Science & Technology – Page 20

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / INNOVATION: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Scientists Develop Gold-Coated Vesicles to Fight Tuberculosis (TB)

The spherical vesicles, which can be delivered to immune cells, are expected to potentially trigger an immune response.

To combat tuberculosis, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have designed a new method under which a vaccine candidate for the disease can be delivered by making use of Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs). These spherical vesicles, which can be delivered to immune cells, are secreted by bacteria coated on gold nanoparticles. The deliverance is expected to potentially trigger an immune response to offer protection against TB.

Across the world, TB, which is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, claims the lives of over a million people every year. Currently, BCG is the only effective vaccine against TB. It contains a weakened form of the disease-causing bacterium, which when injected into the bloodstream, produces antibodies which can help fight the disease.

However, the scientists have said that the BCG vaccine does not protect adolescents and adults as effectively as it does children. Prompted by this, Rachit Agarwal, Assistant Professor at the Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering (BSSE), IISc, and his group worked on developing a potential subunit vaccine candidate that contains only parts of the infectious bacterium to stimulate an immune response.

Although other scientists had developed subunit vaccines based on a handful of proteins from the disease-causing bacteria earlier, they had not been effective in the treatment. Agarwal’s group decided to take a slightly varied approach and made use of OMVs — which are spherical membrane-bound particles released by some bacteria, and contain an assortment of proteins and lipids which could induce an immune response against the pathogen.

“They’re safer compared to a live bacterium, and since they are membrane-derived, they contain all kinds of antigens,” explained Agarwal, the senior author of the paper published in Biomaterials Advances. The researchers further explained that while subunit vaccines typically only contain a limited number of antigens — bacterial proteins that can elicit an immune response in the host, the OMVs contain a variety of antigens, which can induce a better immune response.

“Mycobacterium-derived OMVs are usually unstable and come in different sizes, making them unsuitable for vaccine applications. But the OMVs coated on gold nanoparticles (OMV-AuNPs) by the IISc team were found to be uniform in size and stable. The researchers also found that human immune cells showed a higher uptake of OMV-AuNPs (gold nanoparticles) than of OMVs or gold nanoparticles alone”, said an IISc press release.

According to Avijit Goswami, a former postdoctoral fellow at BSSE and one of the first authors of the study, the most challenging part was the production and scaling up of OMVs as it was a complex process. “To synthesise OMV-AuNPs, the OMVs and the gold nanoparticles are forced together through a 100 nm filter. The OMVs break up in the process and encapsulate the gold nanoparticles,” explained Edna George, a former postdoctoral fellow at BSSE, and co-first author of the study.

During this study, the immune cells, which were cultured in the lab, were treated with OMVs derived from a related bacterial species which does not cause disease in humans, called as Mycobacterium smegmatis. Furthering their research, the team plans to develop gold-coated OMVs derived directly from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. They will then test the same on animal models and carry the results forward for clinical applications.

“Such efforts could open up new avenues for the development of vaccines for other bacterial diseases as well”, the release said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH SERVICES: OPHTHALMOLOGY: SAP, CleaVision to Deploy Deep Tech to minimise Blindness in Premature Babies

The solution is currently being piloted at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute in Bengaluru.

The power of machine learning and data analytics can be explored to reduce blindness that occurs as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity, a condition where abnormal growth of blood vessels inside the eyes of pre-term babies can cause bleeding, scarring and retinal detachment, as per SAP.

SAP and CleaVision, a social venture, on Thursday announced an initiative aimed at reducing the risk of preventable blindness as a result of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in pre-term babies.

A solution driven by machine learning and data analytics would help doctors to arrive at a more accurate diagnosis while treating such babies, said SAP in a statement. The solution is currently being piloted at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute in Bengaluru.

“We are piloting the software through the KIDROP (Karnataka Internet Assisted Diagnosis of ROP) programme, which performs up to 2,500 imaging sessions each month from 135 neonatal units across Karnataka,” said Dr. Anand Vinekar, Head, Paediatric Retina Department at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute.

Automating the screening process

Explaining the process, the company said, the CleaVision solution would integrate image data processing with SAP Business Technology Platform, SAP AI Platform, and SAP Analytics Cloud to automate the identification of retina and blood vessel features and to make a recommendation on plus disease – a severe manifestation of ROP in premature babies.

