The Hindu Business Line : A hub in the making for cutting-edge biology research

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology is one of the youngest among the chain of 38 national laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Dr Lalji Singh, Director of CCMB.

IN modern biology, genomics and bio-informatics, where research excitement and business opportunities are growing, the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) stands in the forefront of research laboratories in the country.

While scientists expect path-breaking developments in genomics (understanding of genes and their functions in all living organisms), the industry is quite bullish that it will open up avenues to rake in big bucks. Globally, these are `hot areas', and fortunately India is not far behind in the race to make a mark.

The big challenge for Indian scientists and industry, however, is to create the scientific infrastructure, stimulating work environment, manpower pool and a new breed of industry willing to take the risk to incubate and manufacture products as they are developed.

The CCMB is one of the youngest among the chain of 38 national laboratories under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). It has recently completed 25 years, and is counted amongthe top laboratories in modern biology.

According to Dr Lalji Singh, Director of CCMB, the single biggest contribution of the lab has been the creation of top class resources - latest equipment, labs and research facilities - that researchers and drug companies in India will be able to benefit from. So far, about Rs 100 crorehas been invested in the creation of these facilities by the lab, the Central Scientific Departments and industry. To top it, the CCMB is striving hard to maintain a unique ambience that will allow researchers carry out their work in a conducive environment, Dr Singh said.

Since research in modern biology is expensive due to the high costs of equipment and consumables, it is only prudent for a country like India to nurture hubs such as CCMB than thinly distribute facilities or duplicate them at several labs and universities as has been happening in several areas, Dr Singh said.

Dr Singh said CCMB has already been able to raise its quality of scientific output. "Every year now, we have a paper published in the best research journals like Nature, Science etc. Similarly, we are able to obtain patents."

The second big achievement has been the lab's ability to attract drug companies both Indian and US to validate some of their potential drugs by utilising the facilities and expertise at the Transgenic Gene Knock Out Centre. A group at CCMB has developed a transgenic fly system (using the fruit fly, drosophila) for screening and validation of potential cancer drugs.

The Transgenic Gene Knock Out facility and the upcoming National Animal House to be set up in Hyderabad will make the city a cost-effective destination for drug and pharma companies. "Our transgenic facility will develop various animal models so that industry and researchers can test potential drugs on these models first than animals," he said.

The CCMB has already helped the Serum Institute, Pune, to do their validation tests for the Interferon vaccine. Similarly, it has helped Cadilla with the transgenic facility. In future, Indian drug companies will have a cost-effective option to do validation and save huge forex, Dr Singh said.

After the successful mapping of the human genome and identification of about 25,000-30,000 genes, there has been a steady progress and the function of 1,500 genes is understood. To accelerate this, scientists are following several routes such as comparative and functional genomics.

To play its part, the CCMB is strengthening its bio-informatics facilities and groups. CCMB has tied up with Satyam Computers, iLabs and several IT firms in this direction.

In collaboration with the Hyderabad-based, Biological E, which gave Rs 1 crore and Amersham of UK, the lab plans to set up the country's first microarray/DNA chip facility to study the entire expression of the genome. A good understanding in this area will help in better treatment methods and diagnostics.

The other important facilities created at the lab include, an x-ray crystallography, which will help determine the three-dimensional structure of the protein, the basic building blocks in the human and other nucleic acids, which give a clear understanding of cell processes. Similarly, the Proteomics facility that enables a close look at the total proteins. Automated DNA sequencing, flow cytometry, digital imaging, fluorescence microscopy and the list is growing gives CCMB a unique place in doing cutting edge research. Perhaps, the universities, national labs and the private industry involved in research in these areas could evolve a sharing mechanism.

The CCMB has also established a strong bioinformatics facility. It maintains databases on nucleic acids and protein sequences. With a software back up, the Centre has launched a value-added Patent Information System (VAPIS), which is targeted at the industry and scientific communities. The lab has also forged close cooperation with bioinformatics companies, by providing them training. It is planning to add a super computer - bio-computing facility soon, Dr Singh said. The Web sites www.vapis.res.in and www.ccmb.res.in give an insight into various aspects of the lab.

Bio-informatics has opened up huge prospects for students and entrepreneurs. Already, there is a mushrooming of institutes offering courses and start-ups. Overall, the coming years promise to create scope for research, jobs and development of a whole range of new products.

The CCMB has taken up research in stem cells, which again is promising major advantages in health and disease control. At least seven CSIR labs have joined hands in a national initiative.

Similarly, its contributions in using DNA tests to assess seed purity and developing a test with the Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad, has also fetched a US patent.

The CCMB is in the process of setting up LACONES (Laboratory for the conservation of endangered species), a satellite facility in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Central Zoo Authority with funds from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The focus is on conserving big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards and other rare animals and birds. Recently, the Centre had identified CCMB for the tiger conservation project in the wake of reports that the numbers of the big cat were falling alarmingly.

Another ambitious project is the Rs 145-crore Biological Safety Level 4 (BSL4) facility. Though, the State Government gave land a couple of years ago, the complexity of the facility is proving to be time-consuming in its realisation. This facility will open up tremendous possibilities to look at infectious diseases, he said.

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