Instituto de Biotecnología de la UNAM€¦  · Web viewInstitution Department Representative...

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ROADSHOW Mexican Research Institutes and Universities, Germany, June 2008 List of participating institutions and areas Institution Department Representative Charge NANO-TECHNOLOGY UNAM Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología (Ensenada) Dr. Sergio Fuentes Moyado Director UAP (Puebla) Instituto de Física Dr. Gregorio Hernández Cocoletzi Director CINVESTAV CINVESTAV Querétaro Dr. Gerardo Trápaga Martínez Director MATERIAL SCIENCES UNAM Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales Dr. Luis Sansores Cuevas Director Univ. De Guanajuato Instituto de Física Dr. José Luis Lucio Martínez Director CINVESTAV Dirección general Dr. René Asomoza y Palacio General Director INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IPN Centro de Investigación en Cómputación Dr. Jaime Alvarez Gallegos Director CICESE División de Física Aplicada, Optica, Ciencias de la Computación, Electrónica y Telecomunicacion es Dr. Horacio Soto Ortíz Departmental Director Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana Dr. Ignacio Rivero Espejel Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies BIOTECHNOLOGY UNAM Instituto de Biotecnología Dr. Javier Soberón Mainero 1

Transcript of Instituto de Biotecnología de la UNAM€¦  · Web viewInstitution Department Representative...

ROADSHOW Mexican Research Institutes and Universities, Germany, June 2008

List of participating institutions and areas

Institution Department Representative Charge

NANO-TECHNOLOGY    

UNAM

Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología (Ensenada) Dr. Sergio Fuentes Moyado Director

UAP (Puebla) Instituto de FísicaDr. Gregorio Hernández Cocoletzi Director

CINVESTAVCINVESTAV Querétaro

Dr. Gerardo Trápaga Martínez Director

MATERIAL SCIENCES    

UNAM

Instituto de Investigaciones en Materiales Dr. Luis Sansores Cuevas Director

Univ. De Guanajuato Instituto de Física Dr. José Luis Lucio Martínez DirectorCINVESTAV Dirección general Dr. René Asomoza y Palacio General Director

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY  

IPN

Centro de Investigación en Cómputación Dr. Jaime Alvarez Gallegos Director

CICESE

División de Física Aplicada, Optica, Ciencias de la Computación, Electrónica y Telecomunicaciones Dr. Horacio Soto Ortíz Departmental Director

 Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana Dr. Ignacio Rivero Espejel

Coordinator of Postgraduate Studies

BIOTECHNOLOGY    

UNAMInstituto de Biotecnología Dr. Javier Soberón Mainero  

UAM-Izt BiotecnologíaDr. Gustavo Viniegra González

Coordinator of External Relations

UANLInstituto de Biotecnología Dra. Katiushka Arévalo Niño

CICY Biotecnología Dr. Sergio Peraza Sánchez Head of Area

INECOLBiotecnología y Bioremedación

Dra. Eugenia Judith Olguín Palacios Coordinator of 4 units

GEO SCIENCES

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UNAM Instituto de Geofísica Yamamoto Victorio Jaime Full time researcher

UNAMConsejos Académicos de Área Dr. Dante Morán Zenteno

Academic Coordinator of the Department of Physics, Mathematics and Engineering

UANLFacultad de Ciencias de la Tierra Dr. Cosme Pola Simuta

Deputy Director External Relations and Special Projects

CONACYTDra. María Cristina Revilla Monsalve

Directora de Investigación Básica

List of institutions and areas

Institution Area InternetInstituto de Biotecnología de la UNAM

Biotechnology www.ibt.unam.mx

Universidad Autónoma MetropolitanaUAM Iztapalapa

Biotechnology www.izt.uam.mx

Instituto Nacional de Ecología, Mexico City

Biotechnology www.ine.gob.mx

CICY, Mérida Biotechnology http://www.cicy.mx UANL Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

Biotechnology, Geosciences

www.uanl.mx

UNAM Geosciences www.unam.mx CICESE, Ensenada Information Technology,

Informaticswww.cicese.mx

IPN: Centro de Investigación en Computación (México City)

Information Technology, Informatics

www.cic.ipn.mx

I.I.T – Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana

Information Technology http://isc.tectijuana.mx

UNAM:Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología, Ensenada

Nanotechnology http://www.cnyn.unam.mx

BUAP: Benemérita Universidad de Puebla

Nanotechnology www.buap.mx

CINVESTAV: Querétaro Nanotechnology http://qro.cinvestav.mx/web/Materiales/

UNAM:Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Juriquilla

Material Sciences http://www.fata.unam.mx

CINVESTAV: México City Material Sciences www.cinvestav.mx

Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanjuato

Material Sciences www.ugto.mx

CONACYT, National Council for Sciences and Technology

www.conacyt.mx

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Universidad Autónoma Nacional de México (UNAM)

The National Autonomous University of Mexico is the largest public university in Mexico. It was founded on September 21, 1551.

