Sarawak is well-endowed with a diverse wealth of biological resources—i.e., biodiversity—that potentially have unique applications in healthcare, agriculture, and various industries. Bioprospecting of this biodiversity to discover useful applications depends heavily on the implementation of a robust R&D programme involving various scientific tools, including biotechnology.
Biotechnology applies knowledge of biological systems to generate useful bio-products and applications for everyday life, such as medicines, food, and environmental solutions. It has also been earmarked as a key engine of growth for both the State and the country through the development of bio-industries.
SBC’s R&D Programme focuses on making discoveries from biological resources that would lead to the development of herbal therapies, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals for healthcare, as well as pharmaceutical drugs to combat diseases such as cancer and infectious agents.
The programme also aims to discover chemicals and enzymes from our biological resources that would be useful over a broad range of applications as industrial related products such as essential oils, bio-pesticides and commercial dyes.
The objectives of this programme are to:
continuously develop a unique library of natural products from useful plants and microbes
screen for anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-bacteria, anti-inflammatory and anti-protease compounds from SBC's natural products library
isolate and sequence genes from useful microbes that have medicinal and industrial applications
develop plant tissue culture capabilities for mass propagation and genetic transformation
develop analytical skills for structural determination of bioactive compounds
train and develop the State’s human resources in the field of biotechnology
attract scientific collaboration and investments from biotech/pharmaceutical companies
assist in the development of the bioindustry in the State by providing potential bio-products for commercialization
The R&D Programme is supported by 7 well-equipped and specialized laboratories and staffed with trained scientists who work in a conducive environment intended for innovative research.
Extraction Lab
Microbiology Lab
Molecular Biology Lab
Plant Tissue Culture
Analytical Chemistry
Bioinformatics
Product Development
SBC's research facilities also provide the State with the means to bioprospect its biodiversity through R&D and share the benefits made from the discoveries with the people. The discoveries will consequently provide a pipeline of bio-products for the bioindustry to jump-start and generate future economical returns and revenues for the State.
