Vadodara: When it was inaugurated in 2004, Genome Research Center In Vadodara (GRC) the cap had a feather MS University,
The publicly funded university had the distinction of housing the only facility of its kind in the whole of western India and among a select number of such facilities in the country. But for the past few years it has been facing serious neglect.
The centre, which was mentored by its founder late professor and eminent scientist Bharat Chattoo, was rechristened Bharat Chattu In recognition of his contribution to the field of Indian biotechnology as well as the international rice-blasting community, in 2016 at the Genome Research Center after the senior professor passed away at the age of 67.
But for the past few years, expensive equipment costing two crores has been lying unusable due to lack of maintenance. For example, in the center is a confocal microscope – an instrument used to create 3D images of structures within living cells and to examine the dynamics of cellular processes. But the high-end instrument which costs around Rs 2.5 crore is gathering dust. Ironically, research students from departments like microbiology rely on institutions like IIT Mumbai To complete your projects on live culture because on equipment MSU is inactive.
“Had it been functional here, students would have been able to complete their projects within a week. But now for the same projects they spend around 2-3 months because we have to take necessary permissions from IIT Mumbai, look for dates, travel and spend,” said a teacher.
Properly functional air-conditioners are also required for operation of such high-end equipment which are waiting for maintenance for paucity of funds. Sources said the science faculty had also constituted a committee to revive the centre, but the exercise did not yield any results. Sources said some teachers had even approached the Department of Biotechnology for grants. Unfortunately he also could not walk.
The publicly funded university had the distinction of housing the only facility of its kind in the whole of western India and among a select number of such facilities in the country. But for the past few years it has been facing serious neglect.
The centre, which was mentored by its founder late professor and eminent scientist Bharat Chattoo, was rechristened Bharat Chattu In recognition of his contribution to the field of Indian biotechnology as well as the international rice-blasting community, in 2016 at the Genome Research Center after the senior professor passed away at the age of 67.
But for the past few years, expensive equipment costing two crores has been lying unusable due to lack of maintenance. For example, in the center is a confocal microscope – an instrument used to create 3D images of structures within living cells and to examine the dynamics of cellular processes. But the high-end instrument which costs around Rs 2.5 crore is gathering dust. Ironically, research students from departments like microbiology rely on institutions like IIT Mumbai To complete your projects on live culture because on equipment MSU is inactive.
“Had it been functional here, students would have been able to complete their projects within a week. But now for the same projects they spend around 2-3 months because we have to take necessary permissions from IIT Mumbai, look for dates, travel and spend,” said a teacher.
Properly functional air-conditioners are also required for operation of such high-end equipment which are waiting for maintenance for paucity of funds. Sources said the science faculty had also constituted a committee to revive the centre, but the exercise did not yield any results. Sources said some teachers had even approached the Department of Biotechnology for grants. Unfortunately he also could not walk.