Visakhapatnam, June 12, 2023: A cutting-edge laboratory equipped for groundbreaking research in biotechnology, material sciences, and cancer biology has been established in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Multidisciplinary Unit of Research on Translational Initiatives (MURTI) is located within the campus of GITAM (deemed to be university) and aims to foster innovation and collaboration in the field of research.
The second phase of MURTI was inaugurated by S Chandrasekhar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (Ministry of Science and Technology), who emphasized the importance of such research infrastructure in enabling start-ups and promoting scientific advancement. He suggested that the lab be made accessible to local universities and institutions for a nominal fee, fostering a culture of research and development.
MURTI is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, including liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS), high-resolution mass spectrometry (HSMS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The research conducted at MURTI will focus on various fields, including cancer biology, material sciences, infectious biology, environmental and atmospheric sciences, chemical ecology, drug discovery, and computational linguistics.
The establishment of MURTI aligns with GITAM’s investment of Rs 45 crore for the financial year 2022-23 and their plans to expand research centers to Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The laboratory aims to not only conduct groundbreaking research but also play a pivotal role in drug discovery. Additionally, MURTI will develop machine translation tools for indigenous tribal languages of the region.
The launch of MURTI is expected to attract researchers and innovators from both within and outside GITAM, fostering a collaborative ecosystem. By making the research infrastructure available to academia, start-ups, manufacturing units, industries, and R&D labs, the government aims to encourage entrepreneurship and contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
The establishment of advanced research facilities like MURTI will further strengthen India’s capabilities in biotechnology, material sciences, and drug discovery, enabling the country to become a leader in these fields. With a focus on research, innovation, and collaboration, MURTI is poised to contribute to scientific advancements and sustainable solutions for national and global challenges.