In a significant step towards augmenting India's scientific research capabilities, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) inaugurated its National Cryogenic-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) facility. The facility, established with support from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), now integrated with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), was inaugurated by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in the presence of Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur; Dr. Dipti Kakkar Thukral, Scientist G, DST_ANRF; Dr T Thangaradjou, Scientist F, DST_ANRF; and Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Kanpur, among others.
Cryo-EM is a revolutionary technology that allows scientists to visualize biological molecules, such as proteins and viruses, in their near-native states and at unprecedented resolutions. This detailed view is crucial for understanding the fundamental processes of life and for designing novel drugs and therapies. The state-of-the-art facility at IIT Kanpur is a significant milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance in life science research in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. It is one of four such high-end facilities in strategic locations across the nation to support research and ground-breaking discoveries in structural biology.
Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India said, "The inauguration of this National Cryo-EM facility at IIT Kanpur is a critical milestone for Indian science that will help to push the boundaries of technology to unravel the complexities of biological systems and open up new frontiers in drug discovery, disease research, and beyond. We excitedly look forward to the ground-breaking discoveries that will undoubtedly emerge from this new facility."
With its specialized focus on membrane proteins, a class of proteins in living organisms that represent the most accessible drug targets for numerous human diseases and infection by deadly pathogens including bacteria and viruses, the Cryo-EM facility will conduct research on a vast array of drugs to position it at the forefront of drug discovery and development efforts in India. The facility is equipped with a powerful 300 KV Cryo-EM microscope, sophisticated sample preparation equipment, and advanced computational infrastructure for data analysis. These resources will enable researchers to delve deep into the intricate world of biological molecules, revealing their structures and interactions in unprecedented detail.
Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur said, “The establishment of the National Cryo-EM facility at IIT Kanpur signifies our commitment to nurture and support cutting-edge research. This is a testament to our commitment towards empowering the next generation of scientific leaders with the infrastructure and tools they require to not only accelerate scientific discoveries but also contribute to the development of novel therapies for the benefit of humanity.”
Having to earlier travel abroad and primarily depend on foreign institutions, this facility will enable Indian structural biology researchers to overcome these limitations readily making available access to advanced technology, making India one step closer to truly becoming self-reliant in the domain of life science research, aligning with the Indian government's vision to position the nation as a global leader in scientific research and innovation.
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