An interaction was organised by Prof Pramod Garg, Executive Director of THSTI with press media at Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), located in Faridabad.
The agenda for the press interaction was to brief the media about the exemplary work done by THSTI and THSTI’s high-end facilities which include an immunology core lab, biosafety level-3 facility (BSL-3), small animal facility (SAF), ferret facility, biorepository and an office of connectivity at NCR’s Biotech Science Cluster. These facilities were inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State (IC), Minister of Science and Technology MoS (IC) Earth Science, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, on July 15, during the 12th foundation day celebrations of THSTI.
During the briefing, Prof Garg gave an insight into these facilities which will help in providing infrastructural support to basic and translational research for researchers across NCR. He also highlighted the major achievements of THSTI in various areas such as tuberculosis, influenza, pregnancy cohorts, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and stressed upon the stellar role and significant contribution by THSTI in COVID-19 particularly in vaccine development such as Sputnik and Biological E with a biorepository of >5000 samples of covid-19 and indigenous antibody kit development.
When asked about THSTI’s role in contributing to the country’s futuristic science, he said that THSTI works on finding innovative solutions to diseases/disorders based on the existing knowledge. Speaking on the progress THSTI has made in the last twelve years, Prof Garg said THSTI has made a mark globally. He said THSTI’s NABL accredited Bioassay Lab has been recognised as a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) network lab, one of its kind in India. He also spoke briefly about other facilities at THSTI which have been contributing towards the research knowledge base.