ANNUAL REPORT 2016 revMG testo ristretto MP ICGEB Annual Report 2016 The ICGEB is an international organisation established within the United Nations Common System as a special project

ICGEB International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Developing Knowledge

Annual ReportSCIENCE

Research highlights

FINANCEFinancial Report

OUTREACHScientifi c events

PROGRAMMESFellowshipsMeetingsGrantsTechnology Transfer

Skeletal muscle fi bres modifi ed with an AAV vector to express the jellyfi sh green fl uorescent protein.Work undertaken in the Molecular Medicine Lab, ICGEB Trieste

Pag. 6 Message from the Director-GeneralPag. 7 The ICGEB Pag. 9 Research Pag. 17 Fellowships Pag. 19 Meetings and Courses Pag. 21 CRP - Research Grants Pag. 23 Technology Transfer Pag. 25 Other Institutional ActivitiesPag. 27 Biosafety Pag. 28 Financial Report Pag. 31 Outreach Pag. 33 ICGEB Member States Pag. 34 ICGEB Governance Pag. 35 ICGEB at a Glance Pag. 37 The Year in Pictures

Table of Contents

ICGEB Annual Report 20163

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

An Intergovernmental Organisation for research, training and technology transfer in Life Sciences to promote sustainable global development

ICGEB

4ICGEB Annual Report 2016

There are no “applied sciences”. There is

Science and the applications of Science.Louis Pasteur

(French Biologist 1822 – 1895)

At the microscope: Giulia De Sabbata, PhD student in the Protein Networks Lab, ICGEB Trieste, Italy


Message from the Director-General

There is increasing international recognition that science and technology-intensive solutions can signifi cantly improve the quality of life. This is particularly true where biotechnology is concerned. Development of innovative vaccines and biological drugs, production of stress-resistant crops that withstand

the challenge of climate change and the generation of energy from renewable, biological sources are only a few examples of the

contribution of biotechnology to sustainable global development.

To be eff ective, however, such research-driven solutions must not be restricted to industrialised countries, they need to be directly implemented in developing countries themselves. A serious eff ort is therefore required to enhance human capacities through a holistic approach, which includes training in science and in the applications of science, fostering innovation, building entrepreneurship and valuing intellectual property.

The ICGEB is unique among all International Organisations in pursuing these goals through a global approach that also involves advanced experimental research in its own laboratories in Trieste (Italy), New Delhi (India) and Cape Town (South Africa). Together these provide a scientifi c environment of top international standard for advanced research and education, as well as for the practical development of biotechnology products for our Member States.

For a country, being a member of the ICGEB extends far beyond the practical benefi ts that individual scientists and research centres can obtain from the ICGEB funding programmes. For the least developed countries, membership in the ICGEB means having access to, and becoming part of, the global advancement in life sciences. For countries with emerging economies, membership can facilitate the creation of international hubs within the geographical area in which the country is located. Finally, for all countries, international cooperation across the unique technological and educational platforms off ered by the ICGEB, represents an eff ective means of promoting global growth, providing solutions to hunger and medical needs, and ensuring appropriate responses to societal challenges.

The ICGEB is very grateful to its many Member States for their continuous support in these areas of activity over the past 30 years.

Mauro GiaccaApril 2017


The ICGEB is an international organisation established within the United Nations Common System as a special project of UNIDO in 1983. A Centre of excellence for research and training in molecular biology and genetics for the benefi t of developing countries and economies in transition, it became fully autonomous in 1994. The Centre now has 64 Full Member States; while an additional 22 countries have already signed the Statutes.

The Centre operates through its Components in Trieste, Italy, New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa, which host advanced laboratories and training facilities for experimental research in Life Sciences. The ICGEB laboratories cooperate with a network of over 40 Affi liated Centres in its Member States. The Headquarters of the Centre are in Trieste, Italy.

Story

The Centre contributes to solving some of the major problems aff ecting health, nutrition, agriculture and industrial development in the fi eld of biotechnology. Through a series of activities the ICGEB:

• Conducts advanced, experimental research in its laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi and Cape Town

• Awards long- and short-term fellowships for PhD students and postdocs to participate in its research activities.

• Organises meetings, workshops and courses on cutting-edge topics in the fi elds of molecular research in Life Sciences

• Supports research in Member States by providing competitive funding for projects of excellence

• Transfers technology and know-how to biotech industries in the Member States

• Cooperates with governments to defi ne policies for the regulation of genetically modifi ed organisms and to discuss the ethical implications of genetic research

activities

The activities of the ICGEB are governed by a representative from each of its Member States. The Board of Governors meets every year in one of its three Components. An international Scientifi c Council, comprising fi fteen eminent scientists, including Nobel Laureates, monitors the ICGEB scientifi c activities and advises the Board.

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NEW DELHI INDIA

CAPE TOWNSOUTH AFRICA

The three ICGEB Components


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The hallmark of ICGEB, which distinguishes it from all other International Organisations, is the advanced research in Life Sciences carried out in its own laboratories. These off er a scientifi c environment of top international standard for research in molecular biology and genetics and for the development of biotechnology applications. In the three Components, state-of-the-art instrumentation, specialised facilities and advanced services are available to the ICGEB investigators.

In 2016, 550 scientists representing more than 30 nationalities have worked in the ICGEB laboratories undertaking research activity across six macro-areas (Infectious Diseases, Non Communicable Diseases, Bacteriology, Medical Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, Plant Biology and Biotechnology).

In Trieste, 18 Research Groups comprising 170 researchers have been active in various fi elds of biomedical research, including projects on cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases, as well as in immunology and human genetics. In New Delhi, studies performed by over 350 researchers in 25 Research Groups have focused on mammalian and plant biology, with particular attention to the development of diagnostic and vaccine candidates for malaria and dengue and advanced research on plant biotechnology and biofuels. In Cape Town, 4 Research Groups comprising 50 researchers have investigated infectious diseases, in particular HIV/AIDS, malaria and various parasitic diseases, as well as specifi c cancers that aff ect the African continent.

The ICGEB has been publishing the results of its research in top international scientifi c journals since 1988, with over 2800 publications generated by ICGEB scientists. Over the last fi ve years alone, ICGEB articles have appeared in Nature, Cell, Nature Medicine, Nature Reviews Cancer, Cell Stem Cells, Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, Journal of Experimental Medicine, among others.In 2016, research carried out at the Components has generated over 200 publications in peer-reviewed international journals. The number of publications in each of the six macro-areas of activity are shown in Figure 1.

PUBLICATIONS

Figure 1

Number of publications and total Impact Factor of journals in 2016 for the three ICGEB Components’ laboratories, divided according to the six macro-areas of research

Publications

N. of Publications 2016

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Non communicable diseases

Bacteriology

Medical Biotechnology

Industrial Biotechnology

Plant Biology and Biotechnology

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Cumulative Impact Factor of journals 2016

0 100 200 300 400

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PARASITIC DISEASESFrank Brombacher (CT) Pawan Malhotra (ND) Asif Mohmmed (ND) Renu Tuteja (ND) Dinkar Sahal (ND) Amit Sharma (ND) Neel Sarovar Bhavesh (ND)

Several research Groups investigate the molecular and immunological correlates of parasitic infection. In Cape Town, the Cytokines and Disease Group (Brombacher) aims at elucidating the fundamental immunological mechanisms underlying human diseases such as tuberculosis, African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and helminthic infections (including bilharzia), in addition to chronic diseases like allergic asthma and colitis. In New Delhi, fi ve Groups investigate the malaria parasite. The Malaria Biology (Malhotra) and the Parasite Cell Biology (Mohmmed) Groups search for proteins, encoded by the malaria parasite, which could become targets for the development of innovative antimalarial drugs. The Parasite Biology Group (Tuteja) studies the plasmodium proteins involved in the maintenance of parasite genomic integrity, while the Malaria Drug Discovery Group (Sahal) investigates the antimalarial properties of molecules from marine organisms, medicinal plants, cyanobacteria and endophytic fungi from India and other sources in Africa and Asia. The Structural Parasitology Group (Sharma) aims at defi ning the principles that govern biological functions of key malaria proteins through a structural approach, particularly focusing on the protein translational machinery of the parasite. The Transcriptional Regulation Group (Bhavesh) has a broad interest in elucidating the molecular interactions between protein and RNA, which it addresses by a combination of NMR spectroscopy and crystallography.Highlights in 2016The Cytokines and Disease Group in Cape Town has proposed the fi rst use of a statin drug as a topical treatment against cutaneous leishmaniasis (Parihar, SP, et al. 2016. Sci Rep 6, 33458). In New Delhi, the Malaria Biology Group, in collaboration with the Translational Bioinformatics Group, has reported the broad analysis of the post-translational modifi cations of the Plasmodium falciparum proteins (Kaur, I, et al. 2016. Sci Rep 6, 35432) Again in New Delhi, the Structural Parasitology laboratory has solved the structure

