HYDERABAD: Researchers from Department of Bio-Chemistry, Osmania University are claiming to have got encouraging results in reduction of nuclear waste toxicity by using certain genes isolated from bacteria and fungi in their path-breaking research supported by Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The research taken up by T. Naga Soujanya, Raghu Gogada and Haritha Adhikarla and led by Professor P. Maruthi Mohan indicates 65 per cent reduced toxicity in nuclear wastes in simulated laboratory conditions.

Indigenous

The innovative technique known as `bio-remediation' involves not only reduction in toxicity but also the amount of radioactive waste using live bacteria and in some cases fungi too. The researchers claim that their research and subsequent breakthrough are fully indigenous. Research scientists from BARC are most likely to take up field trials of these results at BARC and other such facilities in the country. OU researchers are working with principal collaborator of BARC G. Venkateswaran on the project, which is worth Rs. 44 lakhs.

"Latest tests indicates the success rate is at 65 per cent.

By the end of this three-year project, we are hoping achieve 90 per cent success. The BARC scientists would be taking up the design part of the project," said principal investigator for Osmania University P. Maruthi Mohan. Researchers from France have approached OU for a collaborative project on the same subject.

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