30 july 2008 221 - niscair pernambut (through cle) chicken feed from 328del2004 m/s dindigul limed...

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R&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D Highlights

Two new bacteria isolated from thedeep-sea sediment sample

Scientists of the Centre forCellular and Molecular Biology

(CCMB), Hyderabad, incollaboration with National Instituteof Oceanography, (NIO), Goa, haveisolated culturable bacteria fromdeep-sea sediments collected fromthe Chagos Trench in the IndianOcean below the water depth of5904 m. Bacteria were isolated from50-70 cm section of a 4.6 m longsediment core. These sedimentswere approximately 50,000 yearsold. Two strains of bacteria belongingto a new species Brevibacteriumoceani were described from thesesediments using 16S rRNAsequencing. The almost-complete 16S rRNA genesequences of these two strainsshowed 99.9% similarity amongthemselves. Following BLASTanalysis, the two strains showed97.9 to 98.4 % similarity to otherBrevibacterium species (see Fig.).DNA-DNA dot-blothybridization of these two strainswith other known Brevibacteriumspecies showed relatedness ofonly 35-41%. A DNA-DNArelatedness of 70% is used as thecut-off point for speciesdelineation. Based on theseresults and differences in otherphenotypic characteristics, it wasconcluded that these two strainsbelong to a novel species and thenew species nameBrevibacterium oceani wasproposed. [Int. J. Systemat.Evolut. Microbiol.: 58(1); 2008;57-60].

From the same sediments, twomore new strains belonging to a newspecies Microbacterium indicumwere described. Biochemicalcharacteristics, fatty acid profile,polar lipid contents and levels ofDNA-DNA hybridizationtechniques were used to report thisnew species. 16S rRNA genesequence similarity between the twostrains was 99.7% and with otherspecies of Microbacterium it variedfrom 97.2 to 97.4 %. However, thetwo new strains exhibited only 32-

34% DNA-DNA relatedness to otherspecies of Microbacterium.Therefore, based on differencesobserved in the phenotypic andchemotaxonomic characters, thesetwo strains belong to a novel speciesof Microbacterium to which thename Microbacterium indicum wasproposed. [Int. J. Systemat. Evolut.Microbiol. : 57(8); 2007; 1819-1822].

These results indicate thatdeep-sea sediments hold a hiddenwealth of microbial diversity whichremains to be explored.

Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showingthe position of new bacteria and closely related species of the genus Brevibacterium.

Accession number given in parentheses

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NIIST develops RFNC Rubber Sheet Drier

Rubber sheets prepared bycoagulating rubber latex with

acid followed by pressing in betweenrollers are cured (dried) bycontacting with smoke and hot air.Different types of driers/smokecuring houses are available for thecuring operation for big and mediumrubber planters/processors.However, there is no cost-effectivedrying system for the marginalfarmers. They resort to drying inopen space/keeping the sheetson tarred roads/hanging thesheets above the fire place inkitchen, etc. To meet therequirement of these farmers,the National Institute for Inter-disciplinary Science an Technology(NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, hasdeveloped a new drier in which hotsmoke and air mixture flows in adownward direction, contacting the

wet rubber sheets kept in hangingposition. In fact, during the past fewyears, NIIST has developed anumber of reverse flow naturalconvection driers for indirect dryingof a variety of agricultural products.

The newdesign for thedrying ofr u b b e rsheets is anextension ofthe principleof reverseflow naturalconvect ion( R F N C )system.

The drierconsists oftwo cham-bers, madeby parti-t i o n i n gv e r t i c a l l y.One of theseis used for

housing the furnace mixture and theother for hanging the wet rubbersheets in two layers. Each layer canaccommodate a maximum of30 sheets. The hot smoke enters thedrying chamber at the top andtravels in a downward direction andafter contacting the rubber sheets,escapes to the atmosphere throughthe slot provided at the bottom ofthe drier chamber.

Agricultural waste materialslike coconut husk, firewood, etc. canbe used as fuel for the generation ofhot air-smoke mixture. For wetrubber sheets weighing 500 g afterdrying, the time required for dryingis 2 days, provided the instructionsare followed properly.

Two types of designs for thesame capacity have been developed.One is portable and the other is fixedtype. The drier chamber of the firsttype is made using iron angles andflats, plywood, etc. The drier chamberof the second type is constructedusing hollow cement bricks.

A view of the portable type RFNC Rubber Sheet Driermade with M.S. angles, flats and bamboo plywood

The technology transfer document being handed over by Prof. T.K. Chandrashekar, Director, NIIST,Thiruvananthapuram, to Shri Johnson, Anna Industries, Angamally, Ernakulam Dist. Kerala.

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The licence for the fabrication and sale of RFNC(Reverse Flow Natural Convection) rubber sheet driersto farmers has been transferred to M/s Anna Industries,Manjapra, Angamally, Ernakulam Dist.

Patent application has been filed in India (No. IPANo 0896 del 06 dated 14/06/2006). NIIST developed thisdrier jointly with M/s Mitraniketan, Vellanad,Thiruvananthapuram, a premier NGO, with the financialsupport from Department of Science and Technology,Government of India, New Delhi.

Patents granted to NAL

The patents granted to the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL),Bangalore, during March-April 2008 include:

Patent No 215684: An improved process for the preparation of boehmite / alphaalumina or mixture thereof, P.K. Panda, V.A. Jallel, T.S. Kannanof Material Science Division (21 March 2008).

Patent No 216783 A process for shaping thermoplastic sheets for wind shields /windows for vehicles, using an unique vacuum technique,R.M.V.G.K. Rao, C. Pragalathan, S.S. Desai of Fibre ReinforcedPlastic Division (28 March 2008).

Patent No 216788 A chemical milling plant, A. Pourassamy, K.S. Rajam, K.S.P.Kumar of Surface Engineering Division (28 March 2008).

Patent No 216819 A protective device for controlling stall and surge in centrifugalcompressors, S. Ramamurthy, Murugeshan, Shankarnarayanan,Rajendran of Propulsion Division (28 March 2008).