The screening data would then be served to hospitals and could be reviewed in the KIDROP telemedicine network.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION in AI : Australia’s AICRAFT and Bengaluru’s VALDEL Inks MoU on AI in Aerospace

One more memorandum of understanding was inked between India and Australia to use artificial intelligence and machine learning in aerospace, on the final day of the Bengaluru Space Expo (BSX), 2022.

The MoU was signed between Bengaluru-based aerospace company Valdel Advanced Technologies and Australian artificial intelligence company AICRAFT. The MoU, which was signed in the presence of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientific secretary Shantanu Bhatawdekar and Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo, will work towards using the AI capabilities of AICRAFT to help Valdel with simulation and manufacturing capabilities through the use of advanced AI and machine learning.

“We are pleased that Australian industry has continued to explore tangible space collaboration with India over the past few days. Both parties have agreed to utilise AICRAFT’s advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capability and products to support Valdel’s modelling, simulation and manufacturing capabilities. Valdel’s facilities will also be used to test AICRAFT’s systems and platforms,” said Sarah Kirlew, Consul General for South India, who announced the MoU on Wednesday.

On Monday, as many as six MoUs were signed between several Australian and Indian companies, including two Bengaluru-based companies. In addition to this, Australia’s Space Machines Company, an aerospace company, opened a new research and development office in Bengaluru.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (edited)

GLOBAL: Infosys enters a five-year collaboration with Kansas, U.S. based ‘Spirit AeroSystems’ to Boost Aero Structural Services

IT services major Infosys on Wednesday announced a five-year agreement with Spirit AeroSystems, the manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defence platforms and business or regional jets.

The IT company will collaborate to provide aerostructure and systems engineering services for product development of commercial, business jet and emerging aircraft programs, and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the US, UK, France, Malaysia and Morocco.

As part of this engagement, Infosys said it will offer end-to-end product development services, including design engineering, sustaining engineering, systems engineering, stress engineering, manufacturing engineering, and repair and maintenance.

“Our longstanding collaboration with Infosys means we are well-positioned to co-innovate on critical stages of product development. This strategic agreement will leverage mutual synergies to accelerate the development of sustainable aerostructures and services across our commercial and aftermarket business segments,” said Sean Black, Senior VP and Chief Engineer, Engineering and Technology, Spirit AeroSystems.

Infosys collaborates with 7 of the top 10 global aerospace companies.

Jasmeet Singh, Executive VP and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, “Aerospace and defence organisations need to rapidly reinvent their digital foundation.”

The company has been investing in aerostructure engineering and next-gen technologies like artificial intelligence and the cloud.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE / ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Produced Gas Turbines to Power ‘INS Vikrant’, India’s First Indigenously Produced Aircraft Carrier

HAL has produced the Gas Turbines to power India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, IAC-1 Vikrant which was commissioned recently as INS Vikrant at Kochi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

INS Vikrant is powered by four General Electric LM2500 Gas Turbines supplied by HAL.

These Gas Turbines were assembled and tested at HAL’s dedicated facility at Bangalore. With the power of 88 MW and top speed of 28 Knots, INS Vikrant is truly enhancing the maritime capability of India.

HAL carried out critical activities towards readiness of IAC for basin trials.

HAL’s team was actively involved in the integration of the power plant to the IAC and was onboard IAC for all sea trials in the absence of foreign OEM representatives contributing substantially to the Make-in-India concept.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / CONVENTION: 3-day National Convention of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) inaugurated at JSS, Mysuru- September 01-03

Focus of the convention is to empower academia and advance pharmacy education

The three-day annual national convention of Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) began here on Friday and will focus on empowering academia for advancing pharmacy education.

Hosted by the JSS College of Pharmacy, the objectives of the convention is to create a blue print for promoting research culture, develop strategies on adopting technology in education apart from describing the importance of accreditation and ranking for pharmaceutical institutions.

The convention is also expected to offer a collaborative platform for academicians, researchers, scientists, and students of pharmacy to adopt a vision to guide the future activities of the profession.

