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Neena Gandhi

Dr. Neena Gandhi As we know it, food is used to allow us energy and sustenance. However, in recent years, there has been a shift toward considering functional foods, or foods that also provide health benefits. In accordance with the Alberta Research Council (ARC) initiave to develop a significant functional food/neutraceutical research body, Neena Gandhi and her team, have developed three inventions that can be directly applied to the health sector.


"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

— Hippocrates


In October 1999, the Alberta Research Council approved the creation of a new pharmaceutical/neutraceutical unit. The following year, Gandhi was hired as its first member.

Gandhi, born in Pune, India was educated in biochemical engineering, earning her PhD in Bombay before moving to Canada.

Just this year the ARC has received a patent for Gandhi’s process of converting shrimp and lobster shells into glucosamine hydrocloride, which can be administered to achieve healthy joints and bones. The ARC is currently in dicussions with an Alberta business regarding the commercialization and production of this technology.

Alberta Research Council LogoOther projects Gandhi has been involved in include the development of a designer lipid as well as an anti-oxidant product, both of which can be incorporated into food. The lipid has been targeted predominantly toward treating eye diseases such as cataracts and has been granted a patent. The anti-oxidant, also targeted at eye health, has been developed, and the ARC is currently compiling the final draft of the patent application.


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