BioAsia 2008 from Feb 7

The fifth edition of the global bio-business forum, BioAsia 2008, is being hosted here from February 7-9.  Vice-president M Hamid Ansari will inaugurate the conference.

Besides laying the foundation stones for the National Animal Resource Facility for Biomedical Research (NARFBR) and the Centre for Stem Cell Sciences (CSCS), the vice-president will inaugurate the biotechnology incubation Centre, a first-of-its-kind in India and set up jointly by the central and state governments.

NARFBR, an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) project, is coming up in Hyderabad at an investment of Rs 500 crore (Rs 250 crore in the first phase).

On the other hand, CSCS is being established by the Centre for Liver Research and Diagnostics with the support of the state government at an investment of Rs 150 crore. The biotechnology incubation centre has been set up with Rs 30 crore.

Over 20 internationally renowned scientists will deliver talks on topics related to stem cells and tissue engineering, nanotechnologies, translational research, biopharmaceuticals, food biotechnology, and biofuels from GM crops at the three-day conference, according to state minister for major industries, sugar, commerce and export promotion, J Geeta Reddy.

The minister said the highlight of this year's BioAsia would be the lectures by two Nobel laureates, Martin J Evans and Barry J Marshall.

Delegations form Australia, Germany, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Spain, UK and US have confirmed their participation. This year's 'Genome Valley Excellence Award' would be conferred on Martin J Evan.