Two practicing doctor brothers in Thiruvananthapuram have developed a hi-tech DNA optimizing and protein sequencing chip system through nano and fractal geometry technologies, helpful in developing new drugs and to prevent genetic diseases.
Also, the docs are learnt to be in advanced negotiations with a few nano-tech majors like Nano Development Corporation of Houston, USA to globally commercialize the product through collaborative research and development centre and to start a nano tech training institute, possibly the first of its kind in South East Asia. The facilities are likely to come up at Thiruvananthapuram or any other ideal South Indian cities.
Named 'NANOGENESEQ', and developed under the doctor duo's in-house R&D centre, the DNA BraidGeneseq system comprises of both hardware and software elements to optimize DNA and protein sequencing at both the efficiency and cost level.
The system is 200 per cent faster, less power consuming, and can overcome the overlapping problems related to DNA sequencing. It was especially useful for proteomics studies and for molecular self-assembly applications, and could be exploited to develop novel chemistries for use in nearly all fields from advanced materials to pharmaceuticals including DNA separation and bio-pharmaceuticals, said Dr Ajith Kumar and Dr Arun Kumar, while exclusively speaking to Pharmabiz.
The young doctors said the product has been patented in India for 20 years, and they had submitted 82 unchallenged claims, including 33 for the Nano Chip and 49 for the unique Nano Helical Laser component of the system, developed after nine years of painful research and experiments. The product will be ready for commercialization in another two to three months after slight fine-tuning, and is likely to be made available at a price of US $ 12,000 to 15,000. Market potential for Nanogeneseq is 'immense' in the field of futuristic global nano tech and allied markets estimated to the tune of over U.S. $ 10 trillion.
Dr Arun and Dr Ajith revealed talks are in advanced stages for the commericial collaborative venture with Nano Development Corporation. "The start up facility for the Nanotech Institute and product development centre is to the tune of about US $ 3 million scalable with another US $ 150 -200 million, and we are in talks with two three firms in USA and Middle East, besides a Mumbai based company. Our options are open, and we will welcome more proposals," said the doctors.
They said the Nano tech Institute, envisaged to start with 30 students in the first batch and with advanced costly equipments like Nano manipulator, would be the first of its kind not only in India, but also the whole of South East Asia.
Dr Arun Kumar is working with the Sree Ramakrishna Mission Hospital, Sasthamangalam and Dr Ajith Kumar is with Government General Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Earlier, they had devised and patented a Keliscope to speed up ENT diagnosis, and are researching in the area of mephomatics.