Aiming to advance research and provide innovations in various issues related to ophthalmic disorders, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will soon begin research on nano-intervention in management of ophthalmic diseases.

DBT's initiative to begin research on nano-intervention in management of ophthalmic diseases holds significance as nanobiotechnology holds considerable promise to address various issues related to ophthalmic disorders such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration and other such diseases especially those affecting posterior segment of an eye. Nano enabled system and devices can find novel therapeutic solutions for crossing blood retina barrier and make sustained availability of drugs in desired therapeutic concertation in different compartments of eye.

The DBT has invited proposals built upon innovative ideas in the areas of “Nano Enabled System and Devices for Ocular diseases” by undertaking studies including but not limited to the two areas.  First, a design and development of nano-enabled system for delivery of drugs in chronic diseases of eye for sustained delivery of drugs for chronic conditions--age related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma; tissue specific targeting of drugs in ciliary body, trabecular network, bruch’s membrane/retinal pigment epithelial complex (sealing agents);  crossing blood retina barrier; non-invasive nano formulations of existing drugs; delivery of gene/s for child blindness like Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Retinitis Pigmentosa; and cell based therapy/regeneration.

Second, design and development of nano-enabled novel implant system for sustain release of Steroid; sustain release of non-steroidal anti inflammatory agents; anti-angiogenic implant with conventional (ANTI-VEGF) and novel targets; microneedle based systems/refillable drug delivery system; anterior segment implant ; microenvironment responsive/tunable drug release system; and post-surgery biodegradable artificial vitreous substitutes.

Interested applicants can submit full proposal in DBT format online through e-Promis www.dbtepromis.nic.in before 15th September, 2017.