Patent No 217563 An improved process for the hydrothrmal synthesis ofboehmite, alpha alumina or their mixtures in doped form, P.K.Panda, V.A. Jallel, T. S. Kannan of Material Science Division(11 April 2008).

Patent No 217572 Modified chain stitch process for stitching stiff and large sizecomposite materials, R.S. Verma, J.S. Nair of AdvancedComposite Division (11 April 2008).

Patent No 217586 An improved process for the preparation of low apparentdensity and bright white alumina trihydrate, P.K. Panda, V.A.Jallel, T.S. Kannan of Material Science Division (11 April 2008).

The North East Instituteof Science and

Technology (NEIST),Jorhat, has developed a newprocess for the productionof mosquito repellentAgarbatti from herbalpreparations. Being herbalbased the process is eco-friendly as well. Thiscottage level knowhow canbe had by paying a fee ofjust Rs 20,000. Suitable forsmall and marginalentrepreneurs, the processhas recently been releasedto the first client inSivasagar district of upperAssam.

Process formosquito

repellent HerbalAgarbatti

A view of the Fixed type RFNC Rubber Sheet Drier constructedA view of the Fixed type RFNC Rubber Sheet Drier constructedA view of the Fixed type RFNC Rubber Sheet Drier constructedA view of the Fixed type RFNC Rubber Sheet Drier constructedA view of the Fixed type RFNC Rubber Sheet Drier constructedwith hollow cement brickswith hollow cement brickswith hollow cement brickswith hollow cement brickswith hollow cement bricks

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The Central Leather ResearchInstitute (CLRI), Chennai, has

emerged as the global leader inleather research. It has globalshares of 30% in peer reviewedpublications, 7-10% in IPR productsand 35% in human capacity builtannually in leather.

With a wide core competenceencompassing biology, chemistry,engineering and leather science theinstitute has been able to gain peerrecognition for valuablecontributions made to R&D. CLRI’stwo lead and integrated outputs ofnetwork projects, namely ZeroEmission Research InitiativeLeadership (ZERIL) and WinningWater from Wastes for Leather(WWWL) have been commissionedduring 2006-07. The institute madeefforts to consolidate on leads gainedfor technology standardization ofbioresources for and from leatherand provided viable technologysolutions for achieving TotalDissolved Solids (TDS) norm andmanagement of solid wastesgenerated from the processingsector. Apart from TDS reductionthrough in-plant measures, chillingas a method of preservation, use ofNeem and other bioresources forpreservation, low salt preservationand enzymes as dehairing and fibreopening agents have paved a way inleather processing area.

Global visibility of the researchoutputs has been gained through atotal of eight collagen basedbiomaterial products, which have

found clinical applications in burnmanagement and wound healing.Newer chemicals and products havebeen synthesized, which havepotential applications in leatherindustry. Two NMITLIprogrammes to which CLRI islinked, i.e. ‘Biotechnology forLeather ’ and ‘Development ofenvironmentally secure rare earthcolorants for surface coatingapplications’ have moved into thesecond phase, while some ofinstitute’s successful technologicalleads are moving to stages of pilotscale demonstration and commercialevolution.

During 2006-07, ten patentswere granted to CLRI abroad, eightwere granted in India, three patentswere filed abroad, while nine were

Technology Patent PartyApplication No

Sustainable Landfill 125Del2006 Ranipet Tannery EffluentTreatment Co. Ltd, Wallajah,Ranipet (through CLE)

Sustainable Landfill 125Del2006 TALCO Pernambut TanneryEffluent Treatment CompanyLtd, Pernambut (through CLE)

Chicken feed from 328Del2004 M/s Dindigullimed fleshing Proteins and Feeds

Waste water 2497Del2005 M/s Tesla Technologies &treatment Oxidation Private Ltd

Waste water 317Del2004 M/s Enhanced Wapp Systemstreatment (India) Pvt Ltd, New Delhi

Treatment of 320Del2004 M/s UPLwaste water Environmental Engineers

Limited Vadodara

Central Leather Research Institute, ChennaiR&D Highlights: 2006-07

filed in India. One copyright wasfiled for software, and the followingtechnologies were transferred to sixparties:

A total of 138 papers werepublished during the year. Theexternal cash flow (ECF) of theinstitute during 2006-07 was Rs 9.5crore.

Highlights of significantR&D achievements

during 2006-07

Leather ProcessingTechnology

The leather processing groupmade focused efforts to address theTotal Dissolved Solids (TDS) issue

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through technology initiatives.Some of the technologies developedfor reducing TDS in tannery effluentinclude in-plant measures forreduction of TDS, short termpreservation methodologies such aschilling and low salt preservationtechniques.

The suitable in-plant TDSreduction measures for the treatedwaste water were identified,implemented and standardized fortwo tanning clusters in Tamil Nadudirected by the Tamil Nadu PollutionControl Board (TNPCB). This hasled to reduction in TDS to less than7,000 mg/1.

The process conditions werestandardized for fundamentalmicrobiological and engineeringaspects of chilling system as amethod of preservation of hides/skins. A mobile chiller has beendesigned and field tested. Trials atsemi commercial/commercial scalehave been conducted. The overallcost-benefit that this system offersto salt curing has been analyzed andfound to be a viable option.

The low salt based systemhas been tried and standardized.For preserving the skins for asignificant span of time, commonsalt as low as 5% was used alongwith MgO and the cured skins couldbe preserved for a period not lessthan 40 days. The quality of leatherswere on par with those made fromconventional salt curing.Commercial scale trials have beenconducted.

A new bacterial strainproducing protease has beenisolated and the protease tested forits efficacy in dehairing application.

Preliminary experiments indicatethat the enzyme has good dehairingefficacy.

Leather ProductTechnology

The Shoe Design &Development Centre continued itsefforts in the area of newer materialsand product innovations in footwear,biomechanics, fashion forecastingand training.

