Latest news with #ICMR
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
ICMR sets up high performing computing facility to boost genomic surveillance and pandemic preparedness
Working to address limitations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to conventional computing infrastructure, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now introduced its first high-performance computing facility at its National Institute of Virology (NIV) facility in Pune. The acquisition of the state-of-the-art computing cluster, named NAKSHATRA, comes soon after India reported a surge in COVID-19 cases, though the number of active cases have dipped marginally over the last two days. ICMR-NIV Pune director Naveen Kumar noted that several new pathogens and COVID variants are being reported. 'It's essential that we upgrade to stay ahead in enhancing public health research capacity,' he said. Genomic research upgrade Attributing the emergence of novel pathogens to increased globalisation, global warming, and deforestation, Dr. Kumar said that his centre has been doing extensive sequence analysis using multiple strains, which used to take weeks. 'Now with the upgrade we can do the same work in 24 to 48 hours. It has increased the capability of our country for genomic surveillance, which will help us in pandemic preparedness,' he said. The NAKSHATRA facility enables enhanced storage and optimises the pipeline for genomic research, which ensures better viral genomic surveillance capacity and national preparedness for any future pandemic. The facility supports faster analysis of complex genomic data, allowing scientists to detect new disease threats sooner, respond to outbreaks more efficiently, and accelerate AI-driven vaccine and drug development. Central data repository Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM), the facility forms the cornerstone of a new project, called the High Performance Computing Next Generation Sequencing Hub. The Pune facility will initially serve five ICMR institutes across the country, acting as a central repository for sequencing data. Sarah Cherian, group leader of the Bioinformatics and Data Management Group and principal investigator of the project, provided a comprehensive overview of the cluster's capabilities and its role in genomic research. She said that the computing cluster is tailored to support complex bioinformatics workflows, including next-generation sequencing, transcriptomics, phylogenetics, metagenomics, and structural bioinformatics. Genomic monitoring impact Already, NIV Pune has played a key role in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously significant genetic alterations in the virus had triggered the second and third wave and ongoing genomic monitoring and analysis helped in early detection of variants of interest and concern. 'This in turn had helped in paving the way for implementing the booster dose of vaccination for COVID,' the institute noted.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Formation of a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to address "Disease X"
Nagpur : The National Institute of One Health (NIOH), currently being established in Nagpur, will feature a specialised National Outbreak Response Team aimed at swiftly identifying and analysing the root causes of disease outbreaks. Dr. Pragya Yadav, Director-in-Charge of the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH) and senior scientist at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, said that the initiative will involve collaboration among experts from multiple sectors. Speaking to ANI, Dr Yadav said, "Under the National Institute of One Health, several initiatives are already underway, including national-level mock exercises to assess outbreak response, the formation of a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to investigate the root causes of outbreaks or ongoing diseases, and research focused on vaccines, antiviral treatments, and cost-effective diagnostic methods." The Director-in-Charge of NIOH stated that the National Institute of One Health will serve as a platform for all ministries and sectors to collaborate on research. "The National Institute of One Health will unite all ministries and sectors to collaborate on research. This institute will work towards enhancing surveillance, research, and development to make India a stronger nation," She added. Dr Yadav added, "The goal is to prepare the country for future health challenges and make it more resilient." The National Institute of One Health is being established to strengthen the country's ability to manage future pandemics and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases . The Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR ) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) decided to establish a National Institute of One Health at Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. In this context, two collaborative research projects, funded by the ICAR and ICMR, were initiated to conduct the epidemiological surveillance of selected zoonotic diseases in Central India. The scientific collaboration between veterinary and medical faculties has set an example for the effective implementation of the One Health (OH) programme for the establishment of the National Institute of OH.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
ICMR-NIV Pune inaugurates High Performance Computing facility to boost genomic research and pandemic preparedness
Pune: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday marked a significant milestone in advancing India's public health research capabilities with the inauguration of its first High Performance Computing (HPC) facility at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. The computing cluster named 'Nakshatra' was officially inaugurated by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General of ICMR, according to an official statement from ICMR. "Developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM ABHIM), the HPC facility forms the cornerstone of a new project titled "High Performance Computing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Hub". The initiative aims to revolutionize how genomic and bioinformatics data are processed, addressing limitations faced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to conventional computing infrastructure," the statement added. Addressing a gathering regarding the inauguration of the computing facility, the Director General of ICMR commended the institute for its timely and strategic step towards ' Viksit Bharat 2047 ' vision by strengthening the country's genomic surveillance and data analysis capacity. He highlighted how enhanced computing resources are crucial in preparing for technology-driven pandemic preparedness and future public health emergencies. Meanwhile, Director of ICMR-NIV, Dr Naveen Kumar, emphasised the critical role the HPC cluster will play in supporting rapid, data-driven responses to outbreaks. Dr Sarah Cherian, Group Leader of the Bioinformatics and Data Management Group and Principal Investigator of the project, provided a comprehensive overview of the cluster's capabilities and its role in genomic research . According to the official statement, the newly commissioned HPC cluster features twelve compute nodes offering a total of 700 cores and 1 petabyte of storage. "The infrastructure is tailored to support complex bioinformatics workflows, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, phylogenetics, metagenomics, and structural bioinformatics. Initially, the facility will serve five ICMR institutes across the country, acting as a central repository for sequencing data and extending support to Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) soon, making the institute as a critical hub for outbreak investigations and pandemic preparedness, with the potential to accelerate AI-driven drug and vaccine discovery," the statement added. Highlighting the advantages of the HPC facility, ICMR highlighted how it is a "national investment in speed, precision, and preparedness." The statement mentioned, "By enabling faster analysis of complex genomic data, the facility positions India to detect new disease threats sooner, respond to outbreaks more efficiently, and accelerate AI-driven vaccine and drug development."