It is the largest university in Latin America and considered to be the most significant of all universities in the region, and also the most important university in the Spanish-speaking world.In addition, it is the only university in Mexico with three Nobel Prize winners among its former students: Alfonso García Robles (Peace), Octavio Paz (Literature), and Mario Molina (Chemistry).

UNAM has excelled in many areas of research and houses many of Mexico's premiere research institutions. In recent years it has attracted students and hired professional scientists from all over the world (most notably from Russia, India and the United States), which has created a unique diverse scientific community.Scientific research at UNAM is divided between faculties, institutes, centers and schools, and covers a range of disciplines. Some of the more noted institutes include: Institute of Astronomy, Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Institute of Physics, Institute of Cell Physiology, Institute of Geophysics, Institute of Engineering, Institute of Materials Research, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, and the Applied Mathematics and Systems Research Institute.Research centers tend to focus on multidisciplinary problems particularly relevant to Mexico and the developing world, most notably: Center of Applied Sciences and Technological Development, which focuses on connecting the sciences to real-world problems (e.g., optics, nanosciences) and Center of Energy Research, which does world-class research in alternative energies.All research centers are open to students from Mexico and around the world.UNAM's scientific output continues to grow, despite numerous attempts by the Mexican government to curtail its budget, the University currently producing 60% of all scientific publications in Mexico.

Motto: Por mi raza hablará el espíritu("For my people will the spirit speak")

Endowment: 19,961.808.003 MXP President: José Narro Robles Staff: 33,141Students: 286,484Undergraduates: 158,824 (2006) Postgraduates: 20,747 (2006)

www.unam.mx

- Instituto de Biotecnología de la UNAM: www.ibt.unam.mx- Centro de Nanociencias y Nanotecnología de la UNAM: www.cnyn.unam.mx- Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada de la UNAM: www.fata.unam.mx

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Instituto Politécnico Nacional, IPN

The National Polytechnic Institute is one of the largest and finest public universities in Mexico. Based primarily in Mexico City and its suburbs, it offers over 64 different undergraduate and 114 graduate programs to some 87,000 students.

The Institute was founded on January 1, 1936 during the administration of President Lázaro Cárdenas in what had been previously known as the Ex hacienda Santo Tomás.

The Institute is organized around 77 academic units including 24 university colleges, 15 scientific and technical research centers, 11 continuing education centers and 16 vocational high schools located primarily in Mexico City, although several extension and research facilities are distributed over 15 different states.

Some units (particularly the semi-autonomous, internationally renowned Cinvestav) enjoy a high degree of academic and budgetary freedom. The Institute as a whole is headed by a Director-general appointed by the President of Mexico, usually (but not always) after some consultation with members of its academic community. Since 2003 its Director-general is José Enrique Villa Rivera.

In addition its academic endeavors, and as part of its cultural promotion strategy, the Institute operates Canal Once, the oldest public broadcast service in Latin America featuring original cultural, scientific, and entertainment programming, foreign shows and classic, rare, and non-commercial films from all over the world.

As of 2006 the Institute was offering 64 undergraduate programs leading to four or five-years bachelor's degrees and 114 graduate programs leading to 24 postgraduate diplomas , 63 master's degrees and 27 doctorate degrees.

Motto: La técnica al servicio de la patriaEstablished: 1936Director-general: José Enrique Villa RiveraStudents: 137,809 (2006)Undergraduates: 82,808 (2006)Postgraduates: 4,922 (2006)

www.ipn.mx

Centro de Investigación en Computación del IPN www.cic. ipn .mx

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Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV)

The Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute is a Mexican non-governmental scientific research organization founded on 17 April 1961 by decree of then-president Adolfo López Mateos.Cinvestav is affiliated to Mexico's National Polytechnic Institute and receives an annual subsidy from the government to fund its operations.

