Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

“Significant advances made in understanding collagen”

— Photo: K. V. Srinivasan

Scanning THE SOUVENIR: (From left) Barbara Brodsky of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; and A. B. Mandal, Director, CLRI, at the inauguration of the international conference in Chennai on Thursday.

CHENNAI: In the last six decades, India has made significant advances in understanding structural, functional and molecular biology of collagen, said Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) Director A.B. Mandal on Thursday.

Delivering his address at the third two-day international conference on ‘Recent Trends in Collagen,’ he said that some of the technologies developed by CLRI had been adopted by pharmaceutical firms to successfully manufacture collagen dressings indigenously. This had revolutionised treatment modalities in medical institutions.

In this connection, CLRI scientists pointed out the massive usage of collagen dressings to treat schoolchildren in a fire that broke out in a Kumbakonam school in 2004.

“It is our endeavour to motivate young researchers to acquire in-depth knowledge in basic and applied aspects of collagen so that a major breakthrough would be achieved in the coming years,” he added.

Indian National Science Academy (INSA) president M. Vijayan said: “CLRI is the last bastion for collagen research. However, not much is happening in the country in the fundamental research of collagen.”

Prof. Barbara Brodsky of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, presided over the CLRI Diamond Jubilee function and released a souvenir.

T. Ramasami, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, said in the first half of five decades of CLRI’s existence, the focus was on understanding collagen structure, its chemistry and cross linking of pathway among other issues. The focus during the second half was on energy management within the organic structure of collagen. Mr. Ramasami honoured CLRI former deputy-director K.T. Joseph and released CLRI newsletter.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Don Bosco School to celebrate golden jubilee
Republic Day rebate
Contempt proceedings initiated
Minister counters AIADMK MLAs’ allegations
Travel and tourism roadshow
Transgenders thank government for setting up welfare board
A feel of rural India at ‘Saarang Village’
Rajinikanth, his life story
Two incidents of burglary, theft reported in 10 hours
Woman posing as doctor held
Bus stand turns into garbage dump
Leading the way in wildlife conservation
Provisional impact charges for builders
Consultancy firm employee held
Chemistry quiz
Executive of amusement park held
Narada Gana Sabha to celebrate golden jubilee next month
Workshop for students
Court Commissioner to verify claims of illegal quarrying
“Significant advances made in understanding collagen”
Subsidised cement sale picks up
Chennai Today

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu