As a part of its stated focus on research, SRM AP, Amaravati has launched its first New Cell Culture facility to pioneer bio-medical research on cancer cells. This facility will house the latest equipment for related to applications like cellular culture, drug delivery, cell imaging and cell cytotoxicity.
Dr. Anil K. Suresh, Principal Investigator of the Cell Culture Laboratory, and an Associate Professor at the Department of Biotechnology, spearheaded the acquisition of lab equipment such as the Type 2 biosafety cabinet, CO2 incubators, cell counting machine, inverted and upright microscopes, table-top centrifuge, - 20 and 4 degree refrigerators and cellstorage facility. The equipment was procured and funded through the “Early Career Research Award’ grant of the Central Government’s Department of Science and Technology in response to a proposal submitted by Dr. Suresh.
“At this facility the higher end epi-fluorescence microscope will in particular facilitate diagnosis and cure of several life threatening diseases like cancer (solid tumour) and leukemia”, said Dr. Suresh, “This is possible because the filters along with engineered nanoparticles pinpoint abnormalities and assign treatments with greater accuracy and efficiency.” These technologies with current limitations are not yet available for medical and pharmaceutical use because further intensive research is required before practical applications emerge. In such a context, research facilities like the one set up at SRM AP will help to bridge the gap between technology and actual implementation.
According to SRM AP Pro VC Prof. Narayana Rao, SRM AP management will provide the necessary financial support to encourage faculty to establish research centers in their given areas of expertise. “Such laboratories can transform the university into a leading international research hub in science and technology. To establish SRM AP as a research intensive university, eight such laboratories will be set up in the next year alone, including a genome research centre in December this year.”
Educational and small scale research institutions along with start-up pharmaceutical companies in and around Amaravati can also avail the services of this cell culture facility, but appropriate training provided by the principal investigator would be a prerequisite.