A novel approach for solebonding technique in full shoemanufacture using microwave heatactivation was made. Bondingprocess in shoes generally takesplace after the adhesive is activatedwith IR radiation followed bypressing and curing. Many a time,if temperature and time are notcontrolled properly, it leads to eitherweak bonding or materialdisintegration. To overcome thisproblem an alternative heatactivation technique using domesticmicrowave oven was tried atdifferent energy (wattage) levels andtime duration of activation.Microwave heat activation as amethod for sole bonding has beenfound to be effective at 20 secondsheat activation time.

Many viscoelastic materials areused in shoes to replace the shock-absorbing and pressure distributingfunctions of natural fat pad beneaththe foot that was lost due toconditions such as diabetes,arthritis, age or overuse.Segmented polyether polyurethaneswere synthesized and developedinto sheets by blending withcommercially available polyester

polyurethane. The cushioning andmorphological properties ofdeveloped materials were studiedfor application in therapeuticfootwear.

Integrated software forprescription of footwear designbased on computational riskcategory estimation has beendeveloped for diabetic patients.

Seventeen out of 20 colours forshoes and 10 out of 11 colours forgarments feature from India for theAutumn/Winter 2007-08 season aspredicted by MODEUROP.Fashion intelligence has beendisseminated through Foot Prints,Food hold, Trend Forecast, BagPicture and Revisit.

Leather apparel and accessoriesgroup has worked extensively onmaterials, methods and applicationsand developed unique combinationproducts with leather. Sinceemerging trends offer immenseopportunities for combinationproducts, exclusive products fromnatural materials such as pineapplefibre have been designed anddeveloped as fashion accessories.

A suitable novel natural fabricmade out of pineapple leaf fibre(PALF) has been identified forcombination with leather tofabricate a range of products. TheSouth Indian Textile ResearchAssociation (SITRA) has successfullyproduced yarns from 100% PALF.The yarns are loomed into fabrics.PALF has been combined withleather and a range of products havebeen developed.

As a luxury fiber, cashmerecommands high price.

Combination of cashmere


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fabrics with leather has led to arange of products.

EnvironmentTechnology

Environment research grouphas continued to address theenvironmental issues of the leatherprocessing sector. Efforts aimed atproviding technology solutions forsolid waste management, wastetreatment, removal of organics fromwater and methods for effectiveCommon Effluent Treatment Plant(CETP) Operation andMaintenance (O & M).

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) intannery effluent being a cause ofserious environmental concern,Common Effluent Treatment Plants(CETPs) and Effluent TreatmentPlants (ETPs) recover and reuse thewater through Reverse Osmosis(RO) plants. To increase the life ofthe RO membrane, pretreatment ofthe waste water using sand filter,photochemical oxidizer, activatedcarbon filter, cartridge filter, dosingsystems is essential. A membranereactor combining conventionalbiological treatment processes withmembrane filtration has beendeveloped for organic andsuspended solids removal.Membrane reactor eliminates theuse of sand and cartridge filters.

Two CETPs were selected forevaluation and assessment. Data onchemical and electricalconsumption, O & M expenditureand the respective rate of inflow ofwastewater were collected. Thecost of chemical consumption toremove Total Suspended Solids

(TSS) was calculated. Based on theinformation collected on hours ofoperation and efficiency of theprocess, cost control strategies wererecommended.

Chemo autotropic ActivatedCarbon Oxidation (CAACO) is amixture of biological and chemicaloxidations in a single, chemoautotrophimmobilized activated carbon,packed bed reactor. Oxygen requiredfor the oxidation of organics isapplied in the form of compressedair from the bottom of the reactor.The wastewater to be treated isapplied across the cross section. Theoxidation of organics in wastewateroccurs while the fluid streams (airand wastewater) flow in the countercurrent direction. CAACO basedtreatment systems have beenimplemented for the treatment ofwastewater discharged from leather,textile, chemical, pharmaceuticaland food industries in India forvolume of wastewater ranging from50 m3/day to 2000 m3/day.

CLRI has designed anddeveloped a decentralized securelandfill system for sludge generatedfrom tannery sector with ReinforcedCement Concrete (RCC) structurewith provision to collect leachateand treat in CETPs and also toaccommodate more quantity ofsludge with less area. Thisdecentralized secure landfill systemhas been implemented in a majorcluster in Tamil Nadu with financialassistance from Ministry ofCommerce and Industry.

Leather ChemicalsTechnology

R&D initiatives aimed at

development of chemicals andformulations which have potentialsfor application in leather.

Bovine pancreatic enzyme wasfound to depilate the hairs on skinsand hides. This finding leads to thedevelopment of a process for lime-sulphide free dehairing in leatherprocessing.

Siloxane materials provideadvantages such as low temperatureflexibility, high thermal stability,hydrophobicity, oxidative resistance,biocompatibility and significant gaspermeability. Polyimides exhibitthermal stability, dimensionalstability and electric property andfind application in aerospace andelectronic industries. Polyimideswith polysiloxane groups as sidechains were synthesized to enhancethermal properties. A series ofnovel poly (imide-siloxane)s (PIS)were synthesized by the grafting ofamine terminated soluble imides tothe siloxane backbone. Thepolymers were characterized by FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR. The polymerswere found to be stable up to atemperature of 3500C.

Benzothiazole moiety is apharmacologically significantorganic entity with application asantitumor agent. Thiazolidinonederivatives possess antimicrobial,antiviral and anticancer properties.A novel and efficient method hasbeen developed at the institute tosynthesize a single moleculecontaining both benzothiazole andthiazolidinone moieties with a viewto increase the potency of thebiological activity by increasing thenumber of sulfur and nitrogen atomsthrough the cyclization of imine


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been investigated for agriculturalbactericide activity and some otherbenzoxanthenes find applications inindustries such as dyes in lasertechnology and fluorescentmaterials for visualization ofbiomolecules. Ceric sulfatecatalyzed synthesis of 14-aryl oralkyl-14H-dibenzo[a, j] xantheneunder conventional heating andmicrowave irradiation has beencarried out.

