Skip to main content

Designing the Microbial Research Commons Proceedings of an International Symposium (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

18. Proposal for a Microbial Semi-Commons: Perspectives from the International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups
Pages 129-136

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 129...
... Many developing countries are working on bioenergy projects that rely on microorganisms. Examples include a new species of alga in Thailand, a Patagonian tree fungus that seems to expel hydrogen gas, a biomass-degrading fungus from the Solomon Islands that was noticed because it ate through the canvas and other materials used by the U.S.
Read the entire page →
From page 130...
... For example, about half of the FDA-approved drugs currently on the market are based directly or indirectly on natural products. Second, discovering natural products requires accessing biodiversity, but biodiversity is threatened globally.
Read the entire page →
From page 131...
... Papua New Guinea * Bioenergy collections TABLE 18–1 Countries Involved in International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups When we started in 1993, the initial projects focused on plants, particularly tropical plants.
Read the entire page →
From page 132...
... The easiest way to negotiate these agreements is to do them as academic research agreements and not worry initially about the possibility of commercial products being generated from them, because that is a low probability. The agreement should, however, include a commercialization trigger -- a statement that if some discovery does move towards a commercialization pathway, that will trigger additional good faith discussions on how to pay for the use of that discovery.
Read the entire page →
From page 133...
... The second model allows isolated and identified microbial cultures to leave the country only under the terms negotiated, for the purposes described, and to the parties designated. There is no third party access or release of information without prior agreement.
Read the entire page →
From page 134...
... For example, there is a demonstration project underway, called the Global Biological Research Center Network, which involves 15 countries, a number of them developing countries. The countries with established biological resource centers (BRCs)
Read the entire page →
From page 135...
... The collaborators in Panama started with very little scientific infrastructure for natural products discovery, but over the past decade we have supported the development of a first-class parasite drug discovery lab and a first-class chemistry facility there, and we have provided funding for the first nuclear magnetic resonance machine in the country. They have sent about 30 students on to get higher degrees as a result of this program.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • international cooperative
  • world heritage
  • cooperative biodiversity
  • drug discovery
  • transaction costs

  • own resources
  • trust fund
  • coral reef
  • coiba island
  • prior informed

  • informed consent
  • natural products
  • culture collections
  • low probability
  • conservation project

  • microbial cultures
  • local communities
  • heritage status
  • material transfer
  • heritage site

  • countries involved
  • microbial collections
  • natural materials
  • biological research
  • developing country

  • international standards
  • international development
  • recognized international
  • icbg research
  • research collaborations


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.