UoH Prof files for a unique patent

HYDERABAD: The Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Hyderabad recently filed a patent at the Chennai patent office for a unique process of synthesizing higher chain chitooligosachharides. Filed by Prof Appa Rao Podile and research fellow P Purushotham, the process was developed by identifying a bacterial source of the enzyme 'chitinase' which can carry out the process and producing it through genetic engineering for use. The natural polymer chitin is the second most abundant in nature. When broken down into chains of 6 to 15 units, they are called chitooligosaccharides and find widespread applications in medicine and agriculture.