SRC Jamaica - Riley

SAFEGUARDING OUR BIODIVERSITY: SUCCESSES,

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR

COLLABORATION

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COUNCIL, JAMAICA

Presenter: Cliff K. RileyExecutive DirectorMARCH 9-10 2015

CARIBBEAN BIODIVERSITY Latin America and the Caribbean has the widest plant and

animal biodiversity in the world

Of the 160 plants declared to have proven medicinal properties over 50 % (80) are endemic to Jamaica.

Several Jamaican plants have been exploited for therapeutics internationally with no resulting benefits to Jamaica or the region.

Vincristine, active ingredient in Toxol is from a Jamaican plant (vinca roseus l)

Plant was sent to Canada on a research collaboration to investigate the hypoglycemic properties. No formal agreement or IP protection was in place

Caribbean marine organisms have also shown extensive chemo preventative properties.

spongothymidine and spongouridine used in anti-cancer and anti-viral drugs

Tectitethya crypta

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF IP

Chemical Profiling (Chemotyping) Chemical profiling via metabolites: HPLC and NMR Distinguish between similar and different plants Plants within group may have qualitatively and quantitatively

different profiles Plants grown under different pH, altitude, light and moisture

shows different metabolite profile. Excellent for Jamaican Blue mountain Coffee where false claims are

made Over 30 Jamaican species completed: Ginger-Gingerols, Capsicum-

Capsacin, cocoa

Monograph of constituents/metabolites established Key metabolites determined across growing seasons

Can identify presence of adulterants-spiking and dilutionICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF IP

Genotyping Focus on molecular sequencing/profiling of Jamaican and

the regional flora Establishment of genetic resource database

Cannabis Cocoa Capsicum Ginger Coffee Medicinal plants

Molecular profile now linked to IP protection Geographical mapping of genetic resources Done through IAEA collaboration

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

CONSERVATION OF ENDEMIC SPECIES

Tissue Culture Utilised in vitro techniques to preserve genetic resources

Tissue culture to ensure availability, maintenance of genotypes, reduce disease/microbial load

Boost commercial production of plants regionally

Resources hosted in three local laboratories and 6 regional laboratories

Allows for protection of genetic resource in case of natural or man related disasters

Share genetic resources for research and development

Research on food and medicinal plant varietiesICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

PLANT TISSUE CULTURE

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

NATIONAL THRUSTHUMAN HEALTH AND WELLBEING

National Nutraceutical Industry Launched March 5, 2015 Over 10 Jamaican companies commercialising health and wellness

products from local flora Food and Drug Act of 1961 undergoing amendment

Amendment to the Dangerous Drug Act to: Facilitate cannabis Research by academia and research institutes Expansion of health and wellness industry to include cannabis products Protection and exchange of genetic resources

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

CHALLENGES

Funding support- Regional/local government (R& D investment 0.08 % GDP)

Exchange of genetic material/trust among scientist

Slow start to protection of genetic resources

Influx of foreign interest groups in the absence of operational policies

Unregulated transfer of genetic materials between the public and foreign interest groups: Public eduction

Unsustainable practices by JamaicansICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

COLLABORATIONS ACROSS THE REGION

Germplasm maintenance

Joint efforts in chemical profiling

Cross institutional Molecular fingerprinting

Regional Genebank/DNA database

Cross institutional product development

Joint funding/projects to further develop, protect and conserve genetic resources

Inter-regional Technical support

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

OUR MISSION:

To serve the productive sector, policy makers and the general public in order to enable sustainable growth and development of Jamaica by:

Providing quality scientific and technological solutions;Popularising S &T through strategic alliances;Being Customer-.focused with innovative, competent and responsive teams

ICSU F OCAL P OINT S WORKS HP M ARCH 9 -1 0 , 2 0 1 5

ICSU FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9-10, 2015

Thank You