Annual Report 2005-2006

DST Scientific Institutions

Agharkar Research Institute, Pune

The Institute focuses on research in various branches of life sciences and is primarily engaged in developing microbial technologies for industrial waste treatment, identifying microbial products of industrial value, improvement of crops using conventional and molecular techniques, understanding the nutritional status of various socio-economic classes and devising appropriate interventions to study their effectiveness in combating nutritional problems. In addition, the basic studies include vertebrate developmental biology using chick model, fungal biology, biodiversity and bioprospecting.

Major Scientific Achievements & Highlights

• A technology for producing biogas from oil cake generated during biodiesel production was developed and transferred to a start-up company in Pune. A collaborative agreement has been signed with a pharmaceutical company for contract research in the area of nano-biotechnology and nano-medicine. Four patents have been assigned to this company and incubation facility is being provided. An MoU has been signed with two chemical producing companies for joint research. Consultancy was provided to a private company on design parameters for anaerobic treatment of distillery waste. Two PCT applications and six Indian patents have been filed. One patent application on "Process for formulating repellent formulations for honeybees" has been accepted.
• In studies aimed at identifying indicators to predict the risk for non-communicable diseases in urban affluent population, mid-arm circumference and neck circumference, apart from BMI, were found to be good indicators to predict the risk of hypertension. 2000 school children from low socio-economic class were studied for anthropometry and blood pressure. High prevalence of high Systolic Blood Pressure in them indicated 1) low body weights but relatively high body fat percentage and 2) developmental origin of adult diseases. Early-life under-nutrition and risks for adult diseases have shown that subjects who experienced stunting in early life (0-4 years) but had higher adult BMI showed higher risk for dislipidemia. To reduce the prevalence of anaemia among young rural girls, recipes of green leafy vegetables were standardized and demonstrated (Figure 10.1). This resulted in the reduction of prevalence of anaemia from 75 to 47%.

Figure 10.1: Demonstration of a recipe of green leafty vegetable

• In work on pheromones, plant based pheromones are being investigated. Crude extract of Swertia densifolia showed dose dependent attractant and repellent properties (Figure 10.2).

Figure 10.2a: Graph of the average number of bees visiting the dish of test formulation of S. densifolia leaf extract ( ) and liquid paraffin control ( ) versus concentration of the test formulation	Figure 10.2 b: Graph of the difference between the number of bees visiting the dish containing the test formulation of S. densifolia leaf extract and that visiting liquid paraffin control versus concentration of the test formulation

• In microbial technologies, optimization of process parameters at 5L fermenter level was done for synthesis of semiconductor and transition metal nanoparticles. Bioaugmentation of anaerobic treatment was done in anaerobic biofilm reactor to remove AOX from paper and pulp mill industry waste water. Scale-up studies were done for the production of polyhydroxy alkanoic acid. A microbial enzyme useful for leather processing was identified and was evaluated in the tannery for dehairing of buffalo- and cow-hide and also goat- and sheepskin (Figure 10.3). A bacterial enzyme for use in leather processing is undergoing field trials. 'Mehndi' leaf powder and 'Chitrak' root powder were evaluated as preservatives for ambient storage of buffalo hide in leather industry.

Figure 10.3: Dehairing of hide using a bacterial enzyme

• Amylolytic methanogenic strains with optimum amylolytic activity at 10ºC and cellulolytic strains with optimum cellulolytic activity at 20-25ºC were identified. Microbial ecology and biodiversity conservation programme led to: 1) genotyping of 50 alkaliphilic and haloalkaphilic bacteria isolated from Lonar lake, Buldana, Maharashtra, 2) developing of enrichments of psychrophilic methanogens from sediments of lakes in Leh and Ladakh, 3) identifying and isolating of two hydrogenotrophic and one acetoclastic methanogen from Lonar Lake, 4) isolating of thermophilic actinomycetes from Pashan Lake, Pune.
• In plant biodiversity studies, chemical and DNA profiling was done for 'Chirayat', 'Kutki' and 'Shankhapushpi' complexes. A list of 38 endemic taxa occurring in Ratnagiri district was compiled. Nutraceutical studies on wild fruits of Ziziphus ('Ber') were found promising for prebiotic properties. Germplasm of Jatropha spp., Caesalpinia crista and Calophyllum inophyllum were collected from Western Maharashtra for evaluation. The oil content in Jatropha spp. varied between 31.48- 45.54%. Based on leads from Ayurvedic literature, the ethanol extract of Dalbergia lanceolaria bark was investigated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Plant extracts of Artemessia, Caesalpinia, Blumea and Wagatea spp. showed free radical scavenging activity and hepatoprotective activity against ethanol induced liver damage in liver slice culture.

• In soybean improvement programme, mutant lines with high oleic acid content (>40%) were identified for improvement of oil quality. In 15 frontline demonstrations conducted on farmers' fields, improved practice recorded 31% higher seed yield than farmers' practices. 300 quintal breeder seed production was undertaken. In the wheat programme, recently released durum wheat variety MACS-3125 was the highest yielding durum in the zone (Figure 10.4). Bread wheat variety MACS-6145 possessing excellent grain quality and resistance was notified for rainfed cultivation in North-Eastern Zone. In studies on identification of markers linked to gluten strength in durum wheat, four protein markers, one STS marker for low molecular weight glutenin and two microsatellite markers showed significant association with the trait and explained 7- 34% variation in the trait value.

Figure 10.4: Performance of latest wheat varieties on farmers' field

• In fungal taxonomy, taxonomic accounts of 38 species of the lichen genus Graphis, including 20 species new to science have been prepared. In order to explore the possibility of PUFA production in submerged as well as solid-state fermentation, Thamnostylum sp. and Conidiobolus coronatus were screened using modified medium and in different incubation periods showed the presence of ALA. In-vitro sporulation in a non-sporulating endophytic fungus was carried out and six endophytic fungi were successfully identified.

Figure 10.5: Pieces of trisected hydra were irradiated separately at 500 J/M2 UV at 254 nm and regeneration was monitored over a period of 5 days. UV irradiation was found to induce ectopic foot formation in the middle pieces. Out of seven such cases, two showed duplicated feet at the usual location (a,b), two showed `twin' feet at the usual location (c,d), while the remaining three showed beginning of foot formation in the middle of the body column (e-g). Note an unusually large area showing foot-specific staining in the middle of the body column in addition to the normal foot in one case (g). The remaining 17 irradiated middle pieces did not exhibit ectopic foot formation (h)

• In developmental biology, the effects of UVC and UVB on growth and pattern formation in hydra were studied. UV irradiation interfered with pattern formation in regenerating hydra, possibly by changing positional values, and promoted budding in intact hydra. This is the first report on induction of ectopic feet formation by UV in regenerating hydra and opens up the possibility of using UV irradiation as a tool to understand pattern formation in the enigmatic hydra (Figure 10.5). The results indicate that functional interaction between cytoskeletal components and cell surface architecture evolved early in evolution.
• The Palaeobiology Group has established 1) a permineralized palm leaf Hyphaeneorachis nawargaoensis gen. et sp. nov., 2) the taxon Cocosoidocarpon indicum gen. et sp. nov. for a small sized coconut having 'three eyes', 3) a unique entire and matured soboliferous acaulescent palm Appamahabalea uhlii gen. et sp. nov. Aggluntinated foraminifera of Lower Cretaceous age were found with the lower Palaeolithic tools at Attirampakkam, Tamil Nadu. Palynological analysis of subsurface sediments from Hadi mangrove swamps, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra yielded information about the ecological shifts during the Early Holocene- Late Holocene Period.

The Institute located at the highest level in the country is devoted to basic scientific research in frontier areas of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Atmospheric Physics including Climate Change. ARIES, a reincarnation of 50 years old State Observatory, came into existence on March 22, 2004. The longitude of ARIES locates it in the middle of about 180 degree wide longitude band having modern astronomical facilities between Canary Island (~ 20° W) and Eastern Australia (~ 155° E). The observations, which are not possible in Canary Island or Australia due to day light, can be obtained from ARIES. The principal research interests lie in the field of photometric studies of galaxies, planetary physics, solar activity, spectroscopy of the sun, star clusters, stellar energy distribution, stellar populations and stellar variability. The scope of activities includes: promoting, guiding and carrying out front-line basic research through establishing front ranking facilities, providing interactions and making accessible the state-of-art facilities to other institutions including universities, conducting research programmes leading to Ph.D. degrees and arranging advanced level schools and workshops, and to conduct science popularization programmes with particular reference to astronomy and space sciences.

ARIES has facilities like 104-cm, 56-cm, 52-cm and 38-cm optical telescopes, Cooled CCD Cameras, Spectrophotometers, Photoelectric photometer, 15-cm Solar Telescope. Steps are being taken for developing the research as well as infrastructural facilities. The GRIMM aerosol spectrometer, athelometer, Micro top-II, Sun Photometer and Ozonometer and CCD Camera have been purchased. The back end instruments like filters, gratings, controllers, UPS and batteries and infrastructural facilities like computers, vehicles, EPABX were procured during the period under review. A number of important scientific results were recorded and published during the period under review.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

• First microlensing event at optical wavelengths in the country was reported.
• A number of new galactic and extra-galactic variable stars were discovered.
• Study of galaxies at radio wavelengths has been carried out for the first time in the Institute. Variability in a number of Quasars has been discovered.
• Aerosol characterization in free troposphere at an altitude of about 2 km has been carried out for the first time in India. The Institute also actively participated for the first time in the ISRO-GBP Land Campaign over the North Indian region during December 2004 and January 2005 which was aimed to understand the cause of fog formation in the region during winter.
• Other important scientific contributions have been in the area of solar physics, star clusters, multiwavelength studies of high energy transient events like GRBs and Supernovae and various like of variable stars. There have been 33 contributions in refereed journals and another 10 in circulars/ bulletins/conference proceedings.

