The national conference on Nano-science and Nanotechnology was organised by the Madras University recently and the conference saw 175 researchers, eminent scientists and experts sharing their views on the National Biodefence Programme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The DRDO has tied up with National Manufacturing Competitive Council in preparing a draft on Nano-science and Technology policy that would be ready in six months.

Mr. Selvamurthy, chief controller (R&D), DRDO, said the Rs. 100 crore worth state-of-the-art national centre for nano-science at the University and its research lab, sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, would play a key role in the biodefence programme.

The National Biodefence Programme, with DRDO as the nodal agency, aims at protecting the natural wealth, including plants, herbs, animals, hotspots in the North East and Western Ghats, coasts and farm products. The lab would test the soil and the atmosphere to measure toxicity.

Of the Rs. 12,000 crore-budget for the DRDO, 10 percent was being offered to universities and institutes for research. This would help create a national knowledge bank for the next ten years.

The conference also discussed possible nanotechnology applications in the fields of chemistry, physics, engineering and biotechnology.