Thapar varsity scientist develops biopolymer for detecting parasite that causes diarrhoea

PATIALA: A scientist at Thapar University, Patiala, has developed the first of its kind biopolymer (a slimy substance produced outside by living bacteria) that will help in rapid detection and monitoring of waterborne parasite cryptosporidium, which is one of main reasons behind diarrhoeal deaths. The scientist said that fast and accurate monitoring of cryptosporidium was important as like other infection-causing microorganisms, normally found in community water, it can't be eliminated by using traditional methods like chlorination, which are still popular and the only process to treat water in countries like India.

Professor Moushumi Ghosh from Thapar University's department of biotechnology who has working in this field for over a decade, has developed this biopolymer. As per estimates cited by the World Health Organization (WHO), cryptosporidium causes ailment in around 300 million individuals across the globe per year.

"Although cryptosporidium causes numerous diarrhoeal deaths across the world every year, we hope that India would be best served with our research. In India, there is least focus on monitoring, detection (surveillance) and elimination of this particular bug from community water. Therefore, this technique will help detect, monitor and counter such a harmful microorganism in a timely manner improving public health," professor Ghosh told TOI.

Asked about benefit of this research to the community, she said, "Since we have developed the biopolymer, the next step is to modify it into a kit or a device, which can be used in community waterworks tanks to rapidly monitor viable cryptosporidium oocysts. We are now working on a project funded by the Union government's department of science and technology for developing a high detection device using this biopolymer with Helen Bridle and her research team at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom."