IGIB engages in research of national importance in the areas of genomics, molecular medicine, bioinformatics, proteomics, and environmental biotechnology

Timeline

1950s

Chemistry for DNA
synthesis developed

.

Biochemicals unit is established,
a grant in aid of CSIR(1966)
Waste can be converted to
chemicals

.

1960s

1970s

Looking back
DNA synthesis gets automated (1970s)
Polymerase Chain Reaction
is developed (1976)

.

Center for Biochemicals
(1977)
Substitute for import of
biochemicals
Allergy map of India
developed

.

1980s

1980s

Sanger Sequencing
(1977)
Sanger sequencing
gets automated (1987)

.

CSIR-Center for Biochemical
Technology (1990)
Reverse engineering to enable
biotechnology research in India

.

1990s

1996

Pyrosequencing
(NGS) developed

.

Functional Genomics
Unit (1998)
Realization of India's
strategic position

.

1998

Early 2000

Human Genome
first draft
released (2000)

.

Integrating genome
informatics with
understanding of
genetic disease in
India

.

2000s

2002

CSIR-Institute of Genomics
& Integrative Biology
(2002)
Capability in
interdisciplinary science

.

Starting 2000s

Next generation
sequencing (2004)

.

Indian Genome
Variation Project 
Mapping 1000 gene
variants across the
country

.

2005

2020s

Diagnostics and
sequencing for
COVID-19
(2020 - 2022)

.

IndiGen Project
1000 genomes
sequenced of
Indian
population
(2022)

.

2022

Evolution and Future of Biological Research

In 1966, a biochemicals unit was established at Vallabh Bhai Patel Chest Institute as a grant-in-aid unit by CSIR for manufacture of rare biochemicals under the charge of Dr A. P. Joshi.

In 1977, the unit transitioned into Center for Biochemicals to produce biochemicals, diagnostic reagents, and immunotherapy antigens to the biomedical scientist community. The initial budget of the institute was channeled via CSIR-IICB, Kolkata. It was almost 10 years later in 1986 that the institute was delinked from IICB.

Mall Road campus of the institute in 1990.

Mall Road campus 

In 1990, the first campus of the institute was ready for widening the scope and outreach of the scientific research that had been happening at the institute since the last 25 years of the inception of the institute. The institute continued producing restriction enzymes, oligonucleotides, and respiratory allergens under the leadership of the Dr. S. V. Gangal, first director of the institute. The institute initiated research and development activities for large scale production of biochemicals which were further transferred to industry within the country.

Genechip Technology

In 2002, the name of the institute was changed from Centre for Biochemical Technology to Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), which is how the world knows us today. Most of the research equipment present in our museum had been instrumental to the genomics research of the institute for many years to come.

Genomic Vision


Tuberculosis research that is one of the major focus areas of the institute even today was initiated during this time. Microarray (genechip) technology along with oligo synthesis, and automated sequencing enabled large projects like Indian Genome Variation Project, which mapped some 1000 genes to identify variants in the Indian population.   


Curiosity Creates Cures


The present mission of the institute was adopted in 1995 as CFB evolved into Center for Biochemical Technology (CBT) with an increased capacity for conducting research in the field of biotechnology.

'To translate concepts developed in basic biological research to commercially viable technologies for health care'

The Value and Impact of Basic Research

"In future, we hope to attract more young and talented researchers, adopt an integrative approach towards biology, not fragmented by the conventional divisions of sub-disciplines like cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology etc and propel ourselves towards becoming a globally recognized Institute in biological research." - Prof Samir K Brahmachari (2002)

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