Bio-data of

1. CBRN DEFENCE

CBRN is an acronym referring to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear. It is in common use worldwide and generally refers to protective measures taken against CBRN weapons or hazards. Science is critical to efforts to combat the evolving threat of CBRN terrorism and warfare. Science, technology and innovation can help improve security and can be used to strengthen terrorism combating abilities.
The Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri had constituted a Committee for suggesting a road map for transition of INMAS into a National Institute for CBRN Mitigation and Training (NICMT). I have been nominated as a member of the committee. The Committee further constituted a Task Group and I have been nominated as a Co-ordinator of this task group from DRDO side.
Presently, I am leading activities in the field of CBRN Defence as Head of a Division (created in February 2008). My notable contributions in this area include development of ‘Shudhika’, a skin decontamination kit for radioactive decontamination, and an integrated, waterproof and breathable protective clothing for the Quick Reaction Medical Team, technologies for which have been transferred to Industries during 2004-05. For this work our team was awarded the Technology Group Award of Rs, 20,000/- on 13^th February 2004. We are actively working under one subprogramme of INMAS five year Programme, one international collaboration and two task projects

1. Activities in XI five year Programme (INM-311)

INMAS got its XI^th five year Programme entitled “Enhancing Troops Health Through Radiation Science Approach” sanctioned on 19^th June 2009 at a total cost of Rs. 84.89 crores. I have been nominated by Director, INMAS to be Technical Programme Coordinator of the same. The programme was launched by DGAFMS on 14^th October 2009.

Under this Programme a Sub Programme-2 entitled, ‘Development of devices, technologies, strategies and approaches for mitigation of NBC/ CBRN Emergencies’ was sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 12.95 crores. I have been designated as Programme leader of this Sub Programme. The three main projects under Sub Programme-2 are as follows:
i) Development of Simulation based Training facility, products and devices for the medical management of CBRN Emergencies (Rs 6.65 crores).
ii) Development of Mobile Whole Body Counter

iii) Development of radiochemical analytical facility

2. Activities in Task Projects

i) Task Project entitled, ‘Awareness Generation in Development of Training Modules for Medical Management of NBC Eventualities’ (TC/2519/ INM-01/2008)
Under this project we are enhancing the level of awareness to CBRN emergencies and the health effects of CBRN agents by building of competence level among Medical Fraternity from Armed Forces and other emergency first responders. Following pursuit are being followed in this direction

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  Training modules and Post-training Assessment Methods for medical management of CBRN incidents for various emergency functionaries are being designed on the basis of Training Need Identification & Analysis.
  
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  Presentations on Skin Decontamination Kit ‘SHUDIKHA’ and Protective clothing for Quick Reaction Medical Teams were made to Faculty of NBC Protection, CME, Pune and at the office of DGAFMS office to share the concept & design and obtain their valuable inputs. GSQRs are being drafted in consultation with Users.
  
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  Further knowledge management activities are continued and newer concept papers are being developed. Awareness generation through proactive participation in various conferences / seminars to share relevant information with all stakeholders / service providers regarding CBRN Defence. A number of lectures/demonstrations/exhibitions have been organized during visit of Officers from all branches of Defence Forces at INMAS and at training course conducted at AIIMS Trauma Centre, NIDM, CME, Pune, NBCD, Lonavala, OTS, Lucknow etc.
  

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  Awareness material for medical response to manage health effects of CBRN Agents is being developed. Two awareness manuals on ‘Demystifying Chikunguniya’ and ‘Demystifying H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)’ were developed.
  

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  ‘Demystifying H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)’ included: a) An update of novel H1N1 flu as on October 2009 with chronology of events, global and Indian scenario; b) Frequently asked questions about Pandemics, H1N1 virus, drugs and vaccines, spread and severity indices & medical management aspects; c) Precautions to be taken by community and other stakeholders / service providers; d) Business Continuity Plans- a model; e) Road Ahead – suggested recommendations and f) relevant suggested readings to the subject matter concerned. The manual is designed to provide necessary information related to prevention and preparedness aspects of H1N1 flu to the community in an easily understandable language supported by related evident.
  

ii) Upgradation of Whole Body Counter (TC/2519/INM-02/2008)
The main objective of this project is to functionally operationalise the existing Whole Body Counter of INMAS. Detectors were checked. Process to procure the detector and multichannel analyzer has been initiated. The equipment will be used for the evaluation of Scanning Bed and Chair Geometry equipped with NaI (Tl) detectors by Scanning of Patients under one of the ongoing Project of INMAS (Project No. INM-309)

3. Activities under ongoing Department of Science and Technology sponsored Indo-Bulgarian Collaborative Project No. B-57

Free radical mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in a plethora of diseased states including cancer, arthritis, aging, Parkinson’s disease. Free radicals, including reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), are generated during normal cellular metabolism. However, their production in excess during diseased states as also following exposure to ionizing radiation results in severe problems. There is, therefore, a need to develop novel drugs from various herbal and microbial resources that can alleviate oxidative stress by maintaining free radical flux caused by radiation. Free radical scavenging Studies on Herbal extracts and a compound isolated from a radioresistant bacterium Bacillus Species using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopic technique were carried out at Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria under the Department of Science and Technology sponsored project entitled, ‘Studies on Antioxidants against Oxidative Stress induced by Drugs and Radiation’ (B-57 of Indo-Bulgarian POC in S&T 2008-11).
Radioresistant bacterium Bacillus Sp. (INM-1) was isolated from the dessicated environment and evaluated for its radioprotective potential in vitro as well as in vivo systems. Bacterial extract was found to be highly radioprotective (90%) and have very high antioxidant properties (90%). The antioxidant properties are evaluated by conventional assays as well as by EPR. A fraction of bacterial extract denoted as IBG-21 was found to scavenging Di-phenyl picryl radical (DPPH) free radical at about 94%. This fraction was also having Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) like activity and capable enough to neutralize superoxide free radicals’ in vitro as well as in vivo models. The most interesting observation was obtained that in powder form this fractions act as stable radical which is very rare. It may be the first report about natural compounds as stable free radical. Evalaution of immunomodulatory and cytokine stimulatory properties are underway. The effect of IBG-21 on chemical induced liver toxicity and its modulation is being evaluated in ‘in vivo’ models. Identification of the bioactive entities of these fractions is also in progress. EPR studies on IBG series of three fractions i.e., IBG-21, IBG-RA-22 were conducted to study the effect of different pH values on radical formation. It revealed an indication towards cation radical formation (semiquinone) with increasing pH. Preliminary observation indicated the presence of Quinone glucoside derivative in the extract. EPR based studies revealed IC50 = 27.7mM of IBG RA-26 (DPPH radical scavenging).
ICT based awareness generation material on CBRN Preparedness and Mock exercises was collated and published. Books on ‘Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management’ and ‘Chemical (Industrial) Mock Exercises: Good Practices and Lessons Learnt’ were compiled.

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