ISSN 0409-7467

VOL 57 NO 4 28 FEBRUARY 2007

President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam dedicates LaCONES to the Nation

President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam visited and dedicated the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) to the Nation for the Cause of Conservation on 1 February 2007. He also released the book You Deserve, We Conserve — A Biotechnological Approach to Wildlife Conservation authored by Dr M.W. Pandit, Dr S. Shivaji and Dr Lalji Singh and published by I K International, New Delhi.

India is home to enormous biodiversity. However, destruction of forest areas is causing fragmentation of habitats of wild animals and is threatening the very survival of big cats like lions, tigers and leopards, especially because these animals require huge area for sustaining a certain minimum number. Fragmentation is also causing inbreeding of animals, leading to reduction in their genetic diversity, ultimately making them sterile and paving the path to extinction.

28 FEBRUARY 2007 53 President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Address

After examining various alternatives and working out scientific strategies to tackle this problem with biotechnological intervention, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, is pursuing a major and unique research programme with the Central Zoo Authority of India (CZA), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh as its partners. The Government of Andhra Pradesh allotted seven acres of land and CCMB constructed LaCONES at Attapur under the leadership of Dr Lalji Singh, Director, CCMB and Dr S. Shivaji, Group Leader, CCMB as its Principal Investigator, essentially to deal with the issues related to the conservation of biodiversity among the wildlife. LaCONES has already started making its international presence felt and has been honoured as a Member of the International Consortium of the Frozen Ark – an international depository of DNA representing the Indian subcontinent. Even if a species becomes extinct, the DNA and the viable cells that LaCONES is storing in the Frozen Ark freezers will be of inestimable value in reconstructing the evolutionary history of Indian wildlife. NATURE AND ITS UNIQUE CREATIONS Address by President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during dedication of LaCONES to the Nation Nurture Nature for Future

I am happy to participate in the products. The need for conserving and My experience with Olive dedication of the Laboratory for the preserving wild animals and forest Ridley Turtle Conservation of Endangered Species species will be fulfilled by the (LaCONES), Hyderabad, which is a laboratories like Laboratory for It was interesting to find from unique inter institutional research Conservation of Endangered the LaCONES write up, that Olive mission, supported by the Central Zoo Species. Of course LaCONES is Ridley turtles are the ancestors to Authority of India, the Department of indeed a project of CCMB. other known Ridley turtle species. I thought of sharing with you about Biotechnology, Council of Scientific Contribution of CCMB is well known my experience with Olive Ridley and Industrial Research and the in understanding that nature has turtles in Orissa coast. In my Government of Andhra Pradesh. It is hidden species and specific codes of previous assignment, I was leading apt that the project proposes to deal signatures in a small fragment of gene. a missile team and established a with conservation of biodiversity The CCMB scientists have also launch complex in the Wheeler among wild life including their developed primers to decode Islands. While working on the preservation through bio- molecular signatures from samples and launch complex, I received a technological intervention. The food have created database of signatures of message from Prof Padma Hejmadi, system world over uses plant genes as over 2000 animal species. I a Conservationist saying that the a means to provide quality food. congratulate Dr Lalji Singh and lights in the range created problems Similarly, the importance of animal his team of scientists and staff in hatching of the Olive Ridley turtle. I invited her. We discussed genetic resources is also recognized for many achievements in the field of and studied the problem with our world over and being used for Life Sciences. I would like to share team. To my surprise, we found that improving the productivity and with you few thoughts on “Nature and the neighbouring wheeler island was nutritional value of food and other its unique creations”. full of Olive Ridley turtles which had

54 CSIR NEWS President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Address

come for hatching from is some 10,000 years thousands of kms. old while writing Olive Ridley turtles lay evolved only a few large number of eggs thousand years ago. All probably with the hope this phenomenal that at least few will progress has been survive after the attack achieved only within from the birds and the short span of 200 movement of people on to 400 generations, beach! The hatched that is in just 10,000 to young ones and 5,000 years. mothers go back to sea. Such a complex We took number of web of evolution of facilitating measures humans had always such as controlled fascinated the then lighting whenever young Tobias. He was needed and reducing Dr Lalji Singh, Director, CCMB, explaining the activities of Laboratory for the drawn into the study of the movement of Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) to President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam fossils by Mary and people and vehicles on Louis Leakey, who the beach. This really enabled kms for hatching, their navigational asked him to write a description of unhindered propagation of Olive abilities and their continued evolution. a hominid skull, which they had Ridley turtles. Thus I started liking This will be an important research discovered in the Olduvai Gorge in the promotion mission of Olive contribution to the world on turtles. Tanzania. In 1964, with Louis Ridley turtle. Certain government Leakey and John Napier, he was the regulations were also promulgated Phillip Tobias Lecture 2006 co-namer of Homo habilis, a new regarding the type of permissible species and the first hominid with a fishing nets and prohibition of catching Now I would like to discuss larger brain capacity than Olive Ridley turtles. another important aspect of Australopithecus africanus. Indeed We have a dream to generate an conservation and study of human it was the diabetes of his sister that experimental turtle rookery that evolution propagated by Prof Philip made him to pursue genetic studies. can be used for attracting Tobias, a renowned Paleo- Tobias thus was one among the endangered species such as Olive anthropologist from South Africa. earliest to provide evidence for the Ridley turtles or their relatives in Ancient human history has been evolution of mankind in Africa and one of our islands. This scientific revealed beautifully by to think of a gene for a disease. These endeavour can be undertaken as a Paleoanthropology. Life originated two instances clearly depict that the joint venture among LaCONES of 600 million years ago and enquiring mind is ever alert for CSIR, DRDO, ecologists and continental drift occurred 200 research and discovery. biologists involved in conservation million years ago creating five Newer DNA technologies have of rare and endangered species for continents. Mammals evolved 140 given us better insight in retracing promoting an eco-friendly million years ago, Hominids that is the history of man. ‘The DNA of a environment with the use of scientific the human type, evolved 26 million human being is his history and technological experience. This years ago but modern man only book ever written’. Nowadays partnership will enable LaCONES arrived on the scene some 200,000 intelligence, cognizance, drug to conduct further research on life years ago. He migrated and response, behavioural problems pattern of Olive Ridley turtles, colonized the world only in the last every thing is related to genes: movement pattern of thousands of 50,000 years. The spoken language disease gene mapping is progressing