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VIROLOGYAlessandro Marcello (TS)Sujatha Sunil (ND)Navin Khanna (ND) Anmole Chandele (ND) Lawrence Banks (TS)Jeff rey Dorfman (CT)

Molecular research is carried out on diff erent viral diseases in all three ICGEB Components. The Molecular Virology Group in Trieste (Marcello) and the Vector Borne Group in New Delhi (Sunil) investigate the molecular characteristics of diff erent members of the fl avivirus family, including dengue, chikungunya and tick-borne encephalitis viruses. For dengue infection, the Recombinant Gene Products Group in New Delhi (Khanna) has developed a potentially innovative vaccine protecting from infection. Another Group in Delhi (Chandele) runs a joint program with the Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutics as well as testing and evaluating strategies for improving vaccine design. In Trieste, the Tumour Virology Group (Banks) leads international research on human papillomaviruses, focusing on virus-host interactions during the development of virus-induced malignancy. Research on HIV/AIDS is carried out in Cape Town by the Cellular Immunology Group (Dorfman), which searches for broadly neutralising antibodies, and in Trieste by the Molecular Medicine Group (Giacca), which investigates the molecular interactions between this virus and human cells. Rotavirus is also the focus of research by the Molecular Immunology Group in Trieste (Burrone).Highlights in 2016The Tumour Virology Group in Trieste has described the interactions of HPV E6 with cellular PDZ proteins and has defi ned a panel of cellular targets that are linked to the ability of the virus to cause cancer (Thomas, M, et al. 2016. PLoS Pathog 12, e1005766; Ganti, K, et al. 2016. PLoS Pathog 12, e1005854). In New Delhi, the Vector Borne Diseases laboratory has studied the metabolomics response of patients with chikungunya and dengue infections in India (Shrinet, J, et al. 2016. Sci Rep 6, 36833). Through the ICGEB-EMORY Vaccine Program in New Delhi, a detailed characterisation of the anti-dengue immune response in Indian patients was obtained (Chandele, A, et al. 2016. J Virol 90, 11259). This paves the way for studies aiming to understand the fi ne balance between T-cell mediated protective eff ects versus pathological eff ects, during dengue virus infections.

Many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America continue to suff er high levels of death and disease caused by infectious agents. The application of modern molecular biology to study human viral and parasitic diseases now off ers unprecedented possibilities for developing more accessible diagnostics and novel strategies for eff ective treatment and prevention. Several Groups in Trieste (TS), New Delhi (ND) and Cape Town (CT) are actively engaged in these areas of research.

1. infectious diseases


IMMUNOLOGYOscar Burrone (TS) Federica Benvenuti (TS)Dinakar Salunke (ND) Dhiraj Kumar (ND)

Two groups in Trieste and two in New Delhi study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune response to pathogens and cancer. In Trieste, the activities of the Molecular Immunology Group (Burrone) involve development of new routes of vaccinations and their utilisation for immunisation against breast cancer and dengue virus infection, while the Cellular Immunology Group (Benvenuti) pursues the identifi cation of mechanisms that regulate innate and adaptive functions of dendritic cells during priming of T cell immunity. In New Delhi, the Structural Immunology Group (Salunke) studies the determinants for antibody-antigen interaction during the primary immune response at the structural level, while the Cellular Immunology Group (Kumar) investigates the host-pathogen interactions occurring during infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Highlights in 2016Interleukin 12 produced by dendritic cells is essential in the immune response to pathogens and also in tumour rejection. Recently the Cellular Immunology Group has discovered how interleukin 12 is released at the immune synapse formed between dendritic cells and T-cells, and thereby transmits innate immune response signalling to activate T cell responses during the initiation of adaptive immunity (Chiaruttini et al., 2016, Cell Rep 14, 2624).

In Trieste, the RNA Biology Group (F.E. Baralle) has a long-standing interest in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that control processing of human genes and their relevance for human disease. The Mouse Molecular Genetics Group (Muro) develops animal models mimicking human hereditary mutations: a specifi c interest is the Crigler-Najjar Syndrome, a condition characterised by elevated blood levels of bilirubin and a lifelong risk of encephalopathy. The Human Molecular Genetics Group (Pagani) explores the molecular basis of splicing defects associated with haemophilias, cystic fi brosis and spinal muscular atrophy. For these conditions, gene therapy using AAV vectors off er new therapeutic opportunities.Highlights in 2016The Human Molecular Genetics Group has developed a modifi ed U1 small nuclear RNA that corrects the defect causing spinal muscular atrophy in motor neurons (Rogalska,

MOLECULAR GENETICSFrancisco Baralle (TS)Andrés Muro (TS)Franco Pagani (TS)

There is a growing interest in the ICGEB Member States for research into non-communicable disorders. Understanding the causes of human disease at the genetic and molecular level now enables the development of innovative therapies or preventive measures in fi elds of enormous importance for public health, such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer and neurodegeneration. Multiple Groups in Trieste, New Delhi and Cape Town are active in these areas.

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CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERSMauro Giacca (TS) Serena Zacchigna (TS) Francesco Loff redo (TS)

Three Groups in Trieste operate in the fi eld of cardiovascular disease. The Molecular Medicine Group (Giacca) aims to identify proteins and microRNAs controlling vascular and cardiac functions that might also be exploited for the therapy of cardiovascular disorders. A large part of this activity exploits viral vectors based on the adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver genes into the heart. The Cardiovascular Biology Group (Zacchigna) aims to characterise mechanisms by which the various cell types composing the cardiovascular system interact and communicate during development and disease. The Molecular Cardiology Group (Loff redo), focuses on discovering novel pathways that regulate cardiac hypertrophy, ageing and metabolic diseases, with specifi c attention to translating bench fi ndings into new therapeutics.Highlights in 2016A collaborative study between the Molecular Medicine and Cardiovascular Biology laboratories has shown that a single administration of a previously identifi ed microRNA that induces cardiomyocyte proliferation could dramatically improve cardiac repair and function following myocardial infarction in mice. This has important implications for bringing these novel molecules into clinical use (Lesizza, P, et al. 2017. Circ Res, in press).

2. non-communicable diseases

of the Plasmodium falciparum arginyl-tRNA synthetase, an essential step towards the development of novel antimalarial drugs (Jain, V, et al. 2016. Structure 24, 1476) and has made a major contribution to the identifi cation of novel antimalarial small molecules from a diverse collection of synthetic compounds with three-dimensional features reminiscent of natural products (Kato, N, et al. 2016. Nature 538, 344).


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s NEUROBIOLOGYEmanuele Buratti (TS)Fabian Feiguin (TS)

In Trieste the Molecular Pathology Group (Buratti) investigates aberrant pre-mRNA processing defects that lead to neurodegeneration. In particular, this Group studies the biological properties of TDP43, a nuclear factor involved in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The Neurobiology Group (Feiguin) uses the fruitfl y, Drosophila melanogaster, as a model organism having remarkable genetic conservation with humans, to study some of the most common neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s and motor neuron diseases.Highlights in 2016By studying patients with frontotemporal dementia, the Molecular Pathology Group has defi ned the role, in neurodegeneration, of diff erent RNA binding proteins interacting with TDP43 (Mohagheghi, F, et al. 2016. Hum Mol Genet 25, 534). This has important implications for the role of TDP43 in disease pathogenesis, and will enhance both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.

