Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
Study Tour on
Food & Biotechnology
Boston & San Francisco,
October 20 - 24, 2003
REGISTRATION
ACCOMMODATION
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
Modern biotechnology, gene technology included, provides new opportunities in food
production. These new tools give us new possibilities in primary production and in the
handling of raw materials to meet the demands and preferences of consumers in the quality
of food products. Following the sequencing of the human genome, work is well under way to
sequence the genomes of other animals, plants, and microorganisms; land based as well as
marine species. The more we know about the genetic basis for food quality and safety, the
better prepared we will be to meet new challenges in food production, human health and
environmental protection. Tools as functional genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are
new techniques that may revolutionize tomorrow's ways of studying biological phenomenons.
In the US there are several exciting fields of research and many new emerging
technologies within Food and Biotechnology that are of interest for Norway. Ethical
questions related to the development and use of new species (GMOs, transgenic species)
are also high on the agenda.
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
ABOUT NORWEGIAN TRADE COUNCIL
The Norwegian Trade Council (NTC) is a public initiative to support Norwegian Industry and Research
communities in its international endeavor, assisting with networking, research collaboration, partnerships,
and business development. NTC Boston and NTC San Francisco have a special focus on medical and food
biotechnology.
Biotechnology is a strategic area for Norway and the post genome era gives us new possibilities. The NTC
together with the Norwegian Research Council hereby offer a study tour in Food and Biotechnology.
In collaboration with the Norwegian Research Council, we hereby invite you for a study tour on Food and
Biotechnology.
ABOUT BOSTON AND SAN FRANCISCO AREA
The state of Massachusetts receives the highest per capita amount of federal research money in the U.S., an
effort that is reflected in a variety of high quality research. The Boston and San Francisco areas are the two
most established and dominant centers of biotechnology in the U.S. and have the largest concentration of
biotech firms in the world. Agricultural biotechnology and novel food are highly addressed by government,
food industry and the public in the U.S.
Universities at the east coast as Harvard, Tufts, MIT and related institutes and colleges have placed Boston
among the leading research centers in the U.S.
About 70 miles south of Boston, at Cape Cod, we will visit The Marine Biological Laboratory and the
Marine Resource Center with advanced research programs in cod and halibut aquaculture using genomics
and proteomics as important tools.
Among the leading universities in the U.S. at the west coast are University of California, Stanford(UCS),
UCBerkeley and UCDavis.
The Davis campus, which are one of the tour visits, houses wide-ranging biotechnology
programs, such as the Seed Biotechnology Center and the Center for Engineering Plants for
Resistance Against Pathogens as well as world-wide recognized cutting-edge research
programs on genomics, metabolomics, functional foods, etc.
The University of California Systemwide Biotechnology Research and Education Program,
which covers all ten campuses, and the three national Laboratories is located in Davis. The
city of Davis is home to biotechnology companies such as Calgene, Novozymes, etc.
It is our experience that Norwegian researchers and other professionals within a given field find great value
in spending time with Norwegian and American colleagues on a focused study tour.
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
PARTICIPANTS
We will invite Norwegian scholars, policy makers, regulatory authorities, food and biotechnology industry,
people from Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Ministry of Trade and Industry etc.
We hope to have an interactive time with exchange of knowledge, experience and science.
Participation will be limited to 35 persons. Minimum number is 20.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY TOUR
- to introduce the participants to leading and emerging R&D efforts in biotechnology
related to food; nutritional, agricultural and marine issues as well as legal aspects
and consumer impacts
- to get an impression of the new possibilities with new tools like genomics,
proteomics and metabolomics
- overview of issues related to commercial, ethical, legal and political challenges
related to food biotechnology innovation and industry
- meet companies and get impulses on new technology developments and how to
utilize opportunities for human health, food production and food safety
- building network through visits and social events
This will be achieved through:
Lectures given by relevant professionals from the different universities, companies and institutions.
Networking throughout site visits and social events.
Workshop: Novel Food current and future Norwegian challenges:
Identifying Norway’s comparative advantages and challenges in the field.
Discuss the development of collaborative research networks in a Norwegian setting.
How can we establish synergistic partnerships with the U.S. universities and institutions?
TENTATIVE PROGRAM
SUNDAY
October 19
BOSTON
15:00