28 FEBRUARY 2007 55 President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Address

at a faster pace with new age Prof. Philip Tobias. This experience by the editors of science, celebrating DNA technology. It is probably will enable intensive study on the inauguration of the during the 50,000-30,000 years of co- conservation of certain types of developmental biology by Wilhelm existence that societies have evolved endangered species and also Roux a century earlier, in the adopting newer innovations and establish some of the missing book Consilience The Unity of cultures. species. Knowledge by Edward O. Wilson. Thus the ‘Nature – Nurture’ They asked one hundred philosophy holds good even in this My Experience in contemporary researchers in the Genomic Era: ‘Genes’ what we Gumoria Village field of biology to identify what they inherit from our parents is the basis; consider crucial unanswered a beautiful ‘building’ is built over it, When I think of genetic questions in the discipline. The be it any unique creation, the research, I am reminded of my visit responses from the scientists were environment plays a crucial role in to Gumoria village in Assam where (1) The molecular mechanisms of shaping the destiny of the individual the self help groups members are tissue and organ development, (2) and leading to excellence. All developing duck rearing practices The connection between children when they are born are based on inputs from agricultural development and genetic evolution, equally poised to become a great specialists from Kerala and with the (3) The steps by which cells scholar. initiative of the Assam Government. become committed to a particular After the lecture I was This has resulted in improving the fate, and (4) The role of cell-to-cell interacting with Prof Tobias and his economic conditions of the whole signaling in tissue development and team at Durban, Johannesburg in village by improving the duck few more. These questions, I am South Africa and San Francisco in productivity substantially. sure, in respect of endangered USA and I realized the important species, will be answered to the aspects of human evolution and Genetic Engineering posterity by the scientists of other species. Science is indeed LaCONES. borderless. The specialists of While preparing for this talk, I LaCONES may like to interact with happened to find the question asked Tasks for LaCONES

At the national level we are faced with essentially two problems: (i) Poaching of the animals by traders for economic exploitation, and (ii) the problem of inbreeding leading to their possible extinction in future. Both of these problems are of equal concern. Adequate attention is being paid presently to the problem of poaching. LaCONES research will be a major initiative for the second aspect. I am happy that Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has recognized the importance of wild life wealth conservation and has created the A view of the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) laboratory for conservation of endangered species with the

56 CSIR NEWS President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Address

following objectives:- deals with functional and structural architects of First Green Revolution 1. Monitoring of genetic variation definition of genes both in terms of in India. He also recalled with through DNA fingerprinting their location in the genome and pride, Dr Verghese Kurien who their expression for defining the ushered White Revolution in India. 2. Cryo-preservation of semen, precise regulation to control the Then the surprise came. He turned eggs and embryos of endangered whole metabolism. Thus this field to scientists sitting in the third row, species opens up new avenues to modulate fifth row and eighth row of the 3. Semen analysis to study the the gene expression in such a way audience. He identified Dr Raja semen quality for selecting that plants can be converted into Ram, a wheat specialist, Dr S.K. animals for breeding purposes proficient genotypes or varieties to Vasal, a maize specialist, Dr B.R. be used as the bio-factories Barwale, a seed specialist. He 4. Determination of the time of producing useful proteins, said, all these scientists had ovulation to achieve successful therapeutic molecules, nutritional contributed to India’s and Asia’s intra-uterine insemination compositions, and stress tolerant agricultural science. Dr Borlaug 5. Standardization of artificial varieties to meet the current and introduced them to the audience by insemination for wild animals futuristic requirement of the society asking them to stand and ensured 6. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and in eco-environment friendly manner. that the audience cheered and embryo transfer Similar experiments can also be greeted the scientists with great conducted with wild animals. enthusiasm. This scene I have not 7. Establishment of cell bank and witnessed in our country before. cloning for rare animals Conclusion This action of Dr Norman Borlaug, I call it as a Scientific Magnanimity. Scientists of CCMB have a Since CCMB and LaCONES Friends, if you aspire to achieve challenging task ahead for are involved in high level research, great things in life, you need developing proper technologies for a unique trait is essential from Scientific Magnanimity. It is my the conservation of endangered experienced scientists in such experience that great mind animals. This action will prevent organizations. I call the unique trait and great heart go together. This further extinction of wild animals as scientific magnanimity. I would Scientific Magnanimity will like Cheetah. So far, our Indian like to narrate an experience. motivate the scientific community Zoological Parks have only been Nobel Laureate Prof. Norman and nurture team spirit and maintaining the wild animals in a E Borlaug, a well-known lead to newer discoveries. I am traditional way. With the association agricultural scientist and a partner sure such environment of of scientific teams from CCMB, in India’s first Green Revolution was scientific magnanimity will prevail care, nurturing and preservation of receiving M.S. Swaminathan in all our scientific research the species by the zoo authorities Award, at Vigyan Bhavan, New institutions. will be enhanced by valuable Delhi on the 15th of March 2005. I am happy to dedicate the scientific inputs. This will be an Prof. Borlaug, at the age of 91, was Laboratory for the Conservation of important contribution of science in in the midst of all the praise Endangered Species (LaCONES), conserving, improving and showered on him from everybody Hyderabad to the nation. My best multiplication of endangered Indian gathered there. When his turn came, wishes to all the members of Centre species. he got up and highlighted India’s for Cellular and Molecular Biology advancement in the agricultural and their partners success in their Bio-factories science and production and said mission of applying science for that the political visionary Shri C. societal growth. ‘Plant Genomics’ is the new Subramaniam and Dr M.S. emerging area of research, which Swaminathan were the prime May God bless you.

