ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

decontamination and microbial diversity of HCH and
p-Nitrophenol contaminated soils from dumping
sites, HCH degrading sphingomonads were isolated.
The analysis of these strains revealed that they
contain lin genes (responsible for the degradation of
HCH isomers). It was also demonstrated that
biostimulation of sphingomonads population can be
used for the degradation/decontamination of high
dose point HCH residues.
At University of Allahabad, germ plasm of more than
three hundred strains representing full biodiversity of
cyanobacteria from U.P. & Bihar has been
developed. A few useful strains rich in phycocyanin,
phycoerythrin, protein, and nitrogen fixing activity
have also been recognized. Combination of certain
strains have been developed for their use as
biofertilizer in rice-fields.
Biotechnology Patent Facilitating Cell
The Department of Biotechnology support research
in basic and applied aspects of life sciences and
protects the outcome/invention. The Biotechnology
Patent Facilitating Cell (BPFC) of the Department
extends administrative and financial support to
inventions that fulfill the patentability criteria. The
Patent Cell also creates awareness and
understanding about the importance of Intellectual
Property among scientists and researchers through
workshops, seminars, conferences and regular
training courses.
During the year 2006-2007, out of 22 applications
received for patenting, DBT filed 15 patent
applications in India and other countries through
NRDC. The total number of patent applications filed
by DBT in India and with PCT, USPTO, EPO and
other countries, which have potential commercial
value stands at 187 (approx.). The list of patent
applications filed during the year 2006-2007 (upto
December 2006) is given in table 1.
The Department has sponsored seminars and
workshops by NRDC and BCIL for the researchers to
acquire hands on knowledge to introduce IPR culture
and novelty protection in R&D pursued with an
effective IP management for commercial value
addition to their business portfolio.
Three officers of the Department were trained at the
Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad to
familiarize themselves with the basic theory and
practice of IP regimes, to get hands-on experience in
reading patents, reviewing prior art and
understanding the strategic issues involved in
protection of IP and also to appreciate the
dimensions of licensing associated with IP
protection.
The Centre for IPR Research and Advocacy
(CIPRA), Bangalore, with the support of this
Department, has conducted a one week Refresher
Course on IPR and Biotechnology for the scientists
working under the DBT sponsored projects in
different institutions in India, from 25.12.2006 to
30.12.2006 to promote basic understanding of
patents and other IPR related issues. More than 25
scientists attended the training course. The course
will be continued to build capacity in the area of IP.
The database of patents has been redesigned and
upgraded for better information retrieval by scientists
and the policy makers alike and is in the process of
updation.
151 Bioprocess and Product Development