UNESCO Biotechnology
Educational and Training Center for Palestinian Territory and Arab
Countries
In 1995, the UNESCO Biotechnology Educational and Training Center
(BETCEN) was established at B.U. by the Biotechnology Action Council
(BAC). This followed a proposal submitted by Dr. Naim Iraki, and
a positive response by Prof. Indra Vasil, (University of Florida,
USA) and Chairman of the BAC.
The UNESCO BETCEN aims at promoting the development of plant molecular
biology research as well as Agricultural Biotechnology in the Palestinian
areas and Arab countries. This aim is achieved by means of three
types of activities:
Organizing intensive lecture programs, workshops, and courses in
the various fields of plant biotechnology for Palestinian and Arab
scientists.
Training in modern research techniques for young Palestinian and
other Arab scientists in plant and agricultural biotechnology at
the BETCEN laboratory at B.U. and other local labs in the area.
Conducting large-scale research projects in plant molecular biology
and agricultural biotechnology.
Educational Activities
Courses:
Plant Tissue Culture Techniques; Introduction to Genetic Engineering
for high school students; Genetic Engineering for graduate students;
Biological Control; and Advanced Techniques in Plant Molecular Biology.
Workshops:
Protein electrophoresis; Western Blotting; Gene Transfer in Plants;
Use of Entomopathogenic Nematodes as Substitute for Chemical Pesticides.
Short-Term Training Fellowships:
The Center offers fellowships for individual training in specific
research techniques; whether in the BETCEN's laboratory itself or
in other research institutes in the area. Individual training includes
courses in Plant Tissue Culture, Biological Control, and Plant Molecular
Biology.
Postgraduate Research Fellowships:
Research fellowships are offered for supporting research in Plant
Molecular Biology and Agricultural Biotechnology for Palestinians
and other M.Sc. and Ph.D. students.
Research Activities
Five internationally collaborated research projects are being conducted
at the UNESCO BETCEN laboratory:
i. Developmental biology and symbiosis of the
bacto-helminthic complex Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Photorhabdus
luminescens for the biological control of white grubs (Maladera
matrida) in the Middle East.
ii. The research involves isolation and identification of new
strains of entomopathogenic nematodes from Palestinian territories,
following a study of their biological characteristic; such as
infectivity, heat tolerance, and desiccation tolerance. In addition
to the conventional crosses method, the identification employs
restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of internal transcriptase
spacers.
The project aims at developing appropriate strains of entomopathogenic
nematodes for the control of the white grub Maladera matrida and
other soil-borne insects. Ten straits of such nematodes have so
far been isolated and identified. Characterization of their biological
traits is in progress.
iii. Development of a regional viral indexing and certification
program for plant propagation materials in the Middle East.
The project aims at developing standardized, sensitive methods
for identifying the major viruses of tomato, potato, banana, grapevine,
and stone fruits. The techniques employed in this project include:
non-radioactive molecular hybridization (Dig labeling), print-PCR,
Immuno Capture Reverse Transcription PCR, Print Capture Reverse
Transcription PCR, Reverse Transcription PCR, Double Antibody
Sandwich ELISA, PCR-ELISA and others.
iv. The molecular basis for pathogenicity of Clavibacter michiganensis
sub.sp. michiganensis, Erwinia herbicola pv.gypsophilae, and E.
herbicola pv. Betae and its Application for diagnosis.
This project studies genes for host specificity in the Erwinia
herbicola, as well as investigation into the molecular-based interaction
between the bacterium and host cells. This project also aims to
develop diagnostic methods based on pathogenicity genes in the
Clavibacter michiganensis.
v. Evolutionary Divergence, Reproductive Biology and Conservation
of the Royal Irises (Iris section Oncocyclus ) in Israel and the
West Bank.
A study of genetic and phenotypic variations is being conducted
on the genetic and phenotypic variations within the Royal Iris
populations in the Palestinian territories, using the Randomly
Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) technique and morphological
characteristics.
vi. Transformation of Palestinian tomato cultivars for drought
resistance.
Protocols are being developed for somatic regeneration of the
local tomato cultivars as well as protocols for transformation
with Agrobacterium carrying drought resistance genes.
Future Plans
Establishing modern technology for mass production of biological
control agents.
Establishing a laboratory for detection of bacterial and viral
diseases in plant propagation material.
Research on developing tomato cultivar resistant to tomato yellow
leaf culr virus.
Contact Info:
Bethlehem University, Bethlehem,
Palestine
Fax: + 972-2-2765404, +972-2-2744440
Tel: +972-2-2765404
E.mail: niraki@bethlehem.edu
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