Presentation of Cliff Riley from the Scientific Research Council for the #ICSUFocalPointsinLAC workshop in Universidad de Panamá March 9-10, 2015

1. SAFEGUARDING OUR
BIODIVERSITY: SUCCESSES,
CHALLENGES AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COLLABORATION
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COUNCIL, JAMAICA
Presenter: Cliff K. Riley
Executive Director
MARCH 9-10 2015

2. 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 W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

3. ICSU FOCAL POINTS W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

4. 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 dilution
ICSU FOCAL POINTS W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

5. 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 W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

6. 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 W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

7. PLANT TISSUE CULTURE
ICSU FOCAL POINTS W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

8. NATIONAL THRUST
HUMAN 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 W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

9. 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 Jamaicans
ICSU FOCAL POINTS W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

10. 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 W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

11. 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 FOCAL POINTS WORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015

12. ICSU FOCAL POINTS W ORKSHP MARCH 9 -10, 2015
Thank You