To develop and deploy state-of-the-art infrastructure for conduct of transgenic research and to act as a clearinghouse for technology inputs, transgenic research leads/ prototypes with proof of concept derived from Indian research institutes, universities, and other likely sources.Also to evolve the technology to a point where a practical application can be demonstrated, and transfer this “evolved” technology for product development and distribution to appropriate agencies.

1. Solutions for Impact in Emerging
Markets: The role of biotechnology
Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur
p.bhatnagar@cgiar.org
Seed Security for Food Security Forum- a 2017 Borlaug Dialogue Side Event,
World Food Prize 2017, Des Moines, October 17, 2017

2. This presentation
• ICRISAT’s mission
• Constraints to crop productivity
• Biotechnology for crop improvement
 Global efforts & status
• Biotech traits @ ICRISAT
• Newer approaches for old problems
• Issues linked to the development & deployment of GE crops
• Overcoming the challenges
• Conclusions

3. We believe all people have a right to nutritious food and better livelihoods
ICRISAT works in the dryland tropics of sub-Saharan
Africa and Asia to:
Our research activities are focused on crops of immense value to the nutrition and economics of the
semi-arid tropics – dryland cereals (sorghum, millets) and grain legumes (chickpea, pigeonpea and
groundnut).
ICRISAT - Our “Why”
Vision: A prosperous, food-secure and resilient dryland tropics

4. High levels of poverty, malnutrition and
environmental degradation
Covers 6.5 million sq. km.
Across 55countries
with 2 billion people
of which 644 million
are the poorest of the poor
Semi-Arid Tropics: Home to Most Emerging Economies

5. 1. Crop improvement a major challenge.
2. Limited variability in the available
germplasm.
3. Available germplasm may lack genes
for major disease, pest resistance, and
nutritional traits.
4. Lack of information on the nutritional
and food processing traits.
5. Future breakthroughs will depend on
creating additional variability, and
inflow of desirable genes from related
or unrelated species through
biotechnology.
Constraints to crop improvement

6. Global Area of Biotech Crops, 2016: By Country
(Million Hectares)
• Top five countries: 3 Developing countries (Brazil, Argentina, & India)
and 2 Industrial countries (USA & Canada) grew 91% of biotech crops

7. Agriculture and Economic Sustainability
• Reduce need for external inputs
• Soil and water conservation
• Improved food distribution
systems, less wastage
• Crop improvement strategies that
integrate the best of conventional
and modern to optimize
productivity
Multiple Interventions • <5% suitable agricultural
land in production
• Only 4% land in production
is irrigated (30% in South
Asia)
• Low fertiliser use/high
depletion of soil nutrients
• Agricultural productivity at
25% of global average
• Growing population
• Shorter transitional
seasons, replaced by
characteristically hot and
dry; or hot and wet.
• Stagnating agricultural
productivity
• Rapid Urbanization; Rise of
industrial belts
• Persistent malnutrition
1951 2001 2050
90%
Declining per capita availability of land
Unrealised agricultural potential

8. Crop- Target Region Genes/Technology
Cowpea Africa Insect resistance
Banana Africa Bacterial wilt, Vitamin A
Cassava Africa Virus resistance
Maize Africa Drought
Potato SEA Disease resistance
Mustard SA Hybrid vigor
Eggplant SA Insect resistance
Silk Moths SA NPV Resistance
Important Traits for sustainable agriculture
Global Examples

9. Developing Technologies for “Breeding demands”
+
Biological interpretations based on “DATA”
High throughput genetic
transformation systems.
Transgenic trait development
Functional gene validations for
key traits
Systematic mutant populations
for accelerated genetic gains.
Translational Research for
transgenic product development
& deployment.
Expanding the breeders’ toolbox @ ICRISAT

10. • Biotechnological tools and technologies for research towards
product development.
• Combine forward and reverse genetic and biological
engineering approaches to understand basic genetic and
molecular mechanisms that control plant processes & stress
responses (From predictive to descriptive biology).
• Integrate discovery research with emerging ethical, legal
and societal issues to responsibly mature innovative plant
biotechnology solutions.
Complementary and interconnected axes
Breaching genetic glass ceilings to overcome
intractable traits in our focus crops

11. Efficient Transformation Systems: Legumes
Peanut
Pigeonpea
Chickpea

12. Efficient Transformation System: Sorghum

13. Crop/Constraint Genes/Technology
Peanut
Viruses PBNV N-gene; Antisense/RNAi
TSV/PSND Coat Protein
Fungi Aflatoxin Rice chitinase; 13Lox; Ms Def1, MtDef4,
amy, nsdc, P2C; HIGS
Abiotic Stress Drought rd29A:DREB1A
Bio-fortification ß-carotene oleo:psy1/ß-lyc; crtB, crtI
Pigeonpea/Chickpea
Insect Pod borer cry1Ac; cry2A; cry1Ac-1F; cry1Ac-2Aa
Abiotic Stress Drought rd29A:DREB1A; 35S:P5CSF129A
Bio-fortification ß-carotene oleo:psy1; crtBI; oleo:lyc-psy
Herbicide tolerance HT GmCYP; HtCYP
Sorghum
Insect Stem borer 35S:cry1Ac; 35S:cry1Ac-1F
Enhanced sugar Sugar ceiling PdSI
Priority traits for transgenic interventions @ ICRISAT

