G.D. Naidu Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of biomedical nanotechnology
-Navneet Kumar Gupta
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee Faculty Dr. P. Gopinath has been awarded the prestigious G.D. Naidu Award for Young Scientist by Makkal Sinthanai Peravai, a non-profit organization. The award carries a cash component of Rs. 1 lakh and citation and is sponsored by the Singapore Mustafa Tamil Trust. Dr. P. Gopinath has developed an economical and green way to detect and kill cancer cells and a portable nanofibrous material for treating air and water pollution.
The award was given to Dr. Gopinath, who is an Associate Professor in Department of Biotechnology, IIT Roorkee, for his outstanding contribution in the field of biomedical nanotechnology by Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, Padma Shri awardee, former honorary chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai.
Dr. Gopinath developed various polymer-based nanocarriers for the delivery of several anticancer agents and also exploring the possibilities of different biocompatible imaging agents for cancer diagnosis. To detect cancer cells, his research group has recently synthesized carbon dots by heating a solution of finely chopped periwinkle plant leaves under controlled conditions and then cooled it down to room temperature.
This process yielded nanosized carbon dots. When incubated with specific cancer cells, the carbon dots entered the cells. These cells showed enhanced fluorescence, indicating that the dots reached inside the cells.
By this way, cancer cells can be detected and as the entered carbon dots bind and destroy the cytoskeleton proteins, they can be used as an anti-cancer agent as well. This is an economical and green way to produce fluorescent carbon dots from the leaves of a common medicinal plant.
His research group has also developed a portable nanofibrous membrane that removes bacteria present in the polluted water. This membrane can be used similar to cloth-based homemade filter to remove other pollutants present in the water by simple filtration. It could also be possible that immersing the membrane in the contaminated water would kill the bacteria due to the presence of bactericidal agent (Silver nanoparticles). His research group has also developed nanomaterials for potential applications in air purification.
Currently, Dr.Gopinath’s research projects aim to produce economical and affordable solutions for pressing healthcare problems facing the country. He has filed a patent for “4D tissue engineering device” and also published high impact research articles in many of the world’s leading biomedical journals.
G. D. Naidu (Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu) (23 March 1893 – 4 January 1974) was an Indian inventor and engineer who is also referred to as the Edison of India. He is credited with the manufacture of the first electric motor in India. His contributions were primarily industrial but also span the fields of electrical, mechanical, agricultural (Hybrid cultivation) and automobile engineering. Naidu also developed independently internal combustion four-stroke engine. He had only primary education but excelled as a versatile genius. One of his hobbies was to travel by train to nearby cities. He is also referred to as "the wealth creator of Coimbatore".
The award was given to Dr. Gopinath, who is an Associate Professor in Department of Biotechnology, IIT Roorkee, for his outstanding contribution in the field of biomedical nanotechnology by Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, Padma Shri awardee, former honorary chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Chennai.
Dr. Gopinath developed various polymer-based nanocarriers for the delivery of several anticancer agents and also exploring the possibilities of different biocompatible imaging agents for cancer diagnosis. To detect cancer cells, his research group has recently synthesized carbon dots by heating a solution of finely chopped periwinkle plant leaves under controlled conditions and then cooled it down to room temperature.
This process yielded nanosized carbon dots. When incubated with specific cancer cells, the carbon dots entered the cells. These cells showed enhanced fluorescence, indicating that the dots reached inside the cells.
By this way, cancer cells can be detected and as the entered carbon dots bind and destroy the cytoskeleton proteins, they can be used as an anti-cancer agent as well. This is an economical and green way to produce fluorescent carbon dots from the leaves of a common medicinal plant.
His research group has also developed a portable nanofibrous membrane that removes bacteria present in the polluted water. This membrane can be used similar to cloth-based homemade filter to remove other pollutants present in the water by simple filtration. It could also be possible that immersing the membrane in the contaminated water would kill the bacteria due to the presence of bactericidal agent (Silver nanoparticles). His research group has also developed nanomaterials for potential applications in air purification.
Currently, Dr.Gopinath’s research projects aim to produce economical and affordable solutions for pressing healthcare problems facing the country. He has filed a patent for “4D tissue engineering device” and also published high impact research articles in many of the world’s leading biomedical journals.
G. D. Naidu (Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu) (23 March 1893 – 4 January 1974) was an Indian inventor and engineer who is also referred to as the Edison of India. He is credited with the manufacture of the first electric motor in India. His contributions were primarily industrial but also span the fields of electrical, mechanical, agricultural (Hybrid cultivation) and automobile engineering. Naidu also developed independently internal combustion four-stroke engine. He had only primary education but excelled as a versatile genius. One of his hobbies was to travel by train to nearby cities. He is also referred to as "the wealth creator of Coimbatore".
------------------
Navneet Kumar Gupta is a science communicator working as a Project Officer (Edusat) in Vigyan Prasar-National institute of Science communication under the Department. of Science & Technology. Govt. Of India. He has a deep interest in popular science writing for the general public through Print and electronic media. Besides his twelve books, he has written more than 200 popular science articles. He has edited/authored/co-authored more than 10 books. He has been awarded six National Awards including Rajbhasha Award, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India He has had a long stint as Associate Editor, VIPNET news - a popular science magazine. You may contact him at - ngupta@vigyanprasar.gov.in