During the period under review, a number of important changes were made in the service conditions of the staff members. Now, these rank at par with those of any other national research institution. Consequently, a number of scientific and engineering staff were promoted under the flexible complimenting scheme of DST, Government of India and were encouraged to participate in international conferences/ symposia.

Other Initiatives

The Institute celebrated its Golden Jubilee during the period under review. As a part of these celebrations; two international scientific workshops/meetings were organized by the Institute. First one was ARIES international workshop on Asteroseismology held during December 6-8, 2004. The second one was an international meeting on Star Clusters held on February 21, 2005. The twenty third annual meeting of the Astronomical Society of India was held during February 22-24, 2005. Birbal Sahni Institute Of Palaeobotany, Lucknow

The Institute is dedicated to develop and promote all aspects of fundamental and applied Palaeobotany. The investigations were carried out on 13 major projects covering five Thrust Area Programmes- 1) Precambrian biotic events, 2) Gondwana floristics, palaeoclimate and palaeoecology: relevance to breakup of Gondwanal and, 3) Biopetrology of coals and its relevance to coal bed methane, 4) Palaeobiology of Phanerozoic Basins and its bearing on hydrocarbon potential, and 5) Quaternary vegetation, eustatic sea level changes, global climate change and anthropogenic impact, besides certain special activities. The main research work was concerned with the understanding of plant evolution through geological time, and their distribution in space. Emphasis has been laid to derive knowledge about the diversification of Precambrian life, diversity, distribution and inter-basinal correlation of Gondwana and Tertiary flora, terrestrial and marine microfossils, coal quality and to understand the interaction between the climate and changing scenario of vegetation in Quaternary period.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

Some of the important research contributions and discoveries of the Institute are as follows:

• Palaeobiological remains were analysed from Mesoproterozoic Jaradag Fawn Limestone (Semri Group) of Son Valley, and suggested the deposition of limestone through inorganic precipitation.
• Plant fossils from different Gondwana sequences were evaluated and compiled for morphotaxonomic details and their interpretation in floristic evolution and palaeoecology of the regions. Established that the Early Cretaceous leaves of Ginkgo from Jabalpur Formation were evolutionary advanced. Evidenced the mutualism/ saprophytic habit during Cretaceous in the Rajmahal flora with record of an impression specimen of Lichen/Fungi on coniferous wood. Indicated the presence of extragondwanic elements in Satpura Basin through the possible presence of calamitalean axis and Cordainthus- type of seeds. Identified variety of azonate and gulate megaspores from Barakar and Raniganj formations of Godavari Basin.
• Palynofloral assemblages from various coal-bearing Gondwana sequences of Birbhum, Rajmahal, Sohagpur, Ib-river, and Wardha-Godavari Valley coalfields were analysed for biostratigraphic dating and correlations of surface and subsurface sequences. Efforts had been made for refinement of marker taxa and resolution of palynozones.
• Examined the economic suitability of certain Gondwana coals from Rajmahal and Wardha basins, and Tertiary lignite from Neyveli by studying the organic composition and rank. High amount of hydrogen-rich macerals in Rajmahal coals render them suitable for hydrogenation.
• Plant remains (wood, leaves and fruit) were investigated from different Tertiary beds of Kachchh, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Darjeeling, South India, etc. and utilized them in interpreting floristics, palaeoecology, and phytogeography of the regions. Palynoflora from Tertiary sequences of Rajasthan, Kachchh, north-east India, K-G basin, etc. were also investigated for stratigraphic zonation and correlation.
• Integrated the Apectodinium dinocyst peak with negative carbon isotope excursion in the Jathang Hill Section, Mawsynram Plateau (Meghalaya) to identify the global Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) Event. Presence of Sparnacian (latest Palaeocene) sediments is identified in this region. Occurrence of impersistent coal horizons in Khasi Hills is supposed to be related to the global extreme warming event associated with PETM. Studied the diversified calcareous algal flora from the Palaeocene Ninniyur Formation, Ariyalur (TN). Late Callovian nannofossils are recorded for the first time from Kachchh Basin.
• Derived significant palaeoclimatic inferences through the pollen studies of Quaternary sediment cores/samples from Shahdol district (MP), Chilka Lake (Orissa), Mandi District (HP), Kumaun, Ladakh Himalayas, around Dilli Colliery (Assam), Coastal area and Antarctica. Reconstructed palaeoclimatic history of three major palaeolakes in the Ladakh region.
• Tree ring analysis of deodar (Cedrus deodara) from Uttarkashi helped in maximizing the climate signals in mean tree-ring chronology dating back to 1287 AD. Generated considerable information on agricultural economy and other botanical remains related to ancient plant economic practices from few archaeological excavation sites of UP. Radiocarbon dating of certain palynologically analysed, and ancient charcoal samples were done.

Other Initiatives

The Institute has collaboration and linkages with many Institutions for accomplishing the problems related with stratigraphic correlation, palaeoenvironment, palaeoclimate, etc. Besides MOU with ONGC, GSI (Coal Wing), and SCCL (AP), further steps were undertaken for long-term major collaborations with Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (on exploration palynology), Delta Studies Institute, Visakhapatnam (on delta/basin modelling in relation to hydrocarbon exploration), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun (on Himalayan stratigraphy), National Institute of Oceanograpgy, Goa (on Quaternary palaeoclimate of marine coastal areas) and National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa (on Antarctica palaeoclimate study).

The academic activities of the Institute included publication of 86 research papers, 56 scientific abstracts, and 32 reports/articles, besides 43 research papers accepted for publication. Two scientists visited abroad under INSA Exchange Programme. Several scientists (23) and technical personnel (3) were deputed to attend different national and international conferences/ seminars/ workshops held in the country, to present 37 research papers.

The Institute gifted fossil specimens to educational institutions of the country. Library is disseminating the information about the latest literature on Palaeobotany through a bi-monthly bulletin as well as on web site. Institute journal "The Palaeobotanist" Volume 53 and Newsletter (June-2005) have been published. The Institute is also rendering time-to-time scientific and technical assistance and consultancy services to various organizations.

The Institute is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee Year (since September 10, 2005) by holding a National Workshop (in November 2005), an International Conference (in November 2006) and several lectures by eminent scientists. Bose Institute, Kolkata

The Institute undertakes research in the fields of Plant sciences, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Quantum Mechanics, Astrophysics and Condensed Matter Physics. The institute has over the years trained a large number of Ph.D. students. During the year 2004-2005, the scientists of Bose Institute published 117 papers in peer reviewed journals and 19 students earned their Ph.D. degree. A number of its scientists and research scholars participated in numerous academic activities (seminars, conferences, workshops etc.) in India and abroad as invited speakers, chairpersons and resource persons.

Research Activities

Department of Biochemistry focuses primarily towards an understanding of the process of gene expression in plants and bacteria. There are several research programmes on plant and animal biotechnology, yeast and parasite molecular biology and structure-activity relationships of gene regulatory proteins. In recent years, the elucidation of protein structures using X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopic methods, studies aimed at understanding protein conformation, folding, protein-protein association and theoretical modelling of protein structures and docking have been undertaken.

Department of Biophysics concentrates on Structural Biology. Projects in the area of proteinnucleic acid interaction, bioinformatics, drug design, spectroscopy and protein engineering are in progress.

Department of Botany specializes on the improvement of crop production using basic and applied techniques. Special emphasis is given on the improvement of different aspects, e.g., methodologies of plant tissue culture, biotechnological application in medicinal plants, aromatic rice, gene expression for tolerance to salinity stress in rice, fruit ripening (in tomato, banana, and mango), expression of DNA polymerase beta (in Vigna radiata and rice). In addition, studies on functional genomics of seed vigour/ storability of orthodox (rice) seed, clinico-immunochemical studies on airborne allergenic pollen grains/ spores, phenotypic vis-à-vis genotypic and physiological aspects of Fabacean members, resistant tomato line with elicitor of Fusarium oxysporumI are going on.

Department of Chemistry is engaged primarily in basic research, with major emphasis on structure, function, interaction of bioactive proteins and their regulation by drugs and different modulators; chaperone activity of ?-crystallin; organization of liquid crystal; medical biotechnology with special emphasis on the studies of mechanism of resistance to drug in pathogenic bacteria; search for bioactive plant products and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds.

Department of Microbiology, the first department of its kind in India, focuses on the production of important metabolites of microbes including antibiotics, utilization of waste, control of pathogenic microorganisms and on bio-fertilizer production. At present, the research activities of this department address the problems in the areas of parasitic and bacterial infections of human, drug design and detoxification, plant-microbe and mineral microbe interactions and degradation of environmental pollutants.

