Genetics and genomics dominate our everyday lives. The genomic revolution allows us to connect genetic information to appearance, or phenotype like never before. Such understanding provides the ability to intervene constructively and proactively in the natural world, in health, agriculture and well-being.
NCBS and TIFR announced a new and significant institutional alliance, between the National Centre for Biological Sciences and the Tata Institute of Genetics and Society.
NCBS-TIFR is a premier research institution that has been dedicated to fundamental research at all levels of biology covering a diverse set of subjects spanning from molecules to ecosystems and from nanosecond to evolutionary time. NCBS-TIFR aims to strengthen and expand knowledge in the life sciences, create and facilitate exemplary human capital, and develop novel tools and technologies to enhance the capacity for life science research in the country.
The Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS) arose in 2016 as the result of visionary philanthropic support from the Tata Trust. TIGS strives to support research activities, train personnel, and advance knowledge that facilitates the broad applications of Genetics and Genomics for the benefit of human health and agriculture.
A major, new collaborative opportunity is conceived between NCBS-TIFR and TIGS. This collaboration seeks to bring the most recently-developed science and technologies to address key fundamental and applied questions in the area of human health and agriculture. The collaboration is expected to further the frontiers of basic and applied research for the benefit of society.
NCBS-TIFR is a member of the Bangalore Life Science Cluster (BLiSc), along with the DBT- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP).
The thriving intellectual environment and quality infrastructure on the BLiSc is expected to catalyse scientific productivity and application at scale. This engagement could possibly broaden the partner base in BLiSc, contributing to the vision of making BLiSc a leader in facilitating and implementing scientific solutions of societal benefit through a deep understanding of fundamental science.
NCBS Centre Director Satyajit Mayor said NCBS is delighted to partner with TIGS. “This engagement with TIGS is a wonderful opportunity for NCBS researchers to engage with questions that concern both genetics and society, and at the same time broadening the collaborative footprint of TIGS at the Bangalore Life Science Cluster,” NCBS Centre Director Satyajit Mayor.
TIGS Director Rakesh Mishra said joining hands with NCBS, Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS) brings top quality science closer to addressing societal problems in the domain of rare genetic diseases, infectious diseases and nutrition, using cutting edge science and technology.”
TIGS Trustee Manoj said recent breakthrough technologies in genetics have started to demonstrate some incredible applications across human health and food security issues.
“I am confident that NCBS-TIGS partnership will positively contribute to several of them including the adaptation and resilience of the environment, both natural and human-made, to dampen or control the effects of a changing global climate. Moreover, genetic approaches could be a powerful tool for helping to mitigate the effects of climate change,” said TIGS Trustee Manoj.
TIFR Director S Ramakrishnan said he is extremely happy to note that NCBS-TIFR and TIGS have signed this MOU. “This collaboration will certainly bring the most advanced research developments in genetics and technologies to address both fundamental and applied questions with regard to the area of human health and agriculture, which are vital to our nation,” said TIFR Director S Ramakrishnan.