Compounds bearing 1,3 amino-oxygenated functional motifs areubiquitous to a variety of biologicallyimportant natural products andpotent drugs, including a number ofnucleoside antibiotics and proteaseinhibitors, such as ritonavir andlipinavir. A facile method for theconstruction of 1,3-amido alcohols,has been developed as thesemolecules are versatile precursorsfor 1,3-amino alcohols and ligandsfor asymmetric catalysts.

Core Groups in Basic Sciences

Basic research during the yearwas aimed at investigations on threestep tanning methodology, coupledwater in biomolecules, synthesisand characterization of polymersand organic compounds withpotential applications in leather andother industries.

Leather Sciences

A three step tanningmethodology has been developed byCLRI towards a near zerowastewater discharge leatherprocessing. Cow hides were

dehaired using enzyme baseddehairing method. Sides weretreated withα-amylase and waterfor 3 h in a drum. Alternatively, thesides were treated with sodiumhydroxide and water in a drum, forone day. A pickle basification freechrome tanning at pH 5.0 has beendeveloped with and withoutmasking. The pH of the pelts wasadjusted to 5.0 using three differentacids namely sulfuric, acetic andoxalic acid without sodium chloride.Speciation studies were carried outduring the course of tanning in orderto understand the mechanisticpathways associated in the novelprocessing method.

Chemical Sciences

A simple and environment friendlyprotocol for the Michael addition ofindoles using water as solvent hasbeen developed. This protocoleliminates the use of hazardousorganic solvents and is operationallysimple since the product can beeasily isolated by a simple phaseseparation.

Investigations were made on theinfluence of ligand structure on theDNA binding and cleaving propertyof metal complexes. Complexes ofterpyridyl derivatives with varietyof metal ions have been synthesizedand crystallographically characterized.Copper (II) complexes of these ligandsshow nuclease activity in thepresence of a co reagent likehydrogen peroxide or ascorbic acid.On the other hand Cobalt (III)complexes of these ligands cleaveDNA photolytically due to their highexcited state potential.

using Lewis acid as a catalyst.The novel nanoparticle

dispersion (NPD) of a highmolecular weight copolymer(6.04×105 daltons) in aqueousmedium was investigated for itsapplication as chrome exhaust aid.The copolymer chain is made up oftwo types of monomers, viz. anacrylic ester and an amino acidderivative. It has beendemonstrated that NPD couldperform as a high exhaust chromeaid to provide 94% exhaustion ofchromium when used during chrometanning operation.

2-amino-chromenes are widelyemployed as pigments, cosmetics,potential agrochemicals andrepresent an important class ofchemical entities being the mainconstituents of many naturalproducts. Fused chromenes exhibitwide spectrum of biologicalapplications as antimicrobial,antiviral, mutagenic, anti-proliferative and antitumor agents.An eco-friendly route to thesynthesis of 2-amino chromenes andindolyl chromenes has beenelucidated.

The indole moiety is probablythe most common and importantfeature, of a variety of naturalproducts and medicinal agents withsignificant biological activitiesincluding antimicrobial, antiviraland antitumor properties.

In recent years, attention hasbeen focused on the synthesis ofaryl-14H-dibenzo {a, j} xanthenes,owing to their significant biologicalactivities, as antibacterial antiviraland anti-inflammatory agents.Xanthene based compounds have


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Organized self-assembledmonolayers (SAMs) of thiol on themetal surfaces are formed easily bysoaking the substrates in thiolsolution for few hours. These layersare stable since there is chemicalbond formation between thesubstrate atom and the sulfur atomof the thiol and also the hydrophobicinteractions of alkyl chains. Adetailed study on the removal ofSAMs by surfactants has beencarried out at the institute. CVstudies were carried out toelucidate the blocking properties ofSAMs of thiol and also to investigatethe stability of the thiol with respectto (i) electrode potential (ii) CTAB.CV experiments were carried out inthe following potential ranges: -0.4to +0.4 V (b) -0.2 to +0.9 V (c) -0.2to 1.6 V in 0.5M sulfuric acid.

Hydrogen bonding has uniquestrength character ranging from fewkcal/mol to 40 kcal/mol anddirectionality. It has been observedthat the electron density at thehydrogen bond critical pointincreases linearly with increasingstabilization energy from weakhydrogen bonds to moderate andstrong hydrogen bonds, serving asan indicator of the nature and aunified picture of Van der Waals toclassical H-bonding to strong H-bonding. New nano materials havebeen designed based on H-bondinginteraction. It has been shown thatthe linear water clusters exist intheir own right.

Biological Sciences

The study on the causes leadingto delayed wound healing in

diabetic foot ulcers showed highlipid peroxidation indicative ofoxidative stress in the neuroischaemic foot ulcer infective group.The level of cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 was upregulated in theneuropathic and neuroischaemicfoot ulcer – infective groups. Theproteolytic enzymes responsible forthe degradation of extra cellularmatrix (ECM) components duringtissue remodeling are matrixmetalloproteinases.

Investigations have been carriedout to understand the biotoxicity ofCr on lymphocytes. Some of thesignaling molecules which take partin the biotoxicity process have beenidentified and the sequence ofactivation arrived at using inhibitorsfor these signaling molecules. Asignaling pathway has beenelucidated for Cr induced apoptosisof lymphocytes. Reactive OxygenSpecies (ROS) is an early event andactivates down stream effectorssuch as Src family tyrosingekinasesand caspase 3. Studies revealed zincprotects lymphocytes from Cr (III)induced apoptosis. The 35S-cysteinelabeling studies have indicated thatin the presence of zinc,Metallothionein (MT) synthesis isinduced in lymphocytes.

BiomaterialDevelopment & Testing

Collagen based biomaterialshave found extensive applications inhealth care systems. Process hasbeen standardized for preparationof soluble collagen and reconstitutedcollagen sheet from calfskin andamniotic membrane. These scaffolds

were used as such or incombinations to develop novelwound dressing materials. Aloe vera– collagen based membrane hasbeen developed as an activecomposite biomaterial, whichelicited positive healing of burnwounds and acted as substrate forculture of human dermal fibroblast.

