Bhubaneswar: Institute of Life Sciences recently launched an affordable electrophoresis system, which will help students see and study DNA structures, previously difficult due to expensive equipment, researchers said.RNA Biotech, a startup led by ILS scientist Amaresh Panda, has built the first-of-its-kind integrated agarose gel electrophoresis system called ‘GelGenius’. “So far, no company has built an integrated machine by including features of five systems into one system. The best thing is costs half the price of machines available in the market,” said Panda.He said traditional electrophoresis was a fragmented, space-consuming process, requiring researchers to juggle microwaves, external power supplies, bulky tanks and hazardous UV transilluminators. “But our GelGenius disrupts the conventional methodology by condensing the entire workflow. It can solve five major works into one machine seamlessly,” he added.“Our goal was to dismantle the financial and logistical barriers that keep molecular biology out of reach for many,” said Panda. “GelGenius ensures that a student’s ability to perform DNA analysis is not dictated by their institution’s budget. We are making world-class research tools accessible to every classroom in India,” he added.He said the machine, designed specifically for the needs of schools, colleges and universities with limited resources, prioritises both user safety and operational efficiency. “The system saves valuable space in the laboratory,” he added.ILS director Debasis Dash said designing and making prototypes was their strength. “We will definitely get in touch with other industries who can make better products at an affordable rate so that the cost can be brought further down,” he added.Manish Hota, chief scientific officer of RNA Biotech, said they are empowering the next generation of Indian scientists with tools designed and built in their own backyard.The system was unveiled at the DBT-ILS bioincubator here in the presence of academics and heads of institutes, including Utkal University vice-chancellor Jagneshwar Dandapat, PG Council chairman of Ravenshaw University, Luna Samant, and Sashikanta Dash, deputy director, science and technology department.
