I was always fascinated by biology I was good at it too my favorite part used to
good at it too my favorite part used to
good at it too my favorite part used to be the practicals once in a week I used
be the practicals once in a week I used
be the practicals once in a week I used to look forward to putting all that
to look forward to putting all that
to look forward to putting all that theoretical knowledge into use in the
theoretical knowledge into use in the
theoretical knowledge into use in the lab when I first learned about the
lab when I first learned about the
lab when I first learned about the microscope this scientific marvel then
microscope this scientific marvel then
microscope this scientific marvel then that lets me see tiny things that I
that lets me see tiny things that I
that lets me see tiny things that I can’t see with my eye I was thrilled the
can’t see with my eye I was thrilled the
can’t see with my eye I was thrilled the first practical using a microscope was
first practical using a microscope was
first practical using a microscope was my most look forward to however over
my most look forward to however over
my most look forward to however over time the excitement faded away
time the excitement faded away
time the excitement faded away why because these sessions never turned
why because these sessions never turned
why because these sessions never turned out the way I wanted them to or I
out the way I wanted them to or I
out the way I wanted them to or I expected them to it usually involved the
expected them to it usually involved the
expected them to it usually involved the teacher setting up the sample on one
teacher setting up the sample on one
teacher setting up the sample on one microscope and students standing in line
microscope and students standing in line
microscope and students standing in line to just see it now the first few
to just see it now the first few
to just see it now the first few students in the line may have seen the
students in the line may have seen the
students in the line may have seen the sample but everyone else just struggled
sample but everyone else just struggled
sample but everyone else just struggled to see anything of significance and
to see anything of significance and
to see anything of significance and usually ended up assuming that that
usually ended up assuming that that
usually ended up assuming that that round blog which is probably a dust
round blog which is probably a dust
round blog which is probably a dust particle was the pollen grain that they
particle was the pollen grain that they
particle was the pollen grain that they were supposed to see now technology has
were supposed to see now technology has
were supposed to see now technology has crept into the education sector in the
crept into the education sector in the
crept into the education sector in the form of smart boards and online classes
form of smart boards and online classes
form of smart boards and online classes but barely anything has changed in the
but barely anything has changed in the
but barely anything has changed in the context of microscopes it’s been almost
context of microscopes it’s been almost
context of microscopes it’s been almost a decade since I was in school but the
a decade since I was in school but the
a decade since I was in school but the microscope we set up being used to still
microscope we set up being used to still
microscope we set up being used to still the same now just imagine how many more
the same now just imagine how many more
the same now just imagine how many more students would have been fascinated by
students would have been fascinated by
students would have been fascinated by the microbial world
the microbial world
the microbial world how many more doctors and microbiologist
how many more doctors and microbiologist
how many more doctors and microbiologist people have had in our midst here right
people have had in our midst here right
people have had in our midst here right now if microscopy were as easy as this
now if microscopy were as easy as this
now if microscopy were as easy as this if we could sit in our seats and watch
if we could sit in our seats and watch
if we could sit in our seats and watch parama stream swimming around while the
parama stream swimming around while the
parama stream swimming around while the teacher explained it’s an atomy to us
teacher explained it’s an atomy to us
teacher explained it’s an atomy to us this is a pond water sample and you can
this is a pond water sample and you can
this is a pond water sample and you can clearly see the Paramecium that are
clearly see the Paramecium that are
clearly see the Paramecium that are moving around you can see the internal
moving around you can see the internal
moving around you can see the internal structures or like this where we could
structures or like this where we could
structures or like this where we could in detail see the internal structure of
in detail see the internal structure of
in detail see the internal structure of roundworms so this is the parasite that
roundworms so this is the parasite that
roundworms so this is the parasite that lives in an animal in this time see how
lives in an animal in this time see how
lives in an animal in this time see how clearly you can see the anatomy remember
clearly you can see the anatomy remember
clearly you can see the anatomy remember how we used to try and draw this it
how we used to try and draw this it
how we used to try and draw this it could never be the same now microscopes
could never be the same now microscopes
could never be the same now microscopes are not just for education they are an
are not just for education they are an
are not just for education they are an integral part of disease diagnosis as
integral part of disease diagnosis as
integral part of disease diagnosis as well they used to look at the shape of
well they used to look at the shape of
