Biotechnology

Challenges of the 21st

Century

How will medical biotechnology change

our lives in the years ahead?

• Human Genome Project

• Research on the function of
human genes and
controlling factors that
regulate genes

• Human proteome
• Collection of proteins
responsible for activity in a
human cell
• Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)
• Single nucleotide changes (mutations) in DNA sequences that
vary from individual to individual
• These variations are the cause of some genetic diseases (sickle
cell anemia)
• SNPs will help identify genes involved in medical conditions
including arthritis, stroke, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and
behavioral and emotional illnesses
• Example of SNPs and breast cancer
• Identification of SNPs in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
involved in promoting breast cancer led to
development of better targeted treatments for
people who have those specific gene mutations
• Example of how we can benefit from the human genome
project

• Based on the figure, why doesn't person 2 develop a genetic

disease due to the SNP (G → T)?
• How can you test one
person's DNA for many
different SNPs?
• Microarray (gene chip)
• Isolate DNA from
patient
• Apply this sample to a
microarray which
contains many DNA
sequences
• Compare patterns of
DNA binding between
patient's DNA and DNA
on microarray to reveal
patient's SNP patterns
• Pharmacogenomics is customized medicine
• Tailor-designing drug therapy and treatment strategies based on the
genetic profile of a patient
• Do microarray analysis and then design drugs against genes that are
mutated for an individual patient

• Metabolomics
• A snapshot of the small molecules produced during cellular
metabolism
• Glucose, cholesterol, ATP, and signaling molecules
• Can distinguish between disease process and physiological adaptation
• Nanotechnology
• Applications that
incorporate extremely
small devices
• Small particles that
can deliver drugs
to cells
• Gene therapy technology
• Replacing or augmenting defective genes with normal
copies of the gene
• Still have barriers to overcome before this technology
becomes safe and effective
• Obstacles include:
• How can normal genes be delivered to virtually all cells in the
body?
• What are the long-term effects of introducing extra genes in
humans?
• What must be done to ensure the proper protein is made after
the genes are delivered to the body?
• Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is emerging
technology to silence genes that are involved in
disease progression
• Stem cell technology
• Stem cells are immature cells that grow and divide to
produce different cell types
• Most stem cells are from embryos called embryonic
stem cells (ESCs) but they are controversial since the
process involves death of an embryo
• Some stem cells are from adult cells (ASCs)
• Either type of stem cell can be coaxed to grow into cells of
interest to replace damaged tissue or failing organs (liver,
pancreas, retina)
• ESCs can give rise to many types of differentiated
cells
• How will medical biotechnology change our lives
in the years ahead?
• Regenerative medicine
• Genetically modifying stem cells of patients to
treat genetic disease conditions
• In future scientists will be able to…
1. Isolate adult stem cells from a patient with a
genetic disorder
2. Genetically manipulate these cells by gene
therapy approaches
3. Reinsert the cells into the same patient to help
treat their genetic disease
Challenges in Agriculture Biotechnology in Malaysia

• Banana-Shigatoka and Panama diseases

• Rice- weedy rice and pests like golden apple snail , sheath blight
• Fruits- pest
• Harvesting pepper- labour intensive, non-synchronised ripening

Solution: GMO – can you accept ?

Biotechnology Challenges in Malaysia
Malaysia National Biotechnology Policy
(since 2005)

Missing link

IMPLEMENTATION !!!!!
Biotechnology –a complex field where multiple factors
interwine
• Need to understand these factors and balancing it correctly

Challenges (in term of implementation)

• Companies rush to grab low-hanging fruits, not strictly

involved in the real biobusinesses
• In the pursuit of getting products too soon into the market,
the appetite for basic research is lost.
• Require continuous funding
• Public-private sector collaboration
• Talent
1) Mismatch between talent development and market needs
2) Insufficient funding for biotechnology R&D
3) Minimising duplication and maximising collaboration –role of
MOSTI and other biotechnology related ministries, agencies
and institutes
4) Appointment should be based on merit, experience and skills
in the area of biotechnology instead of political appointment
for top positions at government agencies and research
institutes
5) Chase for university ranking- publications (dilutes endustsry
engagement
6) Current economic situation and reduction in budget