Department of Physics has current research activities in the areas of Radiation Physics research with Photons and Neutrons; Interdisciplinary Physics; Foundations of Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Entanglement; Astrophysics of Strongly Interacting Matter; Cosmology; Characterization of Detector Materials for detection of Heavy Ions; Preparation and Characterization of Dielectric Materials. The aim of this research program is to contribute both to fundamental knowledge as well as applications relevant to industry and society in general.

Animal Physiology Section, currently focuses on applied and medical oriented themes. Applied research in the fields of (a) animal biotechnology (aquaculture and sericulture) and (b) medical biotechnology (cancer chemoprevention and thyroid hormone-brain relationship) as well as basic research in the fields of cell cycle regulation and immunology are in progress.

Environmental Science Section plays a major role in monitoring and Physico-chemical analysis of various environmental pollutants. This section has also carried out atmospheric measurements, monitoring, sampling and analysis of environmental parameters, and set up a wet chemistry laboratory for the Astroparticle Physics and Space Science programme at Mayapuri, Bose Institute, Darjeeling.

Immunotechnology Section aims at developing modern technologies in the field of Immunology and Molecular Biology. Research programs have been initiated in the field of Medical Biotechnology and Marine Biotechnology.

Plant Molecular & Cellular Genetics Section focuses on research on the plant genetic engineering towards improvement of plant productivity. In the last few years, major emphasis has been given to identify the basic genomic components coding for desirable phenotypes through genetic and molecular approaches and their subsequent applications using genetic engineering technology.

During the year Bose Institute initiated the establishment of National Facility on Astroparticle Physics & Space Sciences and a Protemics & Genomics Facility under the Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) scheme of the SERC, DST. The Institute also initiated the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. The Governing Council of Bose Institute also approved the formation of three Centres of Advanced Research in the areas of Astroparticle Physics & Space Science, Plant Stress Biology and Structural Biology.

More than 75 grants-in-aid schemes to Bose Institute investigators from various funding agencies were in progress. Centre for Liquid Crystal Research, Bangalore

Centre for Liquid Crystal Research (CLCR) was taken over in 1995 as an autonomous society under the administrative control by Department of Information Technology, Government of India, to act as a Centre of Excellence for research and development in the area of liquid crystal materials. The Centre has come under the administrative control of the Department of Science and Technology since December 2002 (effective April 2003). The long term objective of CLCR is to design new liquid crystalline materials, carry out basic scientific research and to develop techniques for inventing new products and processes.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

Activity-wise progress during the year is summarized below:

Photo-induced effects

Discovered a novel system in which a one-dimensionally solid and two-dimensionally liquid phase is induced and stabilized only in the presence of an actinic light. Explained the dynamic self assembly of such a structure on the basis of photoinduced nanophase segregation and frustrated spin gas model. Another important discovery was that of "A photonic dual-frequency addressable optical device" (Figure 10.6).

Figure 10.6: Template used and the optical storage pattern realized employing the dual-frequency photonic switch

Synthesis of materials with novel properties

Functionalized dimers based on a naturally available cholesterol moiety were synthesized in which mono, di and trialkoxy salicyladimine mesogenic segments were tethered to the cholesterol part with flexible alkoxy chains of different lengths. This covalent linkage through its parity and length plays a crucial role in determining the phase behaviour.

Confined geometry experiments

The delicate balance for self-assembly in liquid crystalline systems can be tipped when the material is confined in finite-size geometries. Our x-ray structural measurements showed that the extent of layering, the range of the layered phase, etc. can be tuned by the dimensions of the containing medium.

The Centre has been working on various topics of the basic and applied aspects of liquid crystals. Apart from designing and synthesizing new molecules with novel architectures exhibiting specifically targeted functionalities, the research work is being focused on many frontier and thrust areas of soft condensed matter science. A notable mention is that of photonics, in which light can be controlled by light as a stimulus. The Centre is at the forefront of research in this nascent field and has already demonstrated the importance of photo-driven isothermal phase transitions. On the application side, the Centre is not only working on devices based on new principles but also developing better driving technologies for the now ubiquitous Liquid Crystal Display devices. Emphasis is being given to nondisplay based applications also such as optical storage devices, anisotropic electric conductors, etc.

Other Initiatives

CLCR has also entered into an MOU to provide technical advice and characterization services to Bharat Electronics Ltd., a premier public sector industrial organization manufacturing segment type liquid crystal display devices for various customer specific applications.

The Centre has published more than 190 articles since inception. 2 patent applications each were filed in USA. One of these applications was filed in Europe and Korea also. In addition, six applications for Indian patents were filed, four of which have been provisionally granted. Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

Energy Research Unit

Development of nano/ microcrystalline silicon based thin film solar cells; Development of nanocrystalline silicon films using Argon and Helium dilution of Silane; Application of Argon-diluted nano-Si films in solar cells; Plasma diagnostic study; Development of amorphous silicon - carbon and silicon - germanium alloy thin films; Computer modeling of semiconductor devices such as solar cells, detector structures, color and temperature sensors, based on amorphous and nano-crystalline silicon thin films; Computer modeling of the optical properties of multi-layer infra-red heat shields; Development of transparent conducting oxides; and Commercialization of technology developed was undertaken. Nanocrystalline silicon films have been developed by PECVD under a novel plasma power regime leading to single junction solar cells with 6.2% nearly stable efficiency. Using helium as a diluent to the silane plasma in RF-GD-CVD, nano-silicon structures have been attained at a relatively low temperature and with high growth rate. Evolution of current-induced defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon pi- n solar cells was studied by modeling. Modeling of ITO/TiO2 multi-layer heat shields was performed to understand and optimize their optical properties. New initiatives have been taken in computer modeling of crystalline silicon (c-Si) and a-Si:H / c-Si Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layers (HIT) solar cells. This is the first attempt at modeling "HIT" cells in India. Fabrication of a prototype line for the production of amorphous silicon double junction solar modules has been successfully completed. A Technology Transfer Agreement with an Industry for the commercialization of the technology developed under the project has been signed. The company has also arranged for financing of the Project. The Technology Development Board of the DST will fund 50% of the project cost and another FI will provide the rest of the debt component. Production is expected to start by October, 2006. IACS has successfully developed a process of strategic importance to the Light Combat Aircraft Programme of DRDO. This has bees been transferred successfully to the Robot Controlled Sputter Coating Facility being set up by Hindusthan Aeronautics Ltd., Bangalore.

Department of Inorganic Chemistry

Studies on crystal engineering, oxygen atom transfer reactions, metal mediated transformations of liquids, valence tautomerism and synthesis and characterizations of nanorods of CuO and stereochemically nonrigid molecules have been conducted.

Biological Chemistry Department

Methylglyoxal the lead compound in anticancer formulation has been shown to be a strong immunomodulator. Creatine kinase and creatine transporter have been identified as marker for cancer progression. Agglutinin from the foot muscle of marine bivalve, Macoma birmanica was purified to homogenecity by affinity chromatography on GlcNAc-Sepharose column. Effect of different plant growth hormones e.g. indole-3-acetic acid, kinetin and gibberellic acid on growth and chitosan production by Rhizopus oryzae in whey medium has been studied. All hormones at different concentrations have been found to enhance mycelial growth as well as chitosan production by the fungus. Removal of chromium from its aqueous solution has been studied with different fungal biomass and Termitomyces clypeatus has been found to be most efficient in this regard and reduces hexavalent chromium to its non-toxic trivalent state. An interesting result has been found while studying the role of disulphide bond in Amyloid-like fibrlo genesis using model peptides. Molecular understanding of the origin of the chirality is aqueous micelles and its correlation with the proficiency of stereo selective ketone reduction was developed using an efficient and biocompatible methodology where the cationic micellar surface serves as a host. An interesting relationship between the head group size of the surfactant and the activity of interfacially solubilized lipase in w/o microemulsions of cationic amphiphiles has been established for the first time in the field of micellar enzymology.

Department of Spectroscopy

Ultrafast phenomena in presence of femtosecond pulses were studied. Spectroscopic properties of weakly bound molecules containing heavy atoms. A general theory of three-body system developed by the Department has been put to test with successful results. The physical characterization of some nano materials has been initiated through the measurements TEM, Electric and Dielectric studies. Interesting excited state proton transfer dynamics of 2-acetyl benzoimidazole and 2-benzoyl benzimidazole (2BBI) inside cyclodextrin cavities of different size reveal that bigger cavity encapsulates the 2BBI with a definite orientation of pyrrole nitrogen in bulk water. Contrary to aqueous solution addition base quenches the anion conformer due to base induced protons at the rims of the cavity. Various synthesized model compounds of organic dyads and triad systems exhibit interesting photophysical and photochemical properties so that they could form the basis of future artificial photosynthetic and solar energy conversion devices which have wide applications in industries. A bilateral exchange project with Poland has come through.

Unit on Nano Science

Several instruments have been ordered viz. MPMS System, Atomic Force Microscope, Surface Area Analyzer and Photoluminescence measuring system. Research work has comprised of synthesis of various nanocomposites and their characterization. Metallic iron was grown fractally in a silica gel by electrodeposition. Subsequent oxidation gave rise to an oxide nano shell around the iron nanoparticles. These exhibited strong humidity sensing properties. Optical absorption studies on copper core-copper oxide shell nanostructures in silica glass led to the conclusion of a metal nonmetal transition below a diameter of 2.5 nm. Barium titanate, tin-tine oxide and nano-composites of Ag and Ag2O exhibited large humidity sensing characteristics.

