October 16, 2011
Amrita Center for Nanosciences, Kochi
As one of the most exciting advancements in modern medicine, this year the rapidly evolving nanotechnology saw several cutting-edge applications.
Early lung cancer screening, gold nanoparticle flu testing, cell feedback and spinal cord repair were just a few of the potential nanosolutions.
An article published this September in Scientific American pointed out, “Each breakthrough in nanotechology solves a problem that many thought could not be overcome.”
Amrita’s Centre for Nanoscience and Molecular Medicine is also furthering nanotech’s advancement in medicine and the scientific community.
This November, Center Director, Dr. Shantikumar V. Nair, will travel to Victoria, Australia to participate in the Australia-India Joint Symposium on Smart Nano Materials hosted by RMIT University.
Dr. Nair will deliver the keynote address at the symposium.
He will speak on tissue nano-engineering, detailing current work at Amrita and presenting results for nanoscale engineering of the extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration, including bone, cartilage and cardiac tissue. The focus will be on the scale of the structure and how structure controls regeneration.
In addition, Dr. Nair will discuss extrinsic and intrinsic nanomedicine applications for cancer diagnostics and therapy. Targeted delivery of nanoparticles and drugs as well as the sequential delivery of multiple drugs to prevent cancer recurrence and drug resistance will be highlighted.
Dr. Nair was invited to be a part of the Indian delegation that will travel to Australia for the symposium. Two days of scientific presentations by Australian and Indian researchers will be followed by a one-day workshop during which collaborative research opportunities and long-term sustainable projects between the two countries will be explored.
Some have called nanotechnology a big promise in a small package. Amrita has taken the promise of this small package and turned it into a big reality. As we continue to share our nanoscience experience and knowledge through international symposiums, workshops and joint ventures, we help to ensure that nanotechnology continues to find solutions to problems that appear impossible to overcome.