14. Insect resistance in Pigeonpea & Chickpea
Control
Pod bioassay
+ve sample
UT Control

15. Pod damage

16. Untransformed controls
Transgenic Events (T3-T5)
Pod bioassays

17. Strategies to address VAD
•Dietary
diversification
•Supplementation
•Fortification
•Biofortification

18. The Golden Crops

19. • β-carotene levels increased up to 25-folds in the first
generation transgenic events carrying psy1 gene
• The second generation transgenic events carrying the
Zmpsy1 and Le β-lycopene cyclase gene showed 100-folds
increase in β-carotene levels
5.5 µg/gm
Pro-vitamin A enrichment in peanut

20. Transgenic events that ranged from very similar to very
different from controls were further tested
JL24
RD19
RD20
RD2
RD11
RD12
Transgenic Drought Tolerance
Peanut and Chickpea
Y=T*TE*HI (Passioura, 1977)

21. Finally…… It’s all about Yield !!
*
*
*
* *
*
*
; RD33RD2
Relative change in seed yield over WT 18-26% increased yield under drought stress

22. Aflatoxin- a complex issue
Synergistic interaction with Hepatitis-B
& C
Malnutrition
Liver cancer
Trade Restrictions
Quality reduction
Aflatoxin contamination in food and feed
Vicious-Link
Reduced ability to cope with diseases,
especially HIV/AIDS
Liver cirrhosis, immuno-suppression, blocks nutrient absorption,
growth abnormalities, etc.
Trade Health
In many SAT countries, monitoring and weak enforcement of
food safety standards

23. Host plant
resistance
Field level assessments &
Implementation across regions & environments
Knowledge on fungal biology
genetics & management
Efficient pre-
harvest
phenotyping/
screening methods
Plant
breeding
strategies
Exploring non-
host
resistance?
Biocontrol
strategies
Transgenics
Overexpression
of antifungal /
anti-toxin genes
Proteomics
Candidate
genes/ RAPs/
RIPs
Molecular
markers
Marker assisted
selection
TILLING/
Mutagenesis
HIGS/
RNAi

24. Source: IITA
Bio Control-Competitive “atoxigenic” fungal technology
Sporulation on moist soil
3-20
days
Spores
Wind
Soil colonization and displacement of toxigenic fungi
Broadcast

25. Colony growth, pigmentation, and sclerotium
production and reduced conidiation in A. flavus
ΔnsdC and ΔnsdD mutants
Aflatoxin resistance strategies in peanut
Candidate genes for HIGS
 Aflatoxin biosynthetic cluster genes
 A. flavus α-amylase, Pectinases
 Global Transcription factors and co- activators

26. Sharma et al. (2017), Plant Biotechnol. J.
Double Defence Strategy

27. WT HIGS
Peanuts that keep aflatoxin at bay: thresholds matter

28. Over 20 million hectares (ha) of crop land in sub-Saharan
Africa is Striga-infested, resulting in a whopping $ 1 billion in
annual yield loss (CIMMYT)
Annual crop losses of over $1.3 to 2.6 billion; 2.6 million ha
of solanaceous crops in the Mediterranean, North Africa, and
Asia
Menace of parasitic weeds

29. Types of resistances
1. Germination **
2. Attachment
3. Post attachment-
haustoria formation
Bewitches cereal production systems

30. SL receptors; genes responsible for Striga germination ;
Using mutants/ HIGS/ genome editing methods for inducing variations
No more free lunch !!
Yang et al., 2016, PNAS
Toh et al., 2016, Science

31. Gene silencing
Germination, attachment and post-attachment connections
Transient knock-down of PaCCD7 and PaCCD8 inhibited
tubercle development and the infestation process in host
plantsAly et al., (2014) Plant Signaling and Behaviour

33. Functional Gene Discovery Platforms
Developing genetic and genomic resources that can enable efficient gene discovery and
mining for crop improvement.
Systematic mutagenized TILLING population in Sorghum; Tnt1 insertional mutant lines in chickpea and
pigeonpea generated for random insertions to develop resources for efficient forward- and reverse-
genetics studies *.
Traits :
Sorghum- Improved grain yield and adaptation, leaf architecture and plant maturity, Striga resistance.
Chickpea- Plant architecture, Seed size and quality
Pigeonpea- Seed yield and quality traits

