World Renowned Genome Scientist Dr A.N. Patrinos presented at the BiotechCorp's Eminent Speakers Series (July 11,2007)


Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood (CEO of BiotechCorp) presenting a
memento to speaker Dr AN Patrinos.


Participants of the Second Eminent Speakers Series


Launch of ACGT


Q&A session

World Renowned Genome Scientist Dr A.N. Patrinos presented at the BiotechCorp's Eminent Speakers Series

July 11, 2007 - A world renowned figure in the study of human and microbial
genome delivered a talk on industrial biotechnology here in Kuala Lumpur.

Dr Aristides AN Patrinos, the President of Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI), is well known for his leading role in the development of the United States government-funded Human Genome Project.  He delivered a talk on topics of "Industrial Biotechnology - How Malaysia Can Be Amongst the Front Runners"; and also " Climate Change, Renewable Energy & the Promise of Biotechnology" as part of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd's (BiotechCorp) Eminent Speakers Series. This is the second installment to the series – the first was held in October 2006.

Dr Patrinos, who represents SGI, also took part in the launch of a partnership between SGI and Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology (ACGT), a local BioNexus status company, to embark on a genome sequencing programme.

The genome sequencing partnership is essentially a study on plant's superior properties, which may result in creating a breed of high yielding crop.

SGI, a company founded by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., is dedicated to developing and commercializing synthetic biology advances in energy fields.

ACGT is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asiatic Development Bhd, an oil palm plantation company.

Present at the talk and launch of the partnership was the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation YB Dato' Sri Dr. Jamaludin Jarjis.

Before joining SGI, Dr Patrinos was the associate director at the Office of Biological and Environmental Research at the United States' Department of Energy (DOE)'s Office of Science. As part of his duties there, Dr. Patrinos directed research activities including the human and microbial genome programs, structural biology, nuclear medicine and health effects, global environmental change, and basic research underpinning DOE's environmental restoration effort.

Also as part of his leadership in the Human Genome Project, Dr. Patrinos helped create the DOE's Joint Genome Institute (JGI) in 1997 to unite the expertise and resources in genome mapping, DNA sequencing, technology development, and information sciences pioneered at four DOE genome centers.

The Human Genome Project helped guide the historic sequencing of the human genome to completion, a feat which was announced in a White House ceremony in 2000.

He also developed and launched the DOE's Genomes to Life Program (GTL), a research program dedicated to developing technologies to understand and use the diverse capabilities of microbes for innovative solutions to DOE energy and environmental mission challenges.

Dr. Patrinos, a native of Greece, received his undergraduate degree from the National Technical University of Athens and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and astronautical sciences from Northwestern University. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, a Member of the American Geophysical Union, a Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and a Member of the Greek Technical Society.

Dr. Patrinos is the recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees including three Presidential Rank Awards and two Secretary of Energy Gold Medals, as well as an honorary doctorate from the National Technical University of Athens.

The Eminent Speakers' Series started in October 2006, with Mr. Daniel Vasella, the Chairman and CEO of Novartis AG.

The Series is part of BiotechCorp's initiative to gather industry players together to share knowledge, give updates on latest trends and issues as well as to provide an avenue for networking.

BiotechCorp is Malaysia's one-stop agency for all things related to biotechnology.  As the industry developer, its tasks include building Malaysia's capabilities as a global biotechnology destination, create a conducive environment for the sector with incentives and assistance and ensuring the proper rules and regulations are in place for the sector's development.