Established: 1961Type: PublicEndowment: $79 259 780 USD (2000)Director: René Asomoza PalacioStaff: 2518 (2000)Location: Several across Mexico

www. cinvestav .mx CINVESTAV Querétaro www.qro. cinvestav .mx

Universidad de Guanajuato

The University of Guanajuato is a university based in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, made up of about 26,000 students in programs ranging from high school level to the doctorate level. Over 10,000 of those are pursuing undergraduate, masters, and doctorate degrees. The university offers 122 academic programs, including 9 doctorates, 28 masters programs, and 53 bachelor's degrees. The university has schools in nine cities throughout the state of Guanajuato. It is the only school in Mexico whose main building appears in an official banknote (mil pesos).

The university traces its history back to the educational institute called the Hospice of the Holy Trinity, which was established on October 1, 1732. On August 29, 1827, upon the signing of the first constitutional government, the school changed its name to the College of the Immaculate Conception and fell under government responsibility. Programs founded around this time included Mining, Law, Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. In 1831, a library was established.

The name of the college changed again in 1867, this time to the National College of Guanajuato. During the following decade, technical programs at the school grew rapidly, as did research. Finally, in 1945, the college changed its name to the University of Guanajuato, and the school was granted autonomy by the state legislature beginning on May 21, 1994.

www.ugto.mx

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Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE) Created in 1973 by the Mexican Federal Government, the Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California,is a center for scientific research and higher education. It is part of a system of public research centers of the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT). Over three decades the CICESE become one of the main scientific centers of Mexico. The research and teaching activities take place in the four divisions that conform the institution: Experimental and Applied Biotechnology, Earth Sciences, Applied Physics and Oceanology, focus on aquaculture, biology, biotechnology, climatology, computer science, ecology, electronics, geosciences, geophysics, geology, instrumentation, meteorology, microbiology, biological oceanography, physical oceanography, optics, optoelectronic, seismology, informational technologies, telecommunications and telematics.

The CICESE has a faculty of 176 researchers and 197 technicians who are highly specialized in areas of national priority. The CICESE maintains excellent academic relations with other institutions in the country and abroad. The CICESE graduate programs are completely research-oriented.

With more than 30 years of experience, CICESE is an important institution in the national scientific context. It is an institution of academic excellence which supports national development, the formation of human resources, and which contributes to the generation of knowledge.

The CICESE facilities include eight modern buildings which house laboratories, classrooms, a specialized library, supercomputing equipment, connection to Internet 2, the oceanographic vessel Francisco de Ulloa, and valuable seismological and oceanographic instrumentation.

The CICESE was created in 1973 after efforts from the CONACYT and the UNAM to create an institution that helped decentralize education (since 80% of scientific and technology research was done in Mexico City) in Mexico.

The institution formed part of the design group to produce the first satellite 100% designed and built in Mexico. The other major partners were the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México the National Polytechnic Institute.

www. cicese .mx

Instituto Nacional de Ecologíawww.ine.gob.mx

INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY (INECOL)

Mission The Institute of Ecology, A.C. is a public research institution that generates scientific knowledge, develops technologies and trains professionals in ecology, biodiversity and natural resource management for the conservation of Mexico's natural heritage and the social and economic development of the country. Vision To become a centre of excellence and leader in the environmental sciences and study of biodiversity.

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Within an international scenery of environmental degradation and global change, INECOL should project an image of leadership in the field of bioremediation and restoration based on successful projects and viable technological solutions.

Strategic Objectives • Generate scientific knowledge • Train highly qualified professionals • Strengthen the ties between the productive, public and social sectors • Maintain the biological collections and the biological heritage in its charge

Research Areas Ecology Ecophysiology Soil biology Landscape ecology Ecological interactions Population and community dynamics Evolutionary ecology and biogeography Conservation of monkey populations Behavioural ecology of deer Subsocial behavior in beetles Foraging and reproductive behaviour in birds Reproductive behavior and biological control of fruit flies Systematics Terrestrial flora and fauna inventories Phylogenetic relationships and evolution Biogeography and patterns of endemism Conservation biology Flora of the Bajío region Flora of the state of Veracruz Resource Management Predictive model development for ecological and environmental dynamics Wood technology and forest products Sustainable development of coastal zones Sustainable water use Phycoremediation and phytoremediation Biological resource use Clean bioprocesses for sustainable water use Soil fertility restoration and increase Recycling of agroindustrial residues Conservation Propagation of endangered species, and those at risk of extinction Behaviour of terrestrial and freshwater turtles

