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Creditable Achievement of BD Scientists: New Rice Varieties Mitigate Monga
Dhaka 29th Oct., 08. Monga (near-famine situation) is a seasonal food insecurity affecting poor farmers in ecologically vulnerable areas of North-West Bangladesh (Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari districts), primarily caused by unemployment and lack of income preceding the aman harvest in the Bangla months of Ashwin and Kartik (mid-September to mid-November).

‘Monga’ will soon be relegated to the page of the history because of the outstanding achievements made by BRRI, BINA and BAU scientists in developing the three new rice varieties, namely,  BRRI Dhan-33, BINA Dhan-7 and BU Dhan-1.   These three varieties released recently, can be harvested during Monga period creating job opportunities for agricultural workers. This may also benefit the farmers doubly – a) lower production cost and (b) better sale price in the off-season, (cf. lower  sale price during the peak harvest season of Aman  in November-December). In addition, this will ensure continuous food security by early cultivation of vegetables and robi crops followed by planting of  boro rice immediately after harvest of  the new rice varieties. Please click here to read more.

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Center for Detection of  Breast Cancer to be Open from January 2009
Dhaka, Nov. 16, ’08. GNOBB member Dr. A. R. Sikder, now working as a visiting scientist at the Centre of Excellence, DU informs that with two physicians, he has rented an apartment  to start a genetic testing facility called, “Cytogenetics & Cancer Detection Center (CCDC)” in Gulshan-1. The  proposed Biomedical Research Institute (BioBD.org) will also be housed at the same address for the time being.  Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer screening will be the initial focus of the center, the ultimate aim being creation of facility to dispense personalized medicine. CCDC center is expected to open for testing in Jan 2009.

An Extremely Useful Website Publication by ISAAA 

Dhaka 31st Oct., '08  The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) with the support of   the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has published the following book entitled, Genes are Gems: Reporting Agri-Biotechnology. 
"Genes are Gems" is a collection of knowledge and wisdom gained from media workshops organized by ICRISAT in collaboration with ISAAA and UNESCO. 

Science communicators and journalists will find the book very handy as a source of information for GM crops and all the issues related to GM's. This book removes the long felt need of the journalists without much genetics background  Familiarity with this book which explains every GM related scientific event  and problem will embolden the journalists to report about GM crops in great detail without sacrificing their accuracy.
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Creditable Achievement of BD Scientists: New Rice Varieties Mitigate Monga
Dhaka 29th Oct., 08. Monga (near-famine situation) is a seasonal food insecurity affecting poor farmers in ecologically vulnerable areas of North-West Bangladesh (Rangpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Gaibandha and Nilphamari districts), primarily caused by unemployment and lack of income preceding the aman harvest in the Bangla months of Ashwin and Kartik (mid-September to mid-November).

‘Monga’ will soon be relegated to the page of the history because of the outstanding achievements made by BRRI, BINA and BAU scientists in developing the three new rice varieties, namely,  BRRI Dhan-33, BINA Dhan-7 and BU Dhan-1.   These three varieties released recently, can be harvested during Monga period creating job opportunities for agricultural workers. This may also benefit the farmers doubly – a) lower production cost and (b) better sale price in the off-season, (cf. lower  sale price during the peak harvest season of Aman  in November-December). In addition, this will ensure continuous food security by early cultivation of vegetables and robi crops followed by planting of  boro rice immediately after harvest of  the new rice varieties. Please click here to read more.

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Round Table : Biotechnology in Development: World Scenario and Bangladesh  Dhaka, 26th Nov., ’08. A round table discussion on, “Biotechnology in Development: World scenario and Bangladesh” was held Nov. 25, '08 at VIP lounge of the Press club.  The Yahoo group of Young Biotechnologists under the guidance of Professors Haseena Khan and Zeba I. Seraj, Dhaka University organized the program with the blessings and full support of GNOBB. The main objective to hold the function in the Press Club has been to popularize biotechnology under the patronage of Mr. Shykh Seraj, known for his dynamic role and relentless effort to popularize modern methods for enhanced agricultural production both in quality and quantity. The program, first of its kind was aimed at  popularizing and presenting biotechnology in semi-technical language and its multifarious facets and the immense potential and promise that this technology holds for our country. Besides policymakers, the targeted cross-sections of the society were: politicians, economists, business entrepreneurs, academia, journalists, representatives from various electronic media: radio and television. Pl. click here to read more.

Long way to go for to catch up with the biotech progress of the contemporary world
Dhaka June 2^nd, '08. Soon after his arrival in Dhaka, the moderator contacted Mr. Wahid-uz-Zaman, Secretary, the Ministry of Science, Information and Communication Technology to inquire about the fate of his SOS message emailed to him on the 10^th of May regarding  the implementation of recommendations adopted at the International Biotech Conference held in April, 2007. He pursued the matter and now  the SOS letter is in the hands of the Secretary, MoSICT. To read the letter addressed to the Secretary click here. The moderator can be contacted at 8802-989-5831/8802-988-1470. The moderator takes the opportunity of appealing to members to offer suggestions as to how to speed up the process for the Government to take a favorable decision on the recommendations. In this connection, a special request is made to local members to  volunteer their service to accompany the moderator and Dr. Sultanul Aziz to meet the concerned officials after an appointment is made. It does NOT need to be overemphasized that  there will be an inordinate delay unless a decision is  made in our favor at least two months before the general election.
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G8 Leaders Exhort Accelerated Nutrition-Rich Food Production by Agric. Biotech. Dhaka 11th July, '08. G8 leaders have reached  consensus that they would work as partners to establish a global network of high-level experts on food and agriculture that would provide science-based analysis, and highlight needs and future risks of developing countries. The countries forming the Group of eight are: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United States and the United Kingdom. Read the official document by clicking here. _______________________________________________________

