Events

The webinar will present several topics related to research and development for safe nanoproducts and suitable guidelines for assessment of nano-agro and nano-pharmaceutical products for regulatory clearance.

Interdisciplinary collaboration in science is transforming human life with emerging technologies like nanotechnology that are leading to incremental as well as disruptive innovations. Novel products with nanotechnology intervention are projected to revolutionize the health care practice, agriculture and food sectors in future. The emphasis is to create technologies that have high commercial and societal impact. However, the scientific understanding related to evaluation of nanoproducts for efficacy and risk to human health and environment is a critical gap concerning their successful commercialization. The novel multifunctional nanomaterials based products require cautious selection of the available tests as well as additional new tests for quality, safety and efficacy assessment in future. The Indian Safety Guidelines for Nanopharmaceuticals and Nano-Agri products have been developed recently. In these guidelines it has become evident that not all nanoproducts can be assessed for efficacy and potential health and environmental hazards by using the conventional guidelines or by one common set of test guidelines. Also, the international guidelines may need modification with new edition from time to time to address specific categories of nanoproducts.

This webinar aims to bring together leading academic researchers, representatives from international and national regulatory bodies and professionals, technocrats and industries to exchange and share their experiences on nanosafety/econanotoxicity and regulatory aspects of nano-agri products & food products; and nano-pharmaceuticals & cosmetic products.

This webinar will present several topics related to research and development for safe nanoproducts and suitable guidelines for assessment of nano-agro and nano-pharmaceutical products for regulatory clearance. Topics discussed will include nanoproducts type, potential rules and regulations associated with each product type and best practices for minimizing potential health and environmental impacts.

The 4th International Conference on 'NANOFORAGRI 2020' was organized by TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI in partnership with Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India on November 5 and 6, 2020. The Virtual International Conference organized through DTD-RNA Network focussed on 'Application of Nanotechnology for Sustainable, Productive and Safer Agriculture and Food System' and was dedicated to the application of nanoscale science and technology in re-engineering quality, quantity, and safety of agricultural and food systems. Due to the current global situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference held online and brought together highly accomplished experts with diversified backgrounds from across the globe. The event was truly interdisciplinary in nature and highlighted global challenges and harmonized systems for nano solutions for agriculture and food systems. Domain experts from the USA, Canada, Spain, Ireland, Australia, and India delivered talks on the session themes.

On the first day, two thematic scientific sessions on 'Applications of Nano-based Agrochemicals in Moving Towards Sustainable Plant Health, Agriculture and Food Systems' and 'Food Security and Role of Artificial Intelligence in Plant Health Nanotechnology' were organized. And, day two included three thematic sessions followed by a panel discussion. The sessions further focussed on development and application of Sensors in the field of AgriNanotechnology and regulatory aspects. The virtual event also witnessed Scientist and Scholar Oral Research Pitches providing a glimpse into current research projects. The Science-Society-Policy actions for Agriculture and Food Nanotechnology being spearheaded by the DBT and supported by TERI were a key focus of the conference. The conference also involved thought-provoking discussions in the related fields and focussed on developing scientific linkages to develop technologies and fostering innovation in agricultural research.

TERI Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre (TDNBC) through its DTD-RNA (DBT-TERI-Deakin Research Network Across Continents for Learning and Innovation) platform in association with International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Portugal have been successful in organizing this webinar on 3rd September 2020 with an aim to highlight emerging technologies in Algal research, challenges and opportunities for growth in near future. Dr Alok Adholeya (DTD-RNA Coordinator, TDNBC and chair of the webinar) released the first DTD-RNA Newsletter online that accentuated its intent under this august forum. He solicited all the participants to join the platform in developing International Centre for Translational Research for research training and education in biological synthesis of Nano materials. He emphasized on the importance of microalgal research and set the context for the webinar.

