will be made to resolve such issues and to enter into joint venture agreements with international private sector biotech companies which will eventually help in the transfer of technology.
PAEC has always been on the forefront for acquiring new and emerging technologies. Hence, PAEC took the initiative way back in 1987 for establishing National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering which was formally inaugurated in January 1994 by the President of Pakistan. PAEC has always been generously supporting activities in biosciences involving use of nuclear techniques in agriculture and medicine. PAEC, in addition to NIBGE, runs three Agriculture Research Institutes namely NIAB, Faisalabad; NIA, Tandojam and NIFA, Peshawar. In addition, PAEC runs thirteen Nuclear Medical Centres all over Pakistan. PAEC intends to continue supporting R&D activities in all related areas of life sciences.