Nobel Peace Prize for Grameen Bank and its Founder Professor Muhammad Yunus

Austin October 13, 2006. What a great ecstasy and unprecedented happiness all Bangladeshis felt when the news broke this morning, that Professor Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, he founded 30 years back, won the Nobel Prize.  Professor Muhammed Yunus and Grameen Bank are synonymous; in that sense he is the only awardee of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.  The citation by the Nobel Committee read as follows, "Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Microcredit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights."  According to Professor  Yunus,  microcredit has helped more than 100 million people worldwide below the poverty level to earn enough to have a respectable life style.  More >>. Click the title to read the editorial by Mr. Mahfuz Anam.

GNOBB members will be pleased to know that Prof. Yunus is a staunch supporter of biotechnology and he was one of the first in Bangladesh to apply tissue culture techniques on a commercial scale for  propagation of disease free potato stocks. That's another reason why we feel more jubilant and elated to highlight the news of this most prestigious award of the world in our website. The whole nation is extremely proud of him.
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Top 100 Living Contributors to Biotechnology - Results of a Recently Conducted Poll Austin April 3, '08. Young biotechnologists often wonder about the great men at work whose extremely productive research took biotechnology to a level, never witnessed in human history. The latest development  started in late 70's of the past century - thanks to the ingenious and original work of a few dedicated scientists gifted with vision and innovativeness in the multitude of fields, namely, medicine, agriculture, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics. Their unique scientific adventures backed by equally robust visionaries in legislation and business  have made it possible to open up a vista in the establishment of the biotech industry for the welfare of the planet, not known heretofore. To honor these pioneers, Reed Exhibitions (a Division of Reed Elsevier) conducted a poll (their peers forming the electoral roll) to select the Top 100 Living Contributors to Biotechnology.  The results of this poll have been published in the form of a brochure. GNOBB join with Reed Exhibitions in expressing their whole hearted appreciation to the Top 100 Contributors and also those not mentioned in the brochure for their outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of biotechnology. The brochure is only a click away from the readers.
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		What Could be a More Exciting News for BD Biotechnologists!
Mr. Abdul Muktadir	Prof. Ahmed Azad

Nov. 20, '07. Based on the letter received this morning (20^th of November) from Professor Ahmed Azad, GNOBB feel exceedingly happy to post the following exciting news under three different titles. At a time when the whole Bangladeshi Biotech community,  both at home and abroad was feeling the pain of frustration at the lack of action on the part of the concerned Ministries, the present news that a Private Pharmaceutical Company has come forward to stand by the side of biotech scientists has been a tremendous morale booster. The whole  community is indeed grateful to Mr. Abdul Muktadir, the MD of  INCEPTAPHARMA for his ambitious agenda to (a) set up  and run a "world-class" biomedical research institute for basic biosciences and  drug discovery, (b) set up pilot scale  as well as production facilities  for the whole range of recombinant << More biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vaccines  and (c) appoint a well-qualified experienced senior biotechnologist to head the production of recombinant health care products in their state of the art factory.
 
GNOBB take this opportunity to appeal to all the forum members to actively participate and join the venture which is about to take off to make our dream a success, namely, to bring BD in the frontline of biotech research. We should not miss this Golden Opportunity. We also offer our deep sense of gratitude to Professor Azad to make this happen  through his  liaison between different partners involved in  technology transfer and persuading INCEPTA to start a state of the art Biotech research Institute and appoint a Bangladeshi to head his recombinant vaccine unit.
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A New Era Ushering in the Development of Biotech in Bangladesh

Austin, Nov. 20, '07.  The auspicious moment GNOBB members were waiting for has finally come. It has heralded a new era in which INCEPTAPHARMA, one of the leading Pharmaceuticals in BD will set up pilot scale  as well as production facilities  for the whole range of recombinant biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vaccines. Professor Ahmed Azad played the vital role of an intermediary between ICGEB and Mr. Abdul Muktadir, MD INCEPTA for technology transfer from ICGEB and other sources. The company will continue to produce its existing recombinant biopharmaceuticals in addition to two new ones through host/vector systems developed at the ICGEB Trieste Laboratory as well as a couple of diagnostics patented in the ICGEB laboratory at its Delhi Center.
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A "World-class" biomedical Res. Inst. for basic biosciences & Drug Discovery
Austin, Nov. 20, '07.  While talking to Professor Ahmed Azad, Mr. Abdul Muktadir  of Incepta has expressed  his keen interest in setting up a "world-class" biomedical research institute for basic biosciences and discovery research. It will be left entirely to the discretion of Incepta whether  to develop and commercialize or refuse any candidate drugs or vaccines that are developed in  the proposed institute. Incepta looks forward to participation of  the brightest and the most capable bioscientists  working in Bangladesh, or abroad to participate in building up this proposed state of the art institute where the main objectives would be excellence in science. Incepta would also be interested in collaborating with researchers both at university and research institutional level.   Bangladeshi scientists from home and abroad are requested to contact Prof. Azad if they are interested to be a part of this building process of this proposed Incepta institute envisaged to be one of the best in this region.
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Days of Cheaper, Faster DNA Sequencing & Personalized Medicine Not Too Far Off