Materials Science Department

Micro- and nano-structural studies with metals, alloys, composite materials have been undertaken from X-ray powder profile analysis and micro-structural modeling. State-of-the-art density functional based first-principles calculations has been made to simulate the electronic and magnetic properties of various alloys and compounds, diluted magnetic semiconductors and other novel nano-scale materials. Studies on a new method of population control of excited molecular levels, namely, Stimulated Hyper- Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIHRAP), have been made and applied to H2 molecule in a scheme to selectively transfer population to excited vibration levels. The optimum field configurations for two excited vibration levels have been obtained.

Department of Physical Chemistry

Investigations on structure and dynamics of molecules were carried out. Femtosecond Laser National Facility for studying time resolved spectroscopy on ultrafast time scale has been developed. Slow solvation dynamics in binary solvent mixture and in molten globular state of a protein and the temperature dependence of dynamics have been investigated in detail. A new kind of instability leading to pattern formation in reaction-diffusion system under the influence of state external field due to differential convective flow has been demonstrated and quantum theory of Brownian motion has been extended to calculate vibrational dephasing rate with comparison to experiment. Parallel computation facility is being set up using a Linux-based PC cluster.

Polymer Science Unit

Ambient temperature atom transfer radical polymerization of several methacrylates was achieved in environment friendly solvent. Polymers of controlled molecular weight and low polydispersity were produced. Different block copolymers were prepared using this technique. The biomolecular hybrid of DNA and POMA was prepared and POMA underwent slow conformational change when absorbed on the DNA surface. The poly(3-hexyl thiophene)-clay nanocomposites were prepared under the melt quenched condition. Enhancement of photo luminescence efficiency with increasing clay concentration was observed in these blends. Polymer multiporous materials were prepared by drying the thermoreversible gels of polymers. Mesoporous polymeric materials and mesoporous carbon were prepared by chemical etching of zeolite - PMMA hybrid materials. Polymer mediated selfassembly of metal nanoparticle was prepared. An attempt was made to prepare core-shell materials by surface-confined anionic polymerization.

Department of Solid State Physics

Work on synthesis, characterization and physical property measurements of nanostructured materials, metal-glass composites, metal complexes, organic photodetectors and magnetic materials has been undertaken. Low temperature (~4K) magnetic susceptibility measurement of Cd-doped CMRs material revealed cluster glass behavior. Glassy dynamics of lanthanide oxides and magnetization studies of synthesized nanostructured iron oxides were analyzed. Structural and optical properties of ZnO-based heterojunctions were investigated. Tunability of molecular rectification in donor-acceptor assemblies and the effect of various substitutes in organic photodetectors were studied. Methodologies suitable for ab-initio structural studies of metal complexes and organic compounds from laboratory Xray powder diffraction data were developed.

Department of Organic Chemistry

Concise enantioselective synthesis of furano lignans (-)-dihydrosesamin and (-)-acuminatin and furofuran lignans (-)-sesamin and (-)-methyl piperitol was achieved by radical cyclization of epoxides. A divergent protocol has been developed for entry into bacillariolide I and II, inhibitors of the enzyme Phospholipase A2, towards designing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Direct condensation of coumarins with acetone and chloroform in presence of base has furnished a novel variant of the Bargellini reaction affording an expeditious aproach to o-carboxyvinyl-phenoxy isobutyric acids. The utility of this method has been demonstrated. A green protocol for the stereoselective debromination of *vicinaldibromides by [pmIm]BF4 under Microwave Irradiation was developed. Free radical-promoted conjugate addition of activated bromo compounds was explored using titanocene(III) chloride as the radical initiator. Influence of alkoxy and acetoxy groups at the homoallylic position in facilitating RCM of 1, 6-dienes has been established. This phenomenon has been exploited for the synthesis of carbocyclic core of the nucleoside BCA.

Department of Theoretical Physics

Generic Einstein-Maxwell-Kalb-Ramond actions have been studied the area of high energy physics and cosmology and conditions derived under which they give rise to static spherically symmetric black hole solutions. Also, the large fine tunings of phase parameters of generic low energy supersymmetric models has been reduced significantly by identifying a cancellation in the flow of the bilinear Higgs coupling. In the area of condensed matter physics, a spin spin Hall effect has been predicted. The importance of taking into account the turbulent characteristics of the flow when accretion around a massive object is considered has been established. The presence of overlapping transfer RNA genes in archael methanogens has been reported.

Other Initiatives

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) is devoted to the study of Astronomy, Astrophysics and allied topics. The headquarters were established in Bangalore and new field stations were established at Kavalur and Gauribidanur. During the last decade, the Institute has identified a superlative site for astronomy in the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh and established the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at an altitude of 4500 m on Mt Saraswati, Hanle. Initially the observatory is equipped with the 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) operated remotely from the Centre for Research & Education in Science & Technology (CREST), the newly set up campus of IIA in Bangalore.

During the year 2005, a total of 10 research papers have appeared in leading international journals, apart from papers presented at conference proceedings and results disseminated through international circulars. During 2005, the telescope was equipped with an autoguider to track objects precisely over long durations. The Institute has also expanded its operations into Space Astronomy through the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) and the Indo-Israeli TAUVEX payloads, and into the ground153 based gamma-ray astronomy collaboratively with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.

Research in a broad range of topics continued during the current year in the areas of observational astrophysics.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

The installation of two units of the HimAlayan Gamma Ray (HAGAR) telescope array at IAO, Hanle was completed (Figure 10.7). HAGAR consists of seven such units located at the centre and corners of a hexagon of 50 m sides, situated in the Nilamkhul Plain (4300 m above msl) at the base of Mt Saraswati. Each unit consists of 7 light collectors of 90-cm diameter fixed on a single mount. The detection technique maps the cone of Cerenkov radiation resulting from the interaction of the celestial gamma-rays with the earth's atmosphere. The designing of the UVIT payload has progressed well and the Preliminary Design Review is scheduled in February 2006. UVIT, consisting of two co-aligned 40-cm diameter ultraviolet imaging telescopes, forms a part of the multi-wavelength astronomy ASTROSAT Mission scheduled to be launched by ISRO in early 2007. IIA is also participating in the Indo-Israeli ultraviolet imaging experiment (TAUVEX), which consists of three co-aligned 20-cm diameter telescopes. TAUVEX hardware is built by El-Op, Israel, whereas the software for data acquisition and reduction is developed by IIA. The payload is scheduled to be launched by ISRO on GSAT-4 in the year 2006.

Figure 10.7: One of the two units of the HimAlayan Gamma Ray (HAGAR) Telescope array installed at the IAO, Hanle. The telescope will have a total of seven units, one located at the centre and six at the corners of a hexagon of 50 m sides

Fabrication of the eight-stage modulation scheme polarimeter for the Vainu Bappu Observatory is in progress. Work on building a WARM (White light Active Region Monitor) telescope for imaging of the Sun on high temporal basis is in progress. Designing of mechanical layout of the coelostat and its electronic control drive is completed. Imaging of the Sun on fast mode is expected to throw light on the pre-flare build up of non-potential energy in an active region.

Sun and the Solar System

The program for digitization of photographic data at Kodaikanal Observatory has been in progress. Recent observations indicate that line intensities in coronal holes are affected in the lower transition region and even in the chromosphere. IIA used the daily Calcium K filtergrams from Kodaikanal to probe the signatures of coronal holes in the chromosphere. Analysis of the data obtained from Brazil during the solar eclipse of 3rd November, 1994 at 1.5 GHz, showed that a source of angular size of 12 arcsec was associated with the active region AR 7798.

Investigations of the dust morphology of comet 2001Q4 have been completed. The VBO data clearly shows the location of the dust plume that occured about 9 hours after the impact.

Stars and Stellar Systems

An analysis of ultraviolet spectra of Extreme Helium Stars has provided new clues to their origins. A new photometric method was derived for measuring the distances to interstellar clouds that uses multi-band (B,V,R,I,J,H,K) photometry of stars in the region of the clouds and an extinction law. This method was used to determine distances to 9 interstellar clouds to an accuracy of about 15 - 20 %. Photometric observations to detect the halo of the LMC were obtained using the 4.0m and 1.0m telescopes at CTIO, Chile in October 2005. Photometric observations of 8 candidate old open clusters in our Galaxy were obtained using the HCT in August 2005. Classical novae V1663 Aql, V476 Sct and V477 Sct, three new novae in outburst discovered in 2005 were spectroscopically monitored using the 2m HCT (Figure 10.8). In addition, an extragalactic nova, Nova M31 #14 was also monitored spectroscopically. An Indo-Japanese collaboration for studies of low redshift core collapse supernovae was established. The peculiar type Ib supernova SN 2005bf was observed around maximum using the 2-m HCT.

Figure 10.8: M 51, a spiral galaxy in which a supernova SN 2005cs erupted. This image was obtained in the R band with the 2m HCT. The supernova which is a sub-luminous Type IIp has been extensively followed by us both photo-metrically and spectroscopically

A programme for coordinated, two-station monitoring of radio quiet quasars (RQQs) has been going on with NCRA. Optical monitoring of these objects is being done using the 2m HCT and the 1m ST of ARIES. Scientists have been working on radio pulsars-theory and observations. From the observed pulsar profiles, methods for estimating the rotation effects such as aberration-retardation on the phase shift of pulse components have been developed.