CANCERLuiz Zerbini (CT) Iqbal Parker (CT)Mike Myers (TS)

One Group in Trieste and two in Cape Town investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms of cancer development. In Cape Town, the Cancer Genomics Group (Zerbini) develops novel therapeutics targeting various cellular proteins that are deregulated in cancer. Also in Cape Town, the Cancer Molecular and Cellular Biology Group (Parker) focuses on whole genome sequencing to identify both genetic and environmentally induced mutations in oesophageal cancer. The Protein Networks Group in Trieste (Myers) uses high throughput mass spectrometry to perform proteomics studies to understand how protein complexes regulate normal and cancer cell behaviour, with particular interest in the process of protein modifi cation by ubiquitination. Highlights in 2016The Cancer Genomics Group has identifi ed novel serological prostate cancer biomarkers in a multicultural South African cohort using a cancer antigen microarray platform (Adeola, HA, et al. 2016. Oncotarget 7, 13945). This novel information could be used in the development of new cancer diagnostics.

HEMATOLOGYDimitar Efremov (TS)

The Molecular Hematology Group in Trieste (Efremov) is interested in deciphering the intracellular signalling pathways that control proliferation, diff erentiation and survival of normal and malignant B-lymphocytes. A particular focus of the Group is the study, in both patients’ cells and animal models, of the mechanisms leading to the development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).Highlights in 2016The Group has discovered that combinations of a known therapeutic drug for CLL (Venetoclax, which targets Bcl-2) with inhibitors of SYK signalling show markedly improved therapeutic potential, especially in cases of resistance to a fi rst drug (Bojarczuk, K, et al. 2016. Blood 127, 3192). These results have important therapeutic implications for patients.

Cardiomyocytes are treated with small molecules at the Molecular Medicine Lab, Trieste

ME, et al. 2016. Nat Commun 7, 11168). The Mouse Molecular Genetics Group has discovered that members of the ADC family of transporters modulate bilirubin neurotoxicity in vivo (Bockor, L, et al. 2017. Hum Mol Genet 26, 145). The RNA Biology Group has described a model of degeneration of motor neurons leading to locomotor defects in Drosophila (Langellotti, S, et al. 2016. Dis Model Mech 9, 659). Given the conservation of the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in the fruitfl y, this model represents a valuable tool for testing the eff ectivness of new therapeutic agents.


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BACTERIOLOGYVittorio Venturi (TS)Arockiasamy Arulandu (ND)Ranjan Nanda (ND)

Three Groups have diverse interests in the study of bacteria and bacterial diseases. The Bacteriology Group in Trieste (Venturi) focuses on interkingdom signalling between plants and plant-associated bacteria, with special attention to emerging bacterial plant pathogens of rice and other food plants. The Membrane Protein Biology Group in New Delhi (Arockiasamy) strives to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of membrane proteins, especially focusing on the properties of ion transport and protein translocation across inner membranes of bacterial pathogens, primarily Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The same bacterium is also the research target of the Translational Health Group (Nanda) in New Delhi, which aims at identifying molecular signatures of infection in the biological fl uids and breath of patients with tuberculosis.Highlights in 2016The Bacteriology Group in Trieste has generated an extensive collection of bacterial strains found as endophytes in the rice plant, on which they live without causing apparent disease (Bertani, I, et al. 2016. Environ Microbiol Rep 8, 388), but which may off er potential in the development of environmentally friendly biofertilisers. The Translational Health Group in New Delhi has defi ned a global drug metabolic profi le in the urine of patients treated with fi rst-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (Das, MK, et al. 2016. (Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60, 2257). These results will help direct future studies aiming to develop easier methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

The study of bacteria has become of paramount interest for medical, agricultural and industrial applications. Multiple lines of evidence now indicate that both animals and plants live in a complex relationship with a broad community of diff erent microorganisms, and that the maintenance of these interactions is essential for both human health and plant prosperity. Various Groups in New Delhi and Trieste are interested in elucidating diff erent aspects of these inter-kingdom relationships.

3. bacteriology

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, a nematode used to understand the immune response to gastrointestinal worms. This image shows a female worm containing eggs, as studied in the Cytokines and Disease Lab, Cape Town.


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Applied research and product development in the fi eld of biotechnology is central to the core mission of the ICGEB. This is in parallel with the growing international perception that biotechnology can off er practical and sustainable solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Two Groups, one in Trieste and one in New Delhi, have multiple interests in the biomedical fi eld and are developing their research in close collaboration with industries in the ICGEB Member States.

BIOSIMILAR DRUGSMarco Baralle (TS)

At the ICGEB Trieste, the Biotechnology Development Group (M. Baralle) focuses on the development of simple and innovative technologies for the production of biosimilars. The aim is to increase the know-how and capabilities of the pharmaceutical industries in ICGEB Member States by transferring pilot scale technologies for the production and quality control of several off -patent recombinant proteins. Highlights and achievement in 2016The Biotechnology Development Group has been active in transferring technologies for the production of erythropoietin (EPO), interferon alpha 2a and b (IFN alpha 2), interferon beta 1b, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and insulin to several industries in ICGEB Member States (see also page 23). The Group has also developed PEGylation technologies for IFN, GCSF and EPO and is currently upgrading the facility for the production of monoclonal antibodies.

RECOMBINANT DIAGNOSTICS AND VACCINESNavin Khanna (ND)

The Recombinant Gene Products Group in New Delhi (Khanna) focuses on the generation of genetically engineered biomolecules of medical interest. This activity has included the development of novel recombinant designer proteins to be used in low-cost, high-sensitivity diagnostic assays for HCV, HBV, HIV, dengue viruses and for celiac disease, to be transferred to biotech industries for production and distribution in several countries in Asia. The same Group is also currently interested in developing an experimental, tetravalent subunit vaccine in yeast against dengue virus infection.Highlights in 2016The Recombinant Gene Products Group has shown that virus-like particles expressing dengue virus type 1 glycoprotein in yeast stimulate vaccinated animals to produce antibodies neutralising lethal viral infection (Poddar, A, et al. 2016. BMC Biotechnol 16, 50). Based on this and other experimental evidence, an agreement was signed with a leading biotechnology company in India to transfer the technologies for the development of an innovative anti-dengue vaccine, to be eventually brought to clinical trial (see also page 23).

4. medical biotechnology

Mohammad Khalid Zakaria, Postdoc in the Molecular Virology Lab, ICGEB Trieste, at work on Zika virus


BIOFUELS AND INDUSTRIAL BIOTECHNOLOGYSyed Shams Yazdani (ND) Naseem Gaur (ND)Pavan Jutur (ND) Shireesh Srivastava (ND) Shashi Kumar Rhode (ND) Dinesh Gupta (ND)Giuliano Degrassi (Buenos Aires)