28 FEBRUARY 2007 57 R&D Highlights/New Facilities

Tissue Culture Prof. Sir Richard Friend inaugurates Technique for Venture Center at NCL Innovation Park Bambusa balcooa The Venture Center, a business Dr Sivaram provided a released incubator for knowledge-based background about the genesis of enterprise, was inaugurated by the NCL Innovation Park and The Regional Research Laboratory Prof. Sir Richard Friend, Venture Center. He said that he (RRL), Jorhat, has developed a novel Cavendish Professor at the expects that the current ways in process for large scale production of University of Cambridge, UK and which CSIR labs have been bamboo plantlets of the Bambusa Founder of Cambridge Display interacting are set to change in balcooa variety, locally called the Technology Ltd and Plastic Logic the next 20 years, and NCL shall Bhaluka bah, by tissue culture Ltd on 18 December 2006 at NCL use the Venture Center and NCL technique. This particular variety of Innovation Park in the presence Innovation Park to experiment of Dr R. A. Mashelkar, the then new models of interaction with bamboo has been in great demand in Director General, CSIR, New industry. While he was aware of the region. It has tremendous potential Delhi, Dr S. Sivaram, Director, the risks of such experiments, he for value addition. B.balcooa is National Chemical Laboratory hoped that the Center would considered to be indigenous to the (NCL), Pune, Prof. Ashok Mishra, disprove the skeptics wrong by North East India. It is the most Director, Indian Institute of succeeding in building the next durable and strongest bamboo in the Technology, Mumbai and Prof. generation business for India. Brahmaputra valley of Assam. Having K.N. Ganesh, Director, Indian “The incubator would facilitate maximum girth of culms and rich in Institute of Science Education and allow scientists to pursue thickness, it is mainly used for building and Research, Pune. The Venture business ideas related to their purpose and scaffolding. Young shoots Center, which is scheduled to research without having to of the bamboo find use in for pickle and rollout its full services through sacrifice their scientific careers,” other preparations, which have high 2007, will begin operations with a he added. Dr Mashelkar argued demand in South-East Asia. However, mentoring and advisory support that India needs to dispel the myth the seed production of this variety of programme for NCL related that India cannot produce spinout bamboo after gregarious flowering has entrepreneurship activities. companies comparable to the not been recorded so far. Also, its Speaking at the inaugural USA. “If Chinese universities and natural vegetative propagation has also function, Prof. Friend emphasized research institutions can produce not been able to keep pace with its the need for incubators, support 2800 spin-out companies providing demand. Hence an alternative systems and supporting 80,000 quality jobs, why cannot vegetative multiplication for rapid and environments to help scientists India?” he asked. Dr Mashelkar large scale production of plantlets of take their laboratory research to suggested that the Venture Center this promising native resource through the market in the form of should aim to produce hundreds tissue culture method was an urgent technology ventures in countries of Richard Friends. Speaking later necessity for enabling commercial such as the UK and India. He said in the press conference, Prof. cultivation by various entrepreneurs. that scientists in UK and India Ashok Mishra said that incubators With a nominal investment of a few have to work much harder to play an important role by lakhs of rupees the know-how has been commercialize technology informing scientists, providing destined to fulfill this long felt need of compared to their counterparts in guidance and leads for assistance. the region. The know-how has been the USA where the supporting In the evening, Prof. Richard transferred to a Guwahati based firm mechanisms are well entrenched Friend delivered the first M/s Azara Biotech. and more advanced. Innovation and Technology

58 CSIR NEWS New Facilitiess

Enterprise Lecture titled ‘Company pointed out that in his field many companies to illustrate two very start-up in Cambridge: From leading research groups were either different progress paths in the early science to technology to products’. in the industry or had strong stages with respect to funding. In his highly appreciated talk, Prof. linkages to industry. Thus, hinting Speaking on the ‘Vision for the Friend described his journey taking that good basic research and Venture Center’, Dr Mashelkar laboratory science of the highest commercial applicable technology expressed his gratitude to Prof. quality to technology and eventually can go hand-in-hand. He also noted Friend for giving an excellent talk products in the market place. Prof. that academic research could exist discussing his journey. He Friend, who has pioneered the field symbiotically with complementing appreciated Prof. Friend of polymer-based electronics and start-up company activities emphasizing the need to think about flexible displays, has successfully enriching both. He highlighted the the commercial value of research protected his inventions and importance of patenting and having and seeking patent protection before commercialized these inventions a strategy for defending patents. publishing the results. He talked through the formation of two start- Prof. Friend pointed out that having about the success of Cambridge in up companies, viz., Cambridge great technology is something very doing high-level science while at the Display Technology Ltd and Plastic different from having a customer. He same time attracting almost 10% Logic Ltd. In his talk, Prof. Friend used the examples of his two of Europe’s Venture Capital NCL

