Renowned biotechnologist, Prof Marc Van Montagu, who co-discovered the gene
transfer mechanism between agrobacterium tumefaciens and plants and
constructed the first chimerical plant gene, which resulted in the
development of methods to alter agrobacterium into an efficient delivery
system for plant gene engineering was felicitated by Avesthagen and the
Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABEL) on Wednesday.


Speaking at this felicitation Prof Van Montagu said, ''Society needs biotech
innovation. Big companies can innovate only to a small extent; its start ups
like Avesthagen and others that will bring a variety of innovation to the
world.''

Speaking on genetically modified crops in India he added, ''Every region
should have clear, local regulatory processes where crops are adapted and
tested in local climatic conditions.''

Dr Villoo Morawala Patell, founder and CMD, Avesthagen added, ''Prof Marc
has been my source of inspiration. His model of innovation leading to
applied research and resulting in company spin offs could be an ideal one
for any company or research institution. We are very proud to have him on
our board.''

Prof Van Montagu is the chairman of the Institute of Plant Biotechnology for
Developing Countries (IPBO), Department of Molecular Genetics, Ghent
University. Before becoming chair of IPBO in 1999, he was full-professor and
director of the genetics laboratory at Ghent University, as well as
scientific director of the genetics department at the Flanders
Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB).

He also founded the biotech company CropDesign and helped start Plant
Genetic Systems, Inc, serving as its scientific director for several years.

Known for his discovery (with J Schell) of the gene transfer mechanism
between agrobacterium and plants, Dr. Van Montagu went on to develop methods
of altering agrobacterium to create an efficient delivery system for
producing genetically engineered plants.

He also contributed to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of how
plant cells proliferate and differentiate, and of plant responses to abiotic
stresses such as intense light, ozone, and drought. His work with poplars
resulted in engineering trees with improved pulping qualities, and enabling
him to construct the first transgenic crops resistant to insect pests and
tolerant to novel herbicides.

Prof. Van Montagu is also on the board of Avesthagen Limited and is a
constant source of inspiration for the organisation. Avesthagen's Dr Patell
has worked with Prof Van Montagu on several occasions.
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