The Department of Marine Science of Bharathidasan University has taken up a research project on utilising marine resources for preparing drugs.
Titled ‘drugs from sea' and funded by the Department of Ocean Development, New Delhi, the research programme aims at utilising sponges, algae and corals for preparing anti-bacterial, anti-fungus and bioactive agents, said K.Meena, Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Speaking on the sidelines of the national conference on ‘marine biodiversity – present status and prospects' organised by the University's Department of Marine Science on Thursday, Prof.Meena said the research, one among the eleven projects, was being conducted on algae, corals and sponges at Mandapam, Palk Bay and Andamans.
Other projects include study on water desalination through reverse osmosis ; preparation of prawn feed using marine plankton and environmental impact assessment on the Tamirabarani river, which aims at ascertaining the extent of pollution due to fertilisers and pesticides.
Impressed by the success of the University's post-graduate course on ‘Coastal Zone Management,' the University Grants Commission had sanctioned Rs.6 lakh, in addition to its earlier sanction of Rs.30 lakh.
C.Kaliaperumal, Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests, South Zone, Bangalore, in his inaugural address, appealed to the researchers to involve the local community for conserving the marine resources and wealth.
L.Kannan, former Vice-Chancellor of Thiruvalluvar University, explained the timely intervention by the Centre in conserving the endangered marine plants and animals of Krusadai islands and sea-weeds in the Gulf of Mannar.
P.Perumal, professor and head of the department of Biotechnology, Periyar University, spoke on the research projects being carried out by his department on sea-weeds and marine sponges.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor released the abstract of the papers presented at the conference and the first copy was received by Mr.Kaliaperumal.
V.Radhakrishnan, professor and head of department of Marine Science, spoke.
