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April 2019 digital edition

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technology<br />

NANO-BIOTECH<br />

INDIAN START-UP SET TO<br />

SHAKE UP GLOBAL MARKETS<br />

MagGenome aims to provide faster, easier and cheaper alternatives in the<br />

therapeutic domain using patented, magnetic nanoparticle-based technologies<br />

C H UNNIKRISHNAN<br />

Nanotechnology has generated<br />

a great deal of interest around<br />

the world as it has impacted<br />

the way scientists think and come up<br />

with solutions. It has also influenced<br />

industrial areas and basic science<br />

research to the extent that numerous<br />

studies are being carried out across the<br />

globe in different disciplines associated<br />

with nanotechnology.<br />

Since nanotechnology deals with<br />

matter at the scale of one billionth<br />

of a meter (10 -9m ), where materials<br />

possess unique properties compared<br />

to their macroscopic counterparts,<br />

finding unique solutions to various<br />

scientific problems has become an<br />

achievable goal. Bio-medical science<br />

and engineering are two major<br />

fields that use nanomaterials as<br />

powerful tools in making revolutionary<br />

inventions. Nanomaterials have been<br />

designed for a variety of biomedical<br />

and biotechnological applications<br />

that range from drug delivery to<br />

magnetic hyperthermia, biosensors,<br />

enzyme immobilization and isolation<br />

of biomolecules. Nanobiotechnology<br />

also offers solutions in the detection<br />

of pathogens, tissue engineering and<br />

imaging for MRI contrast enhancement,<br />

among others.<br />

Futuristic no more<br />

Scientists from the academic and<br />

industrial backgrounds are investing<br />

IT IS NOT EASY TO FIND<br />

COMPANIES WHICH ARE<br />

SINGULARLY FOCUSED ON<br />

DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY<br />

AND PRODUCTS IN THE AREA<br />

OF NANO-BIOTECHNOLOGY<br />

their efforts in nanotechnology in<br />

several countries including India.<br />

Government of India’s Department<br />

of Science and Technology (DST)<br />

established Nanoscience and<br />

Technology Mission (NSTM) during<br />

the 10th plan period (2002- 2007).<br />

As a result of the efforts led by the<br />

mission, India is today among the top<br />

five nations in the world in terms of<br />

scientific publications in nano science<br />

and technology. In the industrial sector<br />

in India, there are companies that have<br />

ventured into activities such as the<br />

synthesis of nano-materials and coating<br />

products.<br />

But it is not easy to find companies<br />

which are singularly focused on<br />

developing technology and products<br />

in the area of nano-biotechnology. This<br />

68 / FUTURE MEDICINE / <strong>April</strong> <strong>2019</strong>

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