Duck Tour exploring Boston (can be arranged if of interest, not included in the
registration fee, approx $ 20 per person)
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
MONDAY
October 20
PLACE: HYATT HOTEL, BOSTON
8:15 - 09:00 Welcome – Ove Solesvik and Helga Næs, NTC-Boston
Introduction by Norwegian Research Council
Presentation of participants
09:00-
Risk Analysis, Food Safety and Human Health
- food safety and agriculture - assess safety risks to the American food supply
- emerging pathogens and food borne diseases
- new technology for detecting food related microorganisms
- most important future challenges to human health
Harvard center for Risk Analysis by Dr. George Gray
Harvard School of Public Health (Presenter to be decided)
Agricultural Biotechnology
- U.S. Governance of Ag-biotech: Principles and Practice
Dr. Kathleen Merrigan, Dir. Agriculture, Food and Environment Program,
School of Nutrition, Science and Policy, Tufts University
Transgenic Salmon
- why, how and when? Legal, environmental, commercial and consumer impacts
Dr. Elliot Entis or Joseph McGonigle, Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc.
From microbial genomics to nutrigenomics
- potential for improvements in health, food safety and quality and regional
characteristics of microbial products
Dr. Duccio Cavalieri, Harvard Center for Genomics Research, Harvard University
Biotechnology and globalization
- Emerging Public Policy Challenges and Opportunities
Dr. Calestous Juma, Prof. of the Practice of International Development, J.F.
Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Company presentations:
- TIAX - acceleration of innovation by linking technology and industry,
challenges in the food industry
- company B
- company C
Discussion
19:30
Networking Dinner together with the speakers from Monday and Tuesday program
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
TUESDAY
October 21
Visit at Marine Biological Laboratory and Marine Resource Center, Woods Hole,
Cape Cod
08:00
Bus departure from Hyatt Hotel, Boston, to Cape Cod
09:30
Marine Biological Laboratory conduct research in cellular, developmental and
reproductive biology; molecular and evolution; neurobiology and sensory
physiology; ecology and ecosystems studies; global infectious diseases and
marine biotechnology and aquaculture.
Marine Resource Center
The Marine Resource Center (MRC) is a highly advanced facility for maintaining,
culturing and providing aquatic organisms essential to advanced biological, biomedical and
ecological research. Research is partitioned into two programs: The Program in Sensory
Biology and Neuroethology and The Program in Scientific Aquaculture.
Lectures:
- Overview: The Marine Biological Laboratory and the Marine Resource Center
- The use of genomics and proteomics to study immune and reproductive genes in
trout and cod
- New developments in detection systems for diseases in finfish and bivalves
- Recirculation systems for production of finfish
- Haitian aquaculture initiative: developing native plant based diets for Tilapia and
the Bay Paul genomics facility
Additional activities:
Tour of the Marine Resource Center, selected parts of the marine Biological Laboratory and
the Bay Paul genomics facility
Boat trip on the Gemma collecting vessel for the Marine Resource Center
17:00
Bus departure from Cape Cod to Boston
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
WEDNESDAY October 22
08:30 – 1200 The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
- ongoing research project to inform the public and policy makers,
importance, concerns and regulations
Dr. Michael Fernandez, Director of Science, PEW (not confirmed)
Contribution from UDSA and/or FDA (title to be decided)
Workshop Discussion
Food and biotechnology – challenges for Norway
Sharing of knowledge, experience and impressions
12:00
Lunch
Individual departure to Logan Airport for flights to San Francisco
Check in at Hotel Holiday Inn Financial District
750 Kearny Street, San Francisco
Tel: 1 415 4336600 - Fax: 1 415 7657891
THURSDAY October 23
DAVIS
07:30 -
Bus from hotel Holiday Inn to University of California, Davis (UCD)
09:00 - 09:30 Coffee and Pastries
09:30 - 12:00 Presentations
Welcome to UCDavis - Bill Lacy, Vice Provost University Outreach and
International Programs
Nutrition, Genomics and Health - Ray Rodriguez, Center for Excellence in
Nutritional Genomics, UCD
Changing Marketplace for Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables
(A look at the fruit, nuts and vegetable market in the next decade)
Peggy Lemaux, UCB
Kent Bradford, Seed Biotechnology Center, UCD
Andrew Walker, UCD
Benito de Lumen, UCB
12:00 - 13:30
Lunch
Viewing of "Food Fight" - a musical documentary about GM Foods
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
13:30 - 17:00 Presentations
Issues with GM Foods - Peggy Lemaux, UCB
Transgenic Foods: Communication of Risks and Benefits to the Public Martina Newell-McGloughlin, Systemwide Biotechnolgy Research and
Education Program, UC
Analytical Methodologies for GM Foods Diagnostic Assays for Chemical and Microbial Residues in Dairy Products James Cullor, Dairy Food Safety Lab, UCD
Emerging Technologies for Food borne Pathogens - Paula McCready,
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Biotechnological Innovations in Waste Management in the Food Industry Sharon Shoemaker, CIFAR-UCD
Health Implications of Genetically Modified Food - Sue Teuber, UCD
Overview of Biotechnology Regulations - Leslie Krasner, SF law firm
