Odia scientist in list of world’s ‘influential’ researchers

BHUBANESWAR: Sanjeeb Sahoo, a scientist in the central government run Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Bhubaneswar, has been figured in the list of ‘influential’ researchers of the world. Only 10 scientists including Sahoo from India got entry into the list of 4000 researchers of the world.

The list has been released by an US-based firm Clarivate Analytics. Noted scientist like CNR Rao, former head of the scientific advisory council to the Prime Minister, is also in the list of Indian researchers. The ranking is based on highly-cited researchers (HCR).

Sahoo, a native of Nachhipura in Jajpur district, is conducting research on the best use of nanotechnology for treatment of cancer since 1995. He is one of the experts in the area of nanotechnology-based drug delivery system mainly in the field of cancer.

He said there are three common treatments of cancer- chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells along with normal cells and creates many side effects like hair fall, dysentery, nausea and vomiting. Radiation therapy is also not applicable for different internal organs.

But there is another treatment called targeted therapy. “We can create nano capsules with specialized medicine and release it in the blood. These capsules will get attracted towards biomarkers on the cancer cells and get attached to it. After getting settled on the cancer cell, the nano medicine will enter into the affected cell and start damaging it. As it is targeted to a particular cell, it is called as targeted therapy,” he added.

The scientist said this therapy will not only save normal cells in the body but also decrease the amount of medicine use. “The drug will give desired result in lesser amount of dose. Dose will be decreased and toxicity to normal cell can be avoided through this therapy. It will make the drug cheaper and cancer treatment affordable,” he added.

He further said, “We are creating a system which can recognize cancer cells. It can be injected through blood. And the drug will go to the tumor through the blood to kill the diseased cell. We have started in-house testing of this drug. This research is underway.”

This 48-year-old scientist, who has completed his masters and PhD in chemistry from Delhi University and postdoctoral degrees from foreign universities, said he believes in god and spirituality. He finds peace in spiritual work.

“I have seen people struggle to arrange cancer treatment for their family members due to high cost of medicine and treatment facilities. I wanted to reduce this burden by creating cheaper way of treatment. So I chose this type of research,” said Sahoo, father of two cute daughters.

The scientist has seven patents and several publications on his research works in his name. He has been working in the ILS since 2005. “Research work in India has started gathering pace during last 10 years. The government has taken several steps to support the research works of the scholars. Indian scientists are returning from abroad to do research here. The scenario is changing,” he added.