Five Groups in New Delhi develop technologies for the production of clean energy from biological sources. The goal of the Microbial Engineering Group (Yazdani) is to develop cost-eff ective processes to produce second generation biofuels; the Group isolates novel enzymes (cellulases, xylanases) with higher specifi city towards cellulosic biomass and engineers bacteria with enzymes capable of producing biofuel from this energy source. Current projects in the Yeast Biofuel Group (Gaur) also aim to develop a cost-eff ective and viable lignocellulosic biofuel technology; the Group is developing yeast strains capable of utilising C5 and C6 sugars of improved fermentation performance. Microalgae are the focus of research of the Omics of Algae Group (Jutur), which studies the production of algal oils that serve as material for conversion to biofuels. The Group aims at reconstructing the metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis of triacylglycerols, essential for rendering algae-derived biofuels economically competitive. The Systems Biology for Biofuels Group (Srivastava) develops quantitative, genome-scale metabolic models of bacteria that could lead to increased biofuel production, and investigates marine cyanobacteria as factories to produce biofuel candidate molecules. The Metabolic Engineering Group (Kumar) also develops various projects of industrial interest; besides additional work on modifi ed algae as a source of biofuels, the Group aims at improving the production of the antimalarial drug artemisin by transferring the Artemisia genes necessary for the biosynthesis of this molecule to other plants. One of this Group’s projects is also to develop hypoallergenic latex products to enhance the yield of natural rubber production. These activities are complemented by the Translational Bioinformatics Group (Gupta), which provides computational biology and artifi cial intelligence tools for the analysis of complex biological data, drug design and comparative genomics. Additional work foreseeing applications for the biotech industry is carried out by the Industrial Biotechnology Group (Degrassi), located at the ICGEB Outstation in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Group focuses on the development of biotechnological products and processes to be used in agriculture and industry, specifi cally on the study of endophytic bacteria having benefi cial eff ects for crops.Highlights in 2016The Microbial Engineering Group has reported the identifi cation of a long chain-specifi c aldehyle reductase enzyme and its use for the production of fatty alcohol in bacteria (Fatma, Z, et al. 2016. Metabolic Engineering 37, 35). The Yeast Biofuel Group has screened a series of natural yeast isolates for the production of second-generation biofuels (Dubey, R, et al. 2016. J Biosci Bioeng 121, 509). The Omics of Algae Group, together with the Microbial Engineering Group, have co-authored an authoritative review on synthetic biology for the production of biofuels (Singh, R, et al. 2016. In: Reviews in Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Wiley-VCH Verlag: 144-176). The Metabolic Engineering Group has participated in a study describing a technology for the production of artemisin in plants (Singh, ND, et al. 2016. Plant Biotechnol J 14, 1034). Finally, the Industrial Biotechnology Group, has described the endophytic bacterial communities associated with fi eld-grown soybean (de Almeida Lopes, KB, et al. 2016. J Appl Microbiol 120, 740), thus opening the way to identify potential novel biofertilisers.

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yThe use of genetic engineering and other modern biological technologies has enormous potential for the production of clean and renewable energy from biological sources. Devising cost-eff ective processes to produce second-generation biofuels using microalgae, and the identifi cation of novel enzymes eff ective against the cellulosic biomass are two examples of how energy can be extracted from biological sources. Biotechnology also off ers a concrete promise for the development of more eff ective, sustainable agriculture in the ICGEB Member States.

5. industrial biotechnology


CROP IMPROVEMENTM.K. Reddy (ND) Tanushri Kaul (ND) S. Leelavathi (ND)

Three Research Groups work to understand genes and molecules that could lead to improvement in food production and nutritional yield. The Crop Improvement Group (Reddy) modifi es rice plants to protect them against adverse environmental conditions by reducing oxidative stress, using the most recent targeted genome editing technologies based on CRISPR/Cas9. The Nutritional Improvement of Crops Group (Kaul) aims to improve the nutritional value of food by generating cereals, legumes and tomatoes free of phytic acid, which sequesters micronutrients from being absorbed by the gut. It also seeks to obtain non-selective herbicide-resistant rice plants for weed control, in addition to identifying genetic solutions to avoid premature ripening of fruits post-harvest. The Plant Transformation Group (Leelavathi) aims to improve the cotton plant by introducing genes that confer insect and virus resistance and improve the fi bre quality. This Group also expresses enzymes important for biofuel production, such as xylanase, in tobacco plants through chloroplast transformation.Highlights in 2016The Crop Improvement Group has recently developed a phosphite-mediated dual use fertilisation and weed control system for rice (Manna, M, et al. 2016. Sci Rep 6, 24941). This off ers the exciting prospect of mitigating the overuse of phosphorus fertilisers and consequent eutrophication and at the same time overcoming the development of herbicide resistance.

BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC STRESSSuresh Nair (ND)Neeti Sanan-Mishra (ND)Sneh Lata Singla-Pareek (ND)

Three Groups in New Delhi address the problem of solving edible plant biotic and abiotic stress. The Plant Insect Interaction Group (Nair) studies the interaction of the rice plant with the Asian rice gall midge, an insect responsible for considerable yield loss for farmers in Asia and Africa. The Plant RNAi Biology Group (Sanan-Mishra) is interested in elucidating the RNA interference mechanisms operative in rice plants in response to increasing soil salinity, high temperature and virus infection, all conditions of particular importance due to current climate change. The Plant Stress Biology Group (Singla-Pareek) develops genetic solutions to solve the problems posed in agriculture by the abiotic stress caused by salinity and drought. In particular, the Group modifi es rice plants with several genes that reduce cellular toxicity, permitting plants to grow in soils with high levels of salt and metal ions and low levels of water. Highlights in 2016The Plant Insect Interaction Group has described an important mediator of the interaction between the rice plant and its parasite Asian rice gall midge (Sinha, DK, et al. 2015. BMC Plant Biology 15, 235). The Plant RNAi Biology Group has characterised the microRNA expression profi le in sorghum in response to drought stress (El Sanousi, RS, et al. 2016. Am J Plant Sci 7, 870). The Plant Stress Biology Group has identifi ed diff erent proteins that mediate the adaptation of plants to abiotic stress (Tripathi, AK, et al. 2016. Plant Physiol 171, 2854) and salinity (Soda, N, et al. 2016. Sci Rep 6, 34762) and has provided insights into how this stress response machinery might be utilised to allow the expansion of crop cultivable areas.

pla

nt

bio

log

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nd

bio

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olo

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The demand for more eff ective and sustainable agriculture, able to cope with the exponential increase in the human population and the constraints imposed by current climate changes, is growing in the ICGEB community. Genetic engineering of plants, development of eco-friendly biofertilisers, and other agricultural biotechnologies, together with molecular studies on the resistance of plants to biotic and abiotic stress, are among the most characteristic activities of the ICGEB New Delhi Component.

6. plant biology and biotechnology


A defi ning characteristic of the ICGEB is its contribution to postgraduate training of scientists from Member States. Each year, the ICGEB assigns a series of Fellowships to young scientists to undertake research in its laboratories. These Fellowships are awarded to obtain the title of PhD (Predoc), to undertake research at the postdoctoral level (Postdoc), or to perform short periods of research (Short-term Fellowships). Since 2014, the Scientifi c Mobility for Advanced Research Training (SMART) Fellowships programme also supports South-South mobility of PhD students and Postdocs within the ICGEB Member States. The programme is named in memory of Arturo Falaschi, the mind and driving force of the Centre at its inception.

In the period 2010-2016, the ICGEB has funded a total of 5,336 Fellowship/months through this programme. Figure 2 shows the distribution of these Fellowships according to the type of support provided.

fellowships

20

16

Each of the three Components runs an international PhD Course, open to young graduates from Member States. In Trieste, the ICGEB collaborates with the University of Trieste and with other academic institutions of national and international repute, such as the “Scuola Normale Superiore” in Pisa, the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, and the Open University in the UK. In New Delhi and Cape Town, the PhD Courses are conducted in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the University of Cape Town, respectively.

During 2016, a total of 303 Fellows have performed research in the laboratories at the three ICGEB Components. Of these, 112 have been funded under the Arturo Falaschi Fellowship Programme and an additional 191 on External Funds generated from grants for specifi c projects run by the ICGEB laboratories. The countries of origin of the Fellows on board is shown in Table 1.

