The Hindu Business Line : Genomic centre expanding facilities

Hyderabad, Oct. 1 The Centre for Genomic Application (TCGA), a public-private initiative to support genome research in India, is expanding its facilities.

A partnership between the Chatterjee Group of Kolkata and the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, the TCGA has also emerged as a self-sustaining body in the third year of operations.

The centre, which is operating out of leased accommodation in the Okhla industrial area in Delhi, has invested over Rs 25 crore in creating research and analytical infrastructure.

Over 150 institute and university researchers are utilising them, according to Dr K. Narayanasamy, Vice-President of TCGA.

Research hub

The new facility, which is coming up on the campus of the Central Road Research Institute in Delhi, would be ready by April-May 2009.

The initiative was originally planned with contributions of Rs 20 crore each by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research through the IGIB and the Chatterjee Group, he said.

Speaking to Business Line at the 13th International Human Genome Meeting, Dr Narayanasamy said: “TCGA helps in the design, development and analysis of genome data to formulate projects for investigators for study or for getting funding.”

As part of its plans, the centre wants to increase equipment and tools in the new facility.

It would also participate in projects that generate intellectual property rights and increase its manpower from 50, he said.

Major player

TCGA has a significant role in the Indian Genome Variation Consortium, which has done a major project to provide genomic data from over a thousand genes in 15,000 individuals from the Indian subpopulation.

Being the country’s first public-private partnership in genomics, TCGA is building strengths in proteomics, population genetics, functional genomics, forensics, pharmacogenomics, etc, with the broad objective of bringing easy access to technology and costly equipment to users in the country.

More Stories on : Outlook | Bio-tech & Genetics

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page