Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery
As a citizen of the 21st century I am fascinated with this new science that
has given us nanomaterials- said Dr. S.R. Shetye, Director, National Institute
of Oceanography while inaugurating the two day National Seminar on Advances in
Nanomaterials and Drug Delivery organized by the School of Physical Sciences
of St.Xaviers College, Goa, in association with the National Institute of
Oceanography, Dona Paula, at NIO Seminar Hall, on February 22, 2008.
Dr. Shetye elaborated on the role that NIO can play in the field of
nanotechnology, in collaboration with institutions like St.Xaviers College.
This seminar is part of the MOU signed with St.Xaviers College-he added. He
emphasized that the emergence of nanoscience has removed the myth of barriers
between various disciplines, contributing to the interdisciplinary approach in
teaching and research. Our educational system will determine the future of our
country-added Dr. Shetye and encouraged students to learn how to learn, and be
precise and quantitative in their approach.
While welcoming the delegates, Prof. Newman Fernandes, Principal of St.Xaviers
College, asked them to avail of this platform to discuss the importance of drug
delivery with the help of nanomaterials. He stated that any technology that
helps to improve the drug delivery method is most welcome. Fortunately,
nanotechnology offers these tools in the form of nanomaterials, which are 1000
times smaller than the width of human hair, such as carbon nanotubes, quantum
dots, colloidal gold, liposomes etc.
Nanobiotechnological innovations have provided improved efficacy, enhanced
solubility and lower toxicity- he added. Prof. Fernandes said that as
consumers all must take interest in nanomaterials, since it has both benefits
and risks in terms of toxicity, migration from one part of body to another, and
environmental impact. He said that St. Xaviers college is planning to offer
some courses in the field of nanoscience.
In his address, Mr. Michael De Souza, Director of Science, Technology and
Environment said that he is very proud of NIO for its achievements as well as
of St.Xaviers College where he studied. He exhorted the delegates, specially
students, to take advantage of this seminar. He offered Government support for
any programme related to nanoscience and nanotechnology. He spoke about
nanobubbles which are induced as chemical drugs in the infected areas. With
the help of ultra sound one can see these bubbles in the infected areas and
when they burst, the infected cells are destroyed-he added.
In the keynote address Prof. Jayesh Bellare, Project leader of Nanotechnology
and science, I.I.T, Mumbai, praised Nanotechnology for its impressive
achievements and said that it was highly competitive, popular and
sophisticated. He stated that Nanotechnology brings many disciplines together
and discussed the major themes of Nanobiotechnology research work at I.I.T
namely, use of nanoparticles for respiratory disorders, controlled drug
delivery systems, nanocomposites for orthodontic use, the use of nanoparticles
in traditional medicine, minimally invasive surgery, cell and molecular
engineering, magnetic carbon nanotubes(CNT) for cancer therapy and
nanoparticles for ophthalmic use.
Dr. Lisette de Souza (NIO) and Dr. Teotone Vaz (St.Xaviers College) were the
Coordinators of this National Seminar, in which 135 delegates from Germany,
Karnataka, Maharastra, Indore and Goa participated.
