Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Brazilian genomics and bioinformatics: instituting new innovation pathways in a global context

2005; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 34; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/03085140500277260

1469-5766

Mark Harvey, Andrew McMeekin,

Innovation and Knowledge Management

Abstract Abstract The paper raises issues of analysis and policy for science and technology in developing countries within the global context of the post-genomic era. Based on a case study of a newly created Brazilian research and technology capability, it argues for an understanding of variety creation, where new organizational forms often transgress established scientific and organizational boundaries and arrangements. In particular, new frontiers of science and technology can be opened up by the alternative trajectories generated by differences in socio-economic, institutional and ecological conditions in ways that thereby reinforce those very differences. It stresses the inherent unevenness and heterogeneity of innovation processes. By focusing on the geopolitical significance of diverse pathways of science and innovation, the approach suggests an alternative vision to catch-up models of innovation and development in terms of variety creation. Keywords: science and technologydevelopmentgenomicsgeopoliticsBrazilglobalization This paper is based on continuing comparative research in Europe, the USA, and Brazil. For the Brazilian genomics and bioinformatics, the research is part of a longitudinal study in co-operation with GEOPI at Unicamp, Campinas, Brazil, to whom we express gratitude for all the help and support. Interviews were conducted with key informants in all the main organizations referred to in the case study from January 2000 to 2003. The European and USA research is into the project 'Bioinformatics and Economies of Knowledge in Europe and the USA' funded by a grant from the ESRC, in addition to the funding for CRIC. Notes 1. Although not addressing the issue in this paper, we do not share the assumption that new technologies are necessarily or exclusively derivative of, or reliant upon, advances in fundamental science. 2. 'Genomics' is taken primarily to concern the genome – the whole DNA sequence of an organism. 'Post-genomics' is an unfortunate term commonly used to refer to the much more complex world of biological systems that avoid a reductionism to genomics and embrace the other '-omics', transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. 3. 'Onsa' is also the name of a jungle cat, similar to the leopard, an indigenous Brazilian species. 4. We thank Jose Fernando Perez, Scientific Director, FAPESP; Professors Paulo Arruda, Joao Meidanis, Joao Setubal, and Dr Joao Kitajima at Unicamp; Dr Anaclaudia Rasera, DNA coordinator for Xanthamonas at USP; and Professor Steve Oliver, University of Manchester for interviews in relation to the ONSA network. We thank Dr Fernando Ribeiro, Director, FINEP, and Dr Sergio Salles Filho, Operational Planning Superintendent, FINEP, and Director of GEOPI, Unicamp, for interviews related to FINEP and innovation strategy in biotechnology. The interviews were conducted in September 2001 and October 2003. The CRIC research is part of an ongoing, longitudinal comparative project supported by collaboration with the GEOPI research group at Unicamp, Campinas, Brazil. 5. We particularly thank Joao Setubal and Joao Kitajima for information and interviews on this project 6. We particularly thank Paolo Arruda and Joao Setubal for extensive interviews on this subject. 7. In 1997, Joly and Mangematin asked the question as to whether the European yeast network model was exportable, and were highly sceptical, as well as critical of aspects of the way public proprietary rights over delayed publication were assigned to each laboratory of the network, prior to release to public databases through the Martinsried Institute of Protein Sequencing (MIPS) (Joly and Mangematin 1998). 8. 'The Perfect Gentleman Sequencer: The Development of Deontological Rules', June 1992, developed by Bernard Dujon. 9. Notably Interbrew, Unilever, Royal Gist Brocades, and Rhone Poulenc, through the Yeast Industry Platform (YIP). 10. A further interesting ramification of the linkage between European yeast and Brazilian genomics was that Steve Oliver had involvement with alcohol production, and alcohol production was to be important to the sugar-cane SUCEST project, granted Brazilian use of fuel alcohol. 11. The going rate at the time of the X. fastidiosa genome was $R4 for each complete Open Reading Frame of 400 bp.s with a phred value of 20. League tables of productivity were published on the intranet. 12. Fundicitrus is the principal cooperative organization of citrus growers in Brazil. 13. The pathogen is transmitted to citrus trees by sharpshooter leafhoppers, and causes Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC). 14. Given the strong influence of francophones in the network, these are commonly referred to as levuristes. 15. Interviews with Georg Casari and Walter Blackstock, Cellzome, 2002. 16. Xanthomonas citri was the second genome sequenced by the ONSA network, and was also an important pathogen of citrus trees causing citrus canker and black rot. 17. A more detailed analysis of the public-private collaboration and competition involved in this genome race can be found in Harvey and McMeekin (2004 Harvey, M. and McMeekin, A. 2004. 'Public-private collaborations and the race to sequence Agrobacterium tumefaciens'. Nature Biotechnology, 22(7): 807–10. [Crossref], [PubMed] , [Google Scholar]). 18. In Steve Oliver's view, this strategic decision to concentrate on ESTs was another example of gaining maximum leverage from available resources and skills. 19. Sugar-cane genome sequencing projects are being undertaken in Australia, South Africa, and the USA. 20. A palindrome of Xylella. 21. It was funded to a limited degree by the National Council for Scientific Development (CNPq), but the key funding decisions were made independently of it. 22. The 'distributed innovation process' approach (Coombs et al. 2002) is implicit in much of the analysis of this paper, with its emphasis on how innovation processes involve the emergence of new economic actors and connections across space, sector, and technologies, breaking down established boundaries.