Collagen scaffolds were designedas controlled drug delivery systemsin a wide variety of wounds withemphasis on mitigating infectionand modulation of MatrixMetalloproteinase activity (MMP)to hasten healing. Effectiveness ofSodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)loaded alginate MicrosphereImpregnated Collagen Scaffold(SSDM-CS) System was assessedthrough infection (Pseudomonasaeruginosa) in deep second-degreeburn wounds in rat model. SSDM-CS was able to hasten the healingprocess at a much faster rate.

Dermal, epidermal and full skinequivalents have been developedindigenously for clinical applicationusing collagen and collagen-chitosancomposites. All these equivalentswere of 2-D nature. The 3-D tissueengineered construct was developedby adding the known number offibroblast cell suspension in collagensolution and cast as gels. It is usedas a dermal equivalent and a modelfor evaluation of active constituentsin vitro.

Skin Biology

Investigations for understandingthe biochemical and molecularmechanisms of abnormal woundhealing have been carried out. In


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the understanding of scale up andprocess engineering.

Process control systems forchemicals and water addition andPH control have been designed,developed and implemented in anumber of tanneries in the country.In association with the tannerygroup in CLRI a device for odourcontrol has been designed anddeveloped and is ready for fieldtrials.

Power ultra sound studiesindicate potential applications inleather processing.

Different drying techniques likeradio frequency drying and vacuumdrying have been tried for the dryingof leather for better productivity andphysical properties. Methods forchemical and biodegradation of dyesin the tannery effluent streams havebeen developed.

A valuable and systematicprotocol for the experimentalidentification of runway potentialsof reaction systems has beendeveloped. Properties of fireworkchemical compositions have beenstudied to assess risk freepreparations.

Bio calorimeter studies aimed atinvestigating the metabolic reactionof microorganisms in tannery salineeffluent.

NetworkProgrammes

CLRI under the Networkprogramme of CSIR, had madeefforts to (a) consolidate on leadsgained by the institute for technologystandardization of bioresources forand from leather and (b) provide

viable technology solutions forachieving Total Dissolved Solids(TDS) norm and management ofwastes generated from theprocessing sector.

A process scheme and a rangeof options have been developed forzero wastewater discharge processfrom raw to tanning. Through thevarious recycling and reuse optionsdeveloped and standardized, it ispossible to reduce the water inputfrom about 22 l/kg of skin to about5.5 1/kg of skin. There is nowastewater discharge from theprocess system. An engineeringpackage for this process scheme hasalso been designed. A pilot plant hasbeen established for carrying outfurther research for zero dischargeusing various raw materials andproducts. The pilot plant is availableto tanners for trying zero dischargeprocess prior to standardizing thesame at commercial scale.

The network project onbioresources has led to thedevelopment of a viable network offour CSIR laboratories to work onprogrammes of national importanceon leather. Enzymes (proteases) fordehairing applications have beendeveloped.

Nearly 50% of the bioresourcesavailable from skin or hide havebeen sub optimally used. Thiscauses solid waste disposal problem.Utilization strategies have beendeveloped for solid wastes. Some ofthe products developed fromfleshing by CLRI are high valueanimal feed (dog biscuits, chickenfeed).

Eight collagen basedbiomaterial products, which have

the dermis of keloids more activatedMAP kinase expression was seenwhereas in hypertrophic scars,epidermis showed increasedexpression. Decorin levels inabnormal wounds have beenstudied. Interestingly RT-PCRanalysis of dermal fibroblasts ofkeloids showed low expression ofdecorin compared to hypertrophicscars and normal skin. Expressionof decorin has been evaluatedusing anti decorin anti bodies inmice. It is hypothesized that theup-regulation of MAP kinase activityand low levels of decorin may be thecontributory factors for excesscollagen deposition and its abnormalassembly in keloids. Based on theobservations, the cDNA encodingdecorin was prepared, sequenced,and cloned into the pGEMT-PCRcloning vector. The cDNAencoding decorin was excised fromthe PCR vector and subclonedinto the bacterial expressionvector for the preparation andpurification of recombinant decorin.This recombinant used alongwith collagen as dressing materialhas been tested for its efficacyin vivo.

Engineering forModernization & Safety

The chemical engineering grouphas been providing engineeringinputs for the leather industry forpreparation of techno economicfeasibility reports and designengineering packages forestablishment of complexes. Thebasic research activities of the grouphave aimed at providing insights into


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The Mechanical Engineering Research & Development Organization(MERADO), Ludhiana, an extension centre of CMERI, Durgapur, has

taken initiative to forge collaboration and cooperation in the area of agriculturalmachinery leading to precision farming with the Centre for Development ofAdvanced Computing (C-DAC), Mohali. An MoU to this effect was signed byDr Gopal P. Sinha, Director, Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute(CMERI) and Shri J.S.Bhatia, Director, C-DAC, on 27 May 2008 at Mohali.

C-DAC (erstwhile CEDTI) Mohali, is an institute of the Government ofIndia, which is known for the quality in conceptualization, design,implementation and monitoring of training programmes.

The present MoU will enable MERADO/CMERI and C-DAC to undertakejoint research work in areas of mutual interest, viz Mechanical Engineeringand Agricultural Machinery. MERADO had earlier designed and developed‘Black Box Housing for Automobiles’ under a C-DAC sponsored project.Technology of the same was transferred to C-DAC. It was released by theMinister of State for I.T., Dr Shakeel Ahmad and Secretary DIT, ShriJainderSingh in the exhibition, Elitex 2008 in New Delhi.

This MoU would foster a closer interaction between C-DAC, Mohali andMERADO, Ludhiana.

The occasion was graced by Dr Pawan Kapur, Director, CentralScientific Instruments Organisation, (CSIO), Chandigarh; scientists and staffmembers of C-DAC; Cdr. V.R. Dahake, Scientist Incharge, MERADO andother senior scientists of MERADO.