well they used to look at the shape of your blood cells and count them and you
your blood cells and count them and you
your blood cells and count them and you go for that blood test or to see what
go for that blood test or to see what
go for that blood test or to see what kind of fungus is causing that skin
kind of fungus is causing that skin
kind of fungus is causing that skin infection and so many other ways it’s
infection and so many other ways it’s
infection and so many other ways it’s the gold standard for disease diagnosis
the gold standard for disease diagnosis
the gold standard for disease diagnosis but for something that’s so critical and
but for something that’s so critical and
but for something that’s so critical and health care it has barely evolved over
health care it has barely evolved over
health care it has barely evolved over time my team and I have seen firsthand
time my team and I have seen firsthand
time my team and I have seen firsthand the subjectivities and inefficiencies
the subjectivities and inefficiencies
the subjectivities and inefficiencies that result due to the very nature of
that result due to the very nature of
that result due to the very nature of microscopes being used today so we
microscopes being used today so we
microscopes being used today so we decided to develop a product that would
decided to develop a product that would
decided to develop a product that would bring microscopy up-to-date with the
bring microscopy up-to-date with the
bring microscopy up-to-date with the technological advancements happening all
technological advancements happening all
technological advancements happening all around us introduction of mobile
around us introduction of mobile
around us introduction of mobile networks internet facilities smartphones
networks internet facilities smartphones
networks internet facilities smartphones even in the most rural areas has made
even in the most rural areas has made
even in the most rural areas has made the world a smaller place so we thought
the world a smaller place so we thought
the world a smaller place so we thought why not integrate smartphones and their
why not integrate smartphones and their
why not integrate smartphones and their unlimited features with microscopy
unlimited features with microscopy
unlimited features with microscopy making it digital and more accessible
making it digital and more accessible
making it digital and more accessible now silica is the world’s first
now silica is the world’s first
now silica is the world’s first smartphone integrated microscope that
smartphone integrated microscope that
smartphone integrated microscope that can be used for diagnostic use it has
can be used for diagnostic use it has
can be used for diagnostic use it has all the features that are available in
all the features that are available in
all the features that are available in normal microscopes with the added
normal microscopes with the added
normal microscopes with the added advantage of digitization and
advantage of digitization and
advantage of digitization and connectivity that is brought on by the
connectivity that is brought on by the
connectivity that is brought on by the smartphone at this point I’ll invite my
smartphone at this point I’ll invite my
smartphone at this point I’ll invite my colleague Sam rad to come and give a
colleague Sam rad to come and give a
colleague Sam rad to come and give a small demo so I can show you how it
small demo so I can show you how it
small demo so I can show you how it works so for all of you who actually
works so for all of you who actually
works so for all of you who actually missed out on that pollen grain exercise
missed out on that pollen grain exercise
missed out on that pollen grain exercise in the lab we will give you will show
in the lab we will give you will show
in the lab we will give you will show you how pollen grains actually look like
you how pollen grains actually look like
you how pollen grains actually look like so pollen grains are those powdery
so pollen grains are those powdery
so pollen grains are those powdery things that are found in flowers they
things that are found in flowers they
things that are found in flowers they are carried from one flower to another
are carried from one flower to another
are carried from one flower to another by insects or birds if we look at this
by insects or birds if we look at this
by insects or birds if we look at this structure here so you can see a clump of
structure here so you can see a clump of
structure here so you can see a clump of pollen grains over here from a flower
pollen grains over here from a flower
pollen grains over here from a flower that we took you know from the roadside
that we took you know from the roadside
that we took you know from the roadside look at the structure you can actually
look at the structure you can actually
look at the structure you can actually see the spiny structure around the
see the spiny structure around the
see the spiny structure around the pollen grain that actually protects it
pollen grain that actually protects it
pollen grain that actually protects it while it’s transferred from one flower
while it’s transferred from one flower
while it’s transferred from one flower to another have you seen that in school
this is not limited so what else can
this is not limited so what else can this product do I mean its applications
this product do I mean its applications
this product do I mean its applications are not limited to hospitals and
are not limited to hospitals and
are not limited to hospitals and classrooms so we wanted to address the
classrooms so we wanted to address the
classrooms so we wanted to address the shortcomings and disease diagnosis that
shortcomings and disease diagnosis that
shortcomings and disease diagnosis that exists today after a lot of research we
exists today after a lot of research we
