The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, which was established in the year 1977, celebrated its Foundation Day on Nov 26th.

Recalling the achievements made during the last one year, Dr Lalji Singh, director, CCMB said that they had conducted molecular genetic studies on Andaman and Nicobar islanders and found their origin in Africa.

Shashidhara won the CSIR award for generating the first transgenic Drosophila (fruitfly) expressing human tumour suppressor gene 'Apc' and using this system to screen potential anticancer agents, and took up development of technology to do analysis of biological samples for identifying the source of various species of animals, and human. Dr Rakesh K Mishra and Dr Utpal Bhadra received grants for their research in the areas of human frontier science.

Dr Singh said that in the current year, work on Lab for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LACONES) was initiated. AP govt. has provided seven acres of land at Hyderabad to set up the lab. Construction is in progress and will be completed by next year. Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Environment and Forests are offering financial assistance.

A biomedical technology facility with due focus on Cell and Tissue Engineering and Biological Safety Level 4 (BSL 4) is to be set up by CCMB in an area of five acres, contributed by the state government. CCMB is expecting an investment of Rs. 62 crore on the facility.

DST at CCMB set up a Transgenic Clinical Facility this year. Besides this, CCMB has created Drosophila Lab, and has set up a lab for ancient DNA. The centre is also progressing in its analysis of remains of bones that were found in Himalayas, which will make it possible to identify who they belong to and how old they are.

CCMB has acquired MHC micro imaging facility, and a high technology microscope. It has serious plans to set up a facility for nanotechnology, and is pursuing to acquire required instruments. It is revealed that DSIR director is likely to consider this proposal.

Professor William J Rutter, chairman Emeritus of Chiron Corporation, and president of Synergenics, USA has been invited as the guest, who expressed his views on biotechnology as a worldwide industry.