Mail Today, New Delhi, Sunday, October 17, 2010 20 NEWS

A GROUP of scientists at the Indian Insti-tute of Science (IISc) is attempting todevelop new drug molecules that couldcombat hyperthyroidism.

Encouraged by success with the synthe-sis of a new molecule, the researchersare now looking at ‘analogues’ (similarcompounds), which work more efficientlyunder normal conditions.

“We are using chemicals available in themarket,” said Govindasamy Mugesh, asso-ciate professor at the IISc’s departmentof inorganic and physical chemistry. “It isnot a complex reaction, but scientistshadn’t known the exact mechanism by

which it works.” If the concept that Mugesh and his stu-

dent Debasish Manna published in thejournal Angewandte Chemie works at aclinical level, then the molecules couldbe a safe alternative to current drugsthat are used to treat hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism, which affects millionsof Indians, involves overactive tissueswithin the thyroid gland that cause anoverproduction of the thyroid hormones,T4 and T3.

Thyroid hormones control the pace of

processes such as digestion in the bodycollectively called metabolism.

An excess production of the hormonesleads to nervousness, irritability,increased perspiration, heart racing,hand tremors and anxiety. It might alsocause insomnia, thinning of the skin andmuscular weakness.

Current drugs completely block anenzyme called thyroid peroxidase and cutlevels of iodine that is essential to regu-late the production of thyroid hormones.

“The molecule we have developed takesa different route and so it helps maintainthe optimum balance,” Mugesh said.

The route involves the inactivation ofthyroid hormones by mimicking anenzyme called deiodinase, which isresponsible for controlling thyroid hor-mone levels.

Earlier efforts to make molecules thatmimic deiodinase had been unsuccessful.

“It is the first proposition of the mecha-nism that inactivates the thyroid hor-mone,” said Dr Josef Köhrle, professor formolecular endocrinology at Charité –Medical University, Berlin. “It can possiblylead to drug development.”

Scientists caution that more researchand trials are needed to develop a drug.

By Max Martin in Bangalore

Bangalore scientists inch closer to a cure for ‘thyroid’

THIS is the extravagant £630m (roughly`44 billion) home built by billionairetycoon Mukesh Ambani to house his fam-ily-of-four on Mumbai’s Altamount road.

Named Antilia, after a mythical island in theAtlantic, the 27-storey building features ahealth club with a gym and dance studio, aballroom, at least one swimming pool and a50-seater cinema.

Towering above the Mumbai skyline, the37,000sq ft property is 570ft high and also boaststhree helipads on its roof, space for 160 vehicles onits lower floors, a swimming pool and nine lifts.

There are countless lounges and ballroomsthroughout the building where fine rugs, crystalchandeliers and mirrors feature heavily. There isalso a stage for entertainers and a kitchen whichcan serve hundreds of guests.

Ambani, 53, paid £44million (roughly `300 crore)to build his dream property, but the city’s astro-nomical property values mean it is now worth 15times that amount.

He will employ 600 staff at the property and hisfamily will live in the top floors,where they will enjoy views ofthe Arabian Sea.

Ambani has surprised many byconstructing Antilia, as he builthis business reputation as a pri-vate individual who avoided theflamboyance of the ultra-rich.

Hamish McDonald, the authorof a history of the family businessAmbani and Sons, told Britishdaily The Guardian: “Perhaps hehas been stung by his portrayalin the media as an introvert.

“Maybe he is making the pointthat he is a tycoon in his ownright,” McDonald added.

Numerous powder rooms andreception areas lead off thelobby. Each floor uses differentmaterials to add variety.

The vast building is constructed

A 27-storey ‘home for a family of four’

By M.C. Rajanin Chennai

Critics decry Antilia as obscenely lavish butAmbani’s friends say it’s perfect for the family.

from glass, steel and tiles and alsofeatures a four-storey hanginggarden which is designed to keepthe interior cooler in summer andwarmer in the winter.

According to Forbes magazine,Ambani is worth £18billion(roughly `1 trillion). He is the

richest man in India and thefourth richest in the world.

