Dr. (Mrs.) R. Kalpana Sastry - Research and Information System for ...

Emerging Technologies for Enhancing Indian 

Agriculture-Case of Nanobiotechnology 

Kalpana Sastry, R 

National Academy of Agricultural Research Management 

Hyderabad 

Invited lecture- 66 th ABDC- October 6,2012. Session Ii b: Agricultural Biotechnology: Going beyond GM. Hyderabad.INDIA 

Copyrighted presentation©

• Introduction 

Plan of Presentation 

• Emerging Sciences for Agricultural Development and Challenges 

• Framework for Assessing Nanobiotechnology 

• Current trends of work in agri-nano biotechnology 

• Concluding Remarks 


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 


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. 


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 


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 


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 


Sectors of Agri- 

Biotechnology 

Green Biotechnology 

Veterinary Biotechnology 

Food Biotechnology 

Blue Biotechnology 

White Biotechnology 

Environmental Biotechnology 

Interventions Tools of 

Nanotechnology* 

Nanobiotechnology 

Agri-nanobiotechnology 

Agri-Production Systems 

Food Security 

Nutrition Security 

Livelihoods Security 

Ecological Security 

Agro-biodiversity conservation 

* 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 


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 


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 


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 


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 agrinanobiotechnology 

retrieved 

• Analysis of whole text patent documents based 

on description and background of the invention 

indicated 

– five possible areas 


Broad Areas of Application Biotechnological Tools in 

Agriculture 

S. No Areas 

I Genomics 

II Genetic Engineering 

III Genetic Transformation 

IV Therapeutics 

V Bio-industry 


Indicative Areas of Nanoresearch 

Nanoresearch 

Area 

Potential Application in Nanobiotechnology 

• 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 

nanoribbon 

DNA sequencing 

• Nanosphere Transfection with expression vectors 

Gene therapy 


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 

nanoparticles 

Enzyme based biofuel production 


Knowledge Mapping Framework for Integration of Biotechnology with Nanoresearch Areas 

1. 


Prospective area of 

agri-biotechnology 

Advantages of incorporating 

nanobiotechnologies 

Genomics DNA sequencing: 

High throughput 

Enhanced accuracy 

Relatively less time 

Operates on a small scale 

More reliability 

Genetic engineering Not host specific 

Increased recovery of viable transformed 

cells 

Increased gene expression 

Sustained release of encapsulated DNA 

Non-dissociation of plasmid DNAnanoparticles 

during various steps of 

transfection 

Cell cultures substrate mimics 3dimensional 

in-vivo cell growth 

Indicative future applications 

Genome sequencing project 

can be extended to wild and 

weedy species which are the 

source of resistance genes to 

several biotic and abiotic 

stresses 

Enhancing agrobiodiversity 

conservation 

Greater efficacy of the 

technique with assured results 


Prospective area of agribiotechnology 

Advantages of incorporating 

nanobiotechnologies 

Genetic transformation Particle mediated DNA delivery 

;Enhanced surface area of 

nanopaticles; 

Greater and uniform adsorption of 

DNA to nanoparticles 

Therapeutics Minimal toxic side effects to normal 

cells with gene therapy 

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 

material 

Enzyme based biofuel production 

with increased speed of electron 

transfer between the electrodes 

without needing a mediator molecule 

Indicative future applications 

Transgenics in non-food 

species such as fibre crops 

and draught animals for 

enhancing rural income 

Assured plant and animal 

health care 

Reduced environmental 

pollution with the efficient use 

of bioenergy based fuel 

ensuring ecological security 


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 


• Precautionary approach advocated 

globally 

ELHS Approach 

• 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, 

– and the international context. 

• The success of nanotechnology cannot 

be determined only by doing good R&D in 

academic and industry laboratories! 

A closed loop. 

Source: Roco 2003. 


Occupational Hazards 

Ecosystem 

Sources/Routes of Exposure 

Environment 

Source: Royal Society Report,2004 

Consumer 


Evidences - Translocation of Nanoparticles in nontargeted 

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). 


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.] 


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. 


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 


Developing Safe agri- 

Nanobiotechnologies through 

Sound Science 

Thank you 

R.Kalpana Sastry 

kalpana@naarm.ernet.in

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