The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is working on a nano-science and technology Mission to support basic research in nanotechnology in the country. The mission would focus on human resource development, public-private-partnerships and creation of advanced facilities in nanosciences.

According to Prof V S Ramamurthy, secretary, DST, the department will soon submit its proposal to the Central Government. Speaking at an Indo-US High Technology Co-operation Group (HTCG) recently, Prof Ramamurthy wanted HTCG to assist the department in creating a bi-national small business incubator fund to put into effect the objectives of the proposed mission. He also called for joint centres in specific areas of nanosciences where combined research programmes could be initiated.

"We want to be part of international nanotechnology research network. It would enable our scientists to have access to advanced facilities and plan joint research programmes in specific areas,” said Prof. Ramanurthy.

Targeted drug delivery is one of the priority areas identified by the DST.

In a related development, the DST, along with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for the establishment of a centralised facility for nano-enabled drug discovery and delivery to address the major challenge of infrastructure requirement. The facility is intended to host the basic necessary tools for conducting collaborative research related to nanotechnology for pharmaceutical industry. It is proposed that the industry and other stakeholders can use the facility for their regular research and pilot production needs, on cost-sharing basis.

The CII has already planned a workshop on centralised facility for nano-enabled drug discovery and delivery on December 14, 2005 at Hyderabad to discuss the issues and understand the interest and needs of the stakeholders.

According to Prof Ramamurthy, India already has eight major institutions offering research and academic programmes in nanotechnology. Nine major courses are also being conducted here. Even since the ‘Nanoscience and Technology–India Initiative’ was launched by DST in 2001, the government has supported 80 individual projects worth Rs 40 crore in nanoscience areas. Ten core groups have also been established with state-of-the-art facilities at an estimated cost of Rs 55 crore. The centralised facility would be entirely dedicated towards pharmaceutical research.

"A Hyderabad based company and a Delhi based drug firm have already shown interest in partnering with DST for setting up the central facility for drug delivery research. We are expecting more companies to come forward after the December 14th workshop," sources said.