Prof. Friend inaugurating the Venture Center and addressing the audience

Dr Sivaram providing the background of genesis of NCL Innovation Park and Venture Center (left); and Prof. Ashok Mishra, Dr Mashelkar and Prof. Friend attending to the press queries

28 FEBRUARY 2007 59 Symposia/Conferences

NCL Innovation Park Asian Symposium on Polymers in Concrete (www.innovationpark.org) is a resource center of the National (ASPIC – 2006) Chemical Laboratory, Pune and The Structural Engineering becoming inter-disciplinary”. He aims to promote synergistic and Research Centre (SERC), Chennai, stressed that the topic of the productive relationships hosted the Fifth Asian Symposium symposium underscored the between business enterprises on Polymers in Concrete (ASPIC- tremendous potential and and NCL with a clear focus on 2006) during 11-12 September 2006 importance of materials sciences innovation and technology at Vigyan Auditorium, SERC, and nanotechnology for the development for value creation. Chennai. innovations that are expected to Venture Center (www. Dr N. Lakshmanan, Director, emerge in the future, including in venturecenter.co.in) strives to SERC and Co-chairman, the field of concrete materials and nucleate and nurture technology International Advisory Committee, concrete technologies. He and knowledge-based enterprises ASPIC-2006 welcomed the emphasized that case studies of by leveraging the scientific and delegates of the symposium and the failure are perhaps as much engineering competencies of the dignitaries. He felt that the topic of important as the case studies of institutions in the Pune region in the symposium was highly success. India. The Venture Center is a specialized and of considerable During the inaugural session, technology business incubator contemporary interest, particularly Prof. Yoshihiko Ohama, released specializing in technology in the Indian context, when India Proceedings of the Symposium. In enterprises offering products and is embarking on a massive scale of his address, he appealed to the services exploiting scientific infrastructural development. student delegates to do more work expertise in the areas of materials, Dr C.V. Vaidyanathan, Director on concrete-polymer composites chemicals and biological sciences Grade Scientist, SERC and and asked the industry and engineering. The Venture Chairman Organizing Committee, representatives to manufacture Center is the trademark of ASPIC-2006, traced the genesis of more useful products by using such Entrepreneurship Development the Asian Symposia series from 1994, composites, which possess superior Center, a not-for-profit company with the fourth ASPIC having been mechanical and durability related floated by NCL. held in Korea in 2003. He said that properties. the fifth ASPIC-2006 was set to not Around 150 delegated investment. He wished and only concentrate on the recent comprising eminent experts, expressed optimism that India will contributions made in this field but academicians, scientists, young produce scientist-entrepreneurs like also focus on the case studies of research scholars, from India and Friend – many more like Chandru success of this technology and abroad, including professionals (IISc-Bangalore) or Jhunjhunwala related achievements. from construction and cement (IIT, Madras) or Babu (TIFR, Dr M. Neelamegam, Deputy industries participated in the Mumbai). Creating scientist- Director, SERC and Secretary, symposium. Eighty-five research entrepreneurs will involve work at Organizing Committee, ASPIC- papers were accepted for the local level by units such as the 2006, introduced the Chief Guest of presentation/publication in the Venture Center but also changes in the inaugural function, Dr M.S. Symposium Proceedings and were rules of the government at Delhi. He Ananth, Director, IIT-M, Chennai presented in two keynote sessions hoped that the Venture Center will and Prof. Yoshihiko Ohama, Nihon and 12 technical sessions. pioneer the nucleation of technology University, Japan, who was the A special issue of the SERC enterprises and serve as a role model Chairman of the fifth ASPIC Newsletter was brought out carrying for many other Indian institutions. International Advisory Committee. the messages from dignitaries and a Dr Premnath, Scientist, NCL, In his inaugural address, Dr summary of technical programme proposed the vote of thanks.- Ananth said, “Every subject is schedule of the symposium.

60 CSIR NEWS Symposia/Conferences

International Conference on New Bioactive Molecules in Pharmaceutical Research – Contribution of Natural Products