The property’s “Asian contem-porary” interior has been designedby a US firm.

Ambani will hold a housewarming party at his new homelater this month.

Among the guests is PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh, whohas previously called on busi-ness tycoons to be “role modelsof moderation”.

Shiny Varghese, deputy editorof the Design Today magazine,said: “It’s so obscenely lavishthat I’m not sure too many peo-ple will go all that way, but weare heading into the sort of cul-ture where money is not a ques-tion when setting up a home.”

But Ambani’s friends havedefended him against charges ofexcess, with one saying: “Hecan’t just walk into a cinema andwatch a film like you or me.

“It’s only a family home, just abig one. It’s a question of con-venience and requirements.”

Daily Mail

570 ft high Antilia has 3helipads, 9 lifts & a pool

LIC to hireand traineunuchsas agents

DON’T be surprised if you areapproached by an eunuch can-vassing for life insurance. Afterall, they are all set to becomethe new face of LIC.

The public sector insurancegiant has come out with a novelplan to induct eunuchs as insur-ance agents in this bourgeoningyet competitive business.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative,LIC has offered to traineunuchs in the nuances of thetrade and eventually recruitthem as insurance agents.

The response was overwhelm-ing as 60 eunuchs receivedtraining on Friday — jointlyorganised by the LIC and theTamil Nadu social welfaredepartment (SWD).

B. Preethi, 23, one of the par-ticipants, expressed a desire tobe treated the same as others.“We do not like begging. We haveno means of employment. All werequire is that people trust usand help us lead a normal life.”

Some were hopeful ofexcelling in this field such as S.M. Jayalalithaa. “Many of ushave contacts with the police-men, shopkeepers. This willcome in good stead to sellinsurance products,” she said.

“This kind of self-employ-ment opportunity will eco-nomically empower the trans-gendered people and will keepthem from begging and theordeal of being a commercialsex worker to make endsmeet,” SWD director R. Vasukisaid, describing the trainingcamp as a progressive move.

Vasuki added that the train-ing camp was primarilyintended to facilitate selfemployment avenues for theeunuch community.

Asserting that this initiativewould be expanded to otherdistricts as well, Vasuki said theTamil Nadu Transgenders Wel-fare Board has a membership of3,000 of whom 2,700 have beenissued identity cards.

The criterion to become anLIC agent is to have passed thematric/SSLC in the rural areasand senior secondary/plus twoin the urban centres.

Those eligible would be given50 hours of training for a weekto enable them to appear for awritten examination.

“Once they clear the exams,they would get a licence issuedby the insurance regulatorInsurance Regulatory andDevelopment Authority andstart working,” said SenthurNathan, marketing managerwith LIC.

The corporation has plans toconduct similar camps in thedistricts to get more insuranceagents from this community,he added.

Tamil Nadu has been at theforefront in making concertedefforts in integrating eunuchsinto the mainstream.

The state government hasstarted issuing ration cards foreunuchs to avail provisionsfrom the public distibutionsystem. A housing programmeis also being implemented.

They also have a powerfulwell wisher in Rajya Sabha MP,Kanimozhi, the daughter ofchief minister and DMK patri-arch M. Karunanidhi.

MAGNATE: Mukesh Ambani.

NAGESH OHAL

CORBIS

�Ambani often uses a chopperto travel to company sites

Graphic : SUNIL SINGH

THE ANTILIA Three helipads

Air traffic control

�The Arabian Sea can beclearly seen from this floor

Family residence

� This will ‘take care’ of the 27-storey building

�Four storey hanging garden with exotic plants

�At least 160 vehiclescan be parked here

Maintenance room

Guest apartment

Swimming pool with spa & gym

Outdoor garden

50 seat cinema

Six floors of parking

THE SKYCASTLEMukesh Ambani’sAltamount Roaddream home

37,000 sq ft area

570 fthigh

Equal to anormal 60storey residentialbuilding

2.4 times theheight of theQutub Minar(237.8 ft)

Altamount Road

COLABA

TARDEO

M U M B A IGATEWAY OF

INDIA

Ambani’s $1 bnvertical palace