Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras has announced in the press meet that there will be an establishment of the first National Cancer Tissue Biobank in the Department of Biotechnology of IIT Madras. The tissue biobank is a collaborative effort between the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and IIT Madras. The DST had awarded Rs. 27.81 crores towards the establishment of this facility. This project will be headed by Prof. S. Mahalingam, Department of Biotechnology of IIT Madras.

The project aims to attract voluntary contribution of cancer tissues by individual patients and treating doctors/institutions. IIT Madras initiated the biobanking process with Cancer Research and Relief Trust (CRRT), Chennai and aims to collaborate with various institution/organizations and encourage voluntary donation of cancer tissues by patients. Measures will put in place for appropriate collection, transport and storage of such tissues in centralized tissue bank to be located within the premises of IIT Madras. Research institutions/organizations with appropriate regulatory approval may have an access to these stored tissue samples with an aim to identify suitable drug targets and biomarkers. This is aimed at discovering “personalized treatment” with less side effects, early detection and prevention of cancer.

IITM Newsletter – February 2014