About two thousand pharmacy professionals, students, industrialists, pharmaceutical scientists, and pharmaceutical leaders from different states of the country are participating in the three-day event which was inaugurated by Mr. Sudarshan Jain Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). He said such conventions will not only strengthen the academia and pharmaceutical industry but will motivate and help pharmacy teachers and students to update their knowledge and skills in sync with the latest trend in the industry.

Milind Janrao Umekar, president, APTI, in his presidential address said that the healthcare profession was undergoing a rapid change and the Indian pharma industry had registered a spectacular progress.

‘’The ever-expanding practice sectors need clinically and technologically trained pharmacy professionals who can face global challenges and compete with multinational companies. It is in that respect, that pharmacists play leadership roles to ensure optimum drug therapy, by contributing to the discovery, development, manufacturing, ensuring quality, supply, and regulatory control of medicines’’, said Mr. Umekar.

V. Muralidhar, organising secretary of the event, said pharmacy education played a pivotal role in preparing competent pharmaceutical care professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the public, and pharmacists had an essential role in ensuring the effective and responsible use of medicines. Pharmacists monitor medicine use and support patients to adhere to medication regimens and to use medicines responsibly, and pharmaceutical scientists can develop novel medicines and therapeutic strategies, he added.

C.G Betsurmath, executive secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Mysuru, addressed the gathering and stressed on the importance of convention for the progress and advancement of the sector.

T.M. Pramod Kumar, Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru, S.P. Manjunath, secretary, JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, Montu M. Patel, President, Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, B. Suresh, Pro-Chancellor, JSSAHER, Mysuru, were among those present.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES: CANCER: Free Medicine Kits Given to Cancer Patients by Karnataka Cancer Society (KCS) in Bengaluru

Dr Ramachandra said it was important to cater to all strata of society, and schemes like Aarogya Karnataka and Ayushman Bharat had proved to be extremely helpful.

Poor lifestyle habits, alcohol, drugs and tobacco consumption have led to a rise in cancer cases, said Dr C Ramchandra, director, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Technology. Calling Bengaluru a drug hub, he said these habits are a major reason for all health issues, including obesity, infertility and cancer.

Speaking on the sidelines of the distribution of free medicine kits worth Rs 5,000 each to cancer patients on the occasion of the 54th Founder’s Day organised by Karnataka Cancer Society (KCS), Dr Ramachandra said consumption of tobacco among women has seen a steep rise in cases in the past few years.

Society president HV Suresh said all patients, including those from above and below the poverty line, are provided treatment without bias, be it surgery or chemotherapy medicines. The association also provides support to society and provides medicines at a 40 per cent discount, which has proved helpful. In all, 106 cancer patients were given free medicine kits, and 12 patients in Mysuru were given the free kits two days ago. Doctors and past presidents associated with the organisation were also felicitated.

Dr Ramachandra said it was important to cater to all strata of society, and schemes like Aarogya Karnataka and Ayushman Bharat had proved to be extremely helpful. Cervical cancer has reduced in recent times due to increased awareness about early testing, appropriate hygiene and the ills of child marriage.

The aim is to create awareness and help early detection of cancer, and provide appropriate treatment, he said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

COVID-19: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES / HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore Researchers Develop Covid Doppelganger

When the pandemic hit, IISc professor Soma Das and his team began working on a VLP for SARS-CoV-2.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has developed and tested a novel virus-like particle (VLP) – a non-infectious nanoscale molecule that resembles and behaves like the virus but does not contain its native genetic material – in a study published in Microbiology Spectrum.

When the pandemic hit, IISc professor Soma Das and his team began working on a VLP for SARS-CoV-2. They artificially synthesised a VLP with all four structural proteins – spike, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid. “The main challenge was to express all four structural proteins together,” said Harsha Raheja, PhD student at MCB.

Such VLPs have several uses and can also potentially be developed into a vaccine candidate that can trigger an immune response in our bodies, Das said, adding that they can also be used to reduce the time taken to screen drugs that can fight the virus. When the team injected a high dose of VLPs into mice in the lab, it did not affect the liver, lung, or kidney tissues.

