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This paper explores a possible future of postdigital education in 2050 using the means of social science fiction. The first part of the paper introduces the shift from 20th century primacy of physics to 21st century primacy of biology with an accent to new postdigital--biodigital reconfigurations and challenges in and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The second part of the paper presents a fictional speech at the graduation ceremony of a fictional military academy in a fictional East Asian country in 2050. This fictional world is marked by global warfare and militarization, and addressed graduates are the first generation of artificially evolved graduates in human history. The third part of the paper interprets the fictional narrative, contextualizes it into educational challenges of today, and argues for a dialogical, humanistic conception of new postdigital education in a biotech future.

With the rapid development of synthetic biology, lots of synthetic biology technology achievements in various application fields have been commercialized, generating broad market prospects. The commercialization of products employing synthetic biology technology (hereinafter referred as synthetic biology products) has brought benefits to human beings, but it has also produced potential safety risks. At present, relevant laws and standards for regulation of biotechnology or genetically modified organisms have been adopted to regulate the safety risks of commercialization of synthetic biology products (CSBP). However, due to the complexity and uncertainty of synthetic biology, the safety risks of CSBP cannot be comprehensively regulated by these laws and standards. Therefore, it is of great significance to formulate specific supervision and management measures for regulating the safety risks of CSBP. This paper summarized the situation of CSBP in the fields of food, medical care, agriculture, environment, energy and materials, analyzed the safety risks existing in the CSBP, and sorted out current supervision situation of its safety risks in European countries, United States, as well as in China. We further proposed suggestions on the safety supervision and management measures on the safety risks of CSBP, including classified examination and approval, classified identification of products, and strict screening and approval of market entities before entering the market, and strengthening safety supervision and emergency treatment as well as accident responsibility investigation after entering the market. This whole-process safety regulation might provide support for the safety of CSBP and promote the healthy and long-term development of synthetic biology industry.

Copyright of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods is the property of Science & Technology of Cereals, Oils & Foods Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of INMATEH - Agricultural Engineering is the property of INMATEH - Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

China has been investing heavily in biotechnology to increase agricultural productivity. While a number of Chinese developed GM crops have cleared the required scientific hurdles - some more than a decade ago - commercialization has not been approved. The regulatory regime for GMOs in China is relatively less well understood than that of the US or the EU. This paper provides a systematic overview of China's regulatory regime, R&D investment and delayed commercialization decisions on biotechnology over the last 40 years and draws some conclusions regarding the likelihood of the commercialization for major GM crops in the future.

Industrial biotechnology is an integrated technology that utilizes biochemical reactions and biofunctions to achieve substance synthesis and energy conversion. The development of industrial biotechnology supports a green, efficient, and new route for manufacturing of chemicals using renewable raw materials. It is expected to bring a fundamental shift in industrial manufacturing and a change in economic growth mode. Industrial biotechnology is an important strategic technology supporting the sustainable development of social economy and has become a focus of global competition on science and technology. Based on an elaboration of industrial biotechnology's deep integration in bioeconomy, this paper summarized the current situation and developmental trends of industrial biotechnology and biomanufacturing industry in China. Gaps between developed countries and China as well as key areas for biotechnology development were proposed, followed by identifying tasks and directions for future development of biomanufacturing industry.

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tibet's wild fungus cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), a prized commodity in metropolitan China, has been undergoing changes in the way it is traded and marketed in Tibet. Prized as a medicinal tonic and high-value gift, the parasitic fungus has traditionally been traded in its dried form. However, in recent years we have observed the emergence of trade in fresh cordyceps. This paper seeks to make sense of this change in the form of this commodity and its correlation to changing meanings of cordyceps in China. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Tibet and textual analysis of online markets in China, this paper argues that this transformation is associated with China's anticorruption campaigns, the rising importance of e-commerce infrastructures, and the biomedicalization of cordyceps through advancing biotechnologies. In addition, we argue that professional brokers play a key role in the emergence of the fresh cordyceps trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the production of biofuels from microalgae, sustainable production of algae based biofuel in China, and algal biofuel production.