Services • Land use policy • Management studies and programs for protected natural areas • Ecological description and environmental diagnosis • Environmental impact assessment studies • Studies for the management of natural resources (water, forests) • Identification, inventorying and rescue of flora and fauna • Ecosystem restoration • Preparation of technical and scientific guidelines for environmental planning and preparation of

norms and standards for the protection and sustainable use of natural resources • Preparation of geographic information systems • Training of technical personnel

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• Certification of wood products • Ecological risk and impact studies • Water, soil and plant material analysis

Field stations • La Mancha Centre for Coastal Research - CICOLMA (Veracruz) • Desert Laboratory (Mapimí Biosphere Reserve, Durango) • Piedra Herrada Field Station (Michilía Biosphere Reserve, Durango)

Collections Francisco Javier Clavijero Botanical Garden (live collections of several groups, Xalapa, Veracruz) Xalapa herbarium, XAL (Xalapa, Veracruz) Bajío herbarium, IEB (Pátzcuaro, Michoacán Insect collection, IEXA (Xalapa, Veracruz) Ceparium (Xalapa, Veracruz) Wood collection (Xalapa, Veracruz)

PostGraduate Studies Programs: M. Sc. and Ph.D. Programs The postgraduate programs are aimed at training students to carry out original scientific research, and to apply their scientific and technological knowledge to contribute to the solution of local, regional and global environmental problems. THE UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE NUEVO LEON

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UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE PUEBLA

1. GeneralRector. Enrique Agüera IbañezDean of Graduate School: Juan Francisco Rivas Silva Department Chairman: Gregorio Hernández Cocoletzi Type of Institution: UniversityControl: PublicSetting: Urban

2. Number of Faculty Members in the Department The combined total of full time faculty members in the three professorial ranks is 29. The combined total of full-time, part-time, and other faculty members at all ranks is 30.

3. Admission, Financial Aid, and HousingAddress admission inquiries to: Secretario Académico, Instituto de Física, UAP, Apdo. Postal J-48, 72570 Puebla, Puebla, México, Tel. No.: (+52-222) 229 5610 Fax No.; (+52-222) 229 5611

Graduate application fee required: No

Admission deadline (Fall period): 8/25

Admission information: For the fall period, 2007-2008, 19 students were accepted out of 57 applicants.

Admission requirements: For admission to the graduate programs, a Bachelor's degree in physics or related areas is required with no minimum undergraduate GPA specified. The GRE is not required. The GRE Advanced is not required. Proficiency in Spanish is required. Passing an admission exam and/or attend and pass prerequisite courses is required for the Master's degree. Passing an admission exam is required for the Doctorate degree.

Undergraduate preparation assumed: Reif, Statistical and Thermal Physics; Marion, Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems; Reitz, Milford, and Christy, Foundations of Electro- magnetic Theory; Arfken, Mathematical Methods for Physicists, 2nd ed.; Merzbacher, Quantum Mechanics.

Address financial aid inquiries to: Secretario Académico, Instituto de Física, UAP, Apdo, Postal J-48, 72570 Puebla, Puebla, México.

GAPSFAS application required: No Financial aid deadline: 5/30 Loans available: No

Address housing inquiries to: Secretario Académico, Instituto de Física, UAP, Apdo. Postal J-48, 72570 Puebla, Puebla, México.

On-campus, single student housing available: No On-campus, married student housing available: No

4. Graduate Degree RequirementsPhysics; Master: 9 courses (with a minimum combined grade average of 8, scale from 0 to 10) are required. During the second year the student must pass a qualifying examination. Altematively,

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to write a thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. The program must be completed within 2 years. The M.Sc. is a terminal program.

Doctorate: 3 advanced courses are required. During the second year of the program the student must pass a preliminary examination. The student must write a dissertation based on original research and must have at least one paper accepted for publication in a recognized journal prior to the final examination.Thesis: Thesis may be written in absentia.

Materials Science; Master: 10 courses (with a minimum combined grade average of 8, scale from 0 to 10) are required. During the second year the student must pass a qualifying examination. Altematively, to write a thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. The program must be completed within 2 years. The M.Sc. is a terminal program.