MERADO – C-DAC MoUfor collaboration

Dr Gopal P. Sinha, Director, CMERI (left) and Shri J.S. Bhatia, Director, C-DAC (right) signingthe MoU. Standing (from left): Dr Pawan Kapur, Director, CSIO; Cdr. V.R. Dahake,

Shri Baljit Singh (C-DAC) and Dr Pradeep Rajan of MERADO.

MoUsMoUsMoUsMoUsMoUs

clinical application in burnmanagement and woundhealing have beendeveloped. Three of thecollagen products viz.collagen sheet, reconstitutedcollagen sheet and collagensponge have already beencommercialized and haveentered clinical use.

New Millennium IndianTechnology Leadership

Initiative (NMITLI)

The NMITLIprogramme on‘Biotechnology for leather’in the first phase aimed atparadigm shift in processingof leather from chemical tobioprocessing. ExtensiveR&D by 12 researchinstitutions has led todevelopment of 18 productleads which offer technologyoptions for salt lesspreservation, lime andsulfide free dehairing andfibre opening. Efforts arebeing made to convert theleads into commercializableproducts throughtechnology partnershipswith chemical companies.

A turnkey contractor foroperation and managementof the upscaling facility forproduction of enzymes hasbeen identified.

A team from CLRI hasbeen formed for ensuringsmooth execution andoperation of the upscalingfacility.

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Meetings/Workshops/LecturesMeetings/Workshops/LecturesMeetings/Workshops/LecturesMeetings/Workshops/LecturesMeetings/Workshops/Lectures

Second Meeting/Workshopof International Network

Project on SeismicHazard in Asia

The second meeting/workshop of an international network project entitled

‘Seismic Hazard in Asia” was organized atCSIR Centre for Mathematical Modelling& Computer Simulation (C-MMACS)Bangalore, during 31 March – 11 April 2008.

Dr A.R. Upadhya, Director, NationalAerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangaloreinaugurated the workshop. The Scientist-in-Charge, C-MMACS Dr Ramamohanwelcomed the delegates and gave a briefhistory of C-MMACS. Dr Parvez presentedthe genesis of the network project, theprogress and the importance of such anetwork in the Asian region which is underhigh seismic threat. The geological systemstarting from Hindukush to Andaman andNicobar through the Himalayas is quitecomplex and covers many political andnational boundaries. Dr Parvez alsowelcomed three new members in thenetwork, each from Indonesia, Thailand andPhilippines.

Dr A.R. Upadhya presided over theinaugural function and explained theseismological complexity of the region,highlighting the past catastrophic events inAsian region. He emphasized theimportance of working together andintegrating the findings from each countryin order to mitigate the impact of suchcatastrophe.

Dr Fabio Romanelli, University ofTrieste, Italy, welcomed the delegates onbehalf of Prof. G. F. Panza and mentionedabout the ongoing network project in NorthAfrica and Latin America.

Prof. D. Balasubramanian deliversNSD Lecture at NGRI

As a part of the National Technology Day celebration at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI),

Hyderabad, Prof. D. Balasubramanian, Director of Research,LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, delivered the 2008National Technology Day Lecture “From Bench to Bedside –The Story of Translational Biology in India since Independence”at NGRI on 12 May 2008. Prof Balasubramanian summarizedthe revolutionary changes that took place in R&D in the fieldsof Agriculture, Biology, Dairy, Medicine and Pharma sciencessince Independence. He explained how these changes helpedwhen they were adopted and applied for the betterment of theIndian society. He complemented the scientists who wereresponsible for green and white revolution, Pharmaceuticaldevelopment and also in the field of Biology and Medicalsciences. He dwelt at length the impact of this transformationon the society.

After the lecture Prof. Balasubramanian released the ‘NGRIResearch Output 2007.’

Earlier, Dr V.P. Dimri, Director, NGRI, introduced thedistinguished speaker and also reviewed the progress made byNGRI in various projects during the last year.

Dr Y.J. Bhaskara Rao, Scientist ‘G’, proposed the vote ofthanks.

Prof D. Balasubramanian releasing the NGRI Research output-2007.Seen with him is Dr V.P. Dimri, Director, NGRI

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Lectures/VisitsLectures/VisitsLectures/VisitsLectures/VisitsLectures/Visits

Constrained peptides as inhibitors ofprotein - DNA and

Protein-Protein Interactions S.S. Bhatnagar Lecture by Prof. Siddhartha Roy

Prof. Siddhartha Roy, Director,Indian Institute of Chemical Biology

(IICB), Kolkata, delivered the 16th

S.S.Bhatnagar Memorial Lecture on thetopic “Constrained peptides asinhibitors of protein - DNA and Protein- Protein Interactions” at IndianInstitute of Chemical Technology(IICT), Hyderabad, on 1 April 2008.

Dr Roy spoke at length about thepotential of peptides aschemotherapeutic agent in the drugsand pharmaceutical industry. Hesaid that a lot of work has been done inthis area because preparation ofdifferent amino acids leading tochemotherapeutic peptides is mucheasier compared to other options.

Earlier, Dr J.S.Yadav, Director,IICT, who presided over the function,highlighted the significance of the eventand the achievements of IICT during

Dr J.S. Yadav, Director, IICT, is presenting a memento toProf. Siddhartha Roy (right), who delivered the Bhatnagar Lecture

the financial year 2007-08. He explainedthe genesis of the lecture series startedon 1 April 1989 in the name of Dr S.S.Bhatnagar, first Director General ofCSIR and a father figure to the 38laboratory of CSIR, who provided anoutstanding leadership and extra-ordinaryservices to CSIR.

Dr A.C. Kunwar, Director GradeScientist, introduced the illustriousspeaker to the audience right from hisPh.D. from the University of Delaware,USA, to his tenure at the Bose Institute,Kolkata, and the present tenure asDirector, IICB.

