Prof. Shin-ichi Yusa of the University of Hyogo and Prof. Amiya Kumar Panda, of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Vidyasagar University have been exploring the possibility of bilateral collaboration for a substantial time period (at least last two years). The HORN fellowship program has opened up such avenue to a large extent. There has been a formal MoU between the two faculties in the University of Hyogo and Vidyasagar University previously. That has further encouraged the two scientists in strengthening further collaboration. Prof. Yusa has encouraged Prof. Panda to explore the possibility in using the synthesized polymers for his studied drug delivery systems. Also this program was mooted in exposing Prof. Panda to different scientists from Japan in his field of research.

India is country where religion, culture, scientific mindsets have attained a culminating point. However, unfortunately state of the art infrastructural and instrumental facilities are not available in all the Universities across the country. In spite of academic talents, research works are not at par with the developed countries like Japan. The HORN program has been a perfect platform for Prof. Panda in experiencing newer technologies, newer research avenues, where Prof. Shin-ichi Yusa played a pivotal role. Not only research, Prof. Panda has been able to get acquainted with the Japanese culture, lifestyle and delicious food. Prof. Panda always received active support and friendly attitude from all of his colleagues in Japan. Besides touring the historic cities of Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, he has been able to deliver a special Lecture at the Tokyo University of Science and Kagoshima University and build up further collaborations.

Prof. Amiya Kumar Panda is now actively engaged in the physicochemical characterizations of the lipid based drug delivery systems. They include the hybrid vesicles and nanostructured lipid carrriers. In his own institution, Prof. Panda has limited facilities. Prof. Panda has studied the effect of room temperature ionic liquids: 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [bmim][BF4] and 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate [bmpy][BF4], on the hybrid vesicles comprising soy phosphatidylcholine (SPC), hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPE) and cholesterol.
Initially the formation of mixed monolayer at the air-water interface were investigated in detail in India using Langmuir surface balance, surface rheology studies as well as Brewster angle microscopic studies. The works have been distantly supported by Prof. Yusa from Japan. A full fledged manuscript has been prepare for submission to a suitable journal on interface science.
After the monolayer studies, Prof. Panda, has investigated the hybrid vesicles. The initial characterizations were made in India through the turbidity, fluorescence spectroscopy, etc. In the University of Hyogo, the dynamic light scattering studies and the transmission electron microscopic studies were undertaken.
In addition to the existing research work of Prof. Panda, he has been able to learn the synthesis of the two types of polymers with the expertise from Prof. Shin-ichi Yusa. Because of his earlier interest in studying polymer-surfactant interactions, Prof. Panda, with the help of one of the Ph. D. Students of Prof. Yusa, has been able to synthesize amphoteric polymer where the relative ratio of the cationic and anionic parts were varied. To study polymer-surfactant interaction herein, the controlled synthesis of homopolymers PVBTAC, PNaSS and amphoteric random copolymers (P(VBTAC/NaSSx)20; x indicate the content of NaSS, from cationic vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride (VBTAC) and anionic sodium styrenesulfonate (NaSS) were carried out using the standard procedure.
Towards the final endeavour, Prof. Panda has synthesized Water-soluble and amphiphilic random copolymers (P(MPC/DMAx)) comprising hydrophilic 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and hydrophobic n-dodecyl methacrylate (DMA) were prepared via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) controlled radical polymerization.
It is strongly believed that such a program has opened up avenue for Prof. Panda in pursuing quality research work in India, where the infrastructural facilities are not so strong in all the institutions. Both the collaborators are expecting at least four to five research publication in internationally acclaimed journals within a year.