Non-accelerator Particle Physics

A variety of topics in non-accelerator particle physics and atomic astrophysics were studied. Investigations were conducted on two important probes of physics beyond the Standard Model- parity non-conservation (PNC) in atoms and electric dipole moments (EDMs) of atoms. The work on PNC in Ba + has reached an accuracy of less than one percent. Research was conducted on a new approach to the high precision calculation of ground and excited state atomic properties that are relevant in the study of fundamental symmetries and different astrophysical processes.

Theoretical Astrophysics

The analytical formulae derived for the scattering phase matrix have been studied in the limiting cases of Zeeman and Hanle regimes in the two level case with angular momentum 1 for the upper level and 0 for the lower level. Relativistic Fock-space Coupled Cluster and multi-reference many body perturbation methods were developed and applied to compute transition energies and related properties for closed shell atoms. A scheme was also developed to compute P,T-odd interaction constant for diatomic polar molecule containing heavy elements (YbF and BaF).

Other Initiatives

A total of 73 research publications have appeared in research journals, and 38 in conference proceedings. The observational and infrastructure facilities at all the field stations were strengthened further. Special mention may be made of the installation of a 30 kWp solar photovoltaic array at Hanle to supply electric power to the HimAlayan Gamma Ray (HAGAR) telescope project under development.

An Indo-Chinese workshop on 'Recent Advances in Solar Physics' was organized in November 2005. Considerable progress was achieved in planning new solar initiatives at IAO, Hanle, and in the preparations for coordinated activities during the International Heliophysical Year (IHY-2007).

A Memorandum of Understanding is in preparation for a larger project of Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment (MACE) coordinated by BARC in collaboration with TIFR and IIA. A twoday mini-workshop was held in IIA, Bangalore in November to discuss the Gamma Ray Astronomy and future prospects in the country.

21 young scientists are being trained in the Institute towards their Ph.D. degrees; another four have submitted their Ph.D. thesis during the current year. The members of the Institute continued their teaching activities in the Institute, Joint Astronomy Program at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore University and other centres. Several scientists offered advanced level courses to students in universities and trained them in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The Human Resource Development is also continuing through the research and engineer trainee programmes, summer project students programme, degree project programme, visiting Ph.D. students programme, etc. Indian Institute Of Geomagnetism, New Panvel, Mumbai

The main areas of research at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) are: Observatories and Data Analysis, Upper Atmospheric Sciences, and Solid Earth Geomagnetism. The instrumentation division of IIG is involved in development and maintenance of various instruments used for observations in the above areas.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

Observatories and Data Analysis

The Institute continued to operate nine magnetic observatories at different locations in the country, where magnetic field variations were continuously recorded. An Induction Coil Magnetometer was deployed at IIG's Laboraory at Allahabad.

Ranges and amplitudes computed for magnetic storms were classified with reference to their occurrence features at Indian stations, and forwarded to World Data Centre (WDC), Colorado, for inclusion in the Geophysical Data Bulletin. The final definitive data for Alibag up to December 2004 were forwarded to the Danish Meteorological Institute, for inclusion in the Annual CD-ROM brought out by them. Eighteen magnetic compasses of Landing and Datum type, received from Indian Navy, were calibrated at magnetic observatory Alibag.

A comparative study of secular variation of the main geomagnetic field, at Alibag (10o N dipole latitude) and Indian Antarctic station, Maitri (67o S dipole latitude) showed that at Alibag no significant 156 DST ANNUAL REPORT 2005-2006 decrease was seen in the last century, whereas at Maitri the magnetic field decreased by about 2500 nT in the last two decades (Figure 10.9).

Figure 10.9: Variation in total Magnetic field observed (+) at Alibag and Maitri. Magnetic field calculated using IGRF model (?) and linear fits (?) at the two locations are also shown. redistribution of water vapour that compete with the dominant migrating tide to induce the observed inter-annual variability in the diurnal tide found during the El Nino-La Nina years of 1997-1999.

Upper Atmospheric Sciences

A two-dimensional electrostatic particle code using curvilinear coordinates is being developed to study the auroral electron acceleration mechanism. Simultaneous observations of equatorial spread F (ESF) irregularities made using 18 MHz HF radar at Trivandrum and two spaced receivers at Tirunelveli that recorded ionospheric scintillations on a 244 MHz radio wave signal transmitted from a geostationary satellite, were used to understand the evolution of spatial structure in ESF irregularities in the post-sunset equatorial ionosphere.

Analysis of night airglow data of OH (8,3), OH(6,2) and OH(7,2) bands, from Kolhapur, was continued to infer the temperature of the mesosphere and validate atmospheric models. An airglow photometer to monitor F-region atomic oxygen emission at 630.0 nm was made operational at the Equatorial Geophysical Research Laboratory (EGRL) of IIG at Tirunelveli. Analysis and interpretation of existing datasets from 2001-2004 of atmospheric air-earth current measurement at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, was carried out for understanding some features of the global electric circuit. Instruments and techniques were developed to measure the atmospheric conduction current.

Long-term MLT radar observations of the diurnal tide at 86 km over Tirunelveli during the years 1993-2004 exhibited a pronounced annual cycle that was modulated on inter-annual time scales. Removal of composite seasonal cycle yielded 'anomalies' in the diurnal tide over Tirunelveli that were compared with the quasibiennial oscillation (QBO) wind at 30 hPa derived using the Singapore radiosonde data and satellite derived Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) anomalies over this region (Figure 10.10). Lower atmospheric large-scale convective systems originating in the southern tropical latitudes over the western Pacific region in response to the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) possibly facilitate excitation of non-migrating tides through latent heat release or large-scale

Figure 10.10: Diurnal tide anomaly at an altitude of 86 km, derived from partial reflection radar observations at Tirunelveli compared with QBO wind and OLR anomalies over this region

Solid Earth Geomagnetism

In magneto-telluric (MT) surveys conducted in the Andaman region; a major NNE-SSW trending thrust zone, with eastward dip of about 60 degrees, was delineated. MT studies in the Lower Assam valley and Shillong Plateau identified thrust zones corresponding to Oldham and Dauki faults. Analysis of MT data collected in the Kaladgi basin, shows a strike direction of N45°W which is close to the major geological strike direction of the study area. Preliminary results of the Geomagnetic depth sounding data over Andaman suggest presence of conductivity structure between Car Nicobar Islands and Little Andamans.

Curie isotherm depths were estimated from aeromagnetic anomaly map over certain regions in India (Figure 10.11). The mobile belts had shallower Curie isotherm when compared to the cratons. The depth estimates matched those calculated from the MF4 lithospheric model of Champ satellite.

Figure 10.11: Analytic signal of the total field anomaly depicting magnetic sources in the Central Indian region. Brown represents magnetic sources associated mainly with iron ores, trap flows, charnockites. Various fault, shear, and thrust zones are also indicated

Third repeat geomagnetic survey conducted in Jabalpur-Kosamghat area observed higher annual changes in the total magnetic fields along the identified Satpura conductor could be due to fluids trapped in the crust.

The environmental magnetism group carried out field surveys of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai for studying pollution characteristics using magnetic measurements. Analysis of Loess samples of central higher Himalaya has yielded a monsoon climate record for the past 20Ka (Figure 10.12).

Figure 10.12: Environmental mineral magnetic proxy climate record over Indian subcontinent: Climate sensitive mineral magnetic ratio called S-ratio reflects accurately the palaeoclimatic changes over the entire Indian subcontinent. High magnetic ratios corresponding to high 'magnetite to haematite' ratios are found in the wet spell sediments and vice versa. The S-ratio record of the Himalayan Dhakuri loess clearly outlines key climatic events over the past 20 ka revealing step-wise improvement in SW monsoon since Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), culminating in its establishment around 9 ka.

Palaeomagnetic investigations were carried out on the dyke samples of Bundelkhand craton, Nasik and Kutch. Initial phase of Deccan magmatism was identified in these studies. IIG's first global positioning system (GPS) campaign in Andaman and Nicobar Islands was carried out. GPS field campaigns were also undertaken in Garhwal and Kumaon regions of Middle Himalayas to study crustal motion in these regions.

Other Initiatives

Instrumentation Division

Coil designs for a declination-inclination (dI-dD) magnetometer were finalized and submitted to CDM BARC for fabrication. Two PPMs with 1 nT sensitivity were assembled for making observations in Antarctica. Two single board based data-loggers and one Fluxgate Magnetometer were also assembled.

Antarctica Expedition

One IIG staff member, who participated in the XXIV Indian Antarctic Expedition, is in Antarctica through the winter period, to carry out IIG's experiments related to monitoring of magnetic field variations by DFM, decrease in total magnetic field by a PPM, atmospheric absorption by riometer, and airearth current measurements. Experiments related to crustal deformation and glacier movement using Global Positioning System (GPS) were carried out during the Antarctic summer. Two members from the Institute were selected for the XXV Indian Antarctic Expedition.

Capacity Building

One student was awarded a Ph. D. degree. Five students are working towards their Ph.D. degrees. Two M.Sc. (Space Physics) students from Department of Physics, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, completed their project work on "Airglow studies" in IIG in May and June 2005. Two students from Paramakaliany College, Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, are doing their M.Sc. project work at EGRL, Tirunelveli. IIG scientists continued to conduct courses in the area of Space Physics, for M.Sc. students of the University of Mumbai.