The programme was attended byacademicians, members of the industryand member of the IICT’s sister laboratories,in addition to staff members andresearch fellows of IICT. MrsC.B.Lakshmi, Head, ResearchManagement, proposed a vote of thanks.

Assam ChiefMinister visits

NEIST

Shri Tarun Gogoi, ChiefMinister of Assam,

accompanied by hisofficials paid a visit toNorth-East Institute ofScience and Technology(NEIST), Jorhat, on 1February 2008. NEISTDirector, Dr P. G. Raowelcomed thedistinguished visitors andinformed them about theresearch work beingundertaken at the institutefor the development of thestate as well as the NorthEast. The Chief Ministertook keen interest in theresearch activities andevinced keen interest inthe areas of Biotechnologyand Geosciences. Hevisited both thedepartments andinteracted with thescientists. He was later ontaken to the NEISTExhibition Hall where hewas shown the variousdisplays on the institute’sa c c o m p l i s h m e n t s .Presentations of theindividual departmentswere made by theconcerned scientists. TheChief Minister expressedhappiness over the R&Dwork being carried out atNEIST.

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Major EventsMajor EventsMajor EventsMajor EventsMajor Events

Major events at NEERI

During April-June 2008, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur,celebrated three major events: (i) Its Foundation Day (8 April), (ii) National Technology Day (12 May) and

(iii) World Environment Day (5 June). Eminent personalities delivered lectures on these occasions. Highlights:

Foundation Day— Concluding ceremony of Golden Jubilee Celebrations

NEERI completed its 50years of foundation on 8 April2008. On this occasion, theinstitute organized aconcluding ceremony ofNEERI Golden Jubileecelebrations. Dr K.Kasturirangan, Director,National Institute ofAdvanced Studies (NIAS),Bangaluru and formerChairman of ISRO presidedover as the Chief Guest. Dr S.Varadarajan, former DirectorGeneral, CSIR, was the Guestof Honour.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Space andEnvironment’, Dr Kasturirangan saidthat India spends about Rs 4,000 crorein space research programmes and canafford to spend a few thousand croremore. Health, agriculture and water aresome of the areas where ISRO can domuch more through various satelliteprojects. He opined that after makingsatellites like ‘Cartosat’, ‘Resourcesat’,‘Edusat’, etc., now we should think ofHealthsat, Watersat, Agrisat and evenAstrosat.

Commenting on Chandrayaan – I,Dr Kasturirangan said that its next stepcould be to land a robot on the moon,explore it and collect samples. He saidthat in future, we may use the moon forunmanned missions to Mars, as a mid-step launching pad.

Dr Kasturirangan advocated forcollaboration between NEERI and

ISRO to combat the environmentalchallenges. He said that space systemshave become a crucial tool for findingout solutions to climate change.Synoptic coverage, repeatedobservations, multi-spectral imaging,information on special domain, stereocoverage, etc., are some of theadvantages of remote sensing, headded. Dr Kasturirangan informed thatthe progress made in last four decadespertaining to various spaceprogrammes has been instrumental insnow and glacier monitoring,desertification and droughtmonitoring, land degradationmonitoring, coastal monitoring,biodiversity monitoring,environmental impact assessmentstudies, etc. He said that because ofremote sensing satellites, it waspossible to note in 2000 that a total of64 million hectares (Mha) land

degraded in India, anddepending on thisinformation, necessary stepswere taken, and in 2003 thearea of degraded landreduced to 56 Mha.Maharashtra had 4.93 Mhawasteland, which was 16.02%of the total geographical area,he added.

Dr Varadarajan in hisaddress, cautioned against thealarming growth of energydemand. Alternatives to meetthe energy demand do not

seem easy and sufficient, he added. Insuch grim scenario, Dr Varadarajanstated that NEERI can play a significantrole in finding out appropriatesolutions in the area of energy andenvironment. He also threw light onseveral other problems related to theenvironment and urged the scientiststo concentrate on excellence in R&Dto find out perfect solutions.

In his welcome address, Dr TapanChakrabarti, Acting Director, NEERI,highlighted significant R&D activitiescarried out in last 50 years at theinstitute. He also assured that theinstitute will continue this tradition ofexcellence in R&D in environmentalscience and engineering.

On this occasion, Dr Kasturiranganreleased the ‘Commemoration Volume’published by the institute.

On this day, the ‘NEERI GoldenJubilee Concluding Conference on

Dr K. Kasturirangan delivering the lecture on ‘Space and Environment’.Seated on the dais is Dr T. Chakrabarti

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Environment & SustainableDevelopment’ was also organized. Theconference was inaugurated by DrKasturirangan. Several environmentexperts, Dr Deepak Kantawala, ex-RCChairman, NEERI; Mr K.P. Nyati,Principal Advisor, CII; Dr SamGodfrey, UNICEF, Bhopal; Prof. B.

National Technology Day Celebrations

Mr C.V. Khandelwal, Chief ofOperations, Indo Rama Synthetics (I)Limited, Nagpur, was the Chief Gueston this occasion, and he delivered alecture on ‘Energy and Environment’,Mr Khandelwal said that overlappingissues related to energy andenvironment are posing seriouschallenges to both developed anddeveloping countries. Energy andeconomy are interrelated to each other.We have to take care of theenvironment too. Mr Khandelwalemphasized on the need to ensureclean affordable energy options for allincluding the poorest sections of thesociety. He gave details about GDPgrowth rates of various countries in

World Environment Day CelebrationsDr Mohan Dharia, a well-known environmentalist and

former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission ofIndia, presided over as the Chief Guest.

