India to Formulate Energy Biosciences Strategy

India's Department of Biotechnology recently held a two -day discussion to formulate an energy biosciences strategy. The discussion concentrated on the technology options for bioethanol and biodiesel production and also on the industrial perspective, both at the national and global levels. The key recommendations which were presented to Dr. Kirit S. Parikh, Member (Energy), Planning Commission of India include:

1. Exploit bioresources for biofuel production and adopting molecular biology tools for tailoring feedstock.  
2. Identify potential areas for collaboration with countries such as the US, United Kingdom, and Israel.  
3. Facilitate process optimization, set up a pilot plant for scale up and validation, make available an incubator facility for small entrepreneurs, and promote strong industrial partnership. 
4. Expedite algal biofuel research, Jatropha production and improvement, and initiate programs on other biodiesel raw material species; and, 
5. Strengthen human resources and capacity to handle intellectual property rights issues, and set up a energy biosciences center.

For details, visit: http://www.dbtindia.nic.in/Energy_bioscience/EBS.htm Obtain more information on biotech in India by emailing Bhagirath Choudhary at b.choudhary@isaaa.org.