activities , our priorities include building capacity in microbial genomics and metagenomics , focused research in the niche area of Microbiome biology , developing animal and 3D culture models for infectious disease research , providing microbial consortia for the bioremediation of waste including plastics . In a nutshell , our key focus includes various facets of microbiology which would guide our future research .
How has been your experience in terms of working with the industry ? Any latest technologies transferred by IMTECH to the private sector ?
CSIR-IMTECH has always believed in a proactive approach to identify specific needs of the industry in research areas that are part of the institute ’ s mandate . The Institute has signed deals worth Rs . 30 crore with more than 40 industries in the last few years and we plan to continuously engage with industries for various R & D projects encompassing Tech Transfer , Technical Services and Consultancy , in both sponsored and collaborative mode .
A few good examples of our recent efforts are , a collaboration with Merck , a first of its kind of a public private partnership in a CSIR lab for setting up of Knowledge Alliance in a collaborative mode . Collaboration with Zydus Cadila for anti TB drugs , is another example that has met with success under this model . Our ever-increasing portfolio of patents , also provides us the impetus in our industry connect .
Timeliness is yet another
hallmark of our business development strategy that we have leveraged effectively for engagement with the industry . During the pandemic , IMTECH virology team helped more than two dozen industries for testing of anti-viral efficacy of their products by developing highly customized assays and handholding the industry so that they could help the society at large in mitigating the effects of the deadly virus . It was largely our efforts due to which most of these industrial partners were able to launch their products in the market .
What role did IMTECH play
during Covid-19 ? Your mantra for sustaining the R & D momentum achieved during the pandemic ?
During the COVID pandemic , CSIR-IMTECH was a key force in providing infrastructure and training for RT-PCR testing , led a national anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery initiative and collaborated in a multidisciplinary study on air testing for SARS-CoV-2 . The latter culminated in the installation of the UV-C based air purification device in multiple buildings including Lok Sabha .
IMTECH played a pivotal role in
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BioVoiceNews | December 2022