Microbes emerging as technology generators

CHANDIGARH, Jan 24: Micro-organisms have now become leading technology generators and bio-remedication technology has become a big money-...

CHANDIGARH, Jan 24: Micro-organisms have now become leading technology generators and bio-remedication technology has become a big money-spinner.

Expressing this at the Foundation Day lecture at the Institute of Microbial Technology here, the secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, Dr Manju Sharma, added that naturally occurring as well as genetically-modified organisms are being used extensively, with their utilisation in chemical, environmental and service sectors going up by 81 per cent in the US last year. The growth of this sector is expected to reach 500 million per annum by the turn of the century.

Dr Sharma said that waste and water treatment, re-medication in bioreactors and development of various types of kits is also being rapidly pursued. Micro-organisms are also finding use in mining of ores, particularly in environmentally sensitive regions.

Pointing out that bio-remedication is one such process which has resulted not only in pollution control but also in actual detoxification of heavy metals and abatement of air, water and soil pollution, she added that microbes which de-toxify radio nucleic acid, have also been identified.

Highlighting the problems of sulphur emission from burning fossil fuel, which results in pollution and acid rain, she added that it has been understood that there are microbes in nature which can selectively consume sulphur.

Pollution in India, according to World Bank estimates, costs the country about 80 billion in terms of sickness and deaths, she said.

Micro-organisms in the agricultural sector, Dr Sharma said, have already demonstrated their significance by expressing genes for defence against pathogens. Saying that we are only at the tip of the iceberg and have a challenge to produce transgenic plants which can produce microbial polyester at a low cost, she added that a large part of microbial diversity needs to be identified for bio-degradation processes and other uses, which can do miracles in terms of environmentally safe technologies. Pointing out that the institute has the expertise and the infrastructure for innovations in biotechnology, she said a review of Indian experts suggested that microbes have become extremely important in not only maintaining the eco-balance but also from the industrial point of view.

Story continues below this ad

Earlier, presenting the Institute8217;s annual report, Director Dr Amit Ghosh said 22 papers were published during the past year, while eight bio-technology related seminars were organised.

Agreements concerning funding from abroad totalling 1,07,500 for two research projects have been worked out, while research and study projects amounting to over Rs 38 lakh have been received from local industry and government agencies.

Further, the institute8217;s modernisation plan was pegged at Rs 76 lakh of a total commitment of Rs 3 crore.

Prizes to winners of different sports competitions organised for staff members and their children were given by the Institute8217;s founder director, Dr V C Vora.