image credit- pib
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, visited the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, on the occasion of its 16th Foundation Day and took stock of the ongoing work at the first-of- its- kind upcoming 'Medical Research Centre' (MRC), a key infrastructure project aimed at strengthening India’s clinical research capabilities.
THSTI, an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology, is in the final stages of establishing the Medical Research Centre—a multi-storeyed facility designed to support advanced clinical studies with separate exclusive sections dedicated to the study of Enteric infections, respiratory infections etc.
During his visit, Dr Jitendra Singh inspected the building, which has now been completed, and reviewed the status of equipment installation and operational readiness.
The new centre will house specialised sections for research on enteric and respiratory infections, among other focus areas. Once operational, it is expected to facilitate clinical observation studies and trials, including work on diagnostics and therapeutics. The MRC will also feature a Controlled Human Infection Facility, one of the few in the region, aimed at accelerating infectious disease research.
The Minister noted the expansion of the Experimental Animal Facility, now among the largest in the country, and the creation of the Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMiC), a resource that will support research in human microbiome and infectious diseases.
Looking ahead, Dr Jitendra Singh spoke about the role of the upcoming Medical Research Centre and the adjoining Translational Research Facility (TRF) in boosting India’s scientific and medical research infrastructure. The TRF will support work on vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, diagnostics, and biotherapeutics, and is expected to host multiple Centres of Excellence through partnerships with industry and academia.
