All these years we did hypothesis driven research . But with concepts in big data what we call fourth paradigm , you start looking for answers from the data , which is already available . You start analyzing the data in a systemic way and many discoveries happen .
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and overcoming biotic / abiotic stress . On the other hand , health science or molecular medicine covers areas like malaria , dengue and other vaccines . Couple of scientists are working in the tuberculosis area as well . Diverse aspects are covered including discovery , identification of drug targets and vaccine candidates and search for natural products as potential drugs . There is continuity in what we have been doing yet the focus has been made sharper . Integrative biology has been carved out to include structural biology and bioenergy areas . Five years ago , DBT funded three bioenergy centres including one at ICGEB and a large team is focusing in this area . There exists strong emphasis on development of technologies towards biofuel as well as understanding basic cellular mechanisms using interdisciplinary approaches .
As the Director of ICGEB , the first year was spent on consolidating the restructuring of the Centre , in my second year , we will focus on new recruitments . Since many senior colleagues have retired , there are deficit areas of expertize . Non-infectious disease areas will also get our attention . We are trying to develop some integrated programmes involving many researches pooling our strengths . My role is to make this happen .
The existing scientific talent at ICGEB is the most positive factor . Most of my colleagues have been there for many years and have established their credentials . A few scientists who retired earlier are still involved as emeritus scientists . Hence , there is continuity with the past .
All these years we did hypothesis driven research . But with concepts in big data what we call fourth paradigm , you start looking for answers from the data , which is already available . You start analyzing the data in a systemic way and many discoveries happen . We will focus on such new ways of doing research as well .
Q : Any efforts towards new collaborations either within academia or industry ?
We are trying to develop new research programme where collaborative model could be best utilized . National Institute of Plant Genome Research ( NIPGR ) and National Institute of Immunology ( NII ) are our
All these years we did hypothesis driven research . But with concepts in big data what we call fourth paradigm , you start looking for answers from the data , which is already available . You start analyzing the data in a systemic way and many discoveries happen .
close door neighbors . Since I have worked at NII in the past , I understand the areas where the tie-ups can do wonders . We are trying to build the partnerships with these institutions in some loosely linked cluster mode .
Q : Has this already been initiated ? Any commitment from DBT on funds ?
This is a good point . My experience is that DBT always funds good ideas . Whenever we have good idea , getting funds is not a concern . With combining strengths of three institutions , coming up with good projects should not be an issue .
Q : Lot many institute directors generally complain about lack of funds . Do you also agree that funds are a concern ?
I am perhaps an odd man out . I would say we should put enough efforts to get funds . We must define the direction . I am persuasive which is what is required to be done to get the funding . As a Director , I must coordinate with funding agencies and not complain . DBT is one of the major funding agency and we have been hugely benefitted by it . However , we need to get industry and international partners as well . Persuading industry is our job but it might not materialize always . All our efforts might not result in funding but we should try .
When I joined ICGEB , the Centre had gone through financially difficult time for a couple of years . During these difficult times , practically every scientist at ICGEB focused seriously on extramural research grants . I was pleasantly surprised to see they all were capable of attracting their own funds . Of course , we have to enrich the existing core funding and
12 BioVoiceNews | February 2017