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
The Transformative Power of Yog Nidra in Sports
In the high-stakes world of competitive sports, athletes are always searching for ways to gain an edge—whether through advanced physical training, cutting-edge nutrition, or innovative mental conditioning . Among the most powerful tools emerging in sports psychology is Yog Nidra , an ancient yogic practice of conscious deep sleep. This technique is rapidly gaining recognition for its ability to enhance athletic performance and personal well-being, offering benefits that extend far beyond the playing field. Yog Nidra, often described as 'yogic sleep,' is a state of deep relaxation where the practitioner remains fully conscious. Unlike ordinary sleep, which can be restless or filled with dreams, Yog Nidra provides profound rest and restoration at the physical, mental, and emotional levels. Rooted in the classical tradition, Yog Nidra is considered a technique of pratyahara, the fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Pratyahara refers to the withdrawal of the senses from external distractions, allowing the practitioner to turn inward and cultivate deep awareness and inner peace. For athletes, this practice offers unique benefits: Enhanced Recovery: Intense training and competition place significant physical and mental demands on athletes. Yog Nidra accelerates recovery by reducing stress hormones and promoting deep rest, allowing athletes to train harder and more consistently. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best X-Ray Diffractometers Mexico (See The List) X-Ray Diffraction | Search Ads Undo Mental Clarity and Focus: The practice helps athletes clear mental clutter, sharpen concentration, and stay present—qualities that are essential during high-pressure matches. By training the mind to remain calm and focused, Yog Nidra supports peak performance under stress. Emotional Resilience : Sports are as much about handling setbacks as they are about celebrating victories. Yog Nidra equips athletes with tools to manage anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt, fostering a mindset of resilience and positivity. Improved Sleep Quality : Many athletes struggle with sleep, especially before major events. Regular Yog Nidra practice improves sleep quality, ensuring athletes are well-rested and ready to perform. Recent scientific studies have validated the efficacy of Yog Nidra for both physical and mental health. Research conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR), Hyderabad, inspired by Anandmurti Gurumaa, demonstrated that regular Yog Nidra practice leads to significant improvements in blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants also experienced reductions in harmful biochemical markers like cortisol and triglycerides, while beneficial substances like adiponectin increased. Importantly, Yog Nidra has no negative side effects—making it a safe and natural intervention for athletes and non-athletes alike. The integration of Yog Nidra into sports training reflects a broader shift in athletic development—one that recognizes the critical importance of mental and emotional well-being alongside physical conditioning. Coaches and athletes worldwide are increasingly adopting mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques to enhance performance and overall quality of life. Yog Nidra, with its roots in ancient yoga and now supported by scientific evidence, offers a structured, evidence-based approach to achieving inner calm, focus, and resilience. Authored by: Anandmurti Gurumaa Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
NIV Pune isolating 4 Omicron sub-variants responsible for recent rise in Covid cases: Director
Pune: The National Institute of Virology (NIV) Wednesday said it is genome sequencing and isolating four new sub-variants of Omicron which are believed to be responsible for the recent rise in Covid cases across India. This effort will help in assessing vaccine effectiveness , Dr Naveen Kumar, director of Pune-based NIV under the ICMR, said. An upsurge of Covid cases was noticed since the second week of April. Kumar said that after genome sequencing of samples across India, four sub- variants of Omicron -- LF.7, XFG, JN.1. 16 and NB. 1.8.1 -- have been found. Genomic analysis revealed that the surge was due to JN.1.16 sub lineage of Omicron variant and since May, it was replaced by the XFG (LF.7 and LP.81.2) recombinant variant. Whole genome sequences have been submitted to Indian Biological Data Centre and Global Initiative On Sharing All Influenza Data, Kumar said. "Scientists at NIV are doing monitoring, genome sequencing and isolating the new variants. The strain, which was circulating in Singapore, was also found in India five-six weeks ago. "Isolation is important to replace the existing vaccine strain if at all it is required. Whether or not this needs to be replaced is something which is to be critically analysed based on the severity of the disease. So far it appears that the strains are not much severe. However, the decision of making a new vaccine using the currently circulating strains is taken by policy makers after extensive discussion," Kumar said. Currently, two monovalent Omicron-based vaccines are available - Biological E Limited's Corbivax and Serum Institute of India's COVOVAX. The situation is being continuously monitored by the health ministry. Meanwhile, the active Covid caseload in the country has marginally dropped. As of June 18, there are 6,483 active cases as compared to 6,837 cases on Tuesday. Official sources have maintained that severity of infections has been low and most of the patients are being managed under home care. Since January 1, 113 deaths have been reported, primarily among individuals with pre-existing illnesses. Kerala continues to be the most-affected state, followed by Gujarat, Karnataka and Delhi, according to the health ministry's data released on Sunday. Meanwhile, all states have been instructed to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines to deal with Covid cases, official sources said on Wednesday.
