Pune Scientists Develop Innovative Solutions to Help Farmers Combat Crop Loss and Climate Change

Are farmers finding new ways to combat crop loss due to climate change? Pune scientists have developed groundbreaking solutions to help farmers increase crop yields while reducing their reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Pune startup BioPrime AgriSolutions, founded by Dr. Renuka Diwan, Dr. Shekhar Bhosale, and Dr. Amit Shinde, has introduced SNIPR, a technology that harnesses the power of naturally-occurring microorganisms. By treating tomato plants at the seedling nursery stage, farmers observed minimal transplantation shock and plant deaths, showcasing tangible benefits. The startup collaborated with local nurseries to treat thousands of plants using a bio-stimulant containing a unique blend of biomolecules. The treated crops exhibited resilience and improved performance compared to the surrounding fields, attracting the attention of farmers in the region. Recognizing the potential of this technology, farmers began adopting BioPrime's products, such as Verdant, Fortisea, and Chiron. These eco-friendly solutions have prevented significant crop losses caused by untimely weather events for hundreds of farmers across Maharashtra and other states in India. BioPrime addresses the imbalances caused by modern agriculture practices by stimulating the plants to allocate resources towards nourishing and engaging with beneficial microorganisms. Their proprietary screening platform, SNIPR, helps identify trigger molecules that activate dormant pathways in crops, making them more tolerant to extreme climatic conditions. With field-level testing and regulatory approvals, BioPrime aims to bring pride and profitability back to farmers while enhancing their climate resilience. Their innovative solutions offer hope for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.

Pune Scientists Develop Fastest Cancer-Detecting Technique in the World

Pune Scientists' pathbreaking invention of technology to detect cancer will be a boon to mankind as it is the fastest method in the world to diagnose cancer. The ‘OncoDiscover’ technology has been developed using the ‘liquid biopsy’ technique. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, the national regulatory body for pharmaceuticals and medical devices has given its approval to the groundbreaking technology. The Scientists It took great efforts on the part of a team of scientists led by Dr Jayant Khandare and Aravindan Vasudevan to develop this technology which is expected to revolutionize the early diagnosis and management of cancer patients in India. Dr Khandare is a renowned scientist who was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Experienced Researcher Fellowship for his research in macromolecular chemistry in 2011. First Of Its Kind Technique Khandare and his team faced numerous technological challenges but managed to solve them to detect circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from lung, breast, colorectal, head and neck cancers.  It is very difficult to spot CTCs as their count is as low as one in millions of other blood cells. It is similar to finding a needle in a haystack. However, the team has indigenously developed the more specific, highly rapid and efficient cancer diagnostic technology in detecting the early spread of cancers. Dr Khandare informed that the test is now available in Pune at the OncoDiscover Liquid Biopsy Technology lab for cancer patients in India.