Austin, Nov. 28, '07. Genomics pioneer Craig Venter has sequenced his entire genome and released it to the world according to a report published on September 4, ‘07 in Technology Review. The work was completed at the J. Craig Venter Institute (cf. Craig Venter's Genome). Pl. see another interesting paper captioned, “The Diploid Genome Sequence of an Individual Human” by 31 scientists published under the lead author Craig Venter in an open access journal , “Public Library of Sciences (Biology)” . Last June,  the genome of  J. Watson, the co-discoverer   of DNA was sequenced. The unraveling of Venter's and Watson's genomes  has ushered in a new era  leading to an upsurge of  database containing information about personal genomes. The wealth of genomic information will  enable the future physicians to customize  medical treatments to an individual's genetic makeup. (See "The X Prize's New Frontier: Genomics."). By studying his genetic profile Venter has discovered that his genetic variation puts him at  an increased risk for Alzheimer's-, heart, and macular degeneration disease. In order to minimize his suffering from the above diseases,Venter is regularly taking cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins,
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Dr. Shah Mohammad Faruque Elected Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World

Austin Nov. 15, 2007. The whole community of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists and Young BB of Yahoo Group  express their unprecedented level of joy and ecstasy at the news conveyed by Professor Ahmed Azad  that Dr. Shah Mohammad Faruque, Scientist & Head, Molecular Genetics Unit, ICDDR,B, has been elected a fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World at its recent meeting held on the 13th of November in Trieste, Italy. It is a great honor conferred by this Academy to world class scientists of the Developing World.  We all join hands with a smiling face and salute this eminent scientist for his unique achievement. It may be mentioned here that  only a handful of scientists which includes Professor Azad are TWAS members. >> More
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Cloning of Al-Tolerant Gene  (Alt_SB) in Sorghum Augurs Well in Developing Heavy Metal Resistant Crops
Austin Nov 1, 07. In the September issue of Nature Genetics (vol. 39:1156), an exciting article captioned, “A gene in the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family confers aluminum tolerance in sorghum” has been published  by 15 authors affiliated to four different institutions.  This was a Ph.D. work under the guidance of Prof. Leon V. Kochian at  the department of Biology, Cornell University.  The team cloned and annotated a gene called Alt_SB  encoding a member of multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE).  It is an aluminum-activated  citrate transporter, and  the locus Alt_SB has proved to be responsible for imparting aluminum tolerance to certain Sorghum bicolor cultivars. They showed that in tolerant genotypes, the enhanced expression of Alt_SB  gene  "is associated with induction of aluminum tolerance via enhanced root citrate exudation."  They expect to obtain individuals (haplotypes) with increased tolerance to aluminum toxicity. By  molecular breeding they hope to produce cultivars capable of growing in acid soil. In such type of heavily acidic soil crop yields are  very poor.

This is indeed good news for the developing world where over 50 percent of the land constitute heavy metal-contaminated soil.
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Annotation of Heterochromatic Regions of  D.  melanogaster Unravelled 
Austin Aug. 1,  ‘07. In a research article,  “The Release 5.1 Annotation of Drosophila melanogaster Heterochromatin” on  the  15th  June  of Science, (vol. 316:1586-1591),  C. D. Smith, S. Shu, C. J. Mungall, and G. H. Karpen (15 June 2007) affiliated to  Berkeley University and Other Research Institutes around Berkeley (click the hyper-linked names), report of creating annotations of  24 megabases  (each mega base being equal to one million base pairs) constituting the heterochromatic sequences of  Drosophila melanogaster.  Taking advantage of technological advancements, they were able to annotate these sequences and found they code for a minimum of 230 to 254 proteins. In addition, they discovered 32 pseudogenes (non-functional gene that cannot be transcribed) and regions of non-coding RNAs. The most interesting feature of this region comprising introns and intergenic regions is that they are  made up of   “fragmented and nested transposable elements and other repeated DNAs”. The authors have compared this region with “islands” comprising  genes that are highly conserved and housed in the “oceans” of  complex repeats. According to the authors,  these embedded genes require special mechanisms including a different mode of splicing for their expression. This is indeed a commendable piece of research work in view of the fact that comprehensive analysis of gene content of Drosophilids of which Drosophila melanogaster is a member, has hitherto defied any solution because of repetitive DNA sequences.
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New Type 1 Diabetes Gene Found In Children

