IIT Kanpur inaugurates National Cryo-EM Facility

IIT Kanpur inaugurated its National Cryogenic-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) facility.

This is a step towards augmenting scientific research capabilities.

The facility was established with support from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

It is now integrated with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Inauguration

The facility was inaugurated by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Inauguration took place in the presence of Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, Dr. Dipti Kakkar Thukral, Scientist G, DST_ANRF.

Other present were Dr T Thangaradjou, Scientist F, DST_ANRF and Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Kanpur, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Revolutionary Technology

Cryo-EM is a revolutionary technology that allows scientists to visualize biological molecules, such as proteins and viruses, in their near-native states and at unprecedented resolutions, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

This detailed view is crucial for understanding the fundamental processes of life and for designing novel drugs and therapies.

The state-of-the-art facility at IIT Kanpur is a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in life science research in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

It is one of four such high-end facilities in strategic locations across the nation to support research and ground-breaking discoveries in structural biology, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Prof Abhay Karandikar

Prof Abhay Karandikar speaking at the inauguration said the inauguration of this National Cryo-EM facility at IIT Kanpur is a critical milestone for Indian science.

This will help to push the boundaries of technology to unravel the complexities of biological systems and open up new frontiers in drug discovery, disease research, and beyond.

We excitedly look forward to the ground-breaking discoveries that will undoubtedly emerge from this new facility, he said.

Specialized Focus

The specialized focus is on membrane proteins, a class of proteins in living organisms that represent the most accessible drug targets for numerous human diseases and infection by deadly pathogens including bacteria and viruses.

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Cryo-EM facility will conduct research on a vast array of drugs to position it at the forefront of drug discovery and development efforts in India, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

The facility is equipped with a powerful 300 KV Cryo-EM microscope, sophisticated sample preparation equipment, and advanced computational infrastructure for data analysis.

These resources will enable researchers to delve deep into the intricate world of biological molecules, revealing their structures and interactions in unprecedented detail, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

Director

Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur said the establishment of the National Cryo-EM facility at IIT Kanpur signifies our commitment to nurture and support cutting-edge research.

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This is a testament to our commitment towards empowering the next generation of scientific leaders with the infrastructure and tools they require to not only accelerate scientific discoveries but also contribute to the development of novel therapies for the benefit of humanity, said IIT Kanpur director.

Researchers

Having to earlier travel abroad and primarily depend on foreign institutions, this facility will enable Indian structural biology researchers to overcome these limitations.

It will readily make available access to advanced technology, making India one step closer to truly becoming self-reliant in the domain of life science research.

It aligns with the Indian government’s vision to position the nation as a global leader in scientific research and innovation.

About IIT Kanpur

IIT Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament.

It is best known for the highest standard of its education in science and engineering and seminal R&D contributions over the years.

The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1050 acres with large pool of academic and research resources.

It has 19 departments, 25 centers and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines.

There are more than 580 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.