exists today after a lot of research we concluded that the major problem exists
concluded that the major problem exists
concluded that the major problem exists in remote rural areas from where you
in remote rural areas from where you
in remote rural areas from where you know samples need to be collected for
know samples need to be collected for
know samples need to be collected for diagnosis now since these places don’t
diagnosis now since these places don’t
diagnosis now since these places don’t have the equipment or the facilities to
have the equipment or the facilities to
have the equipment or the facilities to prevent conduct the diagnosis
prevent conduct the diagnosis
prevent conduct the diagnosis the samples are taken to laboratories in
the samples are taken to laboratories in
the samples are taken to laboratories in more developed areas often resulting in
more developed areas often resulting in
more developed areas often resulting in delay of up to a week now this one-week
delay of up to a week now this one-week
delay of up to a week now this one-week delay can be very critical when we are
delay can be very critical when we are
delay can be very critical when we are talking about a disease like malaria it
talking about a disease like malaria it
talking about a disease like malaria it can lead to very severe complications
can lead to very severe complications
can lead to very severe complications and even loss of lives if that malaria
and even loss of lives if that malaria
and even loss of lives if that malaria is not treated quickly there have also
is not treated quickly there have also
is not treated quickly there have also been instances where you know the sample
been instances where you know the sample
been instances where you know the sample has degraded during that transportation
has degraded during that transportation
has degraded during that transportation and leading to a misdiagnosis
and leading to a misdiagnosis
and leading to a misdiagnosis so because of lack of appropriate
so because of lack of appropriate
so because of lack of appropriate technology there was no solution for
technology there was no solution for
technology there was no solution for this problem until now but this is where
this problem until now but this is where
this problem until now but this is where portable microscopy can come in handy
portable microscopy can come in handy
portable microscopy can come in handy the compact structure enables it to be
the compact structure enables it to be
the compact structure enables it to be taken out into the field for
taken out into the field for
taken out into the field for point-of-care testing it can eliminate
point-of-care testing it can eliminate
point-of-care testing it can eliminate time delays it can eliminate sample loss
time delays it can eliminate sample loss
time delays it can eliminate sample loss it can lead to faster and more effective
it can lead to faster and more effective
it can lead to faster and more effective treatment reducing complications
treatment reducing complications
treatment reducing complications reducing loss of lives besides it’s so
reducing loss of lives besides it’s so
reducing loss of lives besides it’s so easy to operate that you can train a
easy to operate that you can train a
easy to operate that you can train a doctors in rural areas to use it as well
doctors in rural areas to use it as well
doctors in rural areas to use it as well now not just this with the rise of
now not just this with the rise of
now not just this with the rise of artificial intelligence and image
artificial intelligence and image
artificial intelligence and image processing it is possible to equip this
processing it is possible to equip this
processing it is possible to equip this microscope to perform basic tests
microscope to perform basic tests
microscope to perform basic tests automatically it can be used to assist
automatically it can be used to assist
automatically it can be used to assist pathologists it can be used to relieve
pathologists it can be used to relieve
pathologists it can be used to relieve them of very mundane tasks such as
them of very mundane tasks such as
them of very mundane tasks such as counting thousands of cells so these are
counting thousands of cells so these are
counting thousands of cells so these are red blood cells that you’re looking at
red blood cells that you’re looking at
red blood cells that you’re looking at which is normally a process that’s done
which is normally a process that’s done
which is normally a process that’s done when you go for a blood test and the
when you go for a blood test and the
when you go for a blood test and the pathologists count these thousands of
pathologists count these thousands of
pathologists count these thousands of cells many fields like this using a
cells many fields like this using a
cells many fields like this using a manual counter like that whereas with
manual counter like that whereas with
manual counter like that whereas with this it can be done with just one click
this it can be done with just one click
this it can be done with just one click now that we’ve seen how this technology
now that we’ve seen how this technology
now that we’ve seen how this technology can be used in diagnosing diseases we
can be used in diagnosing diseases we
can be used in diagnosing diseases we want to take it one step further we want
want to take it one step further we want
want to take it one step further we want to use it to prevent diseases as well
to use it to prevent diseases as well
to use it to prevent diseases as well how there are still plenty of people
how there are still plenty of people
how there are still plenty of people across the world who do not even know
across the world who do not even know
across the world who do not even know about the existence of microorganisms
about the existence of microorganisms
