Years of diagnostic and vaccine research has been paying off nicely for Associate Professor Dr. M Ravichandran as his DNA-based diagnostic kits, EZDNAAmp and EZCHOLERAAmp, would be developed commercially mid-year. The test kits, unlike conventional diagnostic tests which require cold storage, can be used under room temperature and consists of thermostabilised DNA amplification reagents which are stored in dry gel form.

The EZDNAAmp kit won the silver medal at the EXPO Science and Technology 2003, while the EZCHOLERAAmp kit won the silver medal at ITEX 2003. In addition, this year his EZEBVAmp kit which detects the Epstein-Barr Virus in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, and the EZEBVAmp Octaplex Cholera kit, which tests for 8 common strains of the cholera virus, won gold medals in the 33rd International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products in Geneva. It was evident that there would be much more in store for this year. In an interview via phone, his hectic schedule was pretty evident as he had just finished a day-long conference with a Cuban scientist in line with our Government’s effort in developing scientific ties and foster cooperation with Cuba in biotechnology.
		Figure 1: Diagnostic Kit

Speaking from his office, Dr. Ravichandran good-humouredly traced the whole history behind his novel innovations. What started out as an effort in isolating HemA and HemM genes of the bacteria Vibrio cholerae in cholera research slowly shifted focus into the development of diagnostic techniques and vaccine sythesis for cholera when he stumbled upon the HemA gene in 1999. His research has not looked back since. The first thermostabilised DNA-based diagnostic kit for cholera was developed in 2003, further inspiring the creation of a general kit for the purpose of amplifying DNA from diverse sources, followed closely by the EZEBVAmp kit and the EZEBVAmp Octaplex Cholera kit.

When prompted on the subject of working as a husband and wife team with, Dr. P. Lalitha, he mused, “Life with her has been a lifelong discussion.” He acknowledged discussing work-related issues and problems with Dr. Lalitha over meals and whenever the need arose. The convenience of this is apparent.

He further elaborated that students are like part of the family within the confines of his research and laboratory. In addition, students are also included in the patents according to their contribution to the research.

The commercial aspect of his innovations, as Dr. Ravichandran explains, are generally managed by the Research, Creativity and Management Office (RCMO) which screens novel innovations for their novelty, innovation, marketability and criteria. Successful inventions would then be displayed accordingly in national and international exhibitions like ITEX to attract commercial interest from businesses and industry players. USAINS Holding Sdn. Bhd., the commercial wing of USM would then negotiate and manage on behalf of the researchers.

It could be said that such an environment is extremely conducive for the commercial development of science, coupled with well-equipped infrastructure, sufficient manpower and lots of positive managerial support.

“Managerial support is so strong here, in fact, whenever we meet, the V(ice) C(hancellor) (Prof. Dato Dzulkifli Abdul Razak) never fails to ask me, what’s next,” said Dr. Ravichandran laughingly.

So, what’s next?

According to Dr. Ravichandran, in the near future there would be further forays into the EZDNAAmp kits, possibly looking into tuberculosis, typhoid and a myriad of other diseases and organisms.