Testing immune response
To test its immune response, they gave one primary shot and two booster shots to mice models with a gap of 15 days, after which they found a large number of antibodies generated in the blood serum of the mice. These antibodies were also capable of neutralising the live virus, the team found. “This means that they are protecting the animals,” explained Raheja.

The researchers have applied for a patent for their VLP and hope to develop it into a vaccine candidate. They also plan to study the effect of the VLP on other animal models (using the expertise of SG Ramachandra, one of the inventors), and eventually humans. Raheja said they have also developed VLPs that might be able to offer protection against the more recent variants, like Omicron and other sub-lineages.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA / BUSINESS & ECONOMY, : 3 Bengaluru Startups Win at Conquest a BITS Pilani Students Run Event – Green Tiger Mobility, Daffodil Health and StreamMoney

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country.

Of the 15 startups, shortlisted from over 1,500 applications, four have been selected to receive an equity-less grant of Rs 30 lakh each. Of these, three are from Bengaluru. Winners were chosen based on three categories or tracks — Pan India, BITSian and Web3.0.

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country.

Green Tiger is working on developing a hybrid vehicle, while Daffodil Health is a behavioural healthcare platform aimed at children.The latter aims at giving parent-mediated therapy to children with behavioural and developmental disorders like autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others.

Conquest, run by around 30 engineering students from BITS Pilani’s Centre of Entrepreneurial Leadership, is the first and largest student-run startup accelerator, hosting programmes every year to help startups get funding and mentors.

The Demo Day for the 18th edition of the accelerator programme was held in Bengaluru on Sunday, with 15 startups shortlisted to pitch their ideas to a panel of investors, industry leaders and others. Another Bengaluru-based company StreamMoney won in the Web3.0 Track, where the focus is on startups developing or utilising technology related to Web3.0. StreamMoney focuses on the ability to transfer conditional ownership of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

The startup is working towards making a utility protocol, allowing NFT owners to rent out or allow ticketing or subscriptions of their NFTs. This allows owners to add in a utility contract with their NFTs that allows access to their tokens for a limited period of time.

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country.

A clean technology firm, focusing on building hybrid cars that allow you to switch between electric and internal combustion engines at the switch of a button, was one of the three Bengaluru startups that won big at BITS Pilani’s Conquest.

Green Tiger Mobility, the cleantech firm, and Daffodil Health, a healthcare startup, won in the Pan India Track, where participants were invited from across the country. Green Tiger is working on developing a hybrid vehicle, while Daffodil Health is a behavioural healthcare platform aimed at children.

The latter aims at giving parent-mediated therapy to children with behavioural and developmental disorders like autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others. Conquest, run by around 30 engineering students from BITS Pilani’s Centre of Entrepreneurial Leadership, is the first and largest student-run startup accelerator, hosting programmes every year to help startups get funding and mentors.

The Demo Day for the 18th edition of the accelerator programme was held in Bengaluru on Sunday, with 15 startups shortlisted to pitch their ideas to a panel of investors, industry leaders and others.

Another Bengaluru-based company StreamMoney won in the Web3.0 Track, where the focus is on startups developing or utilising technology related to Web3.0. StreamMoney focuses on the ability to transfer conditional ownership of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INVESTMENT INTO INDIA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY/ IT & eCommerce: Japanese Company Rakuten Opens Office in Bengaluru.

Rakuten India is a global product and innovation centre for Tokyo-based Rakuten Group that focuses on electronic commerce and online retailing.

Rakuten India, a global product and innovation centre for Tokyo-based Rakuten Group that focuses on electronic commerce and online retailing, has opened an office in Bengaluru to grow its customer base in India.

Rakuten’s new office is situated near Cubbon Park. The 20-storey building, Rakuten-Crimson House, has office space of 3 lakh sq.ft. with a capacity to accommodate over 3,000 persons.

The office is expected to enhance the company’s capability for deep-tech innovation and R&D in e-commerce, fintech, content and entertainment, as well as AI in computer vision, speech, and natural language processing (NLP).

“India is and has been central to our growth strategy. Our new R&D centre will build on the high value-added engagements that Rakuten has been delivering from India in deep tech and product innovation,’‘ said Yasufumi Hirai, CIO, CISO, Group Executive Vice President of Rakuten Group, Inc.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)