CM to lay foundation stone for science research centre today in Mangalore

Mangaluru: Mangalore University (MU) is all set to take major step towards science extension activity with chief minister Siddaramaiah, laying the foundation stone for the university's science research centre at Bellapu in Kaup Monday. Spread over 20 acres of land, the centre will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 141.38 crore and will give a major fillip to research activities not only in the three districts under MU's jurisdiction, but also in the state. "The centre will also focus on preparing medicines to stamp out long-term contagious diseases and remedies to control such diseases. It is also expected to give a major fillip to create state-of-the-art modern objects with the help of nanotechnology. Nano particles will be used to interact with micro-organisms using nanotechnology in an effort to prepare medicines and centralized medicine supply system," said K Byrappa, vice-chancellor of Mangalore University, on Sunday. The state government has already released Rs 15 crore for the project under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, a centrally sponsored scheme. Modelled on the lines of Pune-based Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), the facility is expected to give a big fillip to research in basic sciences. It will also aid the development of newer technologies and ensure that their benefits reach the end users in an extension of lab-to-land concept. The research centre, according to the proposal submitted to the government, will focus on areas of research in a vast tract of land covering the Western Ghat on one side and Arabian Sea on the other. The centre will be set up in an area between these two locally important geographical features. Accordingly, the research will focus on analysis of flora and fauna, which is on the verge of extinction in the Western Ghats and the use of various medicinal herbs in combating diseases. The centre will work towards finding a cure for malaria - a major disease that plagues tropical nations - as well as other neglected diseases such as African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Chagas (American trypanosomiasis), dengue, leprosy, filaria, and leishmaniasis (skin sores which erupt weeks to months after the person is bitten by infected sand flies). The centre is also expected to take up research pertaining to producing items of use from solid waste, the VC said.In addition, research will also be focused on production of biogas, producing fertilizers through bio-waste and preparation of diesel using modern technology of de-polymerisation with plastic waste as the raw material. Byrappa said the centre will act as a catalyst in satisfying the thirst for knowledge in key areas of science. Minister for higher education R V Deshpande and minister for urban development Vinay Kumar Sorake will take part in the event as chief guests. -TOI