Center for Disease Biology inaugurated at Dr Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences, Hyderabad

Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences S Jaipal Reddy inaugurated the Center for Disease Biology at the Dr Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences, Hyderabad. The event was also graced by K Satish Reddy,Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Prof Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, B Parthasarathi Reddy, Chairman, Hetero drugs and Prof Javed Iqbal, Director, Dr Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences.

The centre has been set-up to address issues related to diabetes in India. According to the Diabetes Atlas published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), it is estimated that every fifth person with diabetes will be an Indian resulting in huge health and economic burden. To address this problem, this proposed centre will work by integrating efforts of clinicians, scientists, epidemiologists and pharmaceutical companies.

Through the Centre for Disease Biology, the institute aims to encompass the following:
Epidemiological research to understand the genetic, lifestyle and nutritional pre-dispositions of Indian populations; Novel Research approach involving clinicians and academic scientists to understand the disease patho-biology of diabetes; Translational research involving hospitals, clinicians, scientists and industry to evolve therapies and solutions to address diabetes.

The centre will seek both government and private funding to conduct its research activities. A symposium in memory of Dr K Anji Reddy was also organised on the sidelines of this event, where eminent scientists shared their views on diabetes research.

EP News Bureau– Mumbai