Website

First phase of the WDC - Mumbai website was launched to facilitate access to hourly data from the Indian magnetic observatories. Old magnetograms for the period 1901 to 1920 were converted into digital image files using a high-resolution digital camera, as part of an IAGA project for retrieval of old magnetograms, and sent to WDC, Kyoto.

Public Outreach

IIG along with seventeen other major scientific institutions of the country participated in a five-day Science Exposition, held at Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, during 22-27 November 2005. Two popular science talks on "Current Global Warming: Can Schumann resonance amplitudes provide the current temperature scale?" and "Some nuggets of Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism" were delivered by IIG scientists during this exhibition.

Publications and participation in conferences

Published 23 papers in reputed national and international journals. Five papers, including 2 invited talks, were presented at the 11th International Symposium on Equatorial Aeronomy, held in Taiwan in May, 2005. Twenty four papers, including 2 invited talks were presented at the 10th Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) held at Toulouse, France during July, 2005. At this conference, IIG scientists convened 2 sessions and chaired 3 sessions. Ten papers, including 2 invited talks were presented at the XXVIII Genral Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) held in New Delhi in October, 2005.

Honours/Awards

A scientist was given a "Young scientist award" for 2005 by URSI during its General Assembly in New Delhi. Long Service Award was given to a Senior Technical Officer by IAGA for his dedicated services. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology functions as a National Centre for basic and applied research in Tropical Meteorology. Its primary functions are to promote, guide and conduct research in the field of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences in all its aspects with special reference to the tropics and sub-tropics.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

The highlights of the progress made in the on-going programmes during the year are summarized below:

Extended Range Weather Prediction Research

For seasonal prediction of Indian summer monsoon rainfall, a Neural Network Model was developed using De-Bilt January temperature anomaly, sea ice extent anomaly in Antarctic in winter, Northern Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in the month of April and tendency of Effective Strength Index (ESI), from January to April. The model was tested for the period 2001 - 2004. The model well predicted the large deficient years 2002 and 2004. The Heidk Skill score for the model was found to be 0.7. By using the Neural Network Model, seasonal forecast for 2005 was prepared and was found to be + 4%. Simulations of monsoon 2005 from both the Centre for Ocean Land Atmospheric Studies (COLA) and Portable Unified Modes (PUM) models indicated below normal seasonal monsoon rainfall over the Indian region.

Seasonal Prediction of Indian Summer Monsoon

Experimental forecast of the seasonal total (June - September 2005) of the Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) for the country as a whole was attempted, by using predictors selected only from sea surface temperature (SST) field, Empirical forecast from this method can be obtained three months in advance. The forecast obtained for the year 2005 ISMR was found to be 12% below normal.

Studies of Monsoons and Tropical Weather System

A simple regression equation was developed to predict the date of onset of Indian summer monsoon over Kerala. The equation was used to predict the date of onset over Kerala for monsoon 2005, by using the information of daily thunderstorm activity over south peninsular India during April 2005. The equation suggested 5 June as onset date for the year 2005 which was later observed to be the same.

Dendroclimatic Analysis over Western Himalaya

Ring width data of Cedrus deodara D. Don [Himalayan Cedar], collected from five locations near Gangotri, Uttaranchal Himalaya were analyzed. Noticeable feature of all the series was found to be unprecedented surge in tree growth after around A.D 1930. Such anomalous behavior was not observed prior to A. D. 1930 which may be possible due to the effect of enhanced winter warmth. Analysis of surface air temperature over Western Himalaya indicated significant increasing trend in maximum and mean temperature during 20th century. More warming during recent four decades was also noticed in minimum temperatures in the region.

Hydrometeorological Studies of River Basins

Under the project entitled Preparation of generalized PMP Atlases over the Krishna and Indus river basins, based on a long period daily rainfall data of 570 stations in and around the Krishna river basin 8 to 10 severe rainstorms over each of 5 sub-catchments of the basin were analysed by Depth- Duration (DD) or Depth-Area-Duration (DAD) depending upon orography of the region.

Heliospheric Current and Indian Summer Monsoon

Actual rainfall data were bifurcated into two groups (i) Rainfall falling under (-, +) crossing events and (ii) Rainfall falling under (+,-) crossing events. Indian summer monsoon rainfall in all the states was found to have an in phase relation with (-, +) crossing events. i.e. magnetic sector boundary polarity towards the sun (heliospheric current) followed by more summer monsoon rainfall activity.

Cyclonic Storms / Depressions and Magnetic Sector Boundary Events

A study was carried out to examine the relationship between number of cyclonic storms and depressions forming over tropical seas and Magnetic Sector Boundary (MSB) Crossing Events. Studies revealed that number of cyclonic storms and depressions were found to have in-phase relation in June and September and out-of-phase relation in October and December with (-,+) and (+,-) MSB crossing events, respectively.

Impact of Tsunami on Surface Ozone

The unusual changes were observed in ozone and NOx concentrations after the giant tsunami waves struck at Tranquebar, a tropical rural coastal site on the east coast (the Bay of Bengal) of southeast India on 26 December 2004. The average maximum of O3 concentration was found to be unusually reduced by 45% at noon and minimum of O3 concentration increased by 164% in the morning due to tsunami impact. The unusual diurnal variation of O3 was observed up to 19 January 2005 after tsunami impact due to changes in the photochemical production and destruction of O3. Similarly average daytime and nighttime NOx also increased from 5.6 ± 0.35 to 9.5 ± 0.66 ppbv and 6.5 ± 0.22 to 9.2 ± 0.34 ppbv with 1 ó standard deviation due to tsunami impact.

Whistler Studies during Magnetospheric Disturbances

Whistler triggered emission at a low latitude station during moderate magnetic storm activity was explained using the Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance interaction between whistler mode wave and counter streaming energetic electrons. The estimated wave magnetic field, transverse resonant current and interaction length were found to increase during disturbed magnetospheric conditions while the number of energetic electrons participating in resonance processes under normal and disturbed conditions remains approximately the same.

Analysis of ARMEX Data

Measurement of ion concentration and electric conductivity during the ARMEX showed that the value of polar conductivity was much higher during the monsoon than the pre-monsoon season.

Other Initiatives

Organisation of Workshop / Meeting / Seminar etc.

i) GCOS / WMO International Workshop on Enhancing South and Central Asian Climate Change Monitoring and Indices, 14-19 February 2005; ii) First Prof. R. Ananthakrishnan Memorial Conference on Atmospheric Science, Climate Change and Environmental Studies, 18 - 19 January 2005; iii) A Training Workshop for the Benefit of South Asian Regional Scientists Involved in the Climate Modelling and Related Fields, 24-28 January 2005; iv) Annual Monsoon Workshop-2004 of the Indian Meteorological Society (Pune Chapter) jointly organized with the India Meteorological Department, 4 March 2005. v) First WP / RASS Training/Workshop on Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, 7- 11 March 2005; vi) A Brain Storming Meeting on INDOFLUX Networking, 29 July 2005; vii) Brain Storming Sessions on Numerical Modelling for Weather and Climate, and Observational Studies of Cloud Physics, Aerosols, Trace Gases and Boundary Layer including Atmospheric Convection, 19 and 20 July 2005.

Antarctica Expedition

Three Scientists participated in the 24th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica from 6 December 2004 to 27 March 2005 for measurements of aerosols, atmospheric electric and other parameters and trace gases at Maitri, Indian Station in Antarctic and onboard ship during the journey. Extensive observations of aerosol optical depth, size distribution, ozone, precipitable water content and downdwelling short wave radiation flux were carried out. En-route observations over marine and ice-shelf environments were also carried out.

Other Initiatives

Institute provided support for a major multi-institutional project for developing a "National Facility for Atmospheric Aerosol and Chemistry Studies" at the Bose Institute, Kolkata. An IITM Atmospheric Boundary Layer Field Laboratory at National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa has been modernized. International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

Centre for Nanomaterials Electric Explosion of Wire (Figure 10.13) and the Vapour Condensation by Levitation Drop Inflow techniques for synthesizing nanopowders in kilogram quantities, Spark Plasma Sintering facility and Rate Controlled Sintering equipment especially suited for sintering of nanopowders, and Cold Spray coating unit capable of converting metallic nanopowders to nanostructured coatings are already in operation. Synthesis of nanopowders by mechanical alloying and chemical routes has also progressed well. A number of application areas like hydrogen storage,

Figure 10.13 :Electric Explosion of Wire (EEW)

equipment for synthesis of nanopowders nanostructured ZnO varistors, nanosilver for water purification (Figure 10.14) and TiO2 coated tiles for anti-bacterial applications are being pursued. It is expected that all the facilities of CNAN will be in place by the end of 2005 and will have the capability to synthesize nanopowders of any class (metallic, ceramic, cermet and composites) and, more importantly, convert these nanopowders to engineered bulk products and coatings.

Figure 10.14 : E-Coli bacteria cultures (a) without and (b) with nanosilver powder

Centre for Fuel Cell Technology

The CFCT has successfully fabricated the first prototype 1.2 kW PEM fuel cell (Figure 10.15) and it has been in continuous operation for more than 250 hours. Efforts are also under way to formulate collaborative programmes with the industry to demonstrate the application of PEM fuel cells in electric cars, UPS / Emergency power systems etc.