This paper explores the synergy effect of the government subsidies, tax incentives, and government procurement on innovation based on synergy theory, and further analyzes its path and mechanism in the process of innovation. We find that government subsidies, tax incentives, and government procurement exert positive synergy effect on innovation. Furthermore, in the process of innovation, government subsidies are shown to play strongest roles in the stages of innovation input and technological development, while government procurement is the most crucial in the transformation stage of technological innovation, and tax incentives play balanced roles. We also find that innovation resource input, innovation technology spillover, and innovation cooperation all play partial mediating roles in the synergy effect of science and technology policies on innovation. This paper applies the synergy theory to the field of innovation policies, which enriches and expands relevant researches, and provides micro-evidence for in-depth understanding of the effect of science and technology policies on innovation., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

The advent of the bioeconomy era is triggers a new wave of technology and industrial revolution. Bioeconomy has become the commanding heights that major developed countries and emerging economies try to seize. This paper analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics of global bioindustry development from four perspectives: biomedical industry, genetically modified crop planting industry, bioenergy industry, and bio-based chemical industry. Then it summarizes the main characteristics of the development of the global bioindustry, and further put forward policy recommendations for the bottleneck problems in the development of China's bioindustry, which can guide the future development of China's bioeconomy.

Genetic engineering has been a topic of discussion for over 50 years, but it is only recently that gene editing has become a reality. CRISPR biotechnologies have made gene editing much safer, precise and feasible. We have witnessed the first cases of human germline genetic modification resulting in live births, conducted by He Jiankui. In this paper, we will analyse He Jiankui's case in relation to one of the most difficult problems in procreative ethics (or the ethics of future generations): the non‐identity problem. We believe that this analysis will help us to understand the ethics involved in gene editing and hopefully allow for a better, more philosophically grounded legislation on CRISPR and other gene‐editing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Sustainable goals for contemporary world seek viable solutions for interconnected challenges, particularly in the fields of food and energy security and climate change. We present bamboo, one of the versatile plant species on earth, as an ideal candidate for bioeconomy for meeting some of these challenges. With its potential realized, particularly in the industrial sector, countries such as China are going extensive with bamboo development and cultivation to support a myriad of industrial uses. These include timber, fiber, biofuel, paper, food, and medicinal industries. Bamboo is an ecologically viable choice, having better adaptation to wider environments than do other grasses, and can help to restore degraded lands and mitigate climate change. Bamboo, as a crop species, has not become amenable to genetic improvement, due to its long breeding cycle, perennial nature, and monocarpic behavior. One of the commonly used species, moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) is a potential candidate that qualifies as industrial bamboo. With its whole‐genome information released, genetic manipulations of moso bamboo offer tremendous potential to meet the industrial expectations either in quality or in quantity. Further, bamboo cultivation can expect several natural hindrances through biotic and abiotic stresses, which needs viable solutions such as genetic resistance. Taking a pragmatic view of these future requirements, we have compiled the present status of bamboo physiology, genetics, genomics, and biotechnology, particularly of moso bamboo, to drive various implications in meeting industrial and cultivation requirements. We also discuss challenges underway, caveats, and contextual opportunities concerning sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of changing biotechnology and intellectual property rights (IPRs), institutions, and policies for Canadian crop development related to oilseed rape or “canola” as a case study. Implications for China as it considers regulatory and institutional change related to private sector incentives to invest in biotechnology are also discussed.Design/methodology/approach The authors assess the effects of introducing biotechnology and IPRs in the Canadian oilseed sector over time. Data on the rate of return on agricultural research in general are presented and then the focus moves to the impacts for farmers in Canada. New data are gathered to estimate recent gains in the benefit of biotechnology advancements for farmers. Furthermore, the evolution of agricultural research in China is briefly presented, and a discussion follows that considers Canadian evidence and the possible applicability of the impacts to China.Findings The results support earlier studies identifying gains from agricultural research and show that private sector investments in Canada are now much higher than public sector investments and thus institutional innovations have been a powerful trigger to improve productivity. The gains from biotechnology for farmers are now over CND 1 billion per year in Canada.Research limitations/implications The research gains measured are for Canada so should be applied to China’s situation only as a potential for gains.Practical implications While more work is needed to identify reasonable institutional incentives to generate private investment in China’s biotechnology industry, the potential impact in the Canadian canola sector highlights the importance of continuing the investment in biotechnology, and the need for appropriate policies and regulations to spur private investment.Social implications Biotechnology greatly improved the welfare of farmers in Canada. Much of the gain the authors find was in improved yields and lower herbicide costs that improved farmer profits. Privatization of breeding was a key step in this transformation.Originality/value The paper contributes an updated review of Canadian intellectual property institutions related to biotechnology, and an updated measure of gains at the farm level. It also begins the analysis of the applicability of these institutional changes for China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical and