VISAKHAPATNAM: In view of the growing demand for biotechnology applications, GITAM University established a specialised research laboratory exclusively for Medical Biotechnology. Four principal investigators, six research scholars, one young scientist awardee and one senior Biotechnology professor are working on cancer research, stem cell research and investigating chromosomal abnormalities in fetal cells. The University developed the medical biotechnology lab at a cost of Rs 2 crore with the most sophisticated microscopes and state-of-the-art research equipment like flow cytometer, magnetic cell sorter, incubators, testing equipments and an animal cell culture lab.
GITAM University vice-chancellor G Subrahmanyam inaugurated the research laboratory Wednesday on the campus. On the occasion, the V-C said that for the last five years, the university’s biotechnology faculty was actively engaged in bio-medical research with projects funded by the Indian Council for Medical Research, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology and University Grants Commission.
The biotechnology research group is also involved in collaborative research projects with medical experts from GITAM Institute of Medical Science and Research (GIMSR), KGH and other medical colleges and institutes like Harvard Medical School, Subrahmanyam said.
The biomedical research was an excellent option for passionate students intending to pursue medicine, the V-C said. University registrar M Potharaju, Institute of Technology principal L Lakshmiprasad, Prof Aruna Lakshmi, scientist R Satyanarayana and others were present.