Austin July 16, ’07. An article captioned,  “A genome-wide association study identified KIAA0350 as a type 1 diabetes gene” has just been published (16th July) online in Nature (doi:10.1038/nature06010). Twenty-three researches with  Hakon Hakonarson as the lead author report of their discovery of a Type 1 diabetic gene.  Type 1 in children is fatal unless blood sugar is kept under control by frequent insulin injections. Their research findings have revealed a  genome wide association of a candidate gene that might be involved in the  pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. Two independent studies (in press, Nature Genetics and Nature) have also identified this candidate gene. This discovery will hopefully lead to an effective treatment of this childhood disease. The candidate gene encodes a sugar-binding protein; i.e., lectins. It is already known that lectins play a crucial role in the MHC genetic repertoire in antigen presentation. Based on their results, the authors hypothesize that the above protein may be involved in the possible activation of  cytotoxic T cells triggering an autoimmune response  concomitant with the destruction of  insulin-producing islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Summary by  Dr. Ekramddoullah.
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Nodule Formation of Nodules in Bradyrhizobia Takes Place without  Nod Genes  
Austin June 11, 2007. So long biologists  believed that only particular group of leguminous plants, such as  Pisum sativum  (peas) and Glycine max  (soybean) enter into symbiotic relationship with soil inhabiting bacteria, Rhizobium.  These bacterial strains produce nodules on  such legume roots  and stems  and live in host cells to their mutual benefit. Nodule formation was shown to be caused only  by   the nodABC genes in which host-specific lipochito-oligosaccharidic Nod factors and  kinase-like receptors take part.   In an article entitled, “Legumes Symbioses: Absence of Nod Genes in Photosynthetic Bradyrhizobia.” published in  the June 1, 2007  edition of Science (316: 1307 1312), 34 scientists under the leadership of  Michael Sadowsky  have shown by complete genome sequencing that two symbiotic, photosynthetic, Bradyrhizobium strains, BTAi1 and ORS278, do neither require  nodABC genes nor  typical lipochito-oligosaccharidic Nod factors for symbiosis in some legumes. The results of their mutational  studies revealed that these Bradyrhizobium strains  follow an alternative pathway to initiate symbioses, “where a purine derivative may play a key role in triggering nodule formation.”
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Prof Z Iqbal

Minhaz

Sutapa

Jakia

Sania

Khadem

Touhid

Young Bangladeshi  Scientists meet Nobel Laureates at  Lindau Germany 
Austin, July 20, ’07. Led by Prof. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal at Shah Jalal university  S&T  (SUST), six young Bangladeshi scientists in the filed of biology, namely, Minhaz Ahmed (Japan Advanced Institute of S&T Japan), Ms. Jakia Amin  and  Khademul Islam (Yamaguchi University, Ube, Japan), Ms. Sutapa Barua (Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana , USA), Touhidul Islam (Dept. of Genetic Engineering and Biotech. DU) and  Ms. Ayesha Sania (ICDDRB, Center, Health & Population Res.,  Dhaka) attended the Lindau Nobel Laureate meeting July 1 through 6. This is the first time that young Bangladeshi scientists got this unique opportunity to be a part of this assembly of 560 young scientists from 64 countries. Sixteen Nobel Laureates addressed this unique gathering of young scientists in the field of physiology and medicine in Lindau, Germany situated on the shore of Constance. The awe-inspiring talks  and exposure to their company have sparked the imagination  of the young scientists and  strengthened  their determination to follow the footsteps  of Nobel Laureates in becoming  future leaders in their respective areas of specialization. While we expect that these extremely talented Bangladeshi young men and women scientists to engage themselves deep in their research projects, and carryout cutting edge researches, we request the government machinery  to provide them all modern  basic equipment  necessary for such high quality original work so that they remain within the country instead of migrating to a foreign soil. Thanks to Minhaz Ahmed who created a Lindau Bangladesh: Participants BlogSite  giving a graphic day-to-day account of  their mingling with  the Nobel Laureates and giving highlights of all the exciting lectures of Nobel Laureates delivered in the conference at Lindau. GNOBB take the opportunity to congratulate  individually all the talented young scientists and their  illustrious Academic ambassador Prof Zafar Iqbal on their completing a successful journey in quest of the fascinating world of knowledge. Pl  read the special report of the Lindau Meeting made by Minhaz Uddin Ahmed
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Cardiovascular diseases may be stress-related damaging Chromosomal Ends
Austin 7th July, 07. The New York Times in its   Science section  of July 3, 07 edition publishes an interesting “interview report” with Professor Elizabeth Blackburn under the title, “Finding Clues in the Fraying Tips of Chromosomes.”  Tips of chromosomes have CAPS at both of their ends called telomeres. They are DNA–protein complexes that protect the chromosomes from damages and are regulated by an enzyme called telomerase and imparts stability to the chromosomes. This enzyme, which synthesizes DNA, is vital to a cell in that it adds telomeric repeat sequences to the end of chromosomal DNA strands. By this action, they preserve the telomere length critical for cell stability, its healthy function and prolonged stem cell proliferation. In addition, they impart long-term function to the cell. In her interview, she pointed out that chronic psychological stress is associated with both shorter telomere length and lower telomerase activity in leukocytes. While at Yale as a postdoctoral student, she sequenced the entire telomere of a protozoa that occurs as a pond scum providing her excellent material for sequencing. The quintessence of their findings is that there are sufficient indications that chromosome shortening by wear and tear of telomere may be stress-related and can cause vascular diseases.
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Nanotechnology Sensor to detect, identify & quantify Unknown Proteins
 Dhaka, May 13, 2007. Led by Vincent M. Rotello, seven scientists  at the University of Massachusetts and the Institute of Georgia have reported in Nature  Nanotechnology  (published online 22^nd April, 2007) that using a nanotechnology sensor array they were able to detect, identify and quantify protein targets.  The array  consisted of six non-covalent gold nanoparticle that were used to create fluorescent polymer conjugates. The article described how this devise has been designed and generated in which individual proteins are present at nanomolar  concentrations. This technique enabled them to identify 52 unknown protein samples with an accuracy of 94.2%. This protein detector arrays  will  have the potential to prove handy in medical diagnostics.
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Granger Challenge Gold Award of $ one Million goes to a Bangladeshi Scientist for his outstanding Discovery of a unique filter to remove arsenic from drinking water

Austin, Feb. 1, '06. GNOBB proudly announces the outstanding achievement of Dr. Abul Hussam, a Bangladeshi scientist  for being nominated to receive The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) 2007 Grainger Challenge Prize  for Sustainability.  The contest sought innovative solutions for removing arsenic from drinking water.  Dr ABUL HUSSAM, currently an associate professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at George Mason University (GMU), Fairfax, Va., will receive the Grainger Challenge Gold Award of $1 million for his SONO filter (cf. the picture), a household water treatment system.  He obtained Hons., M.Sc. from DU and Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh, USA

Alzheimer's Disease sets in as a result of mutation of a gene called SORLA
Austin, Jan. 18, ’07. An online paper in the 14 January issue of Nature Genetics  has been published by four groups of scientists led by Peter St. George-Hyslop of the University of Toronto; Lindsay Farrer of Boston University School of Medicine; Richard Mayeux of Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in NY City, and Steven Younkin of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. They have identified a gene called SORLA or LR11,   which they believe  increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). According to them, this gene regulates the movement of the protein, encoded by this gene through the cell membrane.  In the sor1 mutant,  the protein product, also called SORLA, is  reduced  resulting in the development of  AD. The  deficiency in SORL1 protein leads to trafficking of the so-called amyloid precursor protein (APP) to  the late  instead of recycling endosomes. As a result, small and highly neurotoxic protein  fragments, known as b-amyloid, are accumulated outside the recycling endosomes. Building up of this protein is thought to be the cause of degeneration of neurons of the brain. While awaiting confirmation, the finding gives a  definitive clue as to how AD develops including identification of the disease at an early stage and opens up an avenue to drug researchers for the efficacious treatment of AD symptoms. 
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Genome of a Virulent Parasite (Protist) Pathogen Reported by a Group of 65 scientists
Austin Jan. 14, '07. This week’s Science (Jan. 12, vol. 315, pp. 207-212), reports the Draft  genomic sequence of the Sexually Transmitted Pathogen, Trichomonas vaginalis authored by 65 scientists  with JM Carlton at The Institute for Genomic Research, heading the list. The authors representing the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Czeck Republic, Italy and Taiwan took part in this huge undertaking. Trichomonas vaginalis, a sexually transmitted  common human parasite is a  protist  (protozoa). The analysis of the genome revealed a 160-million nucleotides, of which two-thirds represent repeats and transposable elements.  In other words it has an unusually large and repetitive genome that contains many genes originally from bacteria and viruses.
Such a genetic architecture, comprising a huge number of bases, reflects a recent massive expansion of genetic material that this organism has undergone along with the shaping of  some of its  metabolic pathways^. The authors believe that pathogenesis and phagocytosis  of host proteins have resulted from lateral gene transfer from bacteria accompanied by amplification of specific gene families. They hypothesize that in its evolutionary history the parasite adapted itself to a urinary-genital environment through a series of transitions. Through their genome sequence study, they have predicted previously unknown functions of  the hydrogenosome, an unusual cytoplasmic organelle sharing characteristics of mitochondria but distinct from it.
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_{A High School  Student from India Won  First Prize on her Bio-diesel Project}

Austin Jan. 16, '06. Shameena Banu, an eighth grade student at Zion Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Indira Nagar from the South of India, won the first prize on her  bio-diesel project. Crude extract was obtained from the seeds of Jatropha gossypifolia, a wasteland aggressive weed, found all over the Indian subcontinent including Bangladesh. The oil was first extracted from seeds and then filtered through industrial cotton. Thereafter, the process consisted of adding methanol along with a catalyst to obtain methyl ester with glycerin as derivative.
After a few other processes, such as recovery of methanol, washing and removal of moisture, the refined methyl ester - the bio-diesel  was obtained. Unlike fossil fuel, the plant-derived biodegradable bio-diesel was free of sulfur with minimum of soot emission. According to Ms. Banu, the cost of a liter of oil will be Rs. 20 a liter, taking into account the price of the apparatus around Rs. 20,000. 
Read the Story.
The extraction of bio-fuel is now an old technology but what is innovative is the idea that an easily cultivable wasteland aggressive weed  can be used as as a source of bio-diesel at a minimal cost. The idea caught the imagination of a 13-year-old  school girl and that she fulfilled her dream with the support of her parents and teachers. This can be a suitable topic on which further research can be carried out at NIB and other institutions aimed at solving the country's chronic shortage of fossil oil. 