THE Indian Institute of Chemical India and USA in the field of natural research at NCNPR’ where he Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, in products and to dessiminate this emphasized that natural products association with National Center for knowledge amongst different groups chemists have to work hand-in-hand Natural Products Research (NCNPR), in conducting research in the area of with botanists, ecologists, marine University of Mississippi, USA, new drug development. biologists as well as microbiologists and organized a two-day international The conference started with the molecular biologists. conference entitled ‘New bioactive inaugural lecture entitled ‘Ayurveda Other important speakers molecules in pharmaceutical research Materia Medica: A fruitful resource for included: Prof. Rene Gree and Dr – contribution of natural products’ discovery of new bioactive molecules’, Nicole Moreau from France; Dr John under the chairmanship of Dr J. S. delivered by Prof. Sukhdev, an Rimoldi and Charles Centrell from Yadav, Director, IICT, during 13 and 14 octagenarian scientist and a doyen of USA; Dr Kelly Chibale from South November 2006. This was in a sequel natural products chemistry in India. Africa; Dr Prabhat Arya from Canada; to the MoU signed in October 2005 Prof. Goverdhan Mehta, Bhatnagar Dr Dong Soo Shin from South Korea between CSIR and NCNPR, Fellow and former Director, Indian and Dr Hermann Stuppner from Mississippi, USA; the only national Institute of Science, Bangalore, spoke Austria. center in USA dedicated to the field of on ‘Harnessing natural products and Dr Larry Walker, Director, natural products. This was the third organic synthesis for human well NCNPR and the Co-Organizer spoke conference in the series, the first one being’. Dr J.S. Yadav informed that IICT about natural products research was held in New Delhi in October was establishing a National Facility for activities at NCNPR. Briefing the 2005 and the second one was organized Combinatorial Natural Products media in the Press Conference, called at NCNPR, Mississippi, USA in July (NFCNP) with financial assistance of on this occasion, Dr Walker said that 2006. about 25 crores from the Depertment NCNPR emphasis was on three areas: Over the years, natural products of Science & Technology to The discovery and early development have been the mainstay of drug systematically scan the abundant plant of potential new drugs and discovery programme. Although wealth in the country and identify the agrochemicals from natural products; several other systems have come into biologically active molecules from The understanding and science-based being, desired results could not be them and generate libraries of characterization of botanical products obtained. Hence the focus is again compounds for biological screening. used as dietary supplements; And shifted to natural products (NPs). NPs Further, the libraries of compounds research on medicinal plants, the are currently used across the world as built across the active skeleton will be production and processing of their herbal drugs, dietary supplements and screened for different activities with pharmaceutical activities and their neutraceuticals. With the increase in the necessary infrastructure for drug potential for the development of demand for the natural products, the development. This facility would be alternative crops. He lauded the efforts big pharma companies from across the available, both to academia and of Indian scientists in the growth of globe have once again shifted their industry, engaged in natural products NCNPR and said that about 25% of attention towards natural products and research. NCNPR scientists are of Indian origin. increased their efforts towards finding Prof. Dr Ikhlas A. Khan, Asst. About 350 delegates , both from the new bioactive molecules from them. Director, Director of FDA Programmes academia as well as industry The main aim of the conference was to from the NCNPR, and one of the participated in the conference. It organize joint research programmes for Convenors of the conference spoke on included about 30 scientists from bilateral exchange of scientists from ‘An overview of natural products abroad.

28 FEBRUARY 2007 61 Symposia/Conferences

International Conference on Advances in Metrology (AdMet-06)

The International Conference on as per GUM document, traceability, come at the expense of ignoring the Advances in Metrology was held and procedure of calibration etc. present day need of the society. The from 11 to 13 December at India The conference covered a wide second plenary talk was delivered Habitat Center, New Delhi. Prior range of topics including physico- by Dr Michael Moldover, NIST, to this conference, the National mechanical, electrical and USA. He prompted the metrologists Physical Laboratory (NPL), New electronic standards. The topics to think about new techniques and Delhi, had organized two satellite covered included latest trends in phenomena to lower down the events: (i) Indo-Italian Training measurement science, metrology for uncertainty in measurements Programme on Force & Torque precision measurement, significantly and gave an example of Metrology during 5-8 December inspections, quality control, establishing the pressure standards 2006 and (2) PTB- SAARC Workshop emerging areas of measurement based on the dielectric on inter laboratory comparison in science, development of sensors and measurements. the field of length, mass and actuators and their application in More than 350 participants temperature measurements on 8-9 metrology, benefits of MRA, social representing more than 30 December 2006. role of measurement, clinical countries attended. The countries Forty-eight participants from metrology and inter-laboratory included USA, Germany, Italy, industries, quality control and comparisons, etc. Three parallel Australia, UK, France, China, accredited laboratories of India and sessions namely 3rd APMP Pressure Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, neighbouring countries Nepal, and Vacuum, Time & Frequency Singapore, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, (ATF-2006), and Chemical Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, etc attended the training Metrology (Chem-Met) devoted to Thailand, Fiji, South Africa, programme. During the four day the respective fields were also Mongolia etc. deliberations, lectures were organized to discuss a wide range Dr Vikram Kumar, Director, delivered by the eminent of topics to make use of the full NPL and President MSI (Metrology metrologists and experts in their potential of modern science and Society of India), welcomed the fields e.g. from PTB Germany, technology to evaluate, update, add delegates. He emphasized the need INRIM, Italy and NPL, India value to and utilize the extensive of continuous research for besides the practical training was knowledge acquired over a long advancement of metrology as the given to participants. The topics period of time and to promote the metrological capabilities of a country covered included techniques and metrology for the benefit of mankind. have direct bearing on the quality methods for the realization of force Thirty invited talks, 75 oral of the products, which directly is a and torque, calibration of force presentations and over 100 poster measure of the economic growth of proving and torque transducers, presentations were made in six the country. verification of UTMs, evaluation of technical sessions each and three Dr T. Ramasami, Secretary, uncertainty and quality systems etc. poster sessions. Department of Science and [CSIR News 57(2007), (3) 48 ] Further, two planery lectures Technology, inaugurated the The PTB-SAARC workshop had were also delivered: one by Dr conference. In his address, he 15 participants from SAARC Kamal Hossain, Director, NPL, UK summed up the subject of metrology countries. Deliberations in the and Science Policy Advisor, UK by coining the term PQRS workshop included selection of Government. He indicated that (Precision, Quality, Reproducibility artifacts, their metrological NMI’s continuing efforts to lower and Standards) which undoubtedly characterization and long-term down the uncertainty in represents the most general way to stability, preparation of technical measurements in order to meet the understand what basically the protocol, evaluation of uncertainty rising technology demand may not metrology means. He appreciated