Number of Fellowship/months funded per year in the period 2010-2016

Figure 2

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0 200 400 600

Predoc

PostdocShort-term

SMART

714

622

554

508

675

709

791

763


AlgeriaLibya

Egypt

Tunisia

Italy

Morocco

Spain

Mauritania

Senegal

Nigeria

Liberia

Cộte d’IvoireGhana

Benin

Democratic Republic of CongoCongo

Angola

Sudan

SouthSudan Ethiopia

Kenya

Tanzania

Namibia

SouthAfrica Lesotho

MauritiusBolivia

Brazil

Colombia

Venezuela

Peru

Argentina

Chile

Uruguay

Paraguay

Ecuador

Panama

Costa Rica

Mexico Cuba

Dominican Republic

Jamaica

Sri Lanka

IndiaSaudi Arabia

Viet Nam

Malaysia

Qatar

Kuwait

United Arab Emirates

Nepal

China

Pakistan

AfghanistanIran

IraqSyria

Jordan

Turkey

Poland

Romania

Moldova

Ukraine

Greece

Russian Federation

Kyrgyzstan

Philippines

Indonesia

Bhutan

Bangladesh

Thailand

Bulgaria

Cameroon

Georgia

Armenia

Serbia

ICGEB Trieste PhD students, March 2017 (from Burundi, Croatia, India, Italy, Nepal, Peru, Serbia, Slovenia, Tanzania, Venezuela and Viet Nam)

Table 1

Countries of origin and No. of Fellows at the ICGEB laboratories in 2016

Africa (19+17*) Botswana (1*), Burundi (1), Cameroon (5+4*), Kenya (2), Nigeria (9), South Africa (1+11*) ,Tanzania (1), Zimbabwe (1*)

North Africa (5+1*) Egypt (4+1*), Tunisia(1)

Asia (27+157*) Bangladesh (4), Bhutan (1), China (1), India (15+157*), Malaysia (1), Nepal (1), Pakistan (1), Sri Lanka (1), Viet Nam (2)

South America (9+1*) Argentina (2), Brazil (2+1*), Peru (3), Venezuela (2)

Central America & Caribbean (10) Costa Rica (1), Cuba (5), Mexico (3), Trinidad & Tobago (1)

Europe (37+15*) Belgium (1*), Bulgaria (1), Croatia (3+1*), Germany (1), Hungary (1), Italy (20+13*), Poland (4), Serbia (4), Slovenia (3)

Middle East (5) Iran (2), Syria (1), Turkey (2)

In 2016, 303 Fellows were on board at the ICGEB Components (those on External Funds are indicated by an asterisk)

The ICGEB has already committed resources to fi nance an additional 84 Fellowships, 42 through the Arturo Falaschi Fellowship Programme and 42 on External Funds, in 2017.

Figure 3Countries of origin and destination of scientists supported by the SMART Fellowship Programme


Every year the Centre funds and organises well over 20 scientifi c events on cutting-edge topics in the fi eld of Life Sciences, with the aim of facilitating interactions between internationally renowned scientists and young researchers from Member States. The Programme was signifi cantly restructured in 2015 and it now off ers 5 possibilities for ICGEB support for scientifi c events (shown in Table 2):1) Meetings are held in the three ICGEB Components and are co-organised by one or more ICGEB scientists; 2) Workshops are co-sponsored by local organising institutes in any of the Member States, and 3) Courses, providing theoretical and/or practical training, also take place in any of the Member States or at the Components. In addition, 4) the “Future of Science” programme supports scientifi c events on current, hot scientifi c topics, with open communication to media and the public. Finally, 5) Sponsorship is also provided to international scientifi c events relevant to the ICGEB mandate.

meetings and courses

20

16

Figure 4

geographical origin of participants 2010-2016

10%

7%

6%

17%

20%

32%

9%

Africa

Asia

South America

Europe

Middle East

North Africa

Central America & Caribbean

Number of ICGEB Meetings and Courses 2010-2016 and number of participants per year

Countries of origin of participants in ICGEB scientifi c events 2010-2016

Figure 5

number of participants 2010-2016

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

2531

1298

894

907

1023

1518

1278

No. of participants

scientifi c events 2010-2016

No. of events

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

0 10 20 30

34

19

18

19

21

25

24


Since 2010, the ICGEB has co-organised 160 scientifi c events with the participation of almost 9500 researchers (Figure 4). In 2016, the ICGEB Meetings & Courses Programme included the organisation and sponsorship of 36 scientifi c events and participation by over 2500 international scientists; approximately 450 of whom received fi nancial support through an ICGEB grant. The geographical origin of the participants in the ICGEB scientifi c events is shown in Figure 5.

Highlights in 2016 included the 3rd Meeting in the Arturo Falaschi Conference Series, (pictured above), entitled “At the Intersection of DNA Replication and Genome Maintenance”, which was held in Trieste with the participation of most of the leading international laboratories currently operating in the fi eld of genome integrity.

In the course of the year the ICGEB also provided support to scientists from Member States to participate in other international events, including the ASCB Annual Meeting in San Francisco, USA and the 10th International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementias, held in Munich, Germany.

For the year 2017, the Programme has received 58 applications, 28 of which have been approved for support. The calendar of the events scheduled in 2017 is available at http://www.icgeb.trieste.it/meetings-2017.html

Type and number of events organised 2016 2017

ICGEB meetings 1 2ICGEB workshops in collaborating institutions 7 6ICGEB theoretical & practical courses 12 9Future of science 1 0Sponsored events 13 10ICGEB hosted events 2 1

Table 2

ICGEB scientifi c events in 2016 and scheduled for 2017

The ICGEB Arturo Falaschi Conference Series “At the Intersection of DNA Replication and Genome Maintenance: from Mechanisms to Therapy”, Trieste, 27 June - 1 July 2016 (Photo courtesy of Ivan Doglia)


Funding opportunities for Member State laboratories are made available through the ICGEB Research Grants - Collaborative Research Programme (CRP); a dedicated source of funding aimed at fi nancing projects addressing original scientifi c problems of particular relevance for the host country that are also of regional interest. Established in 1988, the programme aims to stimulate collaborative research in Member States with the ICGEB Component laboratories, to promote training of young scientists and to facilitate the creation of appropriate research facilities.

crp-research grants

20

16

fi elds of investigation of crp grants 2010-2016

21%

12%

24%

44%

Basic Science

Human Healthcare

Industry & Environment

Plant Science & Agriculture

Figure 6

crp - icgeb research grants awarded 2010-2016

2010

2011

2013

2014

2015

2016

0 5 10 15 20 25

21

16

18

25

23

22

Number of Grants

Number of CRP - Research Grants awarded 2010-2016 and fi elds of investigation

Akhona Vava, PhD Student at work in the Cancer Genomics Lab, ICGEB Cape Town


The programme provides support for research projects in basic science, human healthcare, industrial and agricultural biotechnology and bioenergy. To date, it has funded approximately 485 projects, for a global fi nancial commitment of almost € 20 million. Figure 6 reports the number of grants awarded since 2010 and their fi elds of investigation.

Currently, 75 projects are funded by the CRP Research Grant Programme in the ICGEB Member States. The map in Figure 7 shows the countries in which these projects are ongoing.

The selection procedure for the funding of Research Grants, as with all ICGEB Programmes involves a transparent process of peer-review. Liaison Offi cers in Member States make a preliminary selection of a maximum of three standard grants plus two Early Career Return Grants to be considered by the ICGEB, on the basis of merit and potential interest to the country. These applications are fi rst reviewed by triage by a Committee of investigators from the three Components; those passing the selection are sent out for peer-review by international experts in the specifi c fi eld of the application.

In 2016, 157 applications were considered, of which 60 were peer-reviewed and 21 were granted, in Europe (9 projects), Latin America (9), Africa (2) and Asia (1).

Figure 7 Countries with ongoing Projects funded by the CRP - Research Grant Programme

Europe (27)Bosnia (2)Bulgaria (1)Croatia (3)FYR Macedonia (2)Hungary (3)Poland (2)

Romania (1)Russia (4)Serbia (4)Slovakia (2)Slovenia (3)

Asia (12)China (3)India (2)Malaysia (1)Pakistan (2)

Sri Lanka (1)Viet Nam (3)

Africa (9)Cameroon (1)Egypt (1)Mauritius (1)Morocco (1)

Namibia (1)Nigeria (1)South Africa (2)Tunisia (1)

South America (17)Argentina (4)Brazil (4)Chile (5)Ecuador (1)

Peru (1)Uruguay (1)Venezuela (1)

Middle East (5)Iran (1)Syria (2)

Turkey (2)

Central America & Caribbean (8)Costa Rica (2)Mexico (3)

Panama (2)Trinidad & Tobago (1)


Transferring technology to industry in Member States is one of the statutory goals of the ICGEB.

The Biotechnology Development Group in Trieste develops technologies for the production of biological generics, including insulin, erythropoietin, interferon and other products obtained through genetic engineering. Transfers of these technologies have been concluded with industrial partners in Argentina, Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iran, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay and Venezuela. Some of the companies involved in these technology transfer activities are now producing generic biologicals that are distributed on domestic markets and successfully compete in the international arena. Since 2010, approximately € 3.8 million have been obtained from this technology transfer activity.