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New Website launched by Dr. Abidur Rahman, Co-founder of GNOBB
Austin, Dec. 18, '06 Dr. Abidur Rahman, Co-founder of GNOBB, has recently launched his personal website after he moved to Cryobiosystem Res. Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Japan.  The URL is:
http://news7a1.atm.iwate-u.ac.jp/~abidur/. He has invited opinion about this website. We feel very proud of the way Dr. Abid has represented his field of research giving food for thought to researchers working in this discipline of biotechnology. We wish him God speed and a unparalleled success in elucidating the role of auxin by way of linking upstream signaling events with downstream physiological responses.
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Government of India's Positive Step to Boost up Innovations in Biotechnology
Austin Dec. 15, '06. The following news item has been received through the courtesy of  GNOBB member, Dr. Parvez Haris. The news under the title, “ Incentives soon for biotech” was given by the staff correspondent at Banglore, BR Srikanth who covered the function on the inauguration of state-of-the-art drug discovery facility of the Jubilant Organsys Ltd. More by clicking here>>
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New Feature in the Website
December 1, '05. So long the blank box provided in the search engine area   on the right has been able to pull out the information about a Bangladeshi Biotechnologist. Now the search engine has the additional capability of retrieving the names of all  concerned scientists in an area of biotechnology. Just type the area, say, cancer, and it will show all the Bangladeshis working in cancer biology. This feature will help GoB, research institutes, universities, industries  establish  contact  person/s in the areas of their interest, particularly while planning a project with a certain objective.
We have another feature.  Below the search engine, you can write your comments about anything relating to the site and it will show up after the remarks are approved by the moderator. Just click view to show the comments that we hope will be offered by the viewers: members and non-members alike.
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Sequenced Smut Genome Revealing Genes of Virulence
Austin Nov. 24, '06. One interesting feature of the smut fungus Ustilago maydis is that unlike other pathogenic fungi, it does not have visual aggressive mechanism to infect crop plants such as wheat nor does it kill its host. The paper authored by as many as 80 scientists under the guidance of  Prof. B.W. Birren at Department of Organismic Interactions, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Germany reports 20.5-million-base pair long genome  of this universally occurring fungus.  They have published their findings in the Nov. 2 issue of Nature  444:97-101 in an article captioned, “Insights from the genome of the biotrophic fungal plant pathogen Ustilago maydis.” What is most striking characteristic of this fungus is that it does not contain any codons for pathogenecity which confer virulence to other pathogenic fungi. Instead what this fungus contains is a 12 cluster of genes encoding small secreted proteins with unknown functions.  These authors have shown that these genes work as a team and infect the crop plants.  The results of their experiments demonstrated that deletion of individual cluster of the small family of genes altered the status of virulence. In five cases, they were able to show that some deletion caused hyper-virulence and  others did not cause any symptoms of  this smut disease. The authors claim that the genomic analysis of this fungus is likely to open up new vistas shedding light on determinants  that cause virulence in other pathogens like smuts.

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New Application of  Gold Nano-particles in the Treatment of Cancer 
Austin Nov. 25, '06. GNOBB feel happy to present to their readers a fascinating  article captioned, “The Golden Death of Cancer”  written by Rim Sabrina Jahan Sarker, a third year student  in the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Dhaka University. This was published in the  “Campus” section of  the Daily Star in its 26^th Nov. edition. She talks about  nano-technology (10^-9 meter) and its application in the detection of cancer cells and their destruction without detrimental effect to the healthy cells. The treatment consists of use of  gold nanoparticles  (1/5000th smaller in diameter than  a human hair)  combined with a light sensitive drug that  enter cells and interact with DNA and proteins contained in cell organelles . This drug-nanoparticle complex kills cancer cells in a process called “photodynamic therapy” (PDT). Read the whole article by clicking the title. More>>
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Like Father, Like Son: Roger Kornberg wins Nobel Prize for his outstanding work in transcription in Eukaryotes. Click here. 
Austin, Oct. 04, ’06. Professor Roger Kornberg at Stanford University, son of Nobel Laureate Arthur Kornberg won this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry for his major breakthrough research in the field of “Transcription in Eukaryotes.” His experimental material was  yeast cells in which transcription process is  strikingly similar to that of human cells. By using an innovative method, Kornberg was able to produce images of mRNAs in minute details  as they are formed continuously from the initiation of the process.  His innovative method allowed him to freeze the construction process of RNA half-way through. When interviewed Nobel Laureate Kornberg disclosed that applying  his research as a base, a number of pharmaceutical companies have already embarked on projects  aimed at developing  drugs for the treatment  of  several deadly diseases of which, he mentioned, cancer is one.
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An Inspirational Report about MSS Research Foundation by BRF Trustee Member
Austin Sept. 21, ’06. GNOBB considers itself to be fortunate to receive communications of relevance to the fulfillment of its objectives. Recently there has been a flow of such news, the one given below has been provided by ZIS to Young BB Yahoo Group. The encouraging and inspirational message, she has conveyed is contained in a report of the visit to MS Swaminathan Research Foundation  by Dr. Sadiq I. Bhuiyan, Treasurer, the Board of Trustees, Bangladesh Rice Foundation. (BRF).  Prof. M.S. Swaminathan FRS was the architect of the Green Revolution in India which enabled the country not only to make up its food deficiency  but turn  it into a wheat exporting nation.. In the last ten years he has also started the concept of eco-friendly agricultural development or sustainable agricultural development. Read more>>   
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Moderator is back after attending IAS Conference from 4th through10th of November

