In a significant move to deepen collaborative science, Dr. Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences (DRILS) has established joint postdoctoral research programs with two premier national institutions: the BRIC – Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Hyderabad.
The collaboration was formalized through Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed by Dr. Srinivas Oruganti, Director of DRILS, with Prof. Ullas Kolthur, Director of CDFD, and Prof. M Krishnamurthy, Centre Director of TIFRH. The agreement with TIFRH specifically involves its Advanced Research Unit on Metabolism, Development and Ageing (ARUMDA), one of the first dedicated multi-disciplinary research centres to address double burden of malnutrition, metabolic diseases and aging.
This initiative is designed to nurture exceptional post-doctoral talent in strategic areas of disease biology. It provides emerging researchers with a unique platform to pursue cutting-edge, interdisciplinary work within a robust industry-academia framework. By bridging foundational scientific discovery with applied research priorities, the program aims to create a fertile ground for innovation and translational breakthroughs. The DRILS fellowship will empower researchers to conduct high-impact science within the world-class facilities of CDFD and TIFRH.
On the occasion of MoU signing, Prof. Kolthur remarked “Our greatest scientific challenges cannot be solved in isolation. Retaining our brightest young minds requires creating an ecosystem where academic curiosity and translational relevance converge, transforming individual potentials into collective progress.” He also stated that such initiatives are foundational towards a much larger endeavour to build an integrated research and innovation ecosystem in Hyderabad. It is strategically aligned with the vision of creating a Bio-innovation Park, a flagship project designed to cluster premier institutions, foster public-private partnerships, and strengthen India’s scientific capabilities.
Dr. Oruganti said “By breaking down silos between organizations like DRILS, CDFD, and TIFR-H, this post-doctoral program exemplifies the collaborative spirit essential for such a bio-cluster.”
Prof. M. Krishnamurthy mentioned that “This initiative is not just a partnership but a critical building block in positioning Hyderabad as a global hub for life sciences innovation.”