Cambridge University join hands with inStem

A collaborative initiative in therapeutics and translational sciences between Cambridge University and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) located at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) here, was launched on Wednesday.

The Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, Prof. Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, the Dean of NCBS, Prof. Satyajit Mayor and the Dean of inStem, Prof. Jyotsna Dhawan signed the MoU.

The initiative would be spearheaded by Professor Ashok Venkitaraman, The Ursula Zoellner Professor of Cancer Research, University of Cambridge and Director, Medical Research Council - Cancer Cell Unit.

Venkitaraman said despite the recent explosive increase in understanding of the genetic basis for human diseases, there has not yet been a commensurate increase in the translation of this information to the development of new medicines.

"There is now a window of opportunity during which a strategic initiative to pioneer innovative new approaches in this area is likely to provide significant long-term competitive advantages to biomedical researchers in India, with important future benefits for the health and wealth of the nation", he said.

Prof K. VijayRaghavan, Officiating Director of inStem and the Director of the NCBS of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research said the collaboration is an example of how the best in basic research can address important biomedical questions.

Apart from generating new fundamental knowledge about biological systems involved in human diseases, the initiative would also serve to strengthen links between the University of Cambridge and India in the fields of biomedical and health research, it was noted.