Summary: Nanoscience has witnessed spectacular progress in the past few years with applications being highly recognized in various industrial sectors. The know-how in nanotechnology offers new ways to create better devices, drugs as well as novel laboratory diagnostic tools. The marriage of nanotechnology and medicine has yielded this offspring that is set to bring vital advances in the fight against a range of diseases. With the increased understanding and perfection of synthesis techniques, size-property control and demonstration of a number of novel applications, new materials are providing a continuously evolving platform for the implementation and application of concepts.

In this context, the talk will concentrate on the applications of magnetic nanoparticles (manganite systems) in cancer-hyperthermia applications. It will also focus on the use of semiconducting nanoparticles for diabetes control via inhibition of specific enzyme activities. Polymer-embedded metal nanoparticles have been harnessed for sensing applications, as well as for environmental pollution control; the results of which will be also discussed.

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(*) Biodata: Dr. Sangeeta Kale is Associate Professor and Researcher in Nanoscience at Fergusson College, India. She is also also a Regular Associate of The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics.

Her academic qualifications include a Ph.D. (Physics) in 1996 from Pune University, India and has done post-doctoral research in Material Science at the University of Maryland, College Park, USA

She is the Head of Research activities in Nanoscience at Fergusson College, India and has delivered a lecture series on Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology for a national television channel in India (Jan 2008).

Since 2006 she has been appointed as a "Professional Women's Advisory Board Member" by the American Biographical Institute, New Jersey, in the United States.

She is also a reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals from Elsevier and publications of the Institute of Physics. She has published 41 research papers and conference proceedings. Her social commitment to her community is demonstrated by 15 articles in science popularization (in local newspapers and magazines). Finally, she has written 4 books for undergraduate students.
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