health care applications of nanotechnology have increasingly attracted research and innovation attention. Nano-biomedical science (NBMS) is a term we use to define this emerging domain. As China is one of the leading countries in nanotechnology, but lacks a long history as a biosciences leader, this paper explores the competitive positioning of China in the development of NBMS. Specifically, this paper profiles the research patterns of Chinese NBMS in comparison with the four other largest countries in NBMS, using bibliometric techniques. The results indicate that China is a leader in NBMS, leveraging its strengths in chemistry and physics in the broader nanotechnology domain. However, China's relative weakness in traditional biomedical disciplines, and its lack of presence in highly influential global journals, could prove to be limiting factors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Innovations in technologies coupled with evolving military thinking have led to advanced emerging military technologies ranging from artificial intelligence, lethal autonomous weapons, hypersonic weapons, directed energy weapons, biotechnology, and quantum technology. These technologies not only open new domains in warfighting capabilities and strategy by changing the size and speed of destructions but may also bring challenges in curbing arms race, managing networks, and achieving peace and security. This study examines the rising significance of emerging technologies in Indo-Pacific security and further explores US strategies for building, dominating, and managing the different networks of technologies, domains, command and control (C2), alliances, and partners. As advanced technologies play a critical role in supporting national strategic goals, as in the case of China, it seems clear that the future of strategic competition will be dictated by who builds, dominates, and manages these networks and how one does it most effectively with clear strategic vision. In this paper I argue that networks are crucial in understanding emerging technologies and Indo-Pacific strategy for the unfolding era of strategic competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology upgrading is essential for emerging countries to catch up. Yet, little is known about how countries are upgrading their technologies. In this paper, we first explore the patterns of biotechnology upgrading in China and examine the specialization feature from both technological and organizational perspectives. Our results show that China has specialized in the industrial-biotech sub-field, and firms have played a key role in the development of biotech in this field. Secondly, we investigate the knowledge bases for technology upgrading. From the perspective of scientific knowledge bases, we find that there is a scientific backup for biotechnology; and that biotechnology goes hand in hand with bioscience. From the perspective of technical knowledge bases, by disaggregating the knowledge sources by countries, we find that local knowledge has become an increasingly important resource for the development of new biotechnologies in China. The increasing importance of local knowledge in the development of new biotechnologies shows that China is moving on a path from imitative to indigenous innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering is the property of Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper introduces a microbial product, termed 'biocement', and its role in construction engineering. Biocement, a novel metabolic by-product of microbially induced carbonate precipitation by way of urease (urea hydrolysing enzyme), presents a promising biotechnology for the enhancement of durability of building materials and structures. Urease-producing bacteria are ubiquitous in nature and, when added to cement, help to improve its compressive strength, reduce permeability and reduce the corrosion rate of reinforced structures. Promising results when using this metabolic product have encouraged various research groups worldwide; in-depth studies using these different approaches are discussed in this paper. The status of similar research from China's perspective is also elaborated. The results from different groups suggest that biocement, a product of green technology, can be used as an additional cementitious material to enhance the durability of building materials and structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology (1008-0864) is the property of Journal of Agricultural Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The commercial application of copper bioleaching, an environmentally-friendly approach for low-grade and secondary mineral resources recycling, has increased worldwide since the 2000s. As the world's second-largest economic entity and the largest developing country, China has the largest demand for metal resources, significantly advancing the theory and industrial technology of copper bioleaching. This paper reviews the exploration and application of copper bioleaching in China. Two typical bioleaching applications and technological processes, bioheap leaching at the Zijinshan Copper Mine and bioheap leaching at the Dexing Copper Mine, are introduced. The considerable research completed by researchers is summarized, especially focusing on the isolation and identification of leaching bacteria, the bioleaching mechanism and interface reactions, multistage percolation behavior, bioleaching system reconstruction, the multiphysics coupled model, and enhanced copper bioleaching from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). Based on this investigation in China, key trends and prospects in copper bioleaching--such as efficiency improvement, environmental protection, and improved technology applications--are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopharmaceutical innovation has had a profound health and economic impact globally. Developed countries have traditionally been the source of most innovations as well as the destination for the resulting economic and health benefits. As a result, most prior research on this sector has focused on developed countries. This paper seeks to fill the gap in research on emerging markets by analyzing factors that influence innovative activity in the indigenous biopharmaceutical sectors of China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. Using qualitative research methodologies, this paper a) shows how biopharmaceutical innovation is taking place within the entrepreneurial sectors of these emerging markets, b) identifies common challenges that indigenous entrepreneurs face, c) highlights the key role played by the state, and d) reveals that the transition to innovation by companies in the emerging markets is characterized by increased global integration. It suggests that biopharmaceutical