Translational Health Science and Technology Institute
Faridabad
Date of inception: 15th July, 2009 Mandate
The institute acts as a catalyst to translate fundamental discoveries by building rigorous clinical research capacity and enabling a faster transition of discoveries from bench to bedside.
Campus
THSTI is housed within the NCR Biotech Science Cluster in Faridabad. The institute has four core facilities viz. Small Animal Facility, Data Management Center, Biorepository, and Bioassay Laboratory that serves not only the research programs of THSTI but also the NCR Biotech Science Cluster and other academic and industrial partners.
Research Focus
The main research focus areas are i) Infectious diseases and Immunology (I&I)- drug and vaccine development for infectious diseases, ii) Maternal and Child Health (MCH)- molecular studies in perinatal biology, maternal nutrition, and other aspects relevant to maternal and child health, iii) Non-communicable disease (NCD)- Autoimmune disorders, early prediction of diabetes and identifying stage-specific molecular signatures for NAFLD/NASH, iv) Multidisciplinary clinical and translational research (MCTR)- development of diagnostics for infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and snake-bites.
Human Resource
The institute currently has 16 scientists and around 50 Research Fellows, supported by 34 technical staff and 5 administrative staff at the institute.
Key Scientific Achievements
Major achievements in the last 5 years (2017-22) are as follows:
392
Publications
28
PhD Degrees Awarded
198
Postdocs and research fellow
9
Patents awarded
9
Technologies commercialized
- The Program on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) at THSTI encompasses molecular studies in perinatal biology, maternal nutrition, and other aspects relevant to maternal and child health. The impact of Immediate kangaroo mother care (iKMC) has been evaluated in very low birth weight in 5 countries. Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) trajectories have been evaluated in GARBH–Ini pregnancy cohort in North India involving a comparative analysis with global references. Candidate protein biomarkers predictive of preterm birth and 40 biological pathways and 8 unique metabolites modulated in preterm birth have been identified.
- The Infection and Immunology group focuses on drug and vaccine development for infectious diseases. In collaboration with Sphaera Pharma Ltd. and Wellcome Trust, developed a novel anti-tuberculosis molecule, SPR 113, which is in the advance stages of further development for clinical use. The biorepository hosts close to 200 constructs targeting distinct genes in M. tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, and M. marinum.
- THSTI’s program on non-communicable diseases has prioritized immunobiology underlying autoimmune disorders, early prediction of diabetes, and identifying stage-specific molecular signatures for NAFLD/NASH.
- THSTI leads the DBT-AYUSH network project for preclinical evaluation of selected AYUSH herbal formulations against SARS-CoV2. The Biorepository houses more than 5000 clinical samples of SARS-CoV-2.
- THSTI hosts the Clinical Development Services Agency, which has the mandate to support and nurture clinical product development and clinical research capacity in India. CDSA occupies a unique niche in the publicly funded clinical research and product development landscape in India.
- The Bioassay Laboratory (BAL) at THSTI is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories and is a part of CEPI network labs. BAL supports clinical studies by providing assay platforms for various clinical and immunological assays.
- The faculty and students at THSTI have received numerous awards for their scientific contributions such as DBT- National Bioscience Award, G.P. Talwar Young Scientist Award, BIRAC WInER Award for Women in Entrepreneurial Research, DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Fellowship, MVP 20I8 Award from IAVI, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Invitational Fellowship, Merck Young Scientist Award, INSA medal, several travel awards (from- ICMR, IUIS, FOCIS, Australasian Society of Immunology, American Association of Immunologists), and many best poster/presentation awards at national and international conferences.
- The institute regularly organizes outreach and public engagement events such as its Open Days, participation in India International Science Festival, Global Bio India, Science Setuwebinars, visits to colleges/schools, and interactions with students under programs like ‘Shadow a Scientist’, faculty presentation series, ‘Haryana Gyanotsav’, etc. THSTI also participated in COVID-related outreach in partnership with DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance, IAVI, and Nature India through ‘Ask the Experts’ webinar series.