The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, July 15, 2024 :The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an institute under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, marked its 15th Foundation Day with a grand ceremony attended by distinguished guests and the unveiling of significant milestones.
Inauguration of New Facilities The celebrations featured the inauguration of three state-of-the-art facilities by the Chief Guest, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) Ministry of Science & Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State for PMO, MoPPP, DAE, and DoS, Government of India. The new facilities include the Experimental Animal Facility, CEPI-Centralized Animal Model Network Facility, and the Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMiC) Facility.
Achievements and Progress Prof. Ganesan Karthikeyan, Executive Director of THSTI, highlighted the institute’s remarkable achievements over the past year. He showcased significant progress in research areas such as virus research, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and more. Prof. Karthikeyan also elaborated on the potential impact of the newly inaugurated facilities and emphasized the success of SYNCHN, the industry meet held on July 14, 2024, which brought together stakeholders to advance collaborative bio-innovation.
Inspirational Talks and Addresses The Foundation Day celebrations included insightful talks from esteemed guests. Dr. Ramesh Hariharan, CEO of Strand Life Sciences, delivered an inspiring motivational address on translational research, focusing on transforming scientific discoveries into successful business ventures, especially from a startup perspective. Prof. Srinath Reddy, Honorary Distinguished Professor and former President of the Public Health Foundation of India, delivered the Foundation Day Lecture as the Guest of Honor, highlighting the importance of translational research with scientific credibility, financial feasibility, and equitable policies.
Commendations and Collaborations Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS, New Delhi, praised THSTI’s contributions to medical biotechnology and highlighted the fruitful collaborations between AIIMS and THSTI across various research domains. Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Director General of BRIC and Secretary of DBT, congratulated THSTI on its 15th Foundation Day, recognizing its role in biomanufacturing advancements and commending the contributions of both scientific and administrative staff.
Presidential Address Hon’ble Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, in his presidential address, lauded THSTI for its landmark achievements in a short span of 15 years. He praised the institute’s accomplishments in infectious diseases, mother and child health, microbiome research, and the development of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, including the development of Nipah monoclonal antibodies and the newly inaugurated CEPI-network lab for animal models. Dr. Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting industry collaborations to develop effective treatments for diseases affecting India’s population.
Significant Agreements and Awards The ceremony witnessed the signing of significant agreements between THSTI and leading industrial partners, marking a pivotal step forward in fostering academia-industry synergy and advancing bioinnovation and biomanufacturing. The event concluded with the distribution of awards, acknowledging the outstanding performance of faculty, scientists, PhD scholars, and staff members across their respective fields.
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