The Department of Biotechnology is planning to set up a number of centres of excellence in the area of chronic diseases biology as the cases of cancer, cardiothoracic disorders, diabetes, neurology and joint diseases are on rise in the country.

A task force on the subject has identified joint diseases, cancer immunotherapy, vascular biology, stroke and reproductive biology as key areas to be given attention for research with the support of the Government. Following this, the DBT is working on details for setting up more centres of excellence in the immediate future, sources said.

Meanwhile, the DBT sources said, a number of projects had already been initiated in these critical areas. In the case of cancer, as many as 90 projects were being supported by the department. The focus continues on early diagnostic and prognostic markers in the case research. Many of the studies have shown good promises too.

Clinical trials have already been initiated on some projects like head and neck cancer and cervical cancer with AIIMS as the coordinating centre. Basic studies have been done at Chakdah block of Nadia district in West Bengal firstly to establish a bio-monitoring method for determining the level of chronic exposure of arsenic in asymptomatic individuals, sources said.

In neurosciences too projects have been initiated on neuronal aging, cognitive malfunctioning, neuro-genetic disorders etc. The area has been identified as priority during the current plant and a number of centres of excellence are being planned on stroke, vascular biology, dementia, basic neuron-biology in close association with NBRC, Manesar, AIIMS in Delhi, CMC in Vellore, NCBS and NIMHANS in Bangalore. Likewise, metabolic disorders and joint diseases are the other two important areas identified for research in the proposed centres of excellence.