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Biotech bytes
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It was a brainstorming three-day meet on "Biosensors" and "Stabilisation of Enzymes", where scientists put forth their view on the latest trends in bio-technology.
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What are eosinophil granule proteins? What is the connection between DNA protein and filariasis? These and related questions were answered by eminent scientists at the three-day International Conference on ``Biosensors'' and ``Stabilisation of Enzymes'', in Chennai recently. Convened by Dr. P.V. Sundaram of the Centre for Protein Engineering and Biomedical Research, Chennai, and Dr. Bengt Danielsson, Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Lund University, Sweden, it was the culmination of a seven-year long Indo-Swedish collaboration in biochemistry.
Dr. Sundaram proposed two aims for the conference addressed by nearly 30 experts — providing a forum for scientists from `developing' countries to present their work to some of the leading figures in the field; drawing public attention to their work through posters put up at the conference venue.
Former directors of the IISc, he said, had spoken of the lukewarm reception journals such as Science and Nature, give to research papers from `developing' countries.
But they get accepted if written by the same people from `developed' labs!
The exceptional quality of research behind the conference papers was expected. What was unexpected was that top scientists in enzyme engineering now emerged from countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Botswana, China, Belgium and Italy. Their current studies in this contemporary field made one wonder why several publications look to Uncle Sam's stables for material to fill up their pages.
Biologists from France (Richard Haser), the U.K. and Sweden imparted to the proceedings a worldwide mix that the subject deserves. The conference vindicated itself when the poster display by newcomers on the second day proved to be a big draw.
Where are the Indian `stabilizers' in this far flung enzyme field? Everywhere when you take a headcount. Drs. P.Balaram, Jayant Udgaonkar and Raghavan Varadarajan dropped in from IISc., Bangalore. There was Dr. Swagatha Dasgupta from IIT, Kharagpur, and Dr. Sundaram himself whose lab at VHS, Taramani, routinely publishes in widely recognised journals.
Scores of others like Ravi Acharya (U.K.), Kumaran (U.S.A.), Vinod Subramaniam (Germany) and S. Swaminathan (U.S.A.) are involved in protein folding and biosensing work in labs abroad. Is there a `protein drain' in the country? ``India's work in this field is excellent,'' declares Dr. Balaram. ``Tatas, Reliance and HLL and institutes like the CSIR are well-known for their superior bio-research.'' Dr. Jayant feels that ``pure research in India will go a long way with proper infrastructure. May be we need better funding and a politics-free atmosphere". Ask Dr. Vinod Subramaniam if he would like to work in India and he shrugs, ``Who wants me?''
It is undeniable that the scope for research in protein science attracts an excited following. UK scientists Mike Danson and John Ladbury reckon India a major force in biotech operations. Dr. Kumaran is fired up about the possibilities of a designer biosensor. As a diagnostic tool, he says, ``a biochip can give a detailed blood and cholesterol analysis in nanoseconds. Biosensors deployed at home can send a patient's profile to a doctor far away.'' He talks of telemedicine in Indian villages but comes to the inevitable conclusion. ``We have the techniques but lack manpower. Product development can come only through promotion of merit."
Dr. Sundaram wonders when India will go for the structured scientific education that is taken for granted in the U.S. ``India is the easiest country to get biotechnology research grants,'' he maintains. ``But we hear that annual allotments are not utilised fully. Only people with experience in a variety of methodologies can make research successful.'' He emphasises the need for more labs. ``We also need more teachers to guide scholars. We need a policy to attract the young people who leave our shores.'' However, he is hopeful of a turnaround.
Enthusiasm was evident among biotechnology students from a local self-financing college seen scribbling notes furiously during the lectures. ``This exposure is of great use to us,'' chorused Sarumathi and Padmavathi of IBMS, Taramani. ``Some of the methods of stabilisation of proteins and data on biosensors will certainly help us in our breast cancer research.'' Concurred Dr. Perumalsamy, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College and suggested a standard journal to record such information.
Dr. Dasgupta too spoke of the high degree of interaction among the heterogeneous audience. ``The latest in my areas of research has given me a different perspective.'' An opinion seconded by Drs. Lo Gorton (Sweden) and Nelson Torto (Botswana).
At the end of his neat, well-worked-out presentation on a carousal, Dr. Xian-En Zhang of China talked of enzymes in environmental sciences and the new methods evolved to construct biosensors. ``India and China can co-operate in engineering enzymes and improving the quality of bio-devices,'' he predicted.
Far-reaching applications of biosensors in food and beverage drew bioscientist Dr. N. Rajalakshmi to the conference. She is exploring the use of biosensors to measure the completion of tea processing. ``Tea leaf curing test is done in the most unscientific way — by smelling it,'' she reveals. Her conclusions when implemented could revolutionise the way tea is made.
Advanced research, the unequivocal appreciation of peers from other countries, an eager student audience — why are we labelled `developing'? And how come, there are only two women in the forefront of protein engineering research? ``There are so many in the audience,'' countered Dr. Gity Behravan of Sweden.
Jaquiline Chinnarani, professor, WCC, was optimistic. ``Wait for five years. Lots of our girls are taking up bioscience research.'' How many will go beyond?
G.P.
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