Visakhapatnam :

When Dasari Venkata Ravi Kumar set out with the objective of discovering a compound with a broad spectrum of activity, he accidentally stumbled upon a novel compound belonging to the Actinomycate family that has the potential to make a huge impact in the fields of cancer and microbial research.

Strangely though, Ravi Kumar found this unique molecule in some marine sediment  barely a stone’s throw away from the place where he conducted his research-the Department of Chemical Engineering at Andhra University. Actinomycates are filamentous or rod shaped pathogenic microorganisms resembling bacteria and fungi that are found in soil. These nitrogen deleted compounds have anti-cancer and anti-microbial tendencies.

“The discovery of this bio-microorganism has opened the doors for cancer and microbial research. The potential is huge and Ravi Kumar would be remembered as the man who made it all possible,” observed Professor D Rami Reddy, Ravi Kumar’s mentor, guide and inspiration. Talking about his discovery, an elated Ravi Kumar said that the past one year had been one hell of a ride with three international publications-Journal on Microbial Research, Journal of Microbial and Bio-Chemical Research and Journal of Bio-Technology publishing his research paper on the discovery.

“It was a fascinating experience. I basically set out to discover greater potential in compounds and by accident discovered a novel compound that is as of now unheard of,” says Ravi Kumar, pointing out that the support of his department and guide enabled him to complete his PhD in just two and a half years.

Though upbeat about his success at such a young age, the 30-year-old Dr Ravi Kumar, who was pursued by several pharma companies, is currently employed with a Hyderabad-based pharma player and is now worried about getting his discovery patented.

“Getting the patent is on top of my list of priorities. Things have been good so far and we have already applied for a patent, the compound has to be put through more tests till it can be finally patented. Once that is done, I plan to do more research in anti-cancer and microbial fields,” said the scientist, who jokingly said that sometimes picking up sea shells on the sea shore does help.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Science /  TNN / Visakhapatnam, November 29th, 2012