62 CSIR NEWS Symposia/Conferences

the technical support provided by Dr R.P. Singhal briefly Kamlesh K. Jain proposed a vote of NPL to NABL, which has described the importance of the thanks and announced the opening accelerated the process of event and gave an overview of the of the technical sessions. dissemination of the national satellite meetings, i.e. Indo-Italian On the last day of the conference traceability to the shop floor level Training Program and PTB-SAARC a half-day symposium was through its accredited laboratories. workshop followed by the 22nd organized. This was inaugurated by Dr Ramasami also released a APMP General Assembly and Dr Girdhar J Gyani, Secretary special issue of MAPAN quarterly related meetings during 13-16 General, Quality Council of India Journal of MSI dedicated to the December 2006. These events were and presided over by Dr Vikram selected contributions in the field of arranged as part of the Golden Kumar, Director, NPL and Time & Frequency. Jubilee Celebrations of NPL. Dr President MSI, and followed by a

International Conference on Advances in Metrology (AdMet-06), at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

28 FEBRUARY 2007 63 Seminars

keynote address by Dr Robert Seminar on Technology-driven Development Kaarls, Chairman, CIPM. The focal theme of the — Choices for North Eastern States symposium was ‘Benefit of MRA to Economy and Society’. The A seminar on ‘Technology-driven presently RC Chairman, RRL- advantage of accelerating the Development - Choices for North Jorhat, informed that the objective process of accreditation of the Eastern States’ was held at the of the seminar was to identify the laboratories for electrical and Regional Research Laboratory missing links between the vast electronic parameters in general (RRL), Jorhat on 13 October 2006. natural wealth, biodiversity, etc. of and pathological laboratories in The seminar was aimed at the region and the available particular was well reflected in formulating the strategies for rapid technologies with a view to bring the inaugural address delivered by and all round economic and about value addition and also to Dr Gyani. He emphasized that industrial development of the North identify the drivers for accomplishing the process would not only bring Eastern States of India by such value additions such as the uniformity in measurements meaningful utilization of the vast government, policy makers, but also bring a significant natural resources and harnessing the entrepreneurs, etc. On the occasion, advantage to the society in available technologies. The seminar, the chief guest also released a booklet improving the quality of life. Dr it was felt would enable the and a Video Film on the RRL’s Robert Kaarls in his key note laboratory to focus on areas where activities for economic development address emphasized a systematic commercial and economic gains can of Nagaland entitled ‘Nagaland - approach to develop the chemical be achieved through value addition Aspirations and Achievements’. Dr P. metrology which has a great with minimum efforts. G. Rao, Director, RRL, Jorhat, in his potential both for standardizing The seminar was inaugurated by address said that the seminar would the diagnostic kits and the quality Dr G. Thyagarajan, former Director help in shaping the 11th Five Year of the clinical tests and finally the and currently Chairman of RRL Plan of the lab. society. He also released ten Research Council, who was the Chief The seminar had three technical certified reference materials Guest on the occasion. Held at RRL sessions followed by a panel developed by NPL on this auditorium, the seminar was largely discussion. The panelists included occasion. The session ended by attended by researchers, students, experts like Dr G. Thyagarajan; Dr proposing a vote of thanks by Dr academicians, representatives of the S. K. Jain, President, FINER; Shri R.P. Singhal. business houses of the region, various Pradyut Bhuyan, Director, FINER; Three technical talks were national experts, members of the Dr A. R. Balakrishnan, Member, delivered by the world renowned Research Council besides the RRL Research Council; Shri Amit metrologists: (i) Dr Peter J. Mohr, scientific community of RRL. Jain, Director, FINER; and Dr V. Chairman, CODATA and Head, Terming the seminar as very Prakash, Member, RRL Research Fundamental Constants Group, crucial Dr P. G. Rao, Director, Council and Director, Central Food NIST, USA; (2) Dr Ken Fuji, RRL, Jorhat, said that the seminar Technological Research Institute, NMIJ, Japan and (3) Dr P.S. Nair, was aimed at a very focussed Mysore. Some of the seminar ISRO, India. While Dr Mohr deperature from the 10th Five Year recommendations centred around deliberated on possible new Plan towards shaping the the development of industrial skills international System of Units, Dr ensuing 11th Five Year Plan of the and trained personnel. It emphasized Ken Fuji focused on Avogadro laboratory. The scope was to look the need to think how sustainably the constant determination for beyond the existing identified resources could be used with eco- replacing the kilogram and Dr opportunities. friendly approaches, and called upon Nair spoke on role of metrology Inaugurating the seminar, Dr G. the private sector to play a much in space applications. Thyagarajan former Director and larger role.