A list of technology transfer agreements signed in 2016 is shown in Table 3. In particular, in 2016 the ICGEB fi nalised agreements for the transfer of know-how for the production of growth hormone, erythropoietin and erythropoietin PEGylation with partners in Iran and started negotiations with additional industrial partners in India, Russia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates for the transfer of recombinant DNA technologies and for the performance of Quality Control tests.

The Recombinant Gene Products Group in New Delhi has long-standing experience in the production of low-cost diagnostic kits for infectious diseases (in particular, HIV, hepatitis B and C and dengue) and, more recently, celiac disease. The same Group is also pursuing the generation of innovative vaccines against infectious diseases. In October 2016, the ICGEB signed an agreement with one of the largest global generic companies for the development of a vaccine against dengue virus. In particular, under this agreement the ICGEB has licensed a technology for a tailored recombinant virus-like-particle-based dengue vaccine active

Technology transfer

20

16Agreements Signed with Industries in 2016

Type of agreement Subject No. CountryTT Production of growth hormone 1 IranTT Production of PEG-erythropoietin 1 Iran

Licence & R&D Development of a dengue vaccine 1 IndiaR&D Methods to reduce energy costs and improve anaerobic digestion

processes2 Italy

R&D Study of bacteria associated with crops (soybean, maize, wheat and barley)

1 Italy

R&D Identifi cation of plant cell wall degrading-bacteria and the heterologous expression of plant biomass degrading-enzymes to be used in processes of bioenergy production

1 Italy

R&D Development of sustainable and marketable technologies for renewable energy

1 India

R&D Novel AAV gene therapy for ornithine transcarbamylase defi ciency 1 USAR&D Development of a novel botanical drug for dengue, Cissampelos parer

(Cipa) 1 India

R&D Strategies against vector borne disease 1 India

Table 3

Agreements signed with industries in 2016 (TT: Technology Transfer, R&D: Research and Development)


Technology transfer higghlight

In October 2016, ICGEB entered into a partnership with one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in India to develop a novel dengue vaccine for India and the global market, based on the work of the Recombinant Gene Products Group in New Delhi. This agreement has received broad visibility in the press and social media. Over the last few years the same Group has been also active in the generation of recombinant clones for the production of over 26 high sensitivity, low-cost diagnostic kits for viral infections, including HIV, HBV, HCV and dengue virus. These kits are being manufactured in India and are also distributed in several Asian and African countries and are used by the World Health Organization. In 2011 Dr. Khanna, PI of the Recombinant Gene Products Group, received the Biotech Product & Process Development and Commercialization Award.

against all four dengue virus serotypes. Another, previously developed vaccine against malaria is in early stage clinical trial through a consortium of participants including the ICGEB, the Department of Biotechnology of the Government of India and the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation.

Other agreements with industrial partners generated by other ICGEB laboratories include collaborations aimed at the degradation of lignocellulose for biogas production, the development of sustainable technologies for the generation of renewable energy and bio-based chemicals and materials, the production of a novel AAV vector-based gene therapy approach for ornithine transcarbamylase defi ciency, a hereditary disorder of the liver, and the clinical development of a botanical drug for the treatment of dengue fever. Finally, two additional agreements were signed in 2016 with industrial partners for the study of bacteria associated with crops and the identifi cation of plant cell wall degrading-bacteria for bioenergy production.

The Centre patents results obtained through its research. Since 2010, 37 patent applications have been deposited from the laboratories in Trieste and New Delhi. Among the recently patented discoveries, one is for the above-described innovative method for the production of a vaccine against dengue fever; another protects the discovery of a series of small RNAs to be used as pharmaceutical products to stimulate the regeneration of the heart in patients that have suff ered myocardial infarction.

Navin Khanna, during an interview

High Throughtput facilities at ICGEB Trieste


The ICGEB is actively engaged in a number of institutional activities instrumental in fullfi lling its main mission to operate in the fi eld of biotechnology to achieve sustainable global development. The ICGEB is specifi cally mentioned in the Report of the Secretary General of the United Nations regarding the implementation of Resolution 58/200 of 2004, and in Resolution 16/205 “Science and Technology for Development” of 2006 of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

otherInstitutional Activities 2

016

Collaboration with Other International OrganisationsIn a number of specifi c programmes, the ICGEB operates in close contact with other International Organisations. In 2016, it started an intense collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission for the establishment of common activities. These have included active participation in the “Macro-Regional Innovation Week - At the crossroads of three European Macro-Regions: Danube, Adriatic-Ionian and Alpine Regions” held in Trieste in November 2016, and the joint organisation of the Workshop on “Genome editing and related technologies: scientifi c and regulatory considerations”, held at the ICGEB Headquarters, in Trieste, in December 2016.

In the framework of the agreement signed between the ICGEB and the United Nations University (UNU) in 2004, the Centre and the UNU’s Biotechnology Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU-BIOLAC) have de fi ned a cooperation strategy focused on co-sponsoring short term training courses and workshops held in ICGEB Member States in Latin America and the Caribbean. Accordingly, the two organisations have jointly funded 19 courses during the 2006-2015 period. For the year 2016, two courses were held in the UNU-BIOLAC region, one in Colombia and one in Costa Rica. In collaboration with the other international institutions based in Trieste (the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, ICTP, The World Academy of Sciences, TWAS, and the Inter- Academy Panel, IAP), and in close co-ordination with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Aff airs and International Cooperation, the ICGEB organised and hosted the 5th Meeting of the United Nations Scientifi c Advisory Board (UN-SAB), a body of 26 internationally leading scientists that provides advice to the UN Secretary-General and the Executive Heads of the UN organisations on strengthening the interface between science, policy and society. The meeting took place in Trieste, Italy, in May, 2016.

Poster of the JRC-ICGEB Joint Workshop held at ICGEB Trieste in November 2016


As foreseen in its Statutes, the policies and regulations of ICGEB conform to those of the United Nations common system, which today constitutes a sound and effi cient administrative system ensuring fruitful cooperation between International Organisations. The ICGEB holds observer status in a number of the Committees of the Chief Executive Board for Coordination (CEB), which represents the main instrument of the United Nations for supporting and reinforcing coordination on social, economic and related matters. In 2016, ICGEB representatives participated in the Finance and Budget Network and in the Task Force on Accounting Standards on IPSAS. Continuous interaction and dialogue with peer managers from the UN system is important to identify, promote and coordinate management reforms and provide strategic direction on fi nance and budget issues.

Cooperation with the Chief Executive Board for Coordination (CEB)

BioethicsThe ICGEB has a natural interest in the fi eld of bioethics. Genetic manipulation of animals and plants, prenatal testing, management of big data, interventions in ageing and genome editing are all topics that fall within the fi elds of activity of the Centre and have essential bioethical implications.

The ICGEB is one of the founding members of the United Nations Inter-Agency Committee on Bioethics (UNIACB) established in 2003 and approved by the Secretary General of the United Nations. In November 2016, representatives from the ICGEB participated in the annual meeting of the UNIACB in Geneva, Switzerland and have assumed the role of leading a project for the creation of a consensus document on the scientifi c, legal and ethical impact of the novel technologies based on precise gene editing on medicine, agriculture and on society at large. This topic was also the focus of the afore-mentioned meeting organised in collaboration with the JRC of the European Commission, which involved stakeholders from academic and governmental organisations from European Member States and neighbouring countries and included representatives from the FAO, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. A follow-up event is planned at the end of 2017.

AMCOST - African Ministerial Conference on Science & Technology of the African Union CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity CEB - Chief Executives Board for Coordination CEI - Central European Initiative CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research COMSATS - Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South CRISAT - International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics FAO - Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations NEPAD - The New Partnership for Africa’s Development TWAS - The World Academy of Sciences UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organisation UN Offi ce for Disarmament Aff airs WHO - World Health Organization

Additional international organisations with which the ICGEB actively collaborates:

Women in Science Day at ICGEB Cape Town, 11 February 2016


The Centre represents a scientifi c reference point for Parties that have ratifi ed the Convention on Biological Diversity, and in particular the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety concerning the transboundary movement of genetically modifi ed organisms (GMOs).

