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As
an Institute with a strong emphasis in Biotechnology
we have accomplished very effective associations
with several Chilean private and public sectors
organizations working on problems with high economic
impact. In this regard, our advances in research
are being widely welcomed by these sectors and
several institutions have approached our Institute
to form new collaborative efforts. |
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Public
Health: |
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Hantavirus. In a collaboration with the
Chilean Instituto de Salúd Pública (www.ispch.cl
) we continue our studies on the molecular
genetics of the deadly Hantavirus Andes a life-threatening
virus a which greatly affects the tourist industry
in the South of Chile. We have completed the cloning
and sequencing of the whole viral genome and expressed
them in microorganisms. These recombinant antigens
have been purified and are being used to develop
products for diagnosis, prevention and treatment
of this infection.
Cancer. In the area of cancer our Institute
has also started a collaborative research effort
with pathologists of the Faculty of Medical
Sciences of the University Andres Bello and
the private Las Condes Clinic (www.clc.cl
). This project is aimed at evaluating the finding
of Dr. Luis Burzio that a mitochondrial
chimeric RNA can serve as an early marker of cancer
or precancerous cells. Human organ transplants.
In this area our group on immunologists leaded
by Dr. Mario Rosemblatt continue their
collaborative research with a group of clinicians
from Las Condes Clinic. These studies are providing
the clinical transplant teams with valuable tools
to follow long term organ acceptance and design
strategies for drug administration. The group
has proposed a new hypothesis on the effect of
immunosuppressive drugs on dendritic cells and
is actively investigating this area. |
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Infectious
diseases of the salmon farming industry |
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Our Institute has expanded its research program
in the molecular genetics of several infectious
agents that affect the salmon aquaculture industry.
New efforts are being carried out with new industrial
partners and with Chilean governmental agencies
In collaboration with Fundación Chile (www.fundacionchile.cl)
and Novartis Animal Vaccines (www.novartis.com
) we are studying the molecular genetics of several
infectious agents that gravely affect the salmon
aquaculture industry. One of these agents is the
intracellular bacteria Piscirikettsia salmonis,
which causes the Salmon Rickettsial Syndrone(SRS).
The objetive of the proyect is to develop genetic
and /or recombinant vaccines able to prevent the
transmission of this infection. The program is
partially funded by the Chilean Corporación
de Fomento (www.corfo.cl)
and also involves a Canadian company Cobequid
Health Sciences which manufactures and commercializes
vaccines for aquacultured species.
Also, our Institute has established a collaboration
with the Panel members of the National Services
of Fisheries (Sernapesca, www.sernapesca.cl
) to establish the diagnostic methods for viral
and bacterial diseases to be use during the screening
process of breeders and during the surveillance
program of salmon and trout farming. Some of these
tests, which have been recently developed, are
being exported to Norway for the screening of
salmon breeders. In this regard, our Institute
is one of the very few research institutions in
Chile working closely with government agencies
in this topic. |
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Shellfish
industry and the red tide problem. |
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We
have initiated new collaborations with the Instituto
de Fomento Pesquero (www.ifop.cl
) for the identification of the shellfish receptors
for several toxins. This work has permitted the
development of rapid detection systems and is
aimed at finding ways of detoxifying contaminated
shellfish. This program is also financed in part
by the International Organization for the Control
of Chemical Weapons and the Chilean Program CIMAR
Fiordo.
Also in collaboration with IFOP we are studying
several aspects of the molecular biology of the
dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella which produces
significant losses and problems to the tourism
and shellfish industries, mainly in the south
of Chile. In this project we have obtained approximately
500 randomly selected recombinant clones which
are being sequences in our own facilities at the
Institute or through a collaboration with investigators
at the National Livermore Laboratory (U.S.A.)
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Genetic
Vaccines and the Veterinary Industry. |
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This
project is a collaborative effort with Veterquímica
(www.veterquimica.cl)
, a private company dedicated to the development
of reagents for veterinary use. DNA vaccines
have been produced against the equine influenza
virus, based on the expression of the proteins
haemoaglutinin, neuraminidase and nucleoprotein.
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Grapevine
viruses and the Fruticulture and Wine industries. |
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In
collaboration with Dr. Patricio Arce
(www.bio.puc.cl/profs/arce)from
the Pontificia Universidad Católica and the
endorsement of the wine exporting Association
and the Government office dealing with fruit
exports, we are starting a program to isolate,
clone and study the molecular biology of 3 grapevine
viruses that affect the Chilean table grape
and wine industry. The objectives are to develop
state of the art virus identification tests
and to isolate viral and plant genes involved
in viral resistance. This project is financed
by Genoma Chile.
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Bacterial
genomics. Environmental and copper mining industries. |
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Through
the work of two Associated Investigators Dr.
Bernardo González and Dr. David Holmes
we began to collaborate with others in the sequencing
of the genome of two important bacteria. One
is the genome of Ralstonia eutrophia, involved
in the metabolism of halogenated aromatic compounds
and the other is the genome of Sulfolobus metallicus
which is involved in the biolixiviaton of copper
minerals. For the bioinformatics activities
of these two projects we are collaborating with
the new Center of Genomics and Bioinformatics,
the Fundación Chilena para Biología Celular
( ) and the Fundación Ciencia para la Vida.
This Center is unique in Chile and became fully
operationally by the middle of last year.
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Collaborative
Program with the Universidad de Tarapacá |
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The
University of Tarapacá (www.uta.cl)
is located in Arica the northernmost city of our
country, in the border with Perú. This is a socially
and economically depressed area and is trying
to implement new developing programs. The authorities
of the University have contacted our Institute
to start a Program of collaboration in Research
and Teaching. This program has been elaborated
with educational and political authorities if
this region and its aimed at helping in the local
regional development. One of the central elements
of this collaboration is the future creation of
the Centro de Biotecnología de Zonas Áridas the
work of which will be specially dedicated to plant
biotechnology. This program has been a very well
received by regional agriculture businessmen,
that have express their will to actively participate
in this project. |
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