(Check in at hotel before dinner)
19:00 - 21.00
FRIDAY
DAVIS
Dinner - with presentation of "Shakespeare and Biotechnology" Michael Goodin, UCB
October 24
08:00 - 08.30 Coffee and Pastries
08.30 - 12:00 Presentations
Economic Implications of Ag Biotechnology in a Regulated Economy and Subsidized
Agriculture - David Zilberman, UCB
Metabolomics: Building the Roads to Personalized Health - Bruce German, UCD
Functional Foods, What is Their Future - Mary K. Schmidl - Modesto
Industry presentation - Calgene or Novozyme
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
Becoming a Biotechnologist - Isolating DNA from Veggies
13:00 - 14:30 Tour of a biotech company
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
15:00 - 16:00 Research Centers at UCD:
WIFSS (Western Institute for Food Safety and Security)- J. Gillespie
CIFAR (CA Inst for Food and Ag Research) - S. Shoemaker
Center for Consumer Research - C. Bruhn
CAHFL (CA Animal Health and Food Safety Lab Systems) - A. Ardans
16:00 - 16:30 Closing remarks - Bennie I. Osburn, Dean - School of Veterinary Medicine, (SVM),
UCD; Robert Hansen, International Programs, SVM-UCD
16:30 - 18:00 Workshop - Discussion
Novel Food – challenges for Norway
Bus departure from Davis to San Francisco
There might be some changes in the program. All participants will get a confirmed program layout
as soon as it becomes available.
STUDY TOUR REGISTRATION
The attendance fee for the study tour is NOK 12.750. The attendance fee covers the five-day program with
electronic copies of the lectures, mid-morning and afternoon coffee and pastries, all lunches, dinner
Monday and Thursday night, and transportation to and from research institutions. The participants will
cover all other expenses, including breakfast/dining, traveling and lodging.
The registration deadline is September 18, 2003 .
Please fax the registration to: +47-22 92 64 00 or email the information to kristin.voygard@ntc.no.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Ove Solesvik, Director,
NTC- Boston
Email: ove.solesvik@ntc.no
Phone: +1617 369 7871
Helga Næs, Industrial
Advisor, NTC- Boston
E-mail: helga.nas@ntc.no
Phone: +1 617 369 7872
Kristin Vøygard, Project
coordinator, NTC-Oslo
Email: kristin.voygard@ntc.no
Phone: +47 22 92 64 56
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATION
Please indicate hotel arrival and departure dates on the registration form.
Hyatt Regency Boston Financial District (USD 149 + 12,45%)
One Avenue De Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
Tel: +1-617-912-1234
Fax: +1-617-451-2198
Holiday Inn Financial District (from Oct. 22 - 23, Oct. 24 - 25) (USD 139 + 14%)
750 Kearny Street, San Francisco
Tel: + 1 415 433 6600
Fax: +1 415 765 7891
Hotel in Davis (to be decided) (from Oct. 23 - 24)
NTC Oslo has been in contact with BTI Nordic and they have looked at the following flight
schedules from Oslo to Boston - Boston to San Francisco and from San Francisco to Oslo:
SK 907
CO 1971
UA 181
LH 455
LH 3130
17 Oct
17 Oct
22 Oct
25 Oct
26 Oct
OSLEWR
EWRBOS
BOSSFO
SFOFRA
FRAOSL
13:35
09:20
11:10
16:00
18:15
14:20
10:00
13:10
17:14
21:40
08:50 + 1
11:55
14:45
16:45
15:35
14:20
10:00
15:25 (FI = Icelandair)
18:20
19:00
08:50 + 1
11:55
The price for this ticket is about NOK 7 300,-.
FI 321
FI 633
UA 179
SK 3486
SK 3622
17 Oct
17 Oct
22 Oct
25 Oct
26 Oct
OSLKEF
KEBOS
BOSSAN
SFOFRA (op. by Lufthansa)
FRAOSL (op. by Lufthansa)
The price for this ticket is about NOK 8 800,If you would like to book one of these tickets or have other wishes please contact:
gruppe.okern@btinordic.com for reservation - Marit Stenvik - tel.: 23 05 48 40.
NB: From October 1, 2003 please be aware of that you need a machine-readable passport or
you may contact the American Embassy for a visa in your old passport.
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
Return to:
Norwegian Trade Council
Att.: Kristin Vøygard
Fax: 22 92 64 00
REGISTRATION
Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
Boston & San Francisco, October 20 - 24, 2003
Please fill in the information requested below:
Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………
Title:
……….…………………………………………………………………………..
Company / Organization: ……………………………………………………………….
Address:
…………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………
Phone:
…………………………………………………………………
Fax:
…………………………………………………………………
E-mail address:
. ……………………………………………………………….
Hotel reservation by NTC at Hyatt Regency Financial District , BOSTON
Arrival date:
…………………………………………………………………
Departure date:
…………………………………………………………………
Single room:

October 20 - October 24, 2003
Double room:

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Study Tour on Food & Biotechnology
NTC Technology Office, Boston
Hotel reservation by NTC at Holiday Inn Financial District San Francisco
Arrival date:
…………………………………………………………………
Departure date:
…………………………………………………………………
Single room:

Double room:

Hotel reservation by NTC at (hotel in Davis to be decided)
Arrival date:
…………………………………………………………………
Departure date:
…………………………………………………………………
Single room:

Double room:

Social event - October 19, 2003
I would like to participate in the social event (Duck tour) on Sunday 19, 2003
(not included in the registration fee)

Final registration must be made prior to September 18, 2003.
(Minimum 20 and maximum 35 attendants are required.)
Cancellation policy: Request for refunds (50%) will be accepted if received prior to
Oct. 5, 2003.
October 20 - October 24, 2003
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