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biosafety

20

16

Wendy Craig (TS)Denis Obonyo Ndolo (CT)

The activities of the Biosafety Group principally take place in ICGEB Member States and are co-ordinated and managed by Wendy Craig (Group Leader) in the ICGEB Headquarters in Trieste. The activities are fi nancially sustained by External Funds, originally through a longstanding collaboration with the Italian Ministry of the Environment (MATTM) for whom the Italian node of the Biosafety Clearing House was established and is maintained, and now especially through substantial support from major philanthropic foundations and multilateral organisations. Key geographic regions of activity are sub-Saharan Africa through a partnership with the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, and Latin America and the Caribbean principally through funds originating from United Nations Environment Programme - Global Environment Facility (UNEP-GEF) projects.

Activities focus on providing direct support in the establishment of national GMO regulatory frameworks and offi ces, and assisting the development and execution of essential administrative and technical procedures.

The activities range from helping the drafting of legislation, regulations and guidance documents to organising in-country mentored fora in which novice GMO regulators are trained in model approaches and tools in the regulation of GMOs, and assisted in their tailoring to national circumstances. In addition, bilateral exchanges are organised between novice GMO regulators in Project Countries with experienced GMO regulators in Argentina, Australia and Canada such that the provided training and support remains pertinent and is based on current international approaches. Supplementing these activities is the off ering of post-graduate level academic training to novice GMO regulators and their technical experts , through fellowships to attend a Masters programme in Biosafety at the University of Adelaide, Australia, as well as through a portfolio of online eLearning biosafety modules available for adoption by Universities and regulatory authorities in Member States. The established collaborations have also resulted in a suite of public awareness materials, including scripts for radio spots, factsheets, Q&As and brochures to help regulatory authorities include public participation in GMO decision-making.


The Financial Statements of the ICGEB are prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The overall ICGEB budget is composed of the unrestricted contributions from Member States (representing the Core Budget of the Organisation) and of External Funds, consisting of grants and other forms of contributions from third parties for the execution of specifi c research projects or activities. For the period 2015-2017, the External Auditor of the Centre is the President of the Corte dei Conti (Court of Auditors) of the Republic of Italy. The budget of the Centre is approved by the Board of Governors at its annual meeting.

Staff from the three Components attend an IPSAS course held at ICGEB Trieste in 2016

financial report

20

16

Revenues (in Euro) 2016Contribution of the Italian Government 10,036,911Contribution of the Indian Government 3,863,953Contribution of the South African Government 718,350Member States’ Assessed Contributions 1,079,758External Funds 6,897,065Other Revenues 281,719TOTAL 22,877,757

Table 4

Member States participate in the fi nancing of the Centre through annual assessed contributions, which are calculated as a proportion of each individual State’s contribution to the regular budget of the United Nations. In addition to their mandatory contributions, the Governments of Italy, India and South Africa provide funding through voluntary contributions. These cover all costs of the respective Components and, in the case of the Government of Italy, also part of the costs for the extramural Programmes of the Centre (Fellowships, Meetings and Courses and CRP-ICGEB Research Grants). Table 4 reports the contributions received by the ICGEB over the last fi nancial period.

revenues


In addition to the contributions from Member States, additional revenues are generated through External Funds. The main sources of these funds are grants awarded to the ICGEB researchers by national and international donors for specifi c research or training projects, and agreements with industries for technology transfer. Figure 8 reports the amount of External Funds generated by the three ICGEB Components from 2010 to 2016. During the last fi nancial period, these externally generated funds amounted to € 6.9 million, of which 66% were generated by research project grants to the ICGEB laboratories, 18% to support the biosafety activities and 15% by the technology transfer activities of the Centre. This is a testimony to the excellence of ICGEB research in the three Components and its capacity to attract the interest of industry.

External Funds generated by the ICGEB. The bar graph on the left shows the distribution of External Funds in the three Components; the pie chart on the right shows the areas of activity for which the funds were received

Figure 8source of external

funds 2016

1%18%

66%

15%

Technology Transfer Biosafety

Research Grants Other Institutional

In the period 2010-2016, funds originated from over 400 grants, including those from: the European Research Council (ERC), EU FP7 and Horizon 2020 Programmes, Wellcome Trust UK, Worldwide Cancer Research UK, Royal Society UK, Leukemia&Lymphoma Society USA, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Canada, JDRF USA, NIH USA, Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation USA, Canadian Grand Challenges Scheme, AXA Research Foundation France, AFM-Telethon France, Medical Research Council UK and National Research Foundation South Africa, Telethon, AIRC, AriSLA, and the Italian Ministries of Agriculture, Health, University and Research, Labour and Social Policies.

The ICGEB Headquarters in Trieste

external funds 2010-2016

Trieste New Delhi Cape Town

Million Euro

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

0.115

0.072

0.062

0.004

0.034

0.076

0.094

4.171

3.984

4.903

6.214

7.284

6.515

5.484

2.611

2.598

3.098

2.897

3.328

3.198

2.96


Expenditures 2016Description 2016 Expenditures (in Euro)

PersonnelProfessional Staff 2,584,795General Staff and National Offi cers 4,905,576Experts and Consultants 309,320GovernanceGovernance & ICGEB Bodies 256,754Extramural ActivitiesFellowships 1,244,598Meetings and Courses 389,186CRP- ICGEB Research Grants 794,662Running of the LaboratoriesConsumables 1,341,951Equipment 944,605Library 129,873Travel 212,612Premises and UtilitiesPremises and Utilities 2,687,254OthersOthers 100,000TOTAL 15,901,186

Table 5

During the last fi nancial period, the expenditures on the Core Budget amounted to €15,9 million (Table 5), in line with previous years. Approximately 50% of the Core Budget covers salaries of Principal Investigators and Experts in the three Components, who direct research of the Components’ laboratories, take responsibility for the training of ICGEB Fellows and coordinate the ICGEB extramural activities. ICGEB Principal Investigators and Experts are also instrumental in obtaining External Funds. Extramural activities in Member States for CRP-ICGEB Research Grants, Fellowships and Meetings and Courses collectively amount to approximately 15% of the Core Budget (Figure 9). The budgeted provision for 2017 is in line with the previous fi nancial period.

expenditures

3%

17%

15%

2%

15%

49%

Personnel

Premises

Governance

Extramural Funding

Running of the Laboratories

Others

Figure 92016 Expenditure Categories


The Centre runs an in-house podcast facility and distributes movies featuring broad scientifi c content on the iTunes U digital platform, a vast learning resource off ering educational movies that users can download to their computer and mobile devices via the iTunes Store. The ICGEB Podcast Collection features high-quality, audiovisual assets from its international seminars, meetings and courses, lessons and public events that are freely accessible for sharing by the public. The ICGEB Podcast Collection currently includes more than 460 movies in over 40 Collections on Health & Medicine, Science, Teaching and Learning; from Pharmaceutical Health and Medicine to Cancer, from Neurobiology to Quorum Sensing, from Infectious Diseases to Genome Editing. Many of these have featured in the top 10 collections across the globe alongside those from Imperial College London and Stanford University, among others. Since 2011, ICGEB movies are previewed and downloaded an average 100,000 times a year in over 80 countries, predominantly in the USA, which counts for over 40% of visitors. ICGEB further disseminates its podcasts via the Web site and on YouTube, with over 21,000 views a year.