The speakers in the webinar include: Dr. Shovon Mandal (TDNBC), Dr. Jagroop Pandhal (University of Sheffield, UK), Dr. Martin Lopez (INL, Portugal) and Dr. Durga Madhab Mahapatra (TDNBC). Dr. Mandal presented the challenges and futuristic possibilities of algal biofuels with prominence on risk assessment of Genetically Modified (GM) alga in fields and use of consortia for biofuel production. Dr. Pandhal presented the essentials of designing consortia of algae and bacteria for industrial exploitation and elucidated the necessity of metaproteomics in unravelling microbial processes in industrial system and natural ecosystem. Dr. Lopez shed light on intricate diatom exoskeleton enumerating promising properties and its application in nanotechnology. Dr. Mahapatra discussed on circular bioeconomy and algal biofactories from a wastewater perspective.

106 participants from India, UK, Portugal, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and US joined the session. Students, researchers and professionals from both industry and academia took part in the event.

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in association with Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India (through DBT funded DTD-RNA project) organized discussion forum on “Landscaping of Industrial Perspectives on Biofertilizer Policy and Regulations on Biologicals in Agriculture” on 14th February at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

The Discussion Forum had following objectives:

• To bring together leading industries to exchange and share their experiences on all aspects of Biologicals in Agriculture.
• To provide a premier interdisciplinary platform for industries to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted.
• To provide the platform to the industries to discuss their concerns related to the production, marketing and the existing regulations.
• To develop the core team of industries and other stakeholders to develop a basic operating framework (or a white paper) for biofertilizer policy revisions that can be proposed to Ministry of Agriculture/Department of Biotechnology.

Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, delivered the welcome address. Dr Alok Adholeya chaired the technical session. Major players of biofertilizer industries (approx 70 delegates) from across India participated in the discussion forum. TERI will prepare the recommendation report of this discussion forum and will present to DBT and Ministry of Agriculture.

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A one-day hands on training programme was organized on January 10, 2020 for scientific staff from the National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) to create awareness about the quality evaluation of mycorrhizal biofertilizers. There were 18 participants from diverse backgrounds who came to attend the training programme from different parts of the country. The programme aimed to strengthen the quality regulation of mycorrhizae- based biofertilizer products by way of capacity building of the scientific staff of the regulatory bodies. The training programme included an interactive session and discussions on various quality parameters of products as per guidelines pertaining to the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) 1985, Govt. of India and the challenges faced by regulatory staff and the manufacturing industries.

The hands on training session included the isolation of mycorrhizal spores from the soil and other various kinds of mycorrhizae-based market products followed by microscopic analysis. The participants got an opportunity to understand the fundamental basis of morphotypic characterization mycorrhizae, viability assessment of spores in the products, and root colonization by mycorrhizae. This was followed by a laboratory tour of the participants and a brief technical session on the raw data collection, analysis of the raw data, and report preparation.

Short term (14 days) training on Mycorrhiza was organized for PhD Research Scholar of Plant Genetic Engineering Lab, Dept. of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and Functional Cell Reprogramming and Organism Plasticity (FunCROP), University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.

The two initiatives aim to create nanotechnology innovation hubs and networking between research institutes, universities, and industries, apart from offering joint facilities and infrastructure for collaborative research. The DTD-RNA will cover the areas of Synthesis of nanomaterials, Food preservation using novel nanofibres, Cost effective natural biodegradable polymer based nanocomposites, Natural food colours, Mycorrhiza, Seed coating technology of microbes and nanofertilisers, and Reclamation technologies.

Launching the Nanobiotech@DBT website, Dr Suchita Ninawe, Adviser, DBT, said, "Our aim is to connect lab to industries to end users". On the occasion, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI, said, "Networking and outreach programmes will enable the transfer of knowledge and technology for what will happen in the world."

Professor Iain Martin, President and Vice Chancellor, Deakin University, was also present for the launch. He said, "DTD-RNA was envisioned to nurture innovation in nanobiotechnology. Several labs will be created as country hubs weaving a network of research institutions across continents." Dr Alok Adholeya, Senior Director, Sustainable Agriculture, TERI, added, "The network and institutional structure will re-emphasise TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Research Centre's (TDNBC) willingness to promote a research network in a highly specialised and next-generation science platform".