Austin, Nov 11, '06. The moderator  had a fruitful meeting in Ankara where he presented the paper entitled "Tapping Expatriate Talents by helping Creation of Center of Excellence in Islamic countries".   Click here to view his PPT presentation. ISESCO Director General who was present among the audience and many others among the audience took note of  what GNOBB has been doing for the last two years to promote biotech research in Bangladesh. ISESCO and IAS will be examining the successful  experiment done by GNOBB,  whether such an easy exercise could be duplicated in other Islamic countries. Professor Ahmed Azad, who also attended the assembly made a deep impression on the participants through his pre-dinner presentation, where he proposed how centers of excellence can be created in Islamic countries by focusing our research  on  projects such as Drug Discovery.  On the request of the Moderator the Chairman,  Professor Mehmet Ozturk, a recipient of  TWAS honorary  professorship  has consented  to visit Bangladesh in the first part of April to take part in the second workshop to be held on the 6^th of April thru 8^th. Read MORE>>

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"Protein expression tells only half the truth” A proteomic Study in Pseudomonas 
Austin Sept 12, '06. In a brief article captioned, “Protein expression tells only half the truth” published in the News and Views section of Nature Genetics in its Sept. issue (vol. 38, No. 9), Susanna K. Remold at the Department of Biology, Univ. of Louisville, Kentucky comments on the work of CG Knight et al at the Department of Plant Sciences, Oxford (cf. same issue, pp 1015-22). Knight et al. describe an  adaptive  mutant, ws  of Pseudomonas fluorescens that changed its phenotype from smooth wall of the wild type (SM)  to that of wrinkly spreader (ws). More>>
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Biochar and Biofuels for a brighter future
Austin Sept 13, '06. In  the Correspondence section of the 14^th September issue of Nature, Vol. 443,  M. H. B. Hayes at Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Ireland writes under the title, “Biochar and Biofuels for a brighter future” of the recent  progress made in the production of biofuels and platform chemicals from cellulose and hemicellulose precursors. This might be considered to be a good topic for research in NIB.  Below is given the rest of the correspondence. Read more.
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Resistance against Hemipteran Pests  in Rice  thru Insertion of ASAL Gene 
Austin Sept. 1, '06. Scientists at the Plant Molecular and Cellular Genetics Lab.,  Bose Institute Calcutta  under the lead author Dr. S. Das have been doing some pioneering research work in developing Brown Plant Hopper (BPH)  and  Green  Leaf Hopper (GLH) resistant rice plants by inserting ASAL gene initially cloned from garlic (Allium sativum). Furthermore, they showed that the incidence of  Tungro-virus caused diseases in rice is drastically reduced in the transgenic plants. Read the abstract for more information.
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First Recombinant Protein in Goat Approved after Initial Rejection
Austin, Aug. 11, '06. Charlie Schmidt reports in the News section of  Nature Biotechnology in its Aug. issue (24: 877 (2006) that the first drug, Atryn,  produced in an animal bioreactor  (goat) has recently received approval from EMEA (European Medicines Agency). The compound is a recombinant protein characterized by the human antithrombin  property that may be used to treat patients who suffer from serious blood loss as their system cannot produce anticoagulant  protein. Contrary to the belief of industrialists, FDA has made it clear that any recombinant drug, if it is produced with proven efficacy under strict  safety precautions and manufacturing guidelines stands a good chance of  being approved. Read the story by clicking the title.
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A small molecule destroys malignant cells in cancerous mouse model
Austin, Aug. 30, ’06. GNOBB members would be interested to read an article captioned, “Small-molecule activation of procaspase-3 to caspase-3 as a personalized anticancer strategy” published online  on the 27^th of August, ’06 in Nature Chemical Biology journal by 13 molecular scientists including four from Seoul National University, South Korea under the leadership of Professor Paul Hergenrother at Illinois University, Urbana. They have shown that  a small molecule called PAC-1 converts pocaspase-3 to caspase-3 – an executioner enzyme which induces cell death (apoptasis). They tested the effect of this chemical  on cancerous cells obtained from primary colon tumor samples of mice.  They  found that PAC-1, when given orally  into cancer-stricken 3 mouse models arrest the growth of tumors, thereby demonstrating that this chemical works in cells that have defective apoptotic machinery. The discovery opens up an innovative way for treating different types of cancer without the intervention of  surgery and chemical therapy.
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Participation of GNOBB Member Dr. Hemayet Ullah to ASPB Meeting at Boston
