Unveiling THSTI’s Scientific Achievements and Vision

On 22^nd February 2023, Honourable Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh ji, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, visited Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and laid the foundation stone for a ‘Medical Research Centre’ and ‘Translational Research Laboratories’ in its campus.

The Medical Research Centre (MRC) will be a 50 bedded hospital that will be immensely useful for the conduct of observational cohort studies and phase I and II clinical trials in future. The Translational Research laboratories, Ind-CEPI mission of DBT, will be useful for vaccine development and provide space for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for their R&D. With the addition of these facilities, THSTI seeks to leverage its strengths to become a leader in translational research.

The THSTI fraternity welcomed the minister and celebrated the occasion as UTSAV 2023 (Unveiling THSTI’s Scientific Achievements and Vision).

This was marked by an introductory address by the Executive Director, Prof. Pramod Garg who highlighted the major achievements of THSTI in the past years in various areas such as mother and child health (MCH) research, vaccine development, clinical cohorts, Tuberculosis, Influenza, diagnostics, Human Microbiome, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, etc.  MCH is developing AI powered ultra-sonography tools which will help pregnant women in remote areas. Prof Garg informed that THSTI has developed an anti-TB molecule, two new COVID and pan beta-coronavirus vaccines, and started three important courses i.e. MSc Clinical Research, Vaccinology course and Biodesign. Prof Garg also gave a brief insight into THSTI’s collaborations with industries and other organizations.

Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, congratulated THSTI fraternity for its exemplary work done in the past especially in the COVID-19 research, vaccine and diagnostics. Dr Gokhale said that institutions like THSTI bring about transformative changes in the country with the kind of work they do.

Hon’ble Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh ji, conveyed his warm wishes to THSTI. Dr. Singh appreciated the scientific achievements of THSTI and lauded the commitment of the organization to work towards biomedical innovations to improve the health of people in India and the world. Dr Singh congratulated THSTI for setting up of Medical Research Centre (MRC) at NCR Biotech Science Cluster. He said MRC is very relevant and needed for the kind of translational work that is being done at THSTI. Lauding the efforts of THSTI, Dr Singh said people should know the kind of work that THSTI has been doing. He suggested institutionalizing collaborations with industry and academia which is very important for taking bench-side research products to the clinic. He suggested to further increase its collaborations with academia wherein THSTI’s research work can become a part of PG and DM dissertations and projects. During the celebrations, a video highlighting the THSTI’s research activities and major achievements was released by the Hon’ble Minister.