The Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, which has successfully completed 28 years with its endeavour attempt in making a better, healthier and happier society, has set many targets for Vision 22, including drug discovery against CHIKV, DENV and JEV viruses.
It is working for immuno-genetic profiling of 62 tribal groups of Odisha for disease susceptibility and epidemiology, identifying hot-spots and generating ‘big data’ for diagnostic/prognostic markers.
It has targeted to generate genomic and genetic resources for “Minor Under-researched Pulses” for enhancing productivity in rainfed areas with support of the ICAR, DBT and agriculture universities. It has started initiatives for sensitising/eliminating chemo-resistant cancer cells and identifying candidates/chemotherapy to target therapy resistant cells. An official release said the ILS has given focus on researches in on infectious and genetic diseases. Focus is being given on pathogen biology, host-pathogen interaction and disease pathogenesis, immune regulation, inflammation and immune pathology, antibiotic resistance and drug discovery.
Focusing on Cancer Biology, it follows a multi-disciplinary approach to understand and identify novel strategies for diagnostics, therapeutics and prevention of various types of cancers such as leukemia, oral, pancreatic, prostate and breast cancer. Among its achievements, it has developed anti-Chickenguniya virus compound, anti-CHIKV antibodies, curcumin encapsulated chitosan alginate sponge for wound healing, Magnetic nanoparticle based cell separation kit and antibodies to malarial and filarial High Mobility Group Box Protein 1.
It has established the control of cancer cell migration and invasion by artimisinin and its effect on mobility and apoptosis. Besides, it has identified salt and drought tolerant genes, sequenced 15 novel bacteria species and synthesised 22 versatile plant expression vectors.
It has conducted summer camp for school students for inculcating scientific temper among them and giving hands on training and exposure to advanced instrumentations and technologies. During the last year the ILS has hosted over 600 students and 50 teachers.
During the last year, the ILS has conducted two international conferences on Proteomics and Autophagy.
It has plans to work on relevant local, regional and national issues with global implications and to continue working towards a better, healthier and happier society.