innovators in emerging markets are capitalizing on opportunities to participate in the drug development value chain and thus developing capabilities and relationships for competing globally both with and against established companies headquartered in developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws a comparison between Chinese and US technology policies aimed at generating clustering in biotechnology. It compares characteristics of biotechnology companies and patents that have been created on the east coast of China since the mid-1990s with early US biotechnology clusters. It highlights Chinese policies aimed at returning scientists and directive locational policies. Policy deficiencies include: difficulty in shifting away from government-led responsiveness to funding programmes; failure to set in place governance structures that promote interaction between the domestic science base and domestic firms; and shortcomings in policies towards returnees and the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's agricultural biotechnology policy has undergone a profound transformation over the last decade, from a strongly promotional to a more precautionary approach. From the 1980s onwards, China invested heavily in biotechnology development and in the early 1990s emerged as the leading biotech country in the developing world. In the late 1990s, however, it halted the authorization of new genetically modified crops and introduced stringent safety regulations. This paper investigates this policy shift and argues that international factors have played a central role. Two trends, in particular, are identified as key sources of the move towards greater precaution: China's ongoing international socialization, particularly in the context of the international scientific debate on biosafety and the negotiations on a biosafety treaty; and the growing globalization of agriculture and trade, which has exposed China to international competitive forces and trade restrictions in food trade. As the case of genetically modified food in China shows, political integration and economic globalization can work together to promote a strengthening of the domestic environmental policy agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The Chinese Government has used a number of policies to encourage commercial agribusiness firms to do more innovation. These include public sector agricultural research and development (R&D), public sector biotechnology research and innovation, subsidies for commercial research, encouraging foreign firms to invest in China as minority shareholders in joint ventures, and allowing commercial companies to raise money on the stock market. The purpose of this paper is to assess whether these policies were effective in stimulating innovations by commercial firms in China.Design/methodology/approach This study estimates the impact of public biotech research and other policies by employing an econometric model of patenting by commercial firms. It uses a unique data set collected from commercial agribusiness firms for the years 2001, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Addition data were collected from public research institutes and universities and patent data from the Derwent Innovations Index database. It employs four count data models for the empirical analysis.Findings This study finds a positive impact of public biotechnology (measured by the number of biotech patents of government research institutes and public universities) on commercial innovation measured by the number of patents granted to the commercial firms. As expected the firm’s research expenditure and having their own R&D center (as opposed to contracting R&D or no R&D investment at all) have a positive and statistically significant effect on the number of patents granted. The impacts of public R&D investment spending have no statistically significant effect on commercial innovation. Multi-national firms and publicly traded firms have fewer patents than their counterparts suggesting that policies to encourage multi-nationals and financing through stock markets had no impact on innovation.Originality/value This study is one of the first studies to untangle the relationship between government policies and innovation by commercial agricultural research output and public R&D investment and biotechnology. The main findings suggest that simply increasing research money to public research does not increase commercial innovations, but moving resources to the development patentable biotech does improve commercial research productivity. The results also suggest that policies to increase commercial research will also increase innovation. These could include strengthening the legal framework and institutional resources for public institutes to the protection and enforcement of intellectual properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding is not only an important area of medicinal plants research but also the foundation for the superior varieties acquirement of medicinal plants. The rise of modern biotechnology provides good opportunities and new means for medicinal plants breeding research in China. Biotechnology shows its technical advantages and new development prospects in breeding of new medicinal plants varieties with high and stable yield, good quality, as well as stress-resistance. In this paper, we describe recent advances, problems, and development prospects about the application of modern biotechnology in medicinal plants breeding research in China.

Copyright of China Brewing is the property of China Brewing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of China Quarterly is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Phytophthora root rot caused by Phytophthora capsici (P. capsici) is a serious limitation to pepper production in Southern China, with high temperature and humidity. Mapping PRR resistance genes can provide linked DNA markers for breeding PRR resistant varieties by molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS). Two BC1 populations and an F2 population derived from a cross between P. capsici-resistant accession, Criollo de Morelos 334 (CM334) and P. capsici-susceptible accession, New Mexico Capsicum Accession 10399 (NMCA10399) were used to investigate the genetic characteristics of PRR resistance. PRR resistance to isolate Byl4 (race 3) was controlled by a single dominant gene, PhR10, that was mapped to an interval of 16.39Mb at the end of the long arm of chromosome 10. Integration of bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and Specific Length Amplified Fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) provided an efficient genetic mapping strategy. Ten polymorphic Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers were found within this region and used to