Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Mangalore, Mar 8: A four-day national workshop on ‘Application of Radioisotopes in Biology’ was organized by the University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) of the Mangalore University jointly with Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai, department of atomic energy, at Konaje near here on Friday, March 7.
After inaugurating the function Dr A K Kohli, chief executive of the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) while focusing on the topic of multiple applications of radioisotope for diagnosis of diseases and radiation-based treatment, informed that cancer therapy using gamma radiation from radioactive source is among the largest use of radioisotopes.
Kohli stated that there are two fold uses of gamma radiation which gives relieves pain and distress in majority of the cases of cancer patients, namely tele-therapy and brachy therapy as parts of radiation therapy. With regard to huge amount of food getting wasted in India due to spoilage and microbial contamination, he opined that radiation processing is one of the solutions to prevent the same. Spices and grains are the right commodities for preservation by radiation processing, he informed.
In biology sphere, Dr Kohli pointed out that radioisotopes played a key role in our understanding of many biological phenomenons. He cited the example of photosynthesis and gene coding. The radioisotope contributed in the development of new areas of molecular biology, such as genomics and proteomics, he implied.
He also spoke on the role of radioisotopes in the study of gene identification and gene expression, and preparation of DNA probe for various applications, referring to the treatment of sewage by using radiation treatment and reusing of treated water for other purposes. He lauded the efforts of the Mangalore University particularly with regard to the use and application of radiation, radioisotopes and radiation technology among teachers, researchers and industries.
Dr. Indrani Karunasagar, prof Dr Indrani Karunasagar in her key-note address informed that if care is taken, radioisotopes can make magic. While another speaker vice-chancellor prof K M Kaveriappa, who presided, expressed his desire to start a certificate course in this area of application of radioisotopes in biological sciences, for the benefit of teachers, students, researchers and scientists working in this area in collaboration with BRIT.
"Radioisotopes are not affected by the light of sun, temperature and pressure," pointed out Dr Shivaprasad, senior general manager BRIT. The workshop hopes to provide more insights into the radioisotopes and participants will be shown some of the experiments. Also present were convener Dr H M Somashekarappa and registrar Dr K Sundar Naik.