Ausstin, Aug. 11, '06. GNOBB member, Dr. Hemayet Ullah presented a poster (PO9014) entitled, “Sumoylation of dimerized RACK1 scaffold protein regulates elevated temperature stress signal transduction pathways in Arabidopsis” in the recently concluded ASPB Meeting held in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Ullah and his team workers are currently focused on elucidating the function of RACK1 (Receptor for Activated Kinase C), a structural homolog of G-protein b  subunit. This receptor protein has been shown to act as a scaffold protein which integrate signals of different pathways by acting as a scaffold protein. As against one RACK1 in non-plant organism, Ullah’s team has shown that in Arabidopsis there are three identical RACK1 gene; and they are involved in regulating diverse environmental stress such as elevated heat stress responses. This being the first report of RACK1 in plants, the authors think that this  will generate a renewed interest   in  the study of the functioning of the RACK1 as a scaffolding protein both in plants and animals. For details on the titles of Symposia and Posters including their abstracts click here. To know more about "sumoylation" pl. press the highlighted word in blue Font.
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Seminar on Proteomics related to water-logging and Heavy Metal  Tolerance
Austin Aug. 6, 06. GNOBB member  Mr. Nagib Ahsan at Kyungpook National University, S. Korea is visiting Bangladesh for two months in February after he defends  his Ph.D. thesis. Mr. Ahsan has informed GNOBB moderator (Pl see his comments and participation schedule by clicking the TWO appropriate navigable sections on the right hand side of the homepage), that he will be happy to give a a seminar talk on any of the following topics.1. A proteomic approach for investigating water-logging regulated proteins in tomato plants 2. A new strategy to develop transgenic plants with enhanced tolerance to heavy metals and oxidative stress.   Recently (17th June) Mr Ahsan made a 20-minute presentation on "A Proteomic approach for investigating water-logging regulated proteins in tomato leaves at the Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society Meeting (session IV, "Omics" Tools and data handling). The abstracts of the meeting have been published in the form of a book.
Interested institutions are requested to contact him at his email address.
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The Seminar by Dr. P. Haris  Created a good deal of Enthusiasm among Young BB.
Austin Aug 09. The news has just reached GNOBB  that the talk of Dr. Parvez Haris on "Can Young Scientists in Bangladesh Play an Active Role in the Global Biotechnology Revolution?  was held as scheduled at the Conference Room of the Center of Excellence, Dhaka University. The talk was applauded by a huge  enthusiastic audience most of whom were young biotechnologists (BB) from different University departments and institutions.  Pointing out to the young BB, Dr. Parvez emphasized that they need to adjust themselves to  a new way of thinking to keep pace with the rapid advancement of biotechnology. The lecture highlighted important areas of biotechnology and genetic engineering at the international level, giving examples of some of the latest advances. In particular, the lecture dwelt on how  bioinformatics and proteomics in conjunction with genetic engineering can play a major role in improving the health and wealth of Bangladeshi citizens.  He also highlighted in his lecture how young scientists in Bangladesh can be motivated to study these disciplines and play an active role in the global biotechnology revolution. Pl. read the account provided by Mr. Mustak Ibn Ayub, the key figure in organizing the talk.
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A Vaccine against Bird Flu   Successfully Developed in India
Austin July 24 ’06. In its latest July edition, SciDev.net has published a news that  a breakthrough in the development of a vaccine against the deadly H5N1 has been made by Indian Scientists at the High Security Animal Disease in Bhopal which is the main facility in the country for testing and research. The virus has been  isolated,  purified, characterized and sequenced,  prelude to the development of vaccine. The results obtained so far are encouraging and the Indian government hope to release the vaccine in the near future because of its proven remedial efficacy. 
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Future of Transgenic crops: Some Recent  Interesting  Developments
Austin May 20, ’06. In a 36-page report  captioned, “Food and Nutrition Biotechnology: Achievements, Prospects and Perceptions” submitted to  United Nations University  (UNU-IAS)  in 2005 Dr.  Albert Sasson, Visiting Professor describes the properties of a chemical compound called “resveratrol”. It is a compound,  well-known for its antioxidant properties and healing effects on cardiovascular diseases. Researchers have shown that this chemical lengthens the life of yeast cells by 80 per cent. It is reported to activate enzymes that prevent cancer, and boost cellular repair systems. Transgenic apples containing the “resveratrol” gene have been reported three years back in Plant Cell Reports vol. 22: 141-49 (2003).  Professor Dr. Hans-Jörg Jacobsen at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Hanover University, Germany in his captivating presentation on GM crops delivered  recently at the BINA auditorium, Mymensingh talked about this transgenic apple variety that will soon be available in the market for health-conscious people. 
Professor Jacobsen also spoke about the bright prospects of oral vaccines.  He referred to a recent article (published on 14 February, 06) in theithacajournal.com,  According to this article the United States Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics has announced the first regulatory approval for plant-made vaccine to Dow AgroSciences. The production of this vaccine against the Newcastle Disease Virus of chickens was possible due to partnerships of several companies. The vaccine can be used by the poultry industry to vaccinate chickens against the Newcastle Disease Virus. This product is under test for four more different vaccination projects: against West Nile Virus for horses, Avian Influenza, Bovine Pneumonia and