CSIR-IIIM & NDTL extend MoU on collaborative work
Apr 27, 2024
JAMMU: In their collective endeavour to work together to achieve excellence in the field of Dope Testing in Sports in India and to promote the Anti-Doping Science and Research in the country, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Canal Road, Jammu and the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL), Government of India today renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another three years.
In this connection, a simple but impressive function was organized which was attended by Scientists and other staff from both the partners institutes.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR-IIIM and Dr. Puran Lal Sahu, Director, NDTL New Delhi have signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutes, for the continuance of their collaborative research and reference standard synthesis work for next term.
While giving the detail of work to be done under MoU, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM said that in 2021, a groundbreaking scientific collaboration was initiated jointly by CSIR-IIIM and NDTL for the synthesis of reference standards and cells based and pharmacokinetics studies on the metabolites with main emphasis on the national goals in area of Dope testing and Global positioning.
"Quite significant work was done during the initial phase of collaboration" he maintained and mentioned that to meet the pressing need for reference materials essential in accurately detecting and deterring prohibited substances in sports, CSIR-IIIM has accomplished the successful synthesis of multiple secondary metabolites intricately associated with substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Noteworthy, by the multifaceted approach within the first phase of the MOU, where, besides the delivery of metabolites, the CSIR-IIIM initiated patent filings, laying the groundwork for a promising three-year extension of their collaboration.
Appreciating the Team CSIR-IIIM led by Director of CSIR-IIIM for unwavering commitment to synthesize indispensable reference standards for doping control laboratories, Dr. P.L. Sahu strongly advocated for future collaborations between CSIR-IIIM and NDTL, envisioning a roadmap for global projects aimed at advancing research in doping analysis.
To achieve the excellence in the field of Dope Testing in Sports in India and to advance the Anti-Doping Science and Research in the country, he underscored the need of putting together the expertise of both the partners institution thus offering substantial value in elucidating metabolic pathways and augmenting detection capabilities of drug in sports.
Dr. Qazi Naveed Ahmed, Head of the Natural Products and Microbial Chemistry (NPMC) Division extolled the remarkable strides made by the institute in the field of doping analysis. He attributed these accomplishments to the institute's leadership, which have elevated the institution's national standing in scientific and societal endeavors.
Pertinently, about three years back both the organizations have entered into agreement for research collaboration by combining their respective research capabilities in the areas of synthesis of reference standards and in-vitro and in-vivo studies (PK studies) on the metabolites with main emphasis on the national goals in area of Dope testing and Global positioning. In future both the Institutes will also explore the role of phyto-chemicals in particular phyto-steroids in dope testing.
The MoU signing ceremony witnessed by the notable dignitaries, including Er. Abdul Rahim (Chief Scientist & Head of the Research Management, Business Development and Information Sciences and Technology and Head of IIIM Srinagar Branch), Dr. Qazi Naveed Ahmed, Dr. Mir M. Asrar, Dr. Rajkishor Rai, Dr. Kapendra Sahu, Dr. Saurabh Saran, Dr. Sheena Mahajan, and Dr. Ashiq Hussain Padder.
Er. Abdul Rahim expressed gratitude to all attendees for their presence ensuring the success of the event.