Figure 10.15 : Prototype of 1 kW fuel stack

Micro Arc Oxidation (MAO) Technology

During the year, the MAO technology has been upscaled (Figure 10.16). A number of components from user industries located all over India have been successfully coated utilizing MAO technique. These coatings have performed exceedingly well without exception, thereby demonstrating the outstanding tribological properties and corrosion resistance of MAO coatings. The MAO technology will be transferred to a number of Indian industries. MAO technology is being launched as commercial equipment for the first time anywhere in the world. Thus, the prospects for export of this technology are extremely good.

Figure 10.16 : Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO) Technology Developed at ARCI

TIFAC-CAR Project for Auto Industry

All the necessary groundwork has been done to implement the TIFAC-CAR project. The overall objective is to reduce the weight of automobiles by 25% by utilizing advanced high strength steels in conjunction with tailor- welded blank (TWB) and hydroforming technologies. This project is a shining example of public - private partnership since the project team includes not only public funded institutions (ARCI and IIT Bombay) but also private industries (Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland and ProSIM). ARCI will coordinate the project and in addition will be responsible for developing the TWB technology.

ARCI-EPG Centre for Sol-Based Nanocomposite Coatings

A new initiative to set up a sol-based Nanocomposite Coatings Technology Centre is on the anvil. This will be a joint centre between ARCI and Engineered Nano Products (EPG) Germany and will be located at ARCI.

Other Initiatives

Technology Transfer

Three new technology transfer agreements were signed. The first one with M/s. Goldwin International, Cuttack is for molten metal filter technology. The second one is with M/s. Ranko Advanced Ceramics Sinters (India), Hyderabad for the development of PTC sintered discs for refrigerator applications while the third is with M/s. Sharada Ceramics, Chennai for the development of calcium aluminate cement, insulating aggregates and furnace sealants for the refractory industries. The transfer of evaporation boat technology to M/s. Supervac Oil was completed during the year.

International Collaboration

ARCI has been pursuing international collaboration towards technology development. Many of these focused on technology development and are contract based, thereby allowing for sharing of IPR and resulting revenues among the collaborating partners.

Ongoing International Collaborations

External Cash Flow

The performance of ARCI in terms of External Cash Flow (ECF) and other parameters has been creditable during the year 2004-2005. In fact, if the performance of ARCI in the last 5 years (from 2000-2001 to 2004-2005) is considered, the total ECF has been around Rs.60 crores. Further, the ECF has averaged Rs.33 lakhs per scientist per year while the cumulative ECF has exceeded the salary and welfare cost of all our employees over a 5-year period by a factor of 4.3. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore

During the year 2004-05 six Ph D, three M S (Engg.) and two M S (Int. Ph D) degrees were awarded. The per capita publication in the international journals by the faculty members has been considered as one of the highest in the country. Augmented infrastructure to keep pace with the technological upgradations, increase in strength of faculty members, new collaborations, filing of many patent applications, increase in intake of students for research and inflow of additional R & D projects marked the highlights of the year 2004-2005.

Extension programmes viz., Summer Research Fellowship Programme, Visiting Scientists Programme, Country to Country Exchange Programme, and Project Oriented Chemical Education Programme have been strengthened. Under these programmes, many young students and scientists have undergone intense training in the laboratories and had interactions with the scientists. 30 Discussion Meetings/Workshops and 50 Seminars in the frontier and advanced areas of science and technology were either supported or organised by the Centre. A Regional Office for Central and South Asia of TWAS has been established and other collaborative programmes with INSA, ILTP, IUPAC, DRDO have been carried out. The Centre has been assigned the responsibility of coordinating the new initiative of the DST Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme in Nano Science and Technology.

In another innovative measure taken up by the Centre, a demonstration and training unit in Nano Science and Technology has been housed at JNCASR with the state of the art of infrastructural facilities supported by M/s. Veeco Asia Pvt. Ltd., Singapore.

Research activities relating to the generation of new knowledge and possible applications in the areas of material sciences and biology have been continued.

Nano particles are also being explored in several areas of biomedical research including drug delivery system. The focus of studies in the Biology Division included the genomics of development, differentiation and disease processes. New thrust has been laid in biology research through enhancement of the infrastructure and other facilities.

The Chemistry & Physics of Materials Unit has carried out investigations of chosen aspects of the chemistry & physics of materials. In the Chemical Biology Unit, the peptide models for bridging sheet of the GP 120 protein have been designed and structurally characterized. The Condensed Matter Theory Unit pursued research in dynamic cluster approximation for strongly correlated electronic system and study of martensitic transformations etc. The Education Technology Unit continued to focus on dissemination of science to the schools and various institutions. The Evolutionary and Organismal Biology Unit carried out experimental and theoretical studies to understand the dynamic behaviour and demographic stochasticity of metapopulations. The Engineering Mechanics Unit worked on the direct numerical simulation of some complex and small-scale flows and established a test rig to study the wing kinematics of insect flight and an experimental facility to study the instabilities in viscosity-stratified flows. In the Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, research in modern biology related to human diseases particularly AIDS, Cancer, Epilepsy, Deafness and Malaria were focused. The Theoretical Sciences Unit has employed a combination of approaches to tackle condensed matter systems present in many challenging problems of both fundamental and technological interest including quantum many body theory, electronic structure calculations and statistical mechanics. A high performance Computing Facility with internet connection and local area network, resources and activities for general purpose computing, printing, hardware and software was created. Raman Research Institute, Bangalore

The main fields of research are Theoretical Physics, Optics, Liquid Crystals and Astronomy & Astrophysics. More recently, the Liquid Crystals Research has been expanded so as to include Soft- Condensed Matter and Biological Physics (membranes and single-DNA segments). Also, an Optics Lab has been set up for studying laser cooling and trapping of atoms, imaging through turbid media, and ultra-fast atomic processes using femtosecond (10-15 sec.) laser pulses.

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

Theoretical Physics- The research work carried out falls into following two broad areas:

Classical and Quantum Gravity: (i) Computation of the energy, angular momentum and linear momentum fluxes from binaries of neutron stars and black holes in eccentric orbits using the recently completed 3PN multipolar post Minkowskian results; (ii) study of the connection between Ricci flows and the positive energy theorem of general relativity; (iii) study of a discrete approach to quantum gravity using causal set theory; (iv) study of functional evolution of quantum cylindrical waves; (v) study of quantization of free field theory on arbitrary slicings of flat space time.

Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics and Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics: (a) Study of properties of semi-flexible polymers, such as its radius of gyration, in the presence of constraints such as applied links and closed ends; (ii) study of processes within the cell such as dynamics of intracellular trafficking networks, dynamics of active membranes and filaments; (iii) study of dynamics of solid state transformations; (iv) study of thermal and electrical transport in mesoscopic systems using stochastic approaches; (v) study of some recently proposed theorems in nonequilibrium thermodynamics.

Optics: Electromagnetically induced transparency was observed in fluorescence in alkali vapour. Further experiments are being carried out. Work has been initiated to cool dipolar molecules to complement the cold-atoms work.

Liquid Crystals: The on-going activities of synthesizing new compounds with unusual architecture as well as the characterization of the mesophases exhibited by them were continued. Efforts to update the facilities under the modernization programme were implemented by procuring an Atomic Force Microscope and a Confocal Microscope. In addition to the experimental physics activities, some new topics of interest such as Rheology and Ellipsometry were initiated.

Astronomy and Astrophysics: Ongoing theoretical work on neutron stars, pulsars, interstellar medium and intergalactic medium was continued. The ongoing observational programmes in areas of the group's interests using the Institute's own facilities, the Giant Meter Wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) operated by TIFR near Pune, and other telescopes both within and outside the country were also continued. Completion of ongoing work on Satellite Astrometry, in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation, will be attempted. It is also planned to complete the erection of the 12m radio telescope at the Field Station near Gauribidanur. Initial experiments to initiate VLBI observations combining the 12m (at Gauribidanur), 10.4m (at Bangalore) and GMRT (Pune) facilities are being drawn up. Work on the 6 hour R.A. angle map was continued, and investigations on the data have been intensified. Development of imaging techniques for X-ray cameras planned for the Indian Satellite ASTROSAT has been taken up and is expected to be completed during 2005-2006. Activity will be initiated to design appropriate feed and receiver systems to extend the operating range of the GMRT to lower frequency bands. S.N. Bose National Centre For Basic Sciences, Kolkata

Major Scientific Achievements and Highlights

The Centre has undertaken following major activities during the year:

• Expansion of the research activities in the areas of Nano and Bio-sciences, transdisciplinary research in the areas overlapping physical and medical sciences.
• Exploration of the possibility of setting up laboratories in the areas of Biophysics and Low Temperature Physics and Medical-Physics. There is also a plan to link up Optics with Nano/ Mesoscopic Physics.

In terms of Centre's new research initiative, a major step has been taken in introducing an experimental project in Nanoscience and its basic aspects. A large number of Centre's theorists and experimentalists have joined hands to give it a concerted thrust.

The Centre organised various conferences like 3rd Indo-Israeli Meeting on Condensed Matter Physics at Puri, Orissa during 17-21 April 2005. Also, collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Kanpur for organizing the conference "Physics 2005: 100 Years after Einstein's Revolution" from 4-6 November 2005. 5th C. K. Majumdar Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Jainendar Jain, Erwin W. Mueller Profesor, The Penn State University, USA on A New Class of Fermions in Physics on 2nd August 2005.

