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The annual Agricultural
Biotechnology
International Conference
(ABIC) is an essential
event for scientists,
researchers and other
professionals working in
the area of agricultural
biotechnology. ABIC
provides a unique forum
where the latest
scientific advances in
agricultural
biotechnology are
presented, and where
future directions of
agricultural
biotechnology are
highlighted and
discussed.
ABIC
2008 was hosted
in
University College Cork,
Ireland from August 24th
to 27th, 2008. The primary
sponsor
for the 2008
conference was
Teagasc,
the Irish Agriculture
and Food Development
Authority. Teagasc
provides integrated
research, advisory and
training services for
the agri-food industry
in Ireland.
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At the
official opening
of ABIC 2008
were (l to r)
Prof. Patrick
Fitzpatrick
(Head of the
College of
Science,
Engineering and
Food Science,
UCC), Mr. Lyle
Stewart (Minister of Enterprise & Innovation, Saskatchewan, Canada),
Mr.
Billy Kelleher
TD (Minister of
State at the
Department of
Enterprise,
Trade and
Employment) and
Prof. Jimmy
Burke (Chair of
ABIC 2008 and
Head of Teagasc
Crops Research
Centre). |
The theme of ABIC 2008
was Agricultural
Biotechnology for a
Competitive and
Sustainable Future.
At a time when global
agricultural production
(e.g. of food, feed,
fibre, fuel) faces very
significant challenges
due to rising demand,
rising prices and
population increases,
the ABIC 2008 meeting
provided the details
on how agricultural
biotechnology R & D will
continue to
significantly impact on
sustainable social and
economic development
over the coming years.
Highlighting state of
the art scientific
research on agricultural
biotechnology
The goal of ABIC 2008
was
to provide a stimulating
forum for delegates to
learn about the latest
cutting-edge scientific
advances in agricultural
biotechnology research.
The ABIC meeting also facilitated
extensive networking and
interactions between
researchers both from
the public and private
sectors, and at all
levels of career
advancement from PhD
researcher to CEO.
The
conference
programme facilitated
world-leading
authorities on
agricultural
biotechnology research
to present their latest
research advances and
future directions,
across 12 parallel and 2
plenary sessions.
Session themes include:
• Ag-biotech: The
sustainability
challenge facing
society (plenary
session)
• Biofuels and
bioenergy
biotechnology
research
• Marine & algal
biotechnology
• Crop breeding,
genetics & genomics
• Domestic animal
breeding, genomics &
biotechnology
• Role of ag-biotech
innovation for
national and
international
competitiveness
• Seed, fruit &
reproductive plant
biotechnology
• Molecular pharming
in plants & animals
• The future of
plant genetic
engineering
• Ag-biotech
regulations, rules &
perceptions
• Functional foods,
nutrition,
nutraceuticals &
bioactives
• Agricultural
biotechnology &
developing countries
• Food & dairy
agricultural
biotechnology
FULL
PROGRAMME
Trade
missions/Research
opportunities
Canadian Trade
Mission to ABIC 2008
BIOTEC/NSTDA
Thailand Mission to
ABIC 2008
Thailand’s National
Science and
Technology
Development Agency (NSTDA)
and National Center
for Genetic
Engineering and
Biotechnology (BIOTEC)
will be attending
ABIC as a
delegation. The
objective of the
NSTDA/BIOTEC mission
will be to introduce
research and
business in
agricultural
biotechnology in
Thailand to
academic, research
or private sector in
UK and Ireland to
establish research
or commercial
collaboration.
For more details
contact:
Michael Garvey,
Director ASEAN
Region, Enterprise
Ireland, Ireland
House, 5.01 South
Block, The Amp Walk,
218 Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
T: +60-3-21640616
M: +60 122268590
e-mail:
Michael.Garvey@enterprise-ireland.com
&
Duangkaew
Chongkachornphong
(Gal), International
Cooperation
Division, National
Center for Genetic
Engineering and
Biotechnology (BIOTEC),
113 Phaholyothin
Road, Thailand
Science Park, Klong
1, Klong Luang,
Pathumthani 12120,
Thailand.
Tel: (66-2) 5646700
Ext. 3516
Fax: (66-2) 5646705
http://www.biotec.or.th
Venue: University
College Cork (UCC)
UCC was founded
in 1845, and is a
progressive dynamic
university of over
14,500 students. UCC
is one of the
premier research
universities in
Ireland which
consistently has the
highest research
income per annum of
all universities in
Ireland. In addition
to the full-time
academic staff,
there are
approximately 700
full-time
researchers in the
university, many of
which are conducting
research in the life
sciences sector. UCC
has a long and
accomplished history
of agricultural and
food biotechnology
research, and is
host to a number of
research institutes
and centres
conducting research
on agri-food
biotechnology.
Research institutes
conducting agri-food
biotechnology
research within UCC
include the
Biosciences
Institute, the
Environmental
Research Institute,
and the
Alimentary
Pharmabiotic Centre.
UCC research centres
conducting agri-food
relevant research
include the
Biomerit Research
Centre and the
Aquaculture and
Fisheries
Development Centre.
Plant biotechnology
research is a
dedicated research
programme within the
UCC Biosciences
Institute, and UCC
also hosts a
university-wide
Plant Research
Platform
involving academic
research groups and
local companies. In
conjunction with
Enterprise Ireland,
UCC has a dedicated
BioTransfer Unit
that facilitates bio
and life sciences
business start ups
and provides
dedicated
bio-incubation space
for new companies.
UCC has a long
history of research
collaboration with
the pharmaceutical
and chemical
industry, much of
which in Ireland is
clustered in the
Cork region. UCC is
focussed on
fostering successful
start-up
biotechnology
companies including
Luxel Biosciences,
EiRx Therapeutics,
Alimentary Health,
Glantreo and
NeuroCure.
Venue: Parking
Parking is available at
several locations (see
image) around the campus
of University College
Cork with the primary
facilities being just
off College Road (P1)
and off Western Road
(P2).
Cork city
Since the City of Cork
was founded by St.
Finbarr over 1000 years
ago, it has grown from a
trading merchant city to
a cosmopolitan vibrant
21st century city of
today. Located on the
South West coast of
Ireland, Cork is the
second largest city in
the Republic of Ireland
with a population in
excess of 123,000. A
major European centre
for the life science
industry with eight of
the top ten
pharmaceutical companies
in the world located in
the greater Cork area,
the city is also a
university city with a
student population in
excess of 25,000.
Cork is steeped in
history and has a
thriving commercial,
social and cultural
sector. Indeed, Cork
city's commitment and
contribution to the arts
and cultural life is
well established with
the city home to several
galleries and museums.
In recognition of this
commitment Cork City was
chosen as the European
Capital of Culture in
2005.
Served by
Cork International
Airport with direct
flights to the UK and
mainland Europe and
connecting flights to
other global
destinations, the city
is ideally situated to
explore the
south west of
Ireland's magnificent
scenery. Indeed, the
overall quality of life
and physical environment
of Cork city and its
hinterland is excellent
and is readily accessible
to residents and
visitors as evident in
the parks, rivers,
lakes, tourist
attractions, sports and
recreational facilities
available along with
many cultural and
heritage attractions.
If ag biotech is your
business, ABIC Cork 2008 is the place to be.
We look forward to
welcoming you next year
and providing an
unforgettable learning
and networking
experience.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Jimmy Burke (Conference
Chair)
&
Dr. Charlie Spillane
(Programme Chair)
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