Claude Bernard, deputy director, Monash Immunology Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL), Australia, talks to Emmanuel Mathew on how nano-technology promises clear answers and clearer solutions.
Q- What are the promises that nanotechnology holds as a branch of science?
In the context of education, nanotechnology is a branch of science that promises great opportunities, especially in terms of study at the postgraduate level and further. In disorders like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and Parkinson's disease for example, we do not know the exact cause yet. Once nanotechnology steps in, we may have clear answers and clearer solutions. Moreover, the scope is not only in terms of academia but also bio-tech and big pharma (pharmaceutical industry). So the future of a student stepping up for this inter-disciplinary challenge is really bright.
The best thing about stem cells is, at the molecular level, to a certain extent, we can make them go wherever we want. This alone makes nanotechnology an exciting proposition. Moreover, wherever the big pharma fails, working on stem cells can potentially solve the problem. In a sense, they sometimes do the fireman's job.
Q- You have been on regular visits to India in the last few years. Where does India stand vis-a-vis the global stem cell scenario?
In India, one is so much impressed with the quality on offer, something that dawned on me after frequently visiting and interacting with counterparts here. This is true not just in terms of ideas but also at the application level. It is heartening to see the government making huge investments in research. Keeping in mind that stem cell research is a sensitive topic in this part of the world, credit has to be given to the authorities for their positive approach. India, along with China, will be harnessing their nano-tech prowess in the coming years.
Q- Which areas do you think nanotechnology in India calls for improvement?
While the government has done impressive work in terms of boosting infrastructure in the last few years, it has to be seen that the young people get their due too. This is something that needs to be done on a war-footing.
Another area that one has to be prudent about is the negative propaganda doing the rounds. There are these people who start claiming that they will solve absolutely any disorder on the earth, using nano-biotechnology. In the long run, this glorified exaggeration of facts will only hurt the branch of science as people will start to look at it with a sense of apprehension.
Find more NEWS on Technology here.
In the context of education, nanotechnology is a branch of science that promises great opportunities, especially in terms of study at the postgraduate level and further. In disorders like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cancer and Parkinson's disease for example, we do not know the exact cause yet. Once nanotechnology steps in, we may have clear answers and clearer solutions. Moreover, the scope is not only in terms of academia but also bio-tech and big pharma (pharmaceutical industry). So the future of a student stepping up for this inter-disciplinary challenge is really bright.
The best thing about stem cells is, at the molecular level, to a certain extent, we can make them go wherever we want. This alone makes nanotechnology an exciting proposition. Moreover, wherever the big pharma fails, working on stem cells can potentially solve the problem. In a sense, they sometimes do the fireman's job.
Q- You have been on regular visits to India in the last few years. Where does India stand vis-a-vis the global stem cell scenario?
In India, one is so much impressed with the quality on offer, something that dawned on me after frequently visiting and interacting with counterparts here. This is true not just in terms of ideas but also at the application level. It is heartening to see the government making huge investments in research. Keeping in mind that stem cell research is a sensitive topic in this part of the world, credit has to be given to the authorities for their positive approach. India, along with China, will be harnessing their nano-tech prowess in the coming years.
Q- Which areas do you think nanotechnology in India calls for improvement?
While the government has done impressive work in terms of boosting infrastructure in the last few years, it has to be seen that the young people get their due too. This is something that needs to be done on a war-footing.
Another area that one has to be prudent about is the negative propaganda doing the rounds. There are these people who start claiming that they will solve absolutely any disorder on the earth, using nano-biotechnology. In the long run, this glorified exaggeration of facts will only hurt the branch of science as people will start to look at it with a sense of apprehension.
Find more NEWS on Technology here.
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