October 25, 2024
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, presided over the signing of the Framework MoU between Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technologyand Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Department of Space (DoS)on Cooperation in Space Biotechnology.
Hon’ble Minister while speaking during the occasion said that the Union Cabinet has recently approved path breaking initiatives in the field of human space programme and biotechnology with the announcement of establishment of a Bharatiya Antariksh Station and the unveiling of ‘BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy for fostering high performance Biomanufacturing’ in the country. Dr.Jitendra Singh remarked that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the national space sector has been opened up and India is taking new strides in space with the Gaganyaan programme and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. He further emphasised that BioE3 is a game changer in the field of Biotechnology and would lead the national Bioeconomy towards 300 Billion USD by 2030. Under this initiative on fostering high performance biomanufacturing, space biomanufacturing is one of the focus area.
Dr. Jitendra Singh further said that the Indian Human Space program, Gaganyaan is a national endeavour of ISRO offering a unique opportunity to various national agencies, academia and industry in the fields of microgravity research, space biotechnology, space biomanufacturing, bioastronautics and space biology. This framework MoU between ISRO and DBT will lead to cooperation in the niche field of Space Biotechnology. It will benefit the national human space programme as well as spur innovations and developments in the fields of human health research, novel pharmaceuticals, bio therapeutics, regenerative medicine, bio-based technologies for efficient waste management & recycling leading to large number of societal applications. The collaboration will also open up opportunities to startups in the space and biotechnology sectors to innovate and develop commercially attractive technological solutions in the area of space biotechnology. Hon’ble Minister also congratulated iBRIC-inStem, Bangalore and ICGEB New Delhi, for contributing with their research experiments as part of the joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary DOS and Chairman, ISRO emphasised that the national human space flight endeavor, Gaganyaan aims to enhance nation’s capacity in the field of science and technology. A national space based platform such as the Bharatiya Antariksh Station will enable the utilisation of the niche space environment to undertake cutting edge microgravity research and technology development based on our national priorities. He remarked that through this collaboration, a dedicated Biotechnology Experiment and Technology Demonstration Rack will be operationalised in the upcoming Bhartiya Antariksh Station in future.
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary DBT, DG iBRIC and Chairman BIRAC said that the milestones like the moon landing and the launch of space stations marked the first space age that opened a whole new exciting avenue of space research. Now, we stand at the threshold of the ‘Second Space Age’ where the convergence of biotechnology and space exploration is driving new possibilities of sustaining living in extreme environment such as outer space.
The MoU signed today will be instrumental towards Bharat’s journey into the ‘Second Space Age’. Dr. Gokhale thanked the Hon’ble Minister for presiding over the signing of the MoU and said that DBT is looking forward for a fruitful collaboration with ISRO.
About DBT
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, boosts and augments the development of biotechnology ecosystem in India, through its expansion and application in agriculture, healthcare, animal sciences, environment, and industry.
About ISRO
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of India. The organisation is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and the mankind. ISRO is a major constituent of the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India. The department executes the Indian Space Programme primarily through various Centres or units within ISRO.