64 CSIR NEWS Workshops

Workshop on Industrial Perspectives in Bioinformatics

A one day workshop on Industrial overseas have taken up client for developing a biosensor for Perspectives in Bioinformatics was bioinformatics in a big way and the detecting the herbicides, and also held on 15 December 2006 at the same is being done by Indian listed out the scope of bioinformatics Indian Institute of Chemical industrial giants as well as some of and the lead role it can play in any Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, for the leading IT companies. The of the industries. The third lecture the fifth batch students of the turnover last year from the was delivered by Dr (Ms) Usha ongoing Advanced Course in bioinformatics sector was to the Deshpande, EVOLVA, Hyderabad Bioinformatics, jointly organized by tune of 100 crore and it could double on “EGFL6-Therapeutic Target in IICT, CDAC, and JNTU. The main up in the coming years, said Dr Cancer - Turning Bioinformatics to aim of the workshop was to enlighten Murty. Biotherapeutics”. the students regarding the The workshop had four lectures. The last speaker Dr Sharmila importance and role of The first speaker Dr V. N. Balaji of Mande, TCS, Hyderabad, bioinformatics in industry - today Jubiliant Biosys, Bangalore, emphasized the importance of and in the years to come. delivered his talk on ‘Structure- bioinformatics in industry with The workshop started with the directed discovery solutions to special reference to Biosuite. welcome address by Dr J. S. Yadav, accelerate drug discovery’. He said She discussed the problems Director, IICT. Dr Yadav pointed that bioinformatics was being looked and challenges faced by out that bioinformatics , a upon as a boon and the future Bioinformatics and the effective way challenging and fast progressing belonged to this area. He to screen the huge amount of data field, will play a big role in the highlighted about some of the which is being generated.She coming years in almost all databases available and also opined that the education of industries. outlined the scope and performance bioinformatics should start from the Discussing the theme of the of his company. graduation programme level, workshop, Dr U.S.N. Murty, Course The second speaker Dr Sudhir pointing out large openings in the Coordinator & Head, Biology V. Kulkarni of VLife Sciences, Pune, area. The presentations were Division, IICT, stressed the spoke on “Molecular modeling followed by an interactive session significance of bioinformatics to be solutions for non-pharma where a whole range of queries were globally competitive. Many of the industries”. Dr Kulkarni presented raised and answered by the elite major research laboratories the work they had carried out for a panel.

Workshop on Industrial Perspectives in Bioinformatics in progress

28 FEBRUARY 2007 65 Meets

Third National Interactive Meet (NIM-2006) at CIMAP The Third National Interactive Meet platform that would lead (NIM-2006) organized by the to self employment and Central Institute of Medicinal & help serve as MAPs hub Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), through publications on Lucknow, was inaugurated on 27 MAPs’ technology. The October 2006. The meet was basic aim was to attended by 400 delegates strengthen the linkages comprising scientists, bankers, among the key players in policy makers and scholars. the sector through Dr S.P.S. Khanuja, Director, functional value chain. CIMAP, while welcoming the In his presidential delegates, urged them to turn to address, Prof. V.L. Inaugural session of the Third National Interactive Meet cultivation and marketing of Chopra, former Director (NIM – 2006) in progress Medicinal and Aromatic Plants General, ICAR and (MAPs) which will enable India to Member, Planning Commission, care shampoo; Haloe Skin – Aloe become a healthier and developed emphasized on consolidating the vera based skin care product; CIM- nation by year 2020 as dreamed by herbal business in India which has Paushak and CIM-Phal-Se – Honourable President of India. He great potential. Prof. Chopra said ayurvedic food supplements and stressed on turning of R&D that according to WHO estimates Calliterpenone – based growth (Research and Development) to the current market potential of promoting herbal formulation CIM- R&B (Research and Business). He herbal is US$ 62 billions worldwide. Upaj (CIMAP has a US patent on lamented on the misuse of the term He further said that developed India calliterpenone). herbal and urged to give a scientific will emerge from developed villages CIMAP also signed two definition to it. He also urged to stop and there is need to increase herbal agreements with a Lucknow based collection of medicinal and aromatic business for rural development. industry Disinfecto Chemicals on plants from wild sources and start Dr (Smt) Manju Sharma, former Artemisia annua cultivation and cultivation on large scale according Secretary, DBT and presently processing technology that will to industrial demand that can turn Chairperson of Research Council, extend benefits to the nearby MAPs to MACs (Medicinal and CIMAP, delivered a keynote address farmers. Aromatic Crops). on ‘Herbal Plants as Social NIM-2006 concluded with the Dr Khanuja also announced the Currency of Happiness for Rural recommendations for quality formation of abridging platform for Masses’. production of medicinal and MAPs stakeholders in the form of a Dr S. Nagarajan, Chairman – aromatic plants by the farmers and national level society MAPSI PPV-FRA, delivered an address on that industry should come forward (Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ‘New Opportunities in Plant to procure the materials with the Society of India) which is perhaps Breeding and Seed Industry buy back assurance at the the first of its kind in India. He through PPV and FRA’. The other remunerative price. The R&D informed that a few main objectives dignitaries present on the occasion institutes should steer their of the society are to act as the included: Dr Chandrika Prasad, researches to develop improved ‘Knowledge bank’ of information on Director General, UPCAR and Shri plant varieties and processes to plant derived products, compounds G.D. Kelkar, Kelker Foundation. economise the cost of production so and formulations, being generated The first day of NIM-2006 was as to compete in the international through research by various marked by the release of new herbal market. organizations and to provide a products – ‘Herbi Soft’, a new hair Special session titled “Face to

