GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.232
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24-11-2005

RESEARCH IN NANOTECHNOLOGY

232. SMRIMATI N.P. DURGA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that AIIMS and IIT have launched an initiative for collaborative research in Nanotechnology;
(b) if so, the details of the areas that they are going to cover; and
(c) in what way the Nano intervention techniques help in controlling the diseases?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

( SHRI KAPIL SIBAL )

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. There was one discussion meeting between the Director, AIIMS and Director, IIT, New Delhi along with few other scientists to launch collaborative research programmes in Nanotechnology. Some of the areas which were discussed relate to Nano-structured materials and coatings for Bio-sensors and Medical implants, Nano drug delivery systems, Tissue Engineering and Toxicological Studies.

(c) Nanotechnology has the potential to provide nano-instruments to examine cancer cells, to deliver oxygen to the needy heart muscles or creating artificial cell organelle etc. which would open enormous possibilities in medical care. Nanotechnology can be used to increase the functionality of biomaterials and to improve their ability to integrate into surrounding tissues in human body. Nanoparticles and nanotubes materials can be applied to improve the effectiveness and selectivity of the drug delivery system.