Doctorate: 3 advanced courses are required. During the second year of the program the student must pass a preliminary examination. The student must write a dissertation based on original research and must have a paper accepted for publication in a recognized journal prior to the final examination.Thesis: Thesis may be written in absentia

5. Extension Centers and Summer ProgramsPhysics,Spring and summer programs consisting of (B.S.-level) intensive courses on Modern Physics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism and Mathematical Methods of Physics are offered as a prerequisite to enter the M.S. program.

Materials Science,Spring and summer programs consisting of (B.S.-level) intensive courses on Mathematical Methods, General Physics, General Chemistry and Thermal Physics are offered as a prerequisite to enter the M.S. program.

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THE COMPUTING RESEARCH CENTER (CIC).INSTITUTO PLOLITECNICO NACIONAL (IPN)

The main activities of the CIC:

1. Do basic and applied research in Computer Science and Computing Engineering.2. Prepare human resources (M. Sc and Ph.D) students in Computer Science and

Computing Engineering.

These activities are made through the following academic groups:

1. Data Base and Software Technology2. Parallel and Distributed Computing3. Artificial Intelligence4. Natural Language Processing5. Geo-Spatial Information Intelligent Processing6. Real Time and Automation7. Digital Signal Processing8. Pattern Recognition9. Mathematical Modeling and System Simulation 10. Microelectronics and Embedded Systems

These groups include the following academic human resources:

55 Permanent Researchers.70 Ph. D. Students12 M. Sc. Students25 Specialization Students.

The CIC has graduated 10 Ph. D. and 35 M.Sc. in 2007.

Research Groups at the CIC

The Pattern Recognition Group consists of: 4 Senior researchers and 25 students. The main research areas in this group are:

Image Analysis. Mathematical Morphology. Neural Network and Associative Memories. Visual Control. Remote Perception. Hardware Architectures for Image Analysis.

The Artificial Intelligence Group consists of: 6 Senior researchers and 32 students. The main research areas in this group are:

Image Analysis. Mathematical Morphology. Associative Memories. Geometric Algebra. Natural Language Processing.

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The Natural Language Processing Group consists of: 4 Senior researchers and 12 students. The main research areas in this group are:

Information Retrieval. Development of Lexical Resources. Development of Syntactical Analyzers and Grammars. Sense Word Disambiguation. Text Alienation.

The Micro-Technology and Embedded Systems Group consists of: 7 Senior researchers and 12 students. The main research areas in this group are:

Computer Architectures. Hardware Description Languages. Microprocessors Design. Embedded Operating Systems.

The Real Time and Automation Group consists of: 5 Senior researchers and 10 students. The main research areas in this group are:

Virtual Instrumentation. Monitoring and Prediction. Intelligent Control and Automation. Local Data Network and Internet. Mechatronics System Design.

The Digital Signal Processing Group consists of: 5 Senior researchers and 8 students. The main research areas in this group are:

Real Time System Analysis. Physical and Biological Digital Signal Processing. Voice and Speech Recognition Processing. Signal Synthesis for Especial Effects.

At the CIC some academic meetings are organized, for example:

International Seminar in Computer Science Summer School on Image and Robotics Magnum International Conference in Computer Science. International Conference on Intelligent ProCessing of Text and Computational

Linguistics (CICLING). International Conference on Control, Virtual Automation and Digital Systems (CICINDI). International Conference on Geo-Processing(GEOS). International Conference on Neural Networks and Associative Memories (NNAM). International Conference on Computer Sciencie (CIC).

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THE UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE NUEVO LEON

The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon is one of the most important higher education institutions of México and Latin America, is an institution at the service of society, decentralized from the State, with a full legal capacity. Is located in the Monterrey metro area, in the state of Nuevo Leon. Nuevo Leon is in the northeastern region of the country and borders the Mexican states of Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, and Tamaulipas, plus Texas in the United States.

The Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon has the core mission of forming technicians, professionals, professors and researchers, as well as performing and fostering scientific research in its basic and applied forms, taking into account both regional and national problems. It also organizes, takes part in and foments the artistic creation in its diverse forms of expression, in addition to creating a link between the community and culture, plus contributing to the preservation of cultural, national and universal patrimony. The UANL is comprised of 26 colleges, 22 graduate divisions, 29 academically-oriented high-schools, 1 research center for bilingual education, and three technical high schools. We offer 43 technical high-school programs, 12 technical degrees, 67 undergraduate programs, 60 specialty programs, 69 master's programs, and 25 doctoral programs. Currently, the University has more than 115,000 students and 7000 professors

Research The purposes of the UANL are organize, carry out and promote the scientific research in its basic and applied forms, basically into account the regional, national and international condition and issues. With 230 national researchers awarded by Mexico's National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), and more than 400 ongoing basic and applied research projects, the UANL is the strongest research-university in northeastern Mexico. The number of SNI researchers at our institution is higher than that of all public and private institutions combined in Nuevo Leon. We publish more than six peer-reviewed journals in different fields of knowledge; and our researchers publish more than 300 papers in indexed journals annually. The research at the UANL are distributed into the follow field: Technology and Engineering Natural Science Social Science Health Science Mathematical Science Agronomics Science Education Arts and Humanities The UANL has a Center for Business Incubation and Technology Transfer:

This center was opened to promote research and the incubation of high-tech business. It offers different services such as development, licensing and commercialization of products invented through the university's research, and its efficient transfer to the industry and other productive sectors. The core purpose of the center is to link technological research with industry to satisfy the society's demands The World trade Center at the UANL integrates all the services related to international trade under the same concept and franchise with WTC in New York. The UANL is now connected to a world-wide network of 350 WTC in 98 countries, putting itself in the vanguard in foreign trade.

BIOTECHNOLOGY Biotechnology is considered an strategic area into the UANL, this field is developed in several Colleges (Medicine, Agronomy, and Biological Sciences School). The Biological Sciences School has the Institute of Biotechnology where sixteen academic and researches work together in four main fields.

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MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the Biotechnology Institute is to train highly competitive and innovative human resources through academic and research activities into the biotechnology field; to contribute to national and international social, technological and economic development.

VISION STATEMENT Our goal is to become a national and international leader in training human resources with leading skills carrying out competitive and innovative research in biotechnology.

RESEARCH The research in the Biotechnology Institute of the School of Biological Sciences is focus in agricultural, industrial, environmental and human and animal health areas to obtain products, develop processes and generate services. Agricultural Biotechnology Basic and applied research with microorganisms for the development of products and processes in order to improve the quality and/or productivity of agricultural crops. Special attention is paid to the biological control of agricultural, forestry and public health pest by performing Genomic and Biochemical studies of entomopathogens microorganisms employed as bioinsecticides. In addition, new typification methods are being developed. Research Projects

• Isolation, identification and characterization of microorganisms for the development of processes in the biological control of agricultural, forestry and

public health pest, focus in Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Beauveria bassiana and Metharhizum anisopliae, fungi.

• Development of processes and products for the utilization of agricultural waste. • Structural and functional genomics of Bacillus thuringiensis and other entomopathogens. • Development of methods for the molecular detection of transgenic organisms and the

agricultural sanitary state. • Development and evaluation of formulated bioinsecticides of Bacillus thuringiensis and

other entomopathogens microorganisms, (bioassays in laboratory and greenhouse)

Industrial Biotechnology Basic and applied research with microorganisms using traditional and recombinant DNA technologies for the development of products and processes transferable to the industrial sector. Wild and genetically modified microorganisms are developed and studied to be used in industrial processes. In addition, bioprocesses for the production and recovery of these microorganisms and their metabolites are developed and optimized.

Research Projects • Isolation, biochemical characterization and engineering of protein. • Microorganism bioengineering through gene cloning and expression for the production of

recombinant proteins in genetically modified organisms, paying special attention to methylotrophic yeasts as host organism.

• Design and optimization of bioprocesses for the production of recombinant proteins in genetically modified organisms, paying special attention to the use of methyotrophic yeasts as host organism.

• Development, optimization and scaling-up of bioprocesses for the production of bioinsecticides from Bacillus thuringiensis and entomopahtogenic fungi.

• Development of bioplastic films based on polysaccharides from agriculture and sea food waste and their industrial application.

• Isolation and characterization of native fungi producers of laccasse, and others oxidative enzymes, and their industrial application.

Human and Animal Biotechnology

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Research with microorganisms applied to the development of products and processes that impact on human and animal health, as well as on cattle and aquaculture production. Special attention is paid to the selection, characterization and application of biomolecules for the development of antitumor and antibiotic drugs; as well as products that favor the implementation of diagnostic methods.

