SciDev.Net

Based on data from 28 interviews among scientists, this commentary describes in clear terms how the health biotechnology industry is thriving in South Africa, nurtured by a confidence among scientists that arose originally with the development of mining and arms industry during the apartheid regime. With the emphasis on serving local needs, particularly the development of new drugs and vaccines for HIV/AIDS, South Africa is providing a shining example of how other developing countries can follow suit.

In this 'viewpoint' article Jisnuson Svasti, Professor of Biochemistry at Mahidol University in Bangkok, examines the ways in which bioscience research is being explored and applied in Thailand. Recombinant DNA and gene expression therapies are well established, and Thailand has participated in two sequencing projects, including the rice genome. A limited amount of proteomics research is also underway. But Svasti explains that it is difficult to compete with research undertaken elsewhere: hardware is expensive and the new technologies evolve quickly.

Though the importance of genomic reseearch has been recognised - it forms one of the pillars of Thailand's 'research triangle' in biosciences - the author emphasises that greater efforts are required. The biosciences programme has been set back due to difficulties in establishing an appropriate research and management strategy, but will eventually consist of a collection of projects linked to local needs and expertise, covering biomedical science as well as research on animals and plants.

In conclusion, Svasti explains, developing countries such as Thailand must strive to make modest gains in genomics in selected areas of particular relevance. Failure to do so will not only result in the loss of commercial benefits, but more importantly, lead to a decay in scientific manpower resources and capability to such an extent that they will no longer fulfil the country's development objectives.

Written on behalf of the US National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to coincide with the completion of the human genome sequence, this review article attempts to provide a "blueprint" that encompasses the reality of the "genomic era". It is the outcome of almost two years of intense discussions of with hundreds of scientists and members of the public, in more than a dozen workshops and numerous individual consultations.

The vision is formulated into three major themes: genomics to biology, genomics to health, and genomics to society. It identifies a series of 'grand challenges' for each theme, which represent ambitious research targets for the scientific community, and proposes ways in which these can be moved forward.

The article focuses on the future involvement of the NHGRI in the future of genomics research, but acknowledges that extensive collaboration between scientists and funding sources - as characterised the Human Genome Project - will be essential.

This fact sheet suggests the ways in which developing countries can contribute to - and benefit from - advances in genomics. It suggests that some public money would be better spent on supporting genomic science in developing countries, which can aid both poor and wealthy societies. It also provides a round-up of developing nations currently pursuing genomic programmes.

Genomic science, the fact sheet suggests, holds several advantages for developing countries:

Written to coincide with publication of the World Health Organisation's report, Genomics and World Health, this editorial opens with issues of ownership and genomics. It points out that most genomics-related patents are owned by the United States, and of the 1233 new drugs marketed between 1975 and 1999, only 13 were approved specifically for tropical diseases.

Aside from the complex scientific and technical problems of bringing genomics to the clinic,  ensuring that its benefits will be reaped by developing countries will require paying attention to many challenges. For example, there are questions over who will pay to test, develop and deliver important vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for diseases of the developing world, and who will ensure equitable access to those who need it most.

The article concludes with a reference to the globalisation of disease, with many poorer countries making the epidemiological transition towards a pattern of disease similar to that of the developed countries. The authors conclude that development of research partnerships between developed and developing countries will not only help to combat the global inequity of health care but will also be of enormous benefit to both parties.

Vector-borne infectious diseases such as malaria and yellow fever have continued to evade attempts to find lasting programmes of prevention. This article examines the potential of genomics to open new strategies to fight such diseases. Scientists are focusing on genetics in order to analyse and ulitimately modify the parasites and their vectors. Such strategies will aim to complement other forms of healthcare and vaccine, drug and pesticide development.

The article predates recent progress on mosquito sequencing, and traces the earlier efforts of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to map the genome of the malaria-transmitting mosquito. The article also describes research into producing a DNA vaccine encoding a saliva protein found in sand flies infected with the leishmania parasite.

The practical dilemmas of field-testing are also covered. For example, how do you convince people not to use mosquito nets in order to facilitate studies of transgenic mosquitos?

Produced by the Joint Genome Institute at the US Department of Energy as part of its educational materials, this is one of the best basic primers available online.

It examines some of the technological applications of genomics - such as fighting disease, protecting plant life and harnessing "nature's technology" (for instance, outlining ways of using bacteria and other microbes to solve a variety of environmental problems, develop new energy sources, and improve industrial processes).

The article goes on to explain the biology behind DNA sequencing, describing the reasons for human differences and mutations, and how proteins are produced from DNA. It then compares the DNA sequence patterns of humans with a variety of other sequenced organisms, explaining why this is important.

Genomic research has already advanced our knowledge of infectious diseases, with the genome sequences of many pathogens now established. The authors of this 'viewpoint' article say that the new tools of comparative genomics, computational biology, and informatics offer remarkable opportunities for reducing the negative impact of diseases in developing countries.

They claim that biotechnology coupled with genomics might emerge as the key technology for improving global health in the 21st century, and say that developing countries stand to profit most from advances in genome science.

But they also warn that developing-world diseases should no longer be viewed in purely medical or public health contexts. Infectious diseases are likely to pose a major risk to the economic survival of many developing nations. And recent studies suggest that some of these diseases may have wider implications for global security, with possible links to the probability that a nation will experience armed conflict.