Contributing to a vibrant scientifi c community and disseminating knowledge and enthusiasm for science to the lay public are concepts integral to the mission of the ICGEB.

outreach

20

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Podcasts

Visits to the Component laboratoriesThe ICGEB laboratories in Trieste welcome almost 1000 visitors each year, including school and university groups. Since 2002, lessons in Molecular Medicine have been given in high schools in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy, by PhD students from ICGEB Trieste, under a locally funded project. In Trieste, a teaching lab is being equiped to accommodate school visits and to facilitate the fl ow of visitors to the Centre.Paola Massimi, from the Tumour Virology Lab, giving a practical demonstration in the main square of Trieste on the occasion of the “Trieste Next” Science Fair, September 2016

The ICGEB Podcast Collection on iTunes U

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Dissemination for the lay publicThe ICGEB is actively engaged in the dissemination of science for the lay public. Laboratory personnel actively participate in scientifi c fairs and events and strongly support local, national and international outreach activities. These initiatives are made possible through funding obtained for the promotion of Public Engagement activities, such as “Trieste Science & the City”, fi rst organised by ICGEB Trieste on themes of scientifi c interest for the general public in 2013. The latest in the series (Science & the City 3, held in 2016) was fi lmed and played across the Italian national television and radio network, Rai. Episodes include presentations by international experts and open Q&A with the public. Events are moderated and presented by

the Director-General, on cutting edge topics in science such as vaccinations, GMOs, ageing and genetic manipulation. The events, in Italian, play to full capacity, are recorded, edited and later podcast on the ICGEB Web site, linked to iTunes U and YouTube channels and distributed as DVD collections to schools and to the network of Italian Cultural Institutes throughout the world.

Social mediaThe Centre is committed to increasing its advocacy and communication activities and has substantially expanded its social media presence, with Twitter and Facebook accounts across the ICGEB Components, receiving over 6000 visitors every week. The ICGEB Web site, which will undergo restructuring at the end of 2017, represents a major public information tool that attracts millions of visits every month.

Poster of the 3rd edition of the Trieste Science & the City series of events for the lay public

Iris Bertani, researcher in the Bacteriology Lab, Trieste, explains her research on bacteria associated with the rice plant via Twitter


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A Burkina FasoBurundiCameroonCôte d’IvoireEritreaKenyaLiberiaMauritiusNamibiaNigeriaSenegalSouth AfricaUnited Republic of Tanzania

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AfghanistanBangladeshBhutanChinaIndiaKyrgyzstanMalaysiaPakistanSri LankaViet Nam

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BulgariaCroatiaFYR MacedoniaHungaryItalyMontenegroPolandRomaniaRussian FederationSerbiaSlovakiaSlovenia

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IraqJordanKuwaitQatarSaudi ArabiaSyrian Arab RepublicTurkeyUnited Arab Emirates

the icgeb member states

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The Board of Governors consists of a representative of each Member State and constitutes the Governing body of the Centre. Its main functions include:

• determining the general policies and principles governing the activities of the Centre;

• admitting new Members to the Centre;• approving the work programme and budget, taking

into account the recommendations of the Council of Scientifi c Advisers, adopting the fi nancial regulations of the Centre and deciding on any other fi nancial matter.

Since 1999 all Member States participate in the fi nancing of ICGEB through a scale of assessment proportional to the contributions of the Member States to the United Nations.

In 2016, the 22nd second session of the Board was held in Cape Town, South Africa, on 24-25 May.

The Council of Scientifi c Advisers (CSA) is composed of fi fteen eminent scientists active in the international arena in Life Sciences. The members of the Council are elected by the Board of Governors, with the Director-General of ICGEB serving as the Secretary. The members of the CSA hold offi ce for a period of three years and are eligible for reappointment for two further terms.

The main functions of the CSA include:

• reviewing the scientifi c research activity of each ICGEB Component and reporting back to the Board of Governors;

• examining the work programme and the budget of the Centre and making recommendations to the Board;

• assisting the Director-General on all substantive, scientifi c and technical matters concerning the activities of the Centre

The CSA holds a regular session once a year, generally alternating the meetings between the three Component laboratories in Trieste, New Delhi and Cape Town.

Board of governors

Council of scientifi c advisers

Members of the CSA in 2016-2017 ( *Nobel Laureates)Khosrow Adeli, CANADARoger N. Beachy, USAZhen-Chuan Fan, CHINAMarco Foiani, ITALYMariano Garcia-Blanco, SINGAPORE

Jorge Kalil, BRAZILGagandeep Kang, INDIAAlexander A. Makarov, RUSSIAVasey Nyamu Mwaja, KENYARafael Radi, URUGUAY

Rafael Rivera Bustamante, MEXICORichard J. Roberts, USABrenda Wingfi eld, SOUTH AFRICAKhatijah Yusoff , MALAYSIAHarald zur Hausen, GERMANY*

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the icgeb governance

Members of CSA and PIs in Trieste during the 22nd Session on 17-18 May 2016

Opening of the 22nd Session of the ICGEB Board. From left to right: H.E. Min. N. Pandor (South Africa), H.E. Min. L. Ogorodova (Russia), Prof. H.A.A. Moursy (Egypt; President of the Board),

Prof. M. Giacca (Italy; Director-General)


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16icgeb at a glance

INSTITUTIONALFounded 1983Fully operational 1987Components 3Full Member States 64Additional Signatory Countries 22

PERSONNELTotal Personnel 660 Scientifi c Personnel 550

RESEARCHResearch Groups 47Active Research Grants 75 (6.9 Million Euro)Publications since 1988 >2800Publications in 2016 201

FELLOWSHIPSFellowships awarded since 1988 1344Fellows on board 2016 303PhD students on board 2016 150

MEETINGS & COURSESMeetings and Courses since 1988 534Meetings and Courses in 2016 34

GRANTSCRP-Research Grants since 1988 484CRP-Research Grants 2016 21Countries with ongoing CRP Grants 39

OUTREACHPodcasts since 2011 460iTunes U and YouTube Downloads >100,000/yearSocial media


At the microscope: Hashim Ali, Postdoc and Consuelo Torrini, Phd Student in the Molecular Medicine Lab, ICGEB Trieste


Jun 2016

Apr2016

H.E. Péter Paczolay, Ambassador of Hungary to Italy visits ICGEB Trieste, Italy

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The Arturo Falaschi Conference Series: “At the Intersection of DNA Replication and Genome Maintenance: from Mechanisms to Therapy” , Trieste, Italy

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Jul 2016

Feb 2016

ICGEB Course “Basic Biotechnology Techniques”, Islamabad, Pakistan

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3rd Edition of Trieste Science & the City, Trieste, Italy

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EU European Commission, 7th Framework Programme publishes results on GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence (GRACE).

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ICGEB at the India-Canada research consortium for development of new anti-malarials against multiple targets in the parasite, New Delhi, India

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Mar 2016

Aug 2016

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the year in pictures

Prof. M.I. Parker, ICGEB Cape Town, at the workshop on Stem Cell Science and Applications, held in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

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Oct2016

Ms. Naledi Pandor, Honourable Minister of Science and Technology of South Africa, visits ICGEB New Delhi, India

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“Macro-Regional Innovation week”: At the crossroads of the three European macro-Regions, Trieste, Italy

Sept2016

ICGEB participates in the 5th Edition of the Trieste Next science fair, “Umano, post-umano. Verso l’homo technologicus”, Trieste, Italy

ITAL

Y ICGEB and Sun Pharma announce a new exclusive collaboration to develop novel dengue vaccine for India & global markets, New Delhi, India

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2nd ICGEB Workshop on Human Papillomavirus “From basic biology to cancer prevention”, Hong Kong, China

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Oct2016

ICGEB event at SFSA2016, Science Forum South Africa, Pretoria, South AfricaSO

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Nov2016

Prof. M. Giacca attends the 44th

Industrial Development Board and UNIDO’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, Vienna, Austria

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Dec2016

Nov2016


Printed by Gramaglia & C. srlTrieste, ITALY

Graphic Design by Marella Prata, ICGEB Trieste

Communications and OutreachICGEB

AREA Science Park - Padriciano, 99 - 34149 Trieste - ItalyTel: +39-040-3757315/77 | Fax: +39-040-3757380

Email: [email protected]

ICGEB TriesteAREA Science Park - Padriciano, 99

34149 Trieste, ITALYTel.: +39-040-37571 - Email: [email protected]

ICGEB Cape TownWernher and Beit Building (South) - UCT Campus

Anzio Road, Observatory 7925Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +27-21- 4066335 - Email: [email protected]

ICGEB New DelhiAruna Asaf Ali Marg

110 067 New Delhi, INDIATel: +91-11-26741358 - Email: [email protected]

www.icgeb.org

Documents

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 revMG testo ristretto MP ICGEB Annual Report 2016 The ICGEB is an international organisation established within the United Nations Common System as a special project