about the existence of microorganisms health education is important in order
health education is important in order
health education is important in order to eradicate infectious diseases such as
to eradicate infectious diseases such as
to eradicate infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis it’s important
malaria and tuberculosis it’s important
malaria and tuberculosis it’s important that there is awareness about microbes
that there is awareness about microbes
that there is awareness about microbes just because you can’t see something
just because you can’t see something
just because you can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there it might be
doesn’t mean it isn’t there it might be
doesn’t mean it isn’t there it might be just waiting for the right time to show
just waiting for the right time to show
just waiting for the right time to show itself similarly just because you don’t
itself similarly just because you don’t
itself similarly just because you don’t have the symptoms of a disease doesn’t
have the symptoms of a disease doesn’t
have the symptoms of a disease doesn’t mean you are not capable of spreading it
mean you are not capable of spreading it
mean you are not capable of spreading it hence it is important that everyone
hence it is important that everyone
hence it is important that everyone takes precautionary measures against
takes precautionary measures against
takes precautionary measures against face
face
face infections like malaria did you know
infections like malaria did you know
infections like malaria did you know there are over 1 million deaths due to
there are over 1 million deaths due to
there are over 1 million deaths due to malaria across the world every year and
malaria across the world every year and
malaria across the world every year and over 1 billion people need to be tested
over 1 billion people need to be tested
over 1 billion people need to be tested but how do you explain to an entire
but how do you explain to an entire
but how do you explain to an entire village that the large number of deaths
village that the large number of deaths
village that the large number of deaths amongst their people every year during
amongst their people every year during
amongst their people every year during the monsoons is because of the annoying
the monsoons is because of the annoying
the monsoons is because of the annoying yet tiny mosquitoes that are all around
yet tiny mosquitoes that are all around
yet tiny mosquitoes that are all around them this can only be done by helping
them this can only be done by helping
them this can only be done by helping them visualize these carriers of death
them visualize these carriers of death
them visualize these carriers of death so that is the mosquito or head that
so that is the mosquito or head that
so that is the mosquito or head that you’re looking at and you can see the
you’re looking at and you can see the
you’re looking at and you can see the hairy antennas the long white thing is
hairy antennas the long white thing is
hairy antennas the long white thing is the tube or the proboscis that it uses
the tube or the proboscis that it uses
the tube or the proboscis that it uses to suck your blood and yes you can see
to suck your blood and yes you can see
to suck your blood and yes you can see the compound eyes that are you know a
the compound eyes that are you know a
the compound eyes that are you know a characteristic of insects in general now
characteristic of insects in general now
characteristic of insects in general now I’ll also show you what changes happen
I’ll also show you what changes happen
I’ll also show you what changes happen in the blood cells once a malaria
in the blood cells once a malaria
in the blood cells once a malaria infection takes place you can see the
infection takes place you can see the
infection takes place you can see the circular things are the red blood cells
circular things are the red blood cells
circular things are the red blood cells most of them are normal they’re circular
most of them are normal they’re circular
most of them are normal they’re circular but you can see some of them have purple
but you can see some of them have purple
but you can see some of them have purple bits inside them so those purple bits
bits inside them so those purple bits
bits inside them so those purple bits are the malaria parasite they have
are the malaria parasite they have
are the malaria parasite they have formed a nice cozy home inside your
formed a nice cozy home inside your
formed a nice cozy home inside your blood cells and causing your fever and
blood cells and causing your fever and
blood cells and causing your fever and sweats so this is how malaria is
sweats so this is how malaria is
sweats so this is how malaria is diagnosed so this these purple spots and
diagnosed so this these purple spots and
diagnosed so this these purple spots and rings indicate that that’s a malaria
rings indicate that that’s a malaria
rings indicate that that’s a malaria positive sample as a blood these not
positive sample as a blood these not
positive sample as a blood these not just big ambitions or you know wild
just big ambitions or you know wild
just big ambitions or you know wild dreams that they are telling you about
dreams that they are telling you about
dreams that they are telling you about we have taken the first step into
we have taken the first step into
we have taken the first step into actually making it a reality so we have
actually making it a reality so we have
actually making it a reality so we have already initiated the process of
already initiated the process of
already initiated the process of implementing this technology in
implementing this technology in
implementing this technology in malaria-ridden villages of ERISA ERISA
malaria-ridden villages of ERISA ERISA
malaria-ridden villages of ERISA ERISA has the largest burden of malaria in
