6/28/2005 Bernama PHILADELPHIA -- Malaysia and the United States maysoon embark on an exchange programme involving four scientists from eachcountry every year to do research related to the biotechnology industry.

The programme, initiated by the Ministry of Science, Technology andInnovation (MOSTI) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), amongothers may cover the areas of genomics, crops yield forecasting andfeasibility studies for agroculture projects.

In genomics, the research could touch on improving yields of palm oil andrubber and issues related to post harvest of tropical fruits, said USDAunder secretary for research, education and economic, Joseph J Jen onTuesday.

Genomics is the scientific study of the genome and the role of genes play,individually and collectively, in determining the structure, directinggrowth and development, and controlling biological functions.

Speaking to Malaysian journalists after exchanging documents for theproposed exchange programme with Science, Technology and InnovationMinister Datuk Seri Jamaludin Jarjis here, Jen said that the programmewould be formalised through a proper agreement once the final details hadbeen thrashed out.

Jen, who is a biochemist, disclosed that the progamme was not exclusive toMalaysia since the USDA has executed similar programmes with many othercountries such as China, Australia and New Zealand.

In China alone, the number of projects that had been undertaken stood atbetween 15 to 20.

He said that the US would offer its expertise, usage of itsstate-of-the-art facilities and over 11,000 research projects alreadyon-going.

Jamaludin, who is here for the four day BIO 2005 annual convention endingWednesday, said that he hopes to see the project commencing in six to ninemonths.

He said that by drawing on the US' expertise and equipment, the programmewould speed up the process of commercialising biotechnology findingscompared with doing so from zero base.

"It will create wealth and jobs for many Malaysians," he said.

Jamaludin said that the exchange programme would open up other forms ofcollaboration with other countries in future.

He said that the European Union alone has indicated its willingness toallow outflow of its fund to Malaysia to help finance biotechnologyresearch projects.