The S. N. Bose National Centre was the first institution to have celebrated the Year of Physics, in commemoration of Einstein's Miraculous Year (1905), as it had coincided with S. N. Bose's birthday, namely 1 January. Prof. H. S.Mani talked about Photoelectric Effect, S. Dattagupta on Brownian Motion, S. Rangwalla discussed recent experiments on Bose-Einstein Condensation and finally described Einstein's contribution to special and general theories of relativity. The Kolkata Kolon lectures, initiated in April 2002 and held on the first Friday of every month continued throughout the year.

Other Initiatives

The Centre organised several training activities for young students in the form of KVPY programme of the DST, National Science Day Celebrations and laboratory experiments run by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers. It is also organising Refresher Courses for College Teachers under the auspices of the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore.

Research publications in frontier journals-close to about three per faculty per year has also shown marked increase. Faculty members have shown continued level of productivity in terms of research publications in reputed journals. They have also been invited to deliver lectures in national and international conferences.

Honours/Awards

Dr. Rabin Banerjee was awarded Visiting Professorship at the Institute of Quantum Science, Nihon University, Tokyo, Japan July, 2005 (1 month) and Visiting Researcher at the Centre for Theoretical Studies, Physics Department, Seoul National University, Korea, August 2005 (1 month). Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute For Medical Sciences & Technology, Thiruvananthapuram

The mandate of the Institute is to develop appropriate technologies to meet the health care needs of the country and initiate training and research programmes integrating biomedical technology and health sciences, while demonstrating high standards of patient care in medical specialities. The Institute therefore has a Biomedical Technology (BMT) Wing for the R & D activities, a tertiary care Hospital with bed strength of 239 for cardiovascular thoracic and neurological diseases and the Achutha Menon Centre for health sciences studies for research and training in public health. A summary of the important achievements in the last one year is given below:

The major R&D efforts at BMT Wing related to the development of Biomaterials and Devices were the following and technology transfer initiatives taken with respect to the ongoing programmes listed below:

Products / Processes and their Status

Centrifugal pump: The technology transfer agreement has been signed with M/s. SIDD Life Sciences Pvt Ltd., Chennai for its commercialisation.

Artificial Heart Valves: The joint collaborative project for the development of improved tilting disc heart valve is in progress. The improved version is to be MRI compatible & with reduced thrombotic potential.

Large Diameter Vascular Graft: Pilot production of 100 vascular grafts in six different sizes for the multicentric clinical trials was completed. As part of the technology transfer, the personnel from M/ s. TTK Healthcare Ltd, Chennai, were trained in the processing and quality control of vascular grafts.

Retinal Bands : Training on the process for the fabrication of silicone retinal bands has been given to the AUROLAB, Madurai based on the MoU executed with them.

Fibrin glue: The scale up & pilot production of fibrin glue, developed by the Thrombosis Research unit and sponsored by ATMRF, Ahmedabad, faced considerable difficulties in carrying out validation of the viral inactivation procedures as per WHO standards. The viral inactivation procedures have been developed and standardised in collaboration with the Department of Clinical Virology, CMC, Vellore.

Chitra Calcium Phosphate Cement: It has reached the stage of clinical trials. A speciality glass for the dental composite applications has been developed. Calcium phosphate coatings on titanium metal surface for orthopaedic applications are also being developed.

Dental composites: The technology transfer of the 4 dental products: - Chemical cure, Light Cure, Radiopaque dental composite and Dentine bonding agent has been completed and the commercial launch of the products have been done by M/s. Anabond Ltd., at Chennai and Trivandrum.

Wound dressings: A licence agreement for commercialisation of Chitosan based wound dressings was entered into with M/s. Dynamic Techno Medicals Pvt. Ltd., Aluva.

Antibiotic sensitivity of mastitic milk- field kit for testing: Subsequent to the extended field trial using the 120 kits which was completed with satisfactory results, a Technology transfer programme has been initiated with the Kerala State Institute for Veterinary Biologicals, Palode as the industrial partner.

Intellectual Property Rights

Four new patent applications were filed, while 5 of the earlier ones were granted. The current status of the Institute's patents and designs is as follows:-

• Patents held (sealed) = 54 Nos.
• Patents filed and pending = 49 Nos.
• Designs held (sealed) = 13 Nos.

Major On-going projects

• Bone regeneration in large segmental defects using tissue engineered new generation bioceramic scaffold funded by Life Sciences Research Board of Defence Research and Development Organisation, New Delhi.
• Biocompatibility assessment of materials by Quantitative immunophenotyping of inflammatory cells funded by DST, New Delhi.
• Injectable Adhesive Biomaterials for Vascular Applications funded by Indo-French Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, New Delhi.
• Langmuir Blodgett Film Deposition onto Polymer Substrates Blood Compatibility funded by DST, New Delhi.
• Immune mechanisms of polyurethane degradation funded by Life Sciences Research Board of Defence Research and Development Organisation, New Delhi.
• Experimental evaluation of EC-lined vascular grafts in Sheep models funded by DST, New Delhi.
• Development of an in-vitro pyrogen test kit: Evaluation of pyrogenicity using human whole blood funded by Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi.
• Clinical evaluation of medical Instruments funded by DST, New Delhi.
• Development of smart biomaterials for cardiovascular tissue engineering funded by DBT, New Delhi.
• Islet immunoisolation with xenotransplantation and stem cell regeneration to islets as strategies for treatment of diabetesl funded by DBT, New Delhi.
• Development of temperature responsive copolymers as sensing elements for C-reactive protein; funded by The Life Science Research Board, DRDO.
• Polysaccharides for medical applications funded by DST Women scientist scheme, New Delhi.

Ongoing research programmes at BMT Wing

• Surface Modified Polyester Fabrics: Work on imparting a fluoro-passivated surface for the polyester fabrics aimed at improving the tissue and blood compatibility of heart valve suture rings was started.
• Orthopaedic Casting Tapes: Improved mechanical properties and low weight PU casting tapes were made. With the safety and efficacy tests having been completed, an industrial partner is being identified for scale-up, clinical evaluation and eventual commercialisation.
• Oral Insulin Delivery: In the second phase of this project, in-vitro experiments including improving the insulin loading efficiency and stability studies were done. (4) Porous Ceramic Matrices were prepared from nanoparticles (300-800nm) of Zinc Phosphate (ZnP), Zinc Calcium Phosphate (CaZnP) and Zinc Calcium Magnesium Phosphate (CaZnMgP). Preliminary studies indicate improved performance when compared to standard hydroxyapatite. This derivative swells only at alkaline pH. It has excellent mucoadhesivity, which makes it a good choice for oral peptide delivery.
• Rapidly Gelling Polymer System: Work based on gelatin and alginic acid dialdehyde as a potential wound dressing material, tissue engineering scaffold and injectable drug delivery vehicle was completed.
• Injectable Adhesive Biomaterials for Vascular Applications: This Indo-French project progressed well with the animal evaluation of the adhesive in France. The adhesive was able to seal large incisions in the lung model in pigs. For sealing large aortic incisions, the adhesive is being modified for enhanced adhesion and strength.
• Amphotericin-B Gum Arabic Conjugate : Preliminary screening of anti-leishmanial activity showed promising results in comparison with the free drug against L. Donovani in culture. This project is sanctioned under the Women Scientist Scheme of DST.
• Fabrication of Clinically Significant Shapes of Hydroxyapatite - Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Co-Polymer: This Indo-German joint research project on composites for bone substitute applications was completed. 3-dimensional shapes of the composite were successfully fabricated using optimized processing conditions.
• Artificial Biohybrid Pancreas: The standardization of islet cell isolation from adult porcine pancreas was carried out.
• Chicken Egg-Yolk Derived Anti-Viper Venom: Antibodies raised against viper venom in chicken have been purified from egg yolk. The product awaits determination of effective dose to neutralize the effects of envenomation in animal models. Safety evaluation of the product has been initiated.
• Development of Recombinant Transformation Growth Factor Alpha (TGF Alpha) : Wound healing in severe burn cases and in diabetic patients remains a challenge. The preclinical evaluation of the protein has been completed.
• Small Diameter Vascular Graft : To reduce thrombotic complications in the use of small diameter artificial vascular graft, a tissue engineering approach has been taken up. The objective is to use autologous endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells by in-vitro cell culture techniques to construct vascular implants.

Hospital Services: The hospital services were further augmented and streamlined with the installation of a new state-of-the-art MRI, near completion of the Picture Archival Communication System and modernizing the kitchen and laundry services. There was significant increase in the number of surgical and interventional procedures, bed occupancy and out patient attendance. The telemedicine programme sponsored by ISRO is due for commencement with ISRO EDUSAT becoming fully operational. Several basic and clinical research projects are progressing well, which include work on lipoprotein (a) and atherosclerotic/thrombotic disease, oxidative stress and epilepsy, cardiac stem cells, cardiac fibrosis and several drug trials.

The Institute currently offers 23 post doctoral, doctoral and postgraduate courses in medical sciences, biomedical engineering and technology, basic sciences and public health. All the academic programmes continued to attract students from all over India, and for the MPH course, from other countries as well. The Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies continued to provide training, research and consultan