Research Projects • Development of diagnostic systems for infectious diseases. • Production of recombinant proteins to be applied in shrimp-based nutrition. • Obtaining microbiological products potentially important for human or animal health. • Identification and production of microbial compounds with antitumor activity. • Analysis of compounds present in plants about the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.

Environmental Biotechnology Basic and applied research with microorganisms to improve the operation of treatment reactors of sewage water, soluble oil systems and cooling towers, as well as the development of microbial bioremedial processes.

Research Projects • Development of processes for the improvement of the operation of treatment reactors of

sewage water, soluble oil systems and cooling towers. • Generation of microbial bioremediation processes. • Study of the impact of microbial inoculants introduced to ecosystems. • Study of the application of biopolymers to the treatment of contaminated effluents.

Finally, the Biotechnology Institute is the seat of the academic program for the Doctorate of Science specialty in Biotechnology, with recognition of excellence by the CONACYT National Postgraduate Program, and the consolidated Academic Group on Biotechnology, one of the four currently existing at the University.

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CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION CIENTIFICA DE YUCATAN (CICY) (Scientific Research Center of Yucatan) Mérida, Yucatán, México

CICY is a Mexican public research center where scientific and technological investigation is being done in the areas of Plant Biology, Natural Resources, and Material Science for the sustainable development of Mexico. It is also involved in the education of human resources specialized in the above-mentioned areas with the participation of highly qualified scientists, the use of frontier technologies, and collaboration with national and foreign institutions. Throughout its activities, CICY offers solutions and innovative technologies for the advancement of Mexico, taking advantage of the great variety of natural resources found in the Yucatan peninsula and around the country. CICY was founded in November 16, 1979, and is one of the research centers sponsored by the Mexican Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt). All the scientific activities at CICY are being done through five Research Units allocated in two campuses.

Biotechnology Unit (UBT). This Unit is focused in both basic and applied research, formation and training of human resources, developing of new technologies, and advising, training, and service to industrial and commercial sectors. It is constituted of three research areas: a) Biopharmaceuticals and biopesticides, b) Genomics, and c) Integrated systems of micropropagation. Director: Dr. Sergio R. Peraza-Sanchez, [email protected].

Its projects are principally centered in the study of economically important plant products, such as agave, coconut, banana, papaya, guava, and native medicinal plants and microorganisms for the isolation of bioactive metabolites with pharmaceutical and agrochemical properties and for the construction and analysis of genomic libraries with agroindustrial interest. Also, studies are being done on plant species that hyperaccumulate heavy metals for their potential use in bioremediation, and green microalgae as bioreactors for the production of recombinant proteins of commercial interest. Some of the technologies that have been developed in this Unit include the in vitro propagation of blue agave (Agave tequilana), commercially used by Mexican sisal and tequila producers; a biotechnological system for the propagation of 100% hermaphroditic maradol papaya; a process for the massive propagation of coconut plants (Cocos nucifera) resistant to the devastating disease lethal yellowing (LY) that affects not only this species but numerous other palm species in the Americas; and genomic libraries of banana and the fungus Mycosphaerella fijiensis that causes the black sigatoka disease in this species. The research areas with which a bilateral Mexican-German collaboration can be established through this Unit are:

1. Studies of gene expression as response to contaminants with biotechnological potential for phytoremediation of water bodies.

2. Studies of biodiversity and tolerant genes to abiotic stress in Carica papaya. 3. Molecular studies on polyploidism in plant species. 4. Studies on wild Solanaceae as sources of genes of biotechnological interest. 5. Studies of biodiversity through molecular markers of plants of agricultural and

biotechnological interest. 6. Isolation and study of genes from plant pathogen fungi. 7. Abiotic stress tolerance in banano. 8. Characterization of genes related with the regeneration and embryogenesis of in vitro

plants. 9. Development of highly efficient propagation systems of in vitro plants. 10. Multiplication of in vitro coco-palm plants. 11. Bioprospection. Wild flora as source of bioactive metabolites. 12. Metabolites with antiprotozoal activity isolated from native plants. 13. Tropical plants and microscopic fungi with biotechnological potential in Agriculture. 14. Metabolites with antimicobacterial activity isolated from wild plants. 15. Molecular cloning and characterization of a NPR1 homologue in banana.

