A Very Big Small Achievement:
Nano Technology at Amrita

17 February 2006 — Amrita University, Kochi

A Nanotechnology Centre for Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Research in India—the first such centre to be funded by the Government of India—was inaugurated on February 17th at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) in Kochi. This centre is the part of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, the Ashram’s Deemed University.

The aim of Amrita Centre for Nano Sciences (ACNS) is to develop high-quality, affordable products that utilize the novel properties of nano materials. These include novel tissue-engineered material replacements for bone, skin and cartilage for reconstructive surgery, replacement vessels in coronary artery disease, wound-healing in diabetic foot disease, skin replacement for burn victims, bone implants for cancer patients and joint replacements.

Other uses for nano materials include medical diagnostics and drug delivery, cancer diagnostics and treatment to prevent healthy tissues, surface modification of implants to make them more bio-compatible, and development of novel high-efficiency solar cells as an inexpensive energy source using inexpensive thin films that have a nano structure.

With Swami Amritaswarupananda, Sri. M.V. Rajashekharan, Union Mister of State for Planning; and Professor C.N.R. Rao, the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Prime Minister and the Honorary President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, graced the inauguration ceremony.

This is the first nano-technology centre for tissue engineering and stem-cell research.

On September 30, 2005, Dr. C.N.R. Rao visited Amritapuri to see Amma. They discussed the emerging frontiers of science and technology and, in particular, the newest field of Nanotechnology and its applications to several fields including the field of medicine. At that time, Amma mentioned the need to synergistically combine research efforts in technology, healthcare and biotechnology, to benefit the society. Amma also said that increased focus on foundational sciences (such as physics, chemistry and mathematics) is also needed for India's strength and well-being.

Dr. Rao, one of the most well known scientists and leaders of the scientific community, said he was extremely impressed by Amma's vision and guidance.

--Tulasi