NICHI - IN BIOSCIENCES
The 60 year-old Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda college, Chennai, managed by the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyapith has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chennai based Indo-Japan joint venture company M/S Nichi-In Biosciences (P) Ltd., for a multifaceted research project with emphasis on microbial biotechnology and environment safety to (i) develop technology for environment friendly plastic materials, (ii) find ways to safely dispose the plastic materials using microbes and to (iii) develop and validate polymers useful for water conservation in agriculture and horticulture. This agreement would enable them collaborate on a long term basis on the above areas, initially signed for a year and further renewable thereafter.
This project is being technically supported by and representing Japanese institutes like Waseda University, Yamanashi Medical University and Mebiol Inc, whose Indian operations is headed by Dr Samuel JK Abraham , a Cardiac surgeon. Prof. Mori Yuichi of Waseda University, Japan, Dr. Yoshioka Hiroshi of Mebiol Inc., the scientists participating in this collaboration have developed various polymers for water conservation and microbial degradable plastic materials would give the technological support.
A brief Bio-Data of the participating Scientists
With an M.Sc in Botany from Pachaiyappa’s College and a Ph.D from University of Madras with specialization in micro algal ecophysiology, working as a Reader in the Department of Plant Biology & Plant Biotechnology at RKM Vivekananda College, Chennai 4, has been involved in teaching and research for the last 20 years and published more than 30 research articles in both national and international journals and has an experience of participating in a number of symposia and workshops and organizing a number of national level symposia and workshops in the field of algal biotechnology. He has produced 6PhD s and guided 20 MPhil scholars. He is also a Founder secretary of Limnological Society of India.
Dr Samuel JK Abraham:
An Indian national, born near Tirunelveli completed MBBS in India. Now after postgraduation and a PhD in cardiac surgery in Japan, working as a senior lecturer in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, at the Yamanashi university hospital, Japan since 1994. Has been involved in stem cell research for the past 7 years. One of the directors of Nichi-In Bio Sciences (P) Ltd and also that of Nichi-In Centre of Regenerative Medicine, which is coming up in the premises of Vijaya Health Centre. Has more than 65 publications and 1 patent.
Prof. Yuichi Mori:
A polymer scientist has more than 200 patents to his credit. He is a professor at Dept of advanced research in science and engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan. He is a pioneer in developing polymers for water conservation, medical applications, tissue engineering. He is the chief technical advisor for this project in his field. He is also the CEO of M/S Mebiol Inc., Hiratsukua, Japan which is a Medical and plant biotechnology company supporting research activities all over the world including in The Harvard Medical School, USA.
Dr. Yoshioka Hiroshi:
A polymer scientist, and is the Chief Technical officer of M/S Mebiol Inc. He also chairs a visiting associate professorship in the Waseda University, Tokyo. Dr Yoshioka will be carrying out the thorough analysis of polymer related issues in Japan as a part of the research project signed with Vivekananda College. He has more than 200 patents and several publications.