66 CSIR NEWS Meets/Honours & Awards

CEO; Shri Piyush Arora of was emphasized that use of improved Padmavati Herbs, Bareily; planting material and technology can Dr M.R. Uniyal of give India competitive advantages in Maharishi Ayurved; Dr the world market. V.K. Tripathi of Sanat Dr B.S. Sajwan said that the Products; Shri Karunesh NMPB is taking all possible steps Agarwal of Disinfecto to promote cultivation of medicinal Chemicals; Dr Ramakant plants. He stressed upon the need Harlalka of Nishant for adopting superior technologies Aromas. Dr S.P.S. Khanuja and gain knowledge before Prof. V.L. Chopra, Member Planning Commission, stressed upon the need for attempting to large scale cultivation. delivering his presidential address at NIM-2006 quality relationship between Shri D.C. Verma, State Bank of industry and farmers. India, said that proper planning of Face” sponsored by National The farmers participating in the the project should be done Academy of Science, India (NASI) NIM enquired about the medicinal beforehand so as to make it viable was chaired by Dr P.K. Seth, CEO, and aromatic plants required by the for economic terms for funding. Dr Biotech Park and the other panelist industry. Industry representatives A.K. Singh, Head, Technology and who participated in the discussion gave an overview of the international Business Development Division, included Dr S.P.S. Khanuja; Dr R.P. market of some of the major CIMAP, Lucknow, proposed the vote Sharma, IARI; Dr B.S. Sajwan, medicinal and aromatic plants. It of thanks.

Awards to Dr G.A. Ravishankar

Dr G.A. Ravishankar, Scientist F and Head, Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, has recently received the following awards: 1. Fellowship of International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST, HQ: Canada) for his outstanding contribution to Food Science and Technology at the hands of Prof. Malcolm Bourne, President of IAFoST, at the 13th World Food Congress at Nantes, France. 2. Fellowship of Indian Society of Agricultural Biochemists. Conferred on him by His Excellency Shri T.V. Rajeswar, Governor of UP and Chancellor of International Conference on Post Harvest Technology held at Kanpur. This is in Dr G.A. Ravishankar being conferred the Fellowship of recognition of Dr Ravishankar’s work in the area of Food International Academy of Food Science and Technology (IAFoST) Biotechnology and Plant Biotechnology with an emphasis on by IAFoST President Prof. Malcolm Bourne Agri-process technologies for Industrial Applications. 3. Prof. S.R.Vyas Memorial Award of Association of Microbiologists of India, given at the 47th Annual Conference of AMI at Barkatulla University, Bhopal, for his contribution to the area of Microbial biotechnology with reference to use of microbial elicitors for improvement of capsaicin, anthocyanins, betalains and annatto colours and also micro algal technologies for the production of nutraceuticals, viz. b-carotene, astaxanthin, phycocyanin and antioxidant molecules.

Dr Ravishankar has published over 150 research papers in peer reviewed journals, 35 reviews and 40 patents. He has guided 18 Ph.D. students in the field of Applied Botancy, Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

28 FEBRUARY 2007 67 Honours/Announcements

Honours conferred on NOMINATIONS INVITED Dr J. S. Yadav Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes in Science and Technology for 2007

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) invites nominations for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prizes in science and technology for the year 2007. The SSB Prizes are to be given for research contributions made The honours conferred on Dr J. S. Yadav, primarily in India during the past five years. The age of the Director, Indian Institute of Chemical nominee for the 2007 SSB Prize should not be more than 45 Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, in the recent years as on 31 December 2006. past include the following: The SSB Prizes are awarded for notable and outstanding • Prof. V. M. Thakor Award Lecture-2007; research, applied or fundamental, in the following it is organized every year in the memory disciplines: (1) Biological Sciences, (2) Chemical Sciences, of late Prof. V. M. Thakor, Founder & (3) Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, (4) Head of the Department of Chemistry, Engineering Sciences, (5) Mathematical Sciences, (6) Saurashtra University, Rajkot. The Medical Sciences, and (7) Physical Sciences. The SSB Prize earlier recipient of the Award Lecture carries with it a citation, a cash award of Rs 2,00,000 have been outstanding scientists and (Rupees two lakh only) and a plaque for each scientist professors in the field of chemistry like Prof. Timmerman, The Netherlands; selected for the Award. Dr D. J. Triggle, USA; Dr B.K. Trivedi, Nominations addressed to Dr Rajesh Luthra, Head, USA ( now in Wockhardt); Dr M. C. Human Resource Development Group, CSIR Complex, Wani, USA; Dr F. A. Kathawala, USA; Library Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi 110012 should be sent as Dr B. Gopalan; Prof. M. M. Sharma; and Dr Ashok B. Vaidya, etc. per the prescribed pro-forma (25 copies) along with one set of reprints of significant publications of the last 5 years’ • Pharma+ Biotech 2007 Award for period on or before 31 March 2007. The details of the SSB ‘Outstanding Achiever in R&D Prize and the prescribed pro-forma for nomination may be Innovation-Institutional Category’ obtained from the above address or can also be downloaded • ‘CDRI-2006 Oration’ awarded by the from the website: http://csirhrdg.res.in Indian Pharmacological Society

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