screen the genotypes of 636 BC1 plants, delimiting PhR10 to a 2.57 Mb interval between markers P52-11-21 (1.5 cM away) and P52-11-41 (1.1 cM). A total of 163 genes were annotated within this region and 31 were predicted to be associated with disease resistance. PhR10 is a novel race specific gene for PRR, and this paper describes linked SSR markers suitable for marker-assisted selection of PRR resistant varieties, also laying a foundation for cloning the resistance gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scientific and technological knowledge are increasingly becoming predominant in developing regional competitiveness and shaping the role of innovation in development. This paper focuses on the topological and spatial features of urban innovation networks in China. Using published papers and applied patents in biotechnology field from 2000 to 2012, we analyze the evolution of scientific knowledge networks (SKNs) and technological knowledge networks (TKNs). Four major findings are derived: (1) SKNs are much more complicated than TKNs in terms of size, ties, average degree and other indicators; (2) the two networks meet the scale-free networks, and the correlation analysis confirms the preferential attachment and dis-assortative traits in SKNs and TKNs; (3) spatial and temporal evolution of central nodes and networks structure show the hierarchical diffusion and contagious diffusion in both the networks; (4) multi-dimensional proximity (social, organizational, cognitive, geographical) well explains the knowledge spillover and innovation in SKNs, but it fails to explain them in TKNs. Moreover, social and organizational proximity weigh higher than the other two. The central nodes analysis helps cities better understand their position in networks. We find that comparative analysis of SKNs and TKNs contribute to recognizing the gaps of each city in innovation, which could assist in determining urban innovation policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopharmaceuticals reflect the rapid progress achieved in modern biomedical research. This area has also become one of the main criteria for assessing the development level of biotechnology for a particular country. Although it has been only three decades since the first biopharmaceutical, recombinant human insulin, was licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration, the biopharmaceutical industry has become the fastest growing, most dynamic and technology-intensive sector in the biomedical field. Since the licensing of recombinant human interferon α1b in 1989, the biopharmaceutical industry in China has gone through initial developments and gradually entered a period of rapid growth. This paper provides an overview of the status and development trends of biopharmaceuticals in China, and compares them with those observed in developed countries.

To meet the demand of its fast growing economy, China has become already the second largest buyer of crude oil. China is facing critical problems of energy shortage and environment deterioration. Rational and efficient energy use and environment protection are both getting more attention in China. Biomass energy is renewable energy made from biological sources. China's biomass resources are abundant, which could provide energy for future social and economic development. However technologies for biomass resource conversion in China are still just beginning. In this paper, current biomass resource distribution and technologies of biomass energy, including power generation, biofuel production and biomass-based chemical production are reviewed., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This paper reports the progress of biodiesel production with enzymatic catalysis in Beijing University of Chemical Technology, one of the leaders in biodiesel R & D in China, which includes screening of high-yield lipase production strains, optimization and scale-up of the lipase fermentation process, lipase immobilization, bioreactor development and scale-up, biodiesel separation and purification and the by-product glycerol utilization. Firstly, lipase fermentation was carried out at industrial scale with the 5 m3 stirred tank bioreactor, and the enzyme activity as high as 8 000 IU/mL was achieved by the species Candida sp. 99-125. Then, the lipase was purified and immobilized on textile membranes. Furthermore, biodiesel production was performed in the 5 m3 stirred tank bioreactor with an enzyme dosage as low as 0.42%, and biodiesel that met the German biodiesel standard was produced. And in the meantime, the byproduct glycerol was used for the production of 1,3-propanediol to partly offset the production cost of biodiesel, and 76.1 g/L 1,3-propanediol was obtained in 30 L fermentor with the species Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Over the last 20 years, China has successfully established a modern biotechnology industry from almost nothing. Presently, China is a major producer of a vast array of products involving bioprocesses, for some China is even the world's top producer. The ever-increasing list of products includes organic acids, amino acids, antibiotics, solvents, chiral chemicals, biopesticides, and biopolymers. Herein, the research and development of bioprocesses in China will be reviewed briefly. We will concentrate on three categories of products: small molecules produced via fermentation, biopolymers produced via fermentation and small chemicals produced by enzyme-catalyzed reactions. In comparison with the traditional chemical process, in which, nonrenewable mineral resources are generally used, products in the first and second categories noted above can use renewable bioresources as raw materials. The bioprocesses are generally energy saving and environmentally benign. For products developed via the third category, although the raw materials still need to be obtained from mineral resources, the biocatalysts are more effective with higher selectivity and productivity, and the bioprocesses occur under ambient temperature and pressure, therefore, these are "green processes." Most of the products such as citric acid, xanthan and acrylamide etc., discussed in this paper have been in large-scale commercial production in China. Also introduced herein are three scientists, Prof. Shen Yinchu, Prof. Ouyang Pingkai and Prof. Chen Guoqiang, and six enterprises, Anhui Fengyuan Biochemical Co. Ltd., Shandong Hiland Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Shandong Fufeng Fermentation Co. Ltd., Shandong Bausch & Lomb-Freda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Hangzhou Xinfu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Changzhou Changmao Biochemical Engineering Co. Ltd.; they have all contributed a great deal to research and development in the commercialization of bioprocesses.

