About: Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB), 1992-2011
(In situ bioremediation of HCH contaminated dumpsite)
Ongoing ISCB Phase III project: “Environmental risk and bioremediation of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers”

This is a joint venture between Indian and Swiss institute in biotechnology and can help in promoting the research partnership & exchange of scientific knowledge in various areas of biotechnology throughout the collaboration period. In 1992 the scientific collaboration was initiated between University of Delhi, Delhi, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG) in Dübendorf and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne. The project is funded by DBT and SDC and the costs of the programme are shared by between these two agencies. The main focus of this project was to develop a bioremediation technology to treat the HCH contaminated dumpsite in India by using specific inoculation/consortium of previously isolated HCH degrading bacteria (bioaugmentaion). The objectives of the operating ISCB phase-III are to improve and refine the bioremediation technology for HCH contaminated dumpsite.      

The Indian collaborator had attempted for the bioremediation by making the consortium of Sphingobium indicum B90A but could not get the success by expending the approach.   Indian partner being employed two approach i.e. biostimualtion and bioaugmentaion approach but could not get success so far and now looking forward to introduce a new approach namely enzymatic bioremediation approach.  The Indian research trying to reach a stage at which large scale production of for field trials was required.    

Objectives of  Conference entitled Recent trends in developing bioremediation strategies for Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH )and other chlorinated contaminants

The conference will aim to provide a platform for all the young scientist associated with research on HCH and other Chlorinated contaminants, and to ensure the most extensive exchanges and discussion on Bioremediation. Not only this, the conference will also catch the attention of thousands of participants including leading research scientists and students. Apart from various lectures, the conference will also provide opportunity to various industries that specialize in the elimination of hydrocarbon contamination and environmental consulting, through the development of bioremediation approach. In fact the conference will provide a platform for the industry to collaborate with the academia in developing suitable and cost effective bioremediation technology for cleaning up of contaminated sites in the country. The conference on the theme of bioremediation of HCH and related chlorinated hydrocarbon is the first of its kind that will provide a platform to the leading scientist from India and abroad to forge ties with industries to develop bioremediation technology for cleaning HCH and other chlorinated hydrocarbon at dumpsite- a problem of very severe magnitude around the world. The conference will specifically bring together leading Indian Scientist working on the aspects of role of microbes for developing bioremediation of HCH and other chlorinated hydrocarbons. The conference gathers special importances in light of presence of millions of tons of persistent isomers of HCH around the globe and also huge stockpiles of HCH at several places. India requires a major effort from academia, industry and Government and Non-Government organization. For the first time International HCH and Pesticides Forum has been involved and its Director John Vigen has agreed to participate and discuss various possibilities of using this technology that has been developed with the collaborative efforts of Indian Scientist in collaboration with Swiss and Australian partners. The conference will also provide a platform for young scientist and students from India  to interact with International Scientists including Yuji Nagata, Christoff Holliger , Hans Peter Kohler, John Oakeshott.
The conference will promote research partnerships between the Switzerland, France, Germany, USA, Japan and Indian institutions in various areas of biotechnology and may explore possible fosters technology transfer to the private industry. The Conference will focus on the following issues:

• HCH  and other chlorinated hydrocarbons contamination and issues
• Physiology and genetics of HCH and other chlorinated hydrocarbons
• Bioremediation approaches
• Industrial partnership and policy