CCMB plans to initiate studies on mental
health genomics
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) plans studies on mental health genomics
New Delhi, November 27 (India Science
Wire): Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) plans to initiate studies
on mental health genomics in collaboration with Prof Vikram
Patel’s group to understand predisposition of mental illnesses. Mental
health genomics is an upcoming field where there is huge scope of research.
Many mental
disorders are caused by a combination of biological, psychological,
environmental and genetic factors.
In fact a growing
community of research has found that certain genes and gene variations are
associated with mental disorders and ailments.
Who is Prof Vikram
Patel ?
Prof Vikram Patel is
the Pershing Square Professor of Global Health and Wellcome Trust Principal
Research Fellow at the Harvard Medical School, Boston. Prof Patel was invited as guest of honour
at the 32nd foundation day of CCMB and he delivered public
lecture on Transforming Mental Health Globally through Science and Action.
Prof Patel emphasized that mental health is equally
important and there is need of research to understand mental health
biology and bringing diverse stakeholders – health professionals,
policymakers and general public together to destigmatize the issue and realize
the changes going on.
Prof Vikram Patel described how science has
generated significant knowledge to understand the nature of mental health
In his lecture he described how science has
generated significant knowledge to understand the nature of mental health and
how to respond to the sufferings caused by mental ill-health. He talked on how
on combining science may help in translating it for public welfare.
He mentioned that science alone is
insufficient to make policy impact and it is important that scientists must
engage with the wider community to ensure the knowledge they generate is
translated into action.
The CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular
Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad celebrated its 32 years since its foundation as an
independent present day campus in Habsiguda in 1987 on Tuesday. In all these
years, CCMB has focused on addressing the cutting edge questions in modern
biology and developing technologies to fulfil unmet needs of Indians in
healthcare, food and wildlife conservation.
“It is sad that there is no bio-marker to
identify mental health issues till date. We all go through different mental
states of mind and they mostly go unattended. Mental health is as important as
our physical health,” he concluded. Earlier, CCMB Director Rakesh Mishra gave a
presentation of recent studies conducted by the institute.
Prof Patel is co-founder of the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), co-Director of the Centre
for Control of Chronic Conditions at the Public Health Foundation
of India and co-founder of Sangath, an NGO based out of Goa that works
on mental health issues at grassroots.
About CCMB
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular
Biology or CCMB is an Indian biotechnology research establishment located in
Hyderabad that operates under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research. CCMB is a designated “Center of Excellence” by the
Global Molecular and Cell Biology Network, UNESCO.
By Jyoti Singh
(India Science Wire)
- The closed mindsets of Indian politicians, ‘liberals’, ‘intellectuals’ and the media persons
- #Breaking: Latest News |Today’s big news headlines | 25 June 2023 news
- Why did Justice Katju tell the Chief Justice of Pakistan- to pack up his bags, resign, and go home?
- Imran Khan is fighting for Haqeeqi Azadi in Pakistan
- Opposition Unity in India