The glucose monitor with a screen-printed carbon sensor has been in commercial production since 1994. In last 15 years, around 10 companies have been involved in manufacturing and marketing the meters and glucose test strips and are being strong competitors of the companies which import these products. Comparison of early stage glucose meters and glucose test strips with latest fabrications showed a large increase in production volume and improved functional features. It also showed technological development of glucose monitors including circuit improvement, as more integrated computer processor units (CPU) are now being used. The technology of mass-production of disposable screen-printed test strips has been widely used in local industries mainly for the production of blood glucose test strips. The opportunities and challenges in local diabetes market are discussed in this paper.

Telemedicine helps developing countries deliver medical services to underdeveloped rural areas where health resources are deficient. Yet telemedicine diffusion in the largest developing country, China, remains a secret to the world. This paper examines the evolution of telemedicine in China, analyzes factors influencing the diffusion of telemedicine, and provides recommendations to overcome obstacles to telemedicine.

Since the seminal work of Archibugi and Michie (1995) on the globalization of innovation, several authors have attempted to understand the complex relationship between innovation and internationalization. However, most tend to focus on industrialized countries, just one mode of globalization of innovation and often one traditional indicator of innovation, such as patents or R&D investment, thus ignoring the complexity and multiple aspects of the phenomenon. This paper explores empirically the linkages between different modes of globalization of innovation and firms' micro-characteristics in two of the fastest growing emerging economies. We analyze three distinct modes of globalization of innovation: the global exploitation of innovation, the global sourcing of technology and global research collaboration. We then use primary data from Chinese and Indian firms belonging to three sectors (automotive components, software and green biotech) to explore the differences in the ways in which the firms located in these two economies globalize their innovatiton activities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT The paper looks in detail at patients that were treated at one of the most discussed companies operating in the field of untried stem cell treatments, Beike Biotech of Shenzhen, China. Our data show that patients who had been treated at Beike Biotech view themselves as proactively pursuing treatment choices that are not available in their home countries. These patients typically come from a broad variety of countries: China, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa and Australia. Among the patients we interviewed there seemed to be both an awareness of the general risks involved in such experimental treatments and a readiness to accept those risks weighed against the possible benefits. We interpret this evidence as possibly reflecting the emergence of risk-taking patients as 'consumers' of medical options as well as the drive of patients to seek treatment options in the global arena, rather than being hindered by the ethical and regulatory constraints of their home countries. Further, we found that these patients tend to operate in more or less stable networks and groups in which they interact and cooperate closely and develop opinions and assessments of available treatment options for their ailments. These patients also perform a multiple role as patients, research subjects, and research funders because they are required to pay their way into treatment and research activities. This new social dynamics of patienthood has important implications for the ethical governance of stem cell treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese government has recently formulated a long-term strategy to "foster indigenous innovation capacities" across technology sectors. The government provides incentives to attract global R&D investment and strives to upgrade its economic structure to develop China into "an innovation nation." This paper examines the exact meaning of this policy in the context of biotechnology development in Shanghai's Zhangjiang High-Tech Park (ZJHP). We suggest that the role of the municipal state has been critical in the initial stage of biotech concentration in the park, and in the later stage biotech developments in ZJHP have been encouraged to become embedded in the global knowledge flow. The development of ZJHP reveals a hybrid approach to the governance of innovation in China, which combines the developmental state and entrepreneurialism at the scale of the science park as an urban project. [Key words: Zhangjiang High-Tech Park (ZJHP), biotechnology, innovation, research and development (R&D), governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bt cotton has been cultivated in China for a decade. Studies have been conducted to assess theimpact on productivity and pesticide use. Limitations of these studies are the short time period considered and the reliability of data. This paper presents findings from monitoring 150 Bt cotton farmers in Shandong province in 2002 and 2005. Descriptive analysis reveals that pesticide use increased while seed price and Bt toxin concentration decreased. The Bt variable was consistently insignificant in the estimated production function with damage control specification and a fixed effects model. There is indication that poor standards in Bt varieties have caused this result. Due to market imperfections and emergence of a largely unregulated seed market for genetically modified crops, Bt toxin levels may be below the threshold required to effectively control target pests. Furthermore, rising cotton prices may have created additional incentive to increase pesticide applications. The emergence of secondary pests calls for further in-depth studies that should include local agro-ecological conditions. Our results indicate that farmers with more experience in Bt cotton cultivation apply less pesticides, confirming the findings of other studies that farmer knowledge and understanding of the Bt technology is an important condition for its success. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This section offers news briefs on biotechnology. The U.S. will be repositioned as a major partner in science and technology research which is considered by Caroline Wagner of Pennsylvania State University as a major shift in the landscape of global research. Systems biology aims to realize a virtual cell system in the computer which allows quantitative and accurate predictions of the effects of changes in culture environment. The development of bioenergy or renewable energy to displace fossil fuels in China is acknowledged.

