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Inaugural Session
“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.Xavier’s 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.Xavier’s College. “This seminar is part of the MOU signed
with St.Xavier’s 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.Xavier’s 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. Xavier’s 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.Xavier’s 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.Xavier’s College) were the Coordinators of
this National Seminar, in which 135 delegates from
Germany
, Karnataka, Maharastra,
Indore
and
Goa
participated.
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