A national cancer tissue bio bank will be established at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. This community-based venture will help reflect on cancer incidence, diagnostics and treatment outcomes.
The venture is a collaborative effort between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and IIT Madras. Leading oncologists from Chennai and the institute’s researchers will collaborate in this venture.
The DST had awarded ₹27.81 crore to establish the facility. It will be headed by S. Mahalingam, Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras.
C.S. Mani, Surgical Oncologist, Cancer Research and Relief Trust, told newspersons that the project aims to attract voluntary contribution of cancer tissues by individual patients and treating doctors/institutions.
This effort has become important with the advent of genomic medicine. Such type of indigenous research is mandatory for progress in advancement of cancer therapeutics for the community.
IIT Madras, on its part, has provided a funding of ₹3.9 crore, in addition to support from DST.
The institute will provide 10,000 sq ft space exclusively for bio bank with required storage and security facilities, and an infrastructure to accommodate around 25,000 cancer tissue samples initially over a period of five years.
According to Mahalingam, the institute will be involved in training, education and research of bio banking process. Once this is standardised, the system and process with the central facility at Chennai can be duplicated at nodal stations in peripheral areas. This will propel cancer research for basic scientists and facilitate translational research in synergy with collaborating clinicians.
Bhaskar Ramamurthy, Director, IIT Madras, announced that Cancercon2014, a three-day international conference on cancer biology, molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutics, will be held at the institute from January 30 to February 1.
Around 500 delegates from across the world are expected to participate in the conference.