has the largest burden of malaria in
has the largest burden of malaria in India we believe that with this
India we believe that with this
India we believe that with this technology it can lead to a faster
technology it can lead to a faster
technology it can lead to a faster diagnosis better treatment and loss
diagnosis better treatment and loss
diagnosis better treatment and loss fewer lives and with advanced any
fewer lives and with advanced any
fewer lives and with advanced any pathology networks it is even possible
pathology networks it is even possible
pathology networks it is even possible to bring the expertise of thousands of
to bring the expertise of thousands of
to bring the expertise of thousands of pathologists across the world to even
pathologists across the world to even
pathologists across the world to even the remotest of villages in Orissa in
the remotest of villages in Orissa in
the remotest of villages in Orissa in the tribal villages of gutturally in
the tribal villages of gutturally in
the tribal villages of gutturally in Maharashtra this instrument was used to
Maharashtra this instrument was used to
Maharashtra this instrument was used to demonstrate the cause of sickle cell
demonstrate the cause of sickle cell
demonstrate the cause of sickle cell anemia using a projector the difference
anemia using a projector the difference
anemia using a projector the difference between the blood cells of normal
between the blood cells of normal
between the blood cells of normal individuals in sickle cell anemia
individuals in sickle cell anemia
individuals in sickle cell anemia patience were explained now what happens
patience were explained now what happens
patience were explained now what happens in sickle cell anemia due to some
in sickle cell anemia due to some
in sickle cell anemia due to some changes in the structure of hemoglobin
changes in the structure of hemoglobin
changes in the structure of hemoglobin if you are on anemia patient your red
if you are on anemia patient your red
if you are on anemia patient your red blood cells when it doesn’t get enough
blood cells when it doesn’t get enough
blood cells when it doesn’t get enough oxygen they change shape so from a
oxygen they change shape so from a
oxygen they change shape so from a circular structure they go on into a
circular structure they go on into a
circular structure they go on into a crescent-shaped structure and then they
crescent-shaped structure and then they
crescent-shaped structure and then they are not able to carry oxygen anymore so
are not able to carry oxygen anymore so
are not able to carry oxygen anymore so we have made a time-lapse video of this
we have made a time-lapse video of this
we have made a time-lapse video of this process for you using our microscope so
process for you using our microscope so
process for you using our microscope so you can actually see the red blood cells
you can actually see the red blood cells
you can actually see the red blood cells as they as a deprived of oxygen they are
as they as a deprived of oxygen they are
as they as a deprived of oxygen they are changing their shape and becoming you
changing their shape and becoming you
changing their shape and becoming you know useless pawns of themselves now the
know useless pawns of themselves now the
know useless pawns of themselves now the thing about sickle cell anemia is you
thing about sickle cell anemia is you
thing about sickle cell anemia is you can be a carrier of the disease and yet
can be a carrier of the disease and yet
can be a carrier of the disease and yet lead a normal life but it is still
lead a normal life but it is still
lead a normal life but it is still possible to carry on this Capasso for
possible to carry on this Capasso for
possible to carry on this Capasso for this disease to your children if you
this disease to your children if you
this disease to your children if you marry another carrier hence it is very
marry another carrier hence it is very
marry another carrier hence it is very important that everyone is aware about
important that everyone is aware about
important that everyone is aware about these diseases it is important to raise
these diseases it is important to raise
these diseases it is important to raise awareness and convert each and every
awareness and convert each and every
awareness and convert each and every individual into an active member of this
individual into an active member of this
individual into an active member of this process this is where we believe silica
process this is where we believe silica
process this is where we believe silica can create a significant impact in
can create a significant impact in
can create a significant impact in changing lives of generations to come I
changing lives of generations to come I
changing lives of generations to come I would like to leave you with a picture
would like to leave you with a picture
would like to leave you with a picture of the future that we believe silica can
of the future that we believe silica can
of the future that we believe silica can create a world where smart microscopes
create a world where smart microscopes
create a world where smart microscopes are the basic foundation of medical
are the basic foundation of medical
are the basic foundation of medical diagnosis a world where smart
diagnosis a world where smart
diagnosis a world where smart microscopes are like glucose monitors
microscopes are like glucose monitors
microscopes are like glucose monitors with one in each house so that every
with one in each house so that every
with one in each house so that every individual can get themselves checked
individual can get themselves checked
individual can get themselves checked for infections and blood disorders on a
for infections and blood disorders on a
for infections and blood disorders on a regular basis
”
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