IIT Roorkee and Kyoto University inaugurated Joint-Research Lab in Kyoto, Japan with a focus on healthy aging

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Kyoto University (KU) has announced the inauguration of the joint lab at Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. The lab namely, INitiative for INtelligent ChemBioInformatics (IN-CBI), has a focus on Healthy Aging starting with Eye Vision in collaboration with Narayan Netrayalaya. This KU-IITR joint initiative aims at performing transformational research and innovation combining areas of Biology, Chemistry, AI/ML, Water, and Dietary-habits. Hosted at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University, the event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening remarks from distinguished representatives from IIT Roorkee and Kyoto University.
 
IITR-KU joint lab is positioned as a premier program to harness the power of advanced data science and artificial intelligence in tackling complex health, biological, and environmental challenges with respect to healthy aging. As a key driver in advancing IIT Roorkee’s vision of impactful, interdisciplinary research, to achieve sustainable development goals this partnership represents IIT Roorkee’s role as a global leader in science and technology education.
 
Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “Today’s inauguration of the KU-IITR joint lab marks a milestone in IIT Roorkee’s journey to expand its global footprint and impact. Partnering with Kyoto University, a renowned institution with a legacy of innovation, strengthens our dedication to pioneering advancements that bridge chemistry, biology, and informatics. Together, we aim to push scientific boundaries and offer transformative solutions that address global challenges.”
 
Dr. Nagahiro Minato, President of Kyoto University, underscored the importance of the partnership: “This collaboration with IIT Roorkee aligns with Kyoto University’s commitment to global academic and research excellence. By combining our strengths in the fields of chemistry and bioinformatics, IN-CBI will create a foundation for groundbreaking discoveries and lasting societal impact.”
 
R. Madhu Sudan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Tokyo, conveyed his congratulations on the initiative, stating, “The establishment of the IN-CBI lab reflects the deepening India-Japan scientific partnership. It is heartwarming to note that two great institutions Kyoto University and IIT Roorkee have come together for furtherance of science and technology, complementing each other’s strengths.” He hoped that the establishment of this lab would serve as the first step in celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the formalization of the India-Japan S&T partnership.
 
Prof. Ganesh Pandian Namasivayam, Head of this initiative, stated, “This first-of-its-kind on-site laboratory will leverage multidisciplinary expertise, drawing on KU’s strength in chemical and cellular biology and IITR's advanced engineering resources, thus, developing knowledge-based tools for age-related diseases.”
 
Prof. P. Gopinath, Lead-Investigator, IITR; Prof. V. C. Srivastava, Dean IR, IITR; and Prof. A. Dvivedi, Dean SRIC, IITR; Prof. T. Sawaragi,  Executive Vice-President, KU; and Prof. M. Uesugi, Director, iCeMS, KU played pivotal roles in the starting of this KU-IITR joint lab. Mr. Chandru Appar, Consul General of India, Osaka-Kobe; Mr. Yuji Nishikawa, Advisor, JST; Prof. A. Ghosh, Director, Narayan Netrayalaya, Banglore were also present during the inaugural event along with other senior researchers from KU.
 
This collaboration with the highly renowned Kyoto University, which has produced eleven Nobel laureates and two field medals, symbolizes the power of international alliances in addressing some of the most complex challenges in chemical biology and bioinformatics. Together, Kyoto University and IIT Roorkee are poised to create transformative advancements, fostering innovations that will benefit both societies and scientific communities worldwide.