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ROADSHOW Mexican Research Institutes and Universities, Germany, June 2008

16. Bioinformatics applied to the phylogenetic and phylogeographic analysis of phytopathogenic fungi.

Materials Science Unit (UMAT). This Unit works in the development of new materials, and in the technologies to process and recycle them. It generates investigation in: a) Compound materials, b) Biomaterials, c) Polymers with electric properties, and d) Membranes. Director: Dr. Manuel Aguilar-Vega, [email protected]. Among the projects of this Unit are those that study the developing of lighter compound materials to use in the construction industry, based on traditional materials such as cement, but looking to create some with greater resistance to fatigue and corrosion. To achieve this, basic studies are being done on the treatment of the surface to strengthening fibers used to increase the adhesion among the fiber and the matrix. In addition, research is being done on compound materials presenting conductivity, with great application for the detection of fissures in solvent ducts and containers. In the area of biomaterials for medical applications, cements for human bones and prosthesis are being prepared; also, materials that allow the liberation of nitric oxide are under study to be used as substitutes for heart valves. Engineered polymers with high resistance to temperature are being developed to prepare membranes useful in the separation of combustible gases and coverings used in microcircuits. As well, processes are being developed to use waste plant materials for the manufacture of plastic products. The research areas with which a bilateral Mexican-German collaboration can be established through this Unit are:

1. Preparation of membranes from aromatic polymers to separate gases. 2. Natural and synthetic polymers carrying nitric oxide for cardiovascular applications. 3. Production and characterization of compound materials reinforced with textile fibers.

4. Characterization of compound materials by acoustic techniques. 5. Polymeric compound materials with electroconductivity properties to prevent electrostatic

discharges. 6. Waist plant materials to obtain thermoplastic compound materials.

Biochemistry and Plant Molecular Biology Unit (UBBMP). It is specialized in the development of basic research in plants that are either of agroindustrial interest or native to the Yucatan peninsula to generate new knowledge and methodologies in the area of Genetics, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Physiology. Its research projects are enclosed in four areas: a) Abiotic stress and mineral nutrition, b) Biotic stress, c) Morfogenesis and genetic regulation, and d) Secondary metabolism. Director: Dr. José Juan Zúñiga-Aguilar, [email protected].

Natural Resources Unit (URN). The basic and applied research being developed in this Unit is focused in the development of new models and technologies, and the maintenance of specialized scientific collections from an ecological, evolutive, and cultural perspective. Its research is centered in three areas: a) Ecology and management of tropical plant resources, b) Systematics and Floristic, and c) Diversity and evolution of phytogenetic resources. Director: Rafael Durán-García, [email protected]. Study and Management of Water Resources Unit (CEA). This Unit, allocated in Cancun, Mexico, contributes to the sustainable utilization and management of hydraulic resources of the Yucatan peninsula, mostly underground water, in terms of its abundance and quality. Work is being done in two simultaneous trends: a) Hydrogeology, and b) Water quality. Director: Mario Rebolledo-Vieyra, [email protected].

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INSTITUTO DE GEOFISICA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA DE MEXICO

HISTORYThe Institute of Geophysics begins its research activities in 1949. At present its research activities covers a wide spectrum of the sciences of the earth that includes theoretical and experimental studies applied mainly toward the solution of the national problems.

MAIN ACTIVITIESResearch in geophysics and planetary sciences.Teaching programs and formation of specialized human resources.Consultant of the Federal Government and society on geophysics and related phenomena.

ACADEMIC PERSONALThe Institute have 64 researchers all of them with doctor degree and 47 qualify technicians.

RESEARCH DEPARTMENTSThe Institute has five research departments and three National Services.

Seismology Volcanology Geomagnetism and Geophysical Exploration Natural Resources Solar and Planetary research National Seismological Service. Fifty seismological station network all over the country

and fourteen in the Valley of Mexico National Mareographic Service National Magnetic Service

RESEARCH LABORATORIESThe Institute in collaboration with other research groups maintain operating three full equipped laboratories.

Petrology Lab Radiocarbon Lab Geochemical Isotopic Lab

POST GRADUATE PROGRAMS Master and Doctorate program High Specialization programs

RESEARCH TOPICS Seismicity and Vulcanism Disasters prevention caused by natural phenomena Natural resources exploration Underground water Solar and Planetary topics

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