34. The next big thing!!
Customized Genome editing platforms for expanding Breeder’s tool box

35. Natural and induced variations
“Data”
Identifying new targets
(genes/proteins/metabolites)
Functional
validation
Targeted genome scale engineering
Identifying relevant network & pathways
Linking to phenotype
Intractable traits being
studied:
• Groundnut- Aflatoxin
• Sorghum – Striga
• Pearl millet- Rancidity
• Pigeonpea- Photoperiod sensitivity
• Chickpea- Dry Root Rot
Systems for Efficient Traits and Genetic Gain Optimizations

36. Translational research
T0’s Event Selection (GH) Event Selection (Fld) Regulatory Release
Groundnut
GRAV
PBNV
Pigeonpea &
Chickpea
Bt
Groundnut
A, flavus
Pigeonpea &
Groundnut
ß-carotene
1-2 years 2-3 years 2-4 years 2-4 years 3-6
Translational Activities
Chickpea
DREB
Groundnut
DREBPigeonpea
&
Chickpea Bt
New Tools
•HIGS
•Proteomics

37. • Failure to translate concepts into commercial products
• Barriers of IP/Trade
• Biosafety regulations/Food safety
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Training & Capacity building
• Partnerships for product development & deployment
• Commercialization limitations, a serious barrier
Bottlenecks in Translational Research
A public sector perspective

38. • Promoting innovation & technology transfer
• Synergy & strength of social equity of
public institutions and efficiency of delivery
of the private sector.
• Create linkages in the supply chain to
deliver inputs to small-holder farmers at
reasonable costs.
• Investment costs are shared leading to
lower product costs (= benefit to consumer).
• Risk Management and Mitigation.
Public-Private partnerships are the key

39. • On what cropping systems do the poor most depend?
• What are the constraints to the productivity of those
systems?
• What existing or potential technologies might best
address those constraints? Under what scenarios?
• What is the magnitude and distribution of potential
payoffs to the poor from different investment targeting
strategies? e.g., target ecologies, production systems, crops,
constraints, technologies..
Strategic Questions

40. Value Chains and Country Strategies
Crop
improvement
Inputs and farmer services Post-harvest handling and access to
markets
Research and development
Discovery
Agronomic
research
Other input
systems
Farm
management
Seed
systems
Knowledge
exchange
Aggregation, quality
and storage
End-user
demand
Processing
Value Chain Approach Guides our Country Strategies
• To establish clear priorities
• To help identifying specific areas or technology trajectories to invest, and meet specified goals by optimal
utilization of available skills and resources
• Consider IPR and impact on the acquisition, development, and diffusion of biotechnology; forge strategic alliances

41. Participatory approach and partnering
Building capacity
Integrating communications
Monitoring and evaluation
Policy support
Priority Setting
Issues &
opportunities
Research
Innovations
Trait
Development
Tech
Transfer
PPP
Promoting
Markets
Technological
and
institutional
changes
Research-- technology development -- technology transfer -- technology use
Building iterative relationships

42. Principles
1.Create and charter an entity with express purpose of translating genetic
engineering research into a practical, value adding technology
2.The entity would embody the requisite scientific and business skills that are
appropriately balanced
Mission
To translate transgenic technology and harness its
products to meet the needs of agricultural growth
Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops
An ICRISAT-DBT Initiative
(PTTC)

43. • To develop and deploy state-of-the-art
infrastructure for conduct of transgenic research.
• To act as a clearinghouse for technology inputs,
transgenic research leads/ prototypes with proof of
concept derived from Indian research institutes,
universities, and other likely sources.
• To “evolve” the technology to a point where a
practical application can be demonstrated, and
transfer this “evolved” technology for product
development and distribution to appropriate
agencies.
Platform for Translational Research on Transgenic Crops (PTTC)
An ICRISAT-DBT Initiative

44. • Scientific & technical support
• Access to bio-tech infrastructure
• Knowledge services
• Partnerships
• Start-up mentoring
• Business & Market development
• Grant & fund facilitation
• Start-up training program
• Legal & IPR
Bio-Incubator
PTTC
AIP-ICRISAT
Ag-bio Start-up
MarketICRISAT
BioNEST Bio-Incubator @ ICRISAT
Outcome
• Start-up growth
• Ag-bio promotion
• Funding and M&As
• New products in market
• High-end IPs
Incubation to Translation
Incubation
Graduation/Tenant
1-3 years
Incubation experience & Clientele pipeline
Translation experience & Technology support
To address disconnect between the proof-of-concept, technology
development, technology translation, and commercialization

45. Benefits to Public Sector Tech Transfer
• Public sector technology developers find an outlet for their
technologies.
• Small & Medium seed companies have access to products of
biotechnologies.
• Technologies available to the stakeholders (resource-poor
farmers) at an affordable cost.
• Products developed in the PTTC can be easily transferred to
the participating countries and need only to be evaluated for
their local agronomic performance.

46. Biotechnology is a valuable tool in
eliminating global hunger, poverty and
malnutrition!
It is a strategic weapon in winning the
next Green Revolution!
Let us harness biotechnology with due
regards for the farmer, consumer and
environment

47. Thank you