The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has proposed an inter-ministerial working group to develop a common vision and working strategy in the area of bioengineering and nano-biotechnology. It has sought the establishment of appropriate regulatory process to hasten introduction of new medical devices through inter-ministerial consultations.
Formation of focused multi-disciplinary research groups with clear mandates, targets and adequate funding and a system of monitoring them for their accountability on research output have also been suggested. According to DBT, such a move should be followed up with suitable institution-industry linkage for technology proving and scaling up of products/medical devices developed at laboratory level.
The priority areas identified by DBT in bioengineering and nano- biotechnology are development of tissue engineered skin, cartilage, cornea, acute liver support, large segment bone repair and small diameter artery, biomaterials for drug delivery and controlled release, regenerative therapy for the failing myocardium through LVAD support, drug therapy and stem cell technology, advanced blood compatible surface for cardiovascular devices, advanced burn and wound dressings, bioinstrumentation and physiologic monitoring, biosensors for detecting and monitoring metabolites and identifying specific genetic materials and for home monitoring of critical parameters like creatinine, cholesterol and triglycerides.
It has also identified the need for developing dental and orthopaedic materials based on polymer-ceramic composites, test methods for safety evaluation of tissue engineered and combinational products, pre-eminent applications derived from nano-biotechnology include drug delivery systems and diagnostics.
According to DBT, R&D support should be focused on Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), medical electronics and fibre optics, bio-molecular chips for analysis, carbon nanotube based biosensors, DNA nanowire and electrical characterization of DNA.