BioTech Research in Odisha

[Chitta]

There is a 36 page supplement titled "A State of Growth - Biotechnology Drives Odisha's agricultural Future" at 
https://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/pdf...Odisha.pdf  .

From the editor

Subhra Priyadarshini introduces this special Odisha issue of Nature India.

A state known for its heritage, culture and disaster management, and as an emerging hub of scholarship and research, Odisha is making its mark. This special issue captures the aspirations of and challenges for the eastern Indian state in becoming the next national science hub. Odisha is home to a number of large national institutes and laboratories – the Indian Institute of Technology, the Institute of Life Sciences, the Institute of Minerals and Material Technology, the Regional Medical Research Centre, the National Institute of Science Education and Research, National Rice Research Institute, the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The state government-run Utkal University and the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology in capital Bhubaneswar add to its scholarly might. Private education conglomerates such as the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University and the L V Prasad Eye Institute are helping produce a sizeable scientific workforce. The entrepreneurship and innovation scene is warming up with a number of technology business incubators setting up shop in the state. A biotechnology cluster is also on the cards. The Odisha special issue takes a close look at this growth of innovation and technology in the state’s science. Odisha’s 460km coastline and a hot, humid agro-climate, have endowed it with rich fisheries and paddy cultivation resources. The state’s scientific legacy in both aquaculture and rice research have benefitted from these. We examine the results of years of rice and fish breeding that Odisha has gifted to the world. The state’s proximity to the Bay of Bengal and high summer temperatures have also brought severe cyclones, floods and heat waves. We investigate how Odisha is setting an example in using science and technology to cope with such extreme weather phenomena. Odisha’s rich culture and history draws international attention. Its many temples, monuments, ancient palm leaf manuscripts, paintings, and excavations are keenly researched by archaeologists, leading to innovative conservation methods to preserve Odisha’s past.

We analyse the traditional and modern methods being deployed by scientists, and focus on another rich historical source – shipwrecks – revealing fascinating stories of historic naval wars off the coast of Odisha. India’s science and technology is well entrenched in metro areas, with institute clusters like those in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, the national capital region of Delhi, and Kolkata. Smaller, second-tier cities like Bhubaneswar are gearing up to the cluster approach, and are poised to contribute to the research and innovation scene. The Odisha special issue is an attempt to shine a light on one such state. In the near future, Nature India’s regional spotlights will chronicle more such emerging hubs of science in the country.

Subhra Priyadarshini
Editor-in-chief

Features

04 Harnessing biotechnology to tackle the Grand Challenges Odisha’s 2018 biotech policy has been a catalyst for a start-up culture embracing transformative opportunities in everything from smart farming to health interventions. By Namrata Misra and Mrutyunjay Suar.


06 Withstanding weather: A scientific response Intense cyclones, severe heat waves, drought, flood, and storms are part of life in Odisha, but more robust systems and advanced technologies are improving responses. By Sushil Kumar Dash and Sarat Chandra Sahu. 

08 Crop advances feed economic gains Technological breakthroughs in rice production, livestock and fisheries are among success stories in Odisha’s agricultural sector. By Arabinda K Padhee and Trilochan Mohapatra.

10 Advertising Feature:  CREATING A PIPELINE OF TECH ENTREPRENEURS
KIIT-Technology Business Incubator is AT THE EPICENTRE of a group of technology start-ups and entrepreneurs in the eastern and north-eastern regions of India.

12 Peering through layers of time for stories of the past Odisha’s rich history, depicted in monuments, manuscripts and archaeological excavations, is further revealed through shipwrecks off its coast. Anupam Sah and Sila Tripati. 

14 Advertising Feature: REACHING THE UNREACHED
Nurturing the ENTREPRENEURIAL LANDSCAPE in North-eastern and Eastern India.

In 2009, the KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI) was set up as an initiative of KIIT University and the first TBI in the State of Odisha. Since its inception, KIIT-TBI has been playing a leading role in nurturing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the north-eastern and eastern parts of India as well as creating partnerships and linkages.

In the last year KIIT-TBI, with the support of the Government of India, has made systematic efforts to promote entrepreneurship in the region and has launched many north-eastern and eastern focused schemes encouraging youth to embrace entrepreneur- ship by providing capacity building and mentoring, and also helping the organizations interested in setting up bioincubators.

BRTC: BIRAC Regional Techno Entrepreneurship Promotion Centre
North-eastern focussed BIRAC Biotechnology Ignition Grant
WING: Women Rise Together
Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneur- ship (TIDE 2.0)
KIIT-TBI Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
The Boeing University Innova- tion Leadership Development Program (BUILD)
The National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
NIDHI Center of Excellence - Key Objectives

From Nature

17 Land use and land cover change effect on surface temperature over Eastern India Research highlights. Partha Pratim Gogoi, V.Vinoj, D.Swain, G.Roberts, J.Dash & S.Tripathy. 

26 Advertising Feature: Bringing Innovations to the Marketplace 
KIIT Technology Business Incubator (KIIT-TBI)

28 Selections from the scientific literature: Research highlights 

28 Glimpse of planets around a multi-star system 
Mahanadi delta high-risk zone for extreme events 
Geologists revise age of Chilka rocks.

29 Zircon crystals trapped in Odisha granite 
    Probiotic trial to prevent sepsis in infants
30 Blood donors should be screened twice for Hepatitis B 
    Glowing nanoprobe detects mercury in fish 
    Air pollution dividend during lockdown

31 Biofuel from food waste
   A metallic compound for cosmetic therapy
   Shocking bacteria to death