This paper compares and contrasts how innovation-the successful introduction of new products, services, or techniques-is occurring in biotechnology seeds in China and India. We begin with an overview of the agricultural challenges faced by China and India and the substantial investments that both countries are making in agricultural research and development (R&D) and biotechnology to address these challenges. We next describe each country's approach to three factors identified by industry as important to innovation in biotech seeds: market access, intellectual property (IP) protection, and efficient regulatory review processes. We find substantial problems in all three areas including limited market access for foreign firms in China and significant price caps in India; limitations and gaps in IP protection and enforcement; and lengthy delays in regulatory review. We conclude with a case study highlighting how the three factors shaped the introduction and adoption of the first widely commercialized biotech crop in China and India, Bt cotton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhang F., Cooke P. and Wu F. State-sponsored research and development: a case study of China's biotechnology, Regional Studies. This paper examines the model of China's biotechnology innovation. It applies the typology of entrepreneurial, partnership, and developmental state to the Chinese biotechnology sector. Biotechnology development in China originates from state-sponsored programmes. Although China's total product sales only account for less than half those of the major biotechnology firm Amgen in the United States, Chinese biotechnology research capacities experience fast growth. State funding plays a crucial role in the latecomer situation. Geographically, biotechnology industries are concentrated in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other major cities. The state promotes biotechnology development through strategic support in its 'Medium and Long Term S&T [science and technology] Development Plan', overseas talent-attraction programmes, commercialization initiatives, and the development of high-technology and science parks. However, such a model has its problems: the lack of sustained funding and underdeveloped venture capital, a weak link between research and industry, and under-performed intellectual property output. Faced with the funding constraint, contract research organizations have recently proliferated. Despite the strong role of state, it is concluded that the Chinese model of biotechnology innovation is a hybrid one, rather than the classical one of the developmental state, which combines various elements of different models. [image omitted] Zhang F., Cooke P. et Wu F. La recherche-developpement publique: une etude de cas de la biotechnologie en Chine, Regional Studies. Cet article cherche a examiner le modele de l'innovation de la biotechnologie en Chine. On applique la typologie de l'esprit d'entreprise, du partenariat, et de l'etape de developpement au secteur de la biotechnologie en Chine. Le developpement de la biotechnologie en Chine remonte aux programmes finances par l'Etat. Bien que les ventes globales n'expliquent que moins de la moitie de celles de l'entreprise biotechnologique phare aux Etats-Unis, a savoir Amgen, la capacite de la recherche biotechnologique en Chine jouit d'un taux de croissance eleve. Les depenses publiques jouent un role primordial dans la recherche d'un pays qui y vient tard. D'un point de vue geographique, les industries biotechnologiques se concentrent a Beijing, a Shanghai, a Shenzhen et en d'autres grandes villes. L'Etat encourage le developpement de la biotechnologie par le soutien strategique au sein du Plan de developpement a moyen et a long terme de la S et T (la science et la technologie), des programmes de recrutement internationaux, des initiatives commerciales, et le developpement des technopoles. Cependant, un tel modele peut s'averer problematique: a savoir, le manque de fonds soutenus et le capital-risque sous-developpe, une synergie faible entre la recherche et l'industrie, et une propriete intellectuelle a faible rendement. Face a la contrainte financiere, des entreprises de recherche ont prolifere recemment. En depit de l'importance du role de l'Etat, on conclut que le modele de l'innovation biotechnologique en Chine s'avere une hybride plutot que la situation classique de l'etape de developpement, qui combine divers elements des modeles differents. Innovation Recherche-developpement Biotechnologie Modele de l'innovation Chine Zhang F., Cooke P. und Wu F. Staatlich subventionierte Forschung und Entwicklung: eine Fallstudie der Biotechnologie in China, Regional Studies. In diesem Beitrag wird das Modell der biotechnologischen Innovation in China untersucht. Hierfur wird die Typologie des unternehmerischen, partnerschaftlichen und entwicklungsfordernden Staates auf den chinesischen Biotechnologiesektor angewandt. Die Entwicklung der Biotechnologie in China hat ihren Ursprung in staatlich subventionierten Programmen. Obwohl der chinesische Gesamtumsatz mit Produkten weniger als halb so hoch ausfallt wie der Umsatz der wichtigen Biotechnologiefirma Amgen in den USA, sind die biotechnologischen Forschungseinrichtungen Chinas von raschem