Delivering his lecture on ‘My approach in India tomeet the challenge of global warming’, Dr Dharia expressedconcern over the consequences of global warming. He saidthat global warming is not a challenge but it is a calamity.We should minimize the adverse impacts of global warmingusing our natural resources, he added. Dr Dharia remarkedthat there should be adequate forest cover, enough naturalresources and good water availability, so that global warmingshould not affect us. We should use natural resources verycautiously, he urged. Speaking about natural resources, DrDharia informed that we are not harvesting even 10% oftotal rain water. To conserve every drop of water, there is a

terms of energy economy. Briefing onenergy intensity, Mr Khandelwal saidthat energy intensity is an indicator tosee how energy is used efficiently ineconomy. During industrialization,energy requirement increases formassive growth of GDP, he added. MrKhandelwal remarked that India’senergy intensity is much higher thanemerging economies among the Asiancountries. He informed that in terms ofprimary energy consumption, Indiaranks 5th in the world, accounting forabout 3.5% of world commercial energy.Mr Khandelwal informed that India,Canada, France, UK and Brazil accountfor 13.5% of world’s energyconsumption, and China, India and

Dr Mohan Dharia delivering the World Environment Day Lecture;Seated on the dais (from right): Mr Arindam Ghosh,

Dr T. Chakrabarti and Dr G.V. Mulmuley

Pitchumani, Prof. of ChemicalEngineering, IIT-Delhi; Dr AsoorShyam, Environmental Specialist,GMR, Bangaluru; Dr Gurdeep Singh,Professor, Indian School of Mines,Dhanbad and Prof. S.J. Arceivala, ex-Director, CPHERI delivered lectureson this occasion. Dr Varadarajan

Japan are the largest consumers ofenergy in Asia due to their largepopulation. He threw light on world’sfive largest CO2 emitting countries andinformed that India’s CO2 emission is251 carbon eq. (Million MT). He alsodrew attention towards climate changeand global warming.

Earlier, Dr T. Chakrabarti, ActingDirector, NEERI, in his welcomeaddress spoke on the importance of theNational Technology Day. Dr S. P.Pande, Scientist and Head, R&DPlanning Unit, NEERI, introducedthe Chief Guest. Mr Arindam Ghosh,Scientist, NEERI proposed a vote ofthanks.

Major EventsMajor EventsMajor EventsMajor EventsMajor Events

distributed the NEERI FoundationDay Awards to the scientific and non-scientific personnel for theirconspicuous contributions at theinstitute.

Former Directors of NEERI andChairmen/members of NEERIResearch Council were also felicitatedon this occasion.

CSIR NEWS236236236236236

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Honours & AwardsHonours & AwardsHonours & AwardsHonours & AwardsHonours & Awards

Prestigious InternationalRecognition for Dr Utpal Bhadra’s

Lab at CCMB

need of micro watershed development and proper watermanagement, he added. He said that by saving water, wasteor degraded lands can be made arable. Dr Dharia opinedthat energy resources should be decentralized and emphasisshould be given on non-conventional energy resources,particularly solar energy.

Briefing about the consequences of global warming,Dr Dharia said that because of changing climatic conditions,drought is being experienced even by United States andUnited Kingdom. Increase in temperature is meltingicebergs and so sea level is increasing. Dr Dharia cautionedthat several islands including Andaman and Nicobar mayvanish under the sea and 700 km of sea shore of India wouldbe affected owing to global warming.

Dr Dharia further said that it is not very difficult tobring the people from filthy urban slums back to the greenvillages, by the judicious use of the available naturalresources. Speaking about his Voluntary Organization‘Vanarai’ involved in conservation of natural resources,Dr Dharia stated that he has succeeded in involvingthousands of people in rural development and making self-reliant villages. In several villages, developed by ‘Vanarai’,many villagers who had migrated to cities have returned totheir villages for better living, he added.

Dr Dharia said that the nature is beautiful enough tosatisfy our needs, but we have to come out of greed. He alsolaid stress on population control. He urged youngsters towork on these issues. On this occasion, Dr Dharia requestedhis villagers to bury him after his death and not to burn him,and plant a neem tree at this place, which would provideshed, medicines and wood to future generations.

Earlier, Dr T. Chakrabarti, Acting Director, NEERI, inhis welcome address spoke on the importance of the WorldEnvironment Day and this year’s theme ‘CO2: Kick theHabit’. Briefing about the green house gases, he explainedtheir role in global warming, and subsequent impacts onthe environment.

Earlier, Mr Arindam Ghosh, Scientist and Head, R&DPlanning Unit, NEERI, introduced the Chief Guest.Dr G.V. Mulmuley, Scientist, NEERI, proposed a vote ofthanks.

Dr Utpal Bhadra’s lab at the Centre for Cellular andMolecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, has

recently received recognition by two prestigiousinternational bodies, namely, CEFIPRA (Centre Franco-Indien pour la Promotion de la Recherche Advancee) -Review Council in France and the Science journal.

The work done under the CEFIPRA project on‘Searching link between pairing dependent silencingand cosuppression’ sponsored jointly to Dr Bhadra’s laband Dr Giacomo Cavalli has been highly appreciated bythe CEFIPRA Review Council and rated ‘Excellent’. Inhis letter of 10 June 2008 to Dr Bhadra, Prof Shiva Prasad,Director, CEFIPRA, has conveyed the offer of travel grantto both investigators for continuation of scientificdiscussion and interaction. This recognition came forthe outstanding publications emanating from the workcarried out under the project — eleven publications intop-notch journals, e.g. Nature, Genes & Development,Cell, Developmental Cell and Science etc.

The paper “Heterochromatic silencing of HPIlocalization in Drosophila are dependent on the RNAimachinery”, published in Science 303;669-72, 2004 is amilestone paper in RNA interference because it showednovel contribution in RNAi in different pathway ofheterochromatin silencing. Therefore, no wonder that ithas been included in a ranking of the ‘most-cited papers’in a Special Topic on gene silencing over the past threeyears as measured by Essential Science Indicators (ESI).ESI is a Web-based compilation of science indicators andtrend data derived from Thomson Scientific’s databases.The supervisor Dr Utpal Bhadra was one of thecorresponding authors from CCMB for this publication.ESI has desired to include a feature related to this article,which would be publicly accessible on the Web and laterarchived on the ESI Website.

30 july 2008 221 - niscair pernambut (through cle) chicken feed from 328del2004 m/s dindigul limed...

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