An Indian scientist working with Pondicherry Biotech Pvt Ltd has been selected for the grant worth 100,000 dollars from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation instituted to explore unproven ways to improve global health.

Karthikeyan Kandavelou, project leader with Pondicherry Biotech, is among the 104 scientists from 22 countries for the grants worth 100,000 dollars each. His project title is 'a novel approach to prevent or cure HIV infection'. The project will explore genetic approaches to fighting HIV/AIDS, by attempting to mimic the natural resistance to HIV found in some people.

The winners, selected from 4000 applicants worldwide, were announced at the fourth annual meeting of the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative in Bangkok recently. The grants marks the first round of funding from Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to help lower the barriers for testing innovative ideas in global health.

The initial set of grants will inject fresh perspective into research for preventing or curing infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB, and limiting the emergence of drug resistance. Successful applicants showed how their project falls outside current scientific paradigms and could lead to significant advances if successful, according to a release here.

All levels of scientists are represented, including young investigators who never before have received a research grant, and those who were applying experience from other fields like bioengineering. Grants were made to universities and other non-profit organizations, government agencies, and six private companies.

Projects cover a wide range of innovation, including a 'mosquito flashlight' to prevent malaria transmission by disrupting wavelengths, self-destructing TB cells, and studying anti-infective properties of the eye to help prevent HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease. Mimicking effective natural processes to limit infectious disease.

Grand Challenges Explorations is a five-year $100 million initiative to promote innovation in global health. It is part of the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative, which is supported by the Gates Foundation to achieve major breakthroughs in global health.