Wachstum gekennzeichnet. In dieser Nachzuglersituation spielen staatliche Subventionen eine entscheidende Rolle. In geografischer Hinsicht konzentrieren sich die Biotechnologieindustrien auf Peking, Schanghai, Shenzhen und andere Grossstadte. Der Staat fordert die Entwicklung der Biotechnologie durch eine strategische Unterstutzung in Form eines 'mittel- und langfristigen Entwicklungsplans fur Wissenschaft und Technik' sowie mit Hilfe von Programmen zum Anwerben hochqualifizierter auslandischer Fachkrafte, Vermarktungsinitiativen und der Entwicklung von Hochtechnologie- und Wissenschaftsparks. Ein solches Modell hat jedoch seine Probleme: Mangel an nachhaltiger Finanzierung, unterentwickeltes Risikokapital, eine schwache Verbindung zwischen Forschung und Industrie sowie zu geringe Leistungen im Bereich des geistigen Eigentums. Aufgrund der begrenzten Finanzierung sind in letzter Zeit zahlreiche vertragliche Forschungsorganisationen entstanden. Trotz der starken Rolle des Staates lasst sich das Fazit ziehen, dass China statt des klassischen Modells des entwicklungsfordernden Staates ein Hybridmodell der biotechnologischen Innovation aufweist, in dem sich die Elemente verschiedener Modelle miteinander verbinden. Innovation Forschung und Entwicklung (F&E) Biotechnologie Innovationsmodell China Zhang F., Cooke P. y Wu F. Investigacion y desarrollo patrocinados por el estado: el ejemplo de la biotecnologia en China, Regional Studies. En este articulo analizamos el modelo de innovacion biotecnologica de China. Aplicamos la tipologia de actividad empresarial, colaboraciones y estado de desarrollo para el sector biotecnologico chino. El desarrollo biotecnologico en China proviene de los programas patrocinados por el estado. Aunque las ventas totales de produccion de China solo representan menos de la mitad de las que obtiene Amgen, la principal empresa de biotecnologia de los Estados Unidos, las capacidades de investigacion biotecnologica de China se distinguen por un rapido crecimiento. La financiacion estatal desempena un papel fundamental en esta situacion tardia. Geograficamente, las industrias de biotecnologia estan concentradas en Pekin, Shanghai, Shenzhen y otras ciudades grandes. El estado fomenta el desarrollo biotecnologico mediante un apoyo estrategico en su 'plan de desarrollo para ciencia y tecnologia a medio y largo plazo', y con ayuda de programas para atraer a talentos extranjeros, iniciativas de comercializacion y el desarrollo de parques de alta tecnologia y ciencia. Sin embargo, este modelo tiene sus problemas: la falta de fondos sostenidos y el subdesarrollo de capital de riesgo, un vinculo debil entre la investigacion y la industria y un nivel bajo de desempeno en cuanto a la propiedad intelectual . Ante esta limitacion financiera, en los ultimos tiempos han proliferado las organizaciones de investigacion por contrato. Concluimos que pese al fuerte papel del estado, el modelo chino de la innovacion biotecnologica es un modelo hibrido mas que clasico del estado de desarrollo, ya que combina los diferentes elementos de distintos modelos. Innovacion Investigacion y Desarrollo (I + D) Biotecnologia Modelo de innovacion China [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the second largest pharmaceutical market with a great potential for future growth, China has drawn much attention from the global pharmaceutical community. With an increasing government investment in biomedical research, the domestic biopharmaceutical (biotechnological) companies in China are turning their attention to the development of innovative medicines and targeting the global market. To introduce innovative products to Chinese patients sooner, to improve the efficiency of its review and approval processes, and to harmonize its regulatory science with international standards, the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has initiated a series of major changes to its policies and regulations. This paper presents a snapshot of China’s pharmaceutical market, and research and development status, and introduces technical guidelines pertaining to clinical trials and new drug applications. The recent wave of ground-breaking reforms in CFDA’s regulatory science is discussed. Examples of clinical trials and new drug applications are provided throughout the discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the urgent search for more effective ways to treat cancer, new extraction methods of taxol from endophytic fungus have demonstrated high potential in increasing the efficiency of taxol extraction for more efficient and sustainable production of taxol and cancer treatment products. This paper summarizes recent advances in taxol-producing endophytic fungi, both in China and abroad, in the following areas: isolation and identification of endophytic fungi types, extraction and detection methods of endophytic taxol in plants, and improved efficiency of the extraction process. With the advancement of science and technology, new techniques in biotechnology, such as fungal strain improvement and recombining technique and microbial fermentation engineering, have increased the extraction yield from taxol-producing fungi, thereby improved the overall efficiency of taxol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]