Bangalore
A major new initiative in neuroscience between the University of Edinburgh and the Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) was inaugurated by the Principal in February, 2013.
This frontier program will study disabilities that arise from alterations in brain development. The collaboration will be supported by the Indian Department of Biotechnology and will involve Visiting Professors from Edinburgh and Indian scientists working on joint projects in Bangalore and Edinburgh.
The initial focus of this new joint Centre in Brain Development and Repair will be on autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities (ASD/IDs).
About the Centre for Brain Development and Repair
inStem, NCBS and the University of Edinburgh have set up a collaborative Centre for Brain Development and Repair, funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India (DBT), that will be based in inStem. The Centre will be headed by Prof. Sumantra “Shona” Chattarji, a neurobiologist at NCBS. Prof Siddharthan Chandran and Prof Peter Kind from the University of Edinburgh will act as Associate Directors.
The initial thrust of the Centre will be to conduct studies specifically focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorders/Intellectual Disabilities (ASD/ID). The Centre will work towards developing strong translational studies in the field of neurological and psychiatric brain disorders.
Working on ambitious, collaborative projects, research at the CBDR will look at neurodevelopment, synaptic function and plasticity using stem cells and behavioural models. CBDR’s research is strongly targeted at developing novel therapeutic interventions.