GENESIS OF CBMR
The Centre was conceptualized in the year 1999 and initially established as a unit of the Sanjay Gandhi Post graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in order to establish a close link among the basic and the clinical scientists and to generate appropriate human resource to fully exploit the potentials of an area of science (Magnetic Resonance) which has till date produced seven Nobel Laureates in all disciplines of science eligible for the award. This set the objectives for the Centre to carry out research in interdisciplinary aspects of Magnetic Resonance and to develop the appropriate human resource at the national level. The Centre achieved the objectives within a couple of years of its establishment. Considering the importance of the field, the Government decided to develop it as an autonomous Institution of the Government of Uttar Pradesh with its own Governing Council and management structure.
Centre of BioMedical Research (CBMR), Lucknow has emerged as a premier research organization in India. The Centre is dedicated to disease- oriented-resecarch that aims to translate innovations and discoveries of basic sciences into new diagnosis and therapies for better patient care. Research initiatives at CBMR combine basic knowledge from the disciplines of chemistry, biology and allied sciences to foster cutting edge research in niche areas of biomedical sciences.
It was established as an autonomous Centre of BioMedical Magnetic Resonance in 2005 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in order to establish a close link among the basic and clinical scientists. To expand the scope of the centre it was rechristened as the Centre of BioMedical Research in 2013.
Prof. C .L. Khetrapal an eminent scientist with vast experience in NMR research and Administration became the founder Director of the Centre. His contribution to the establishment of the Centre can never be forgotten.
Facilities available at the Centre:
Initially, the Centre acquired 800 (with cryo probe), 600 (Wide-bore) and 400 (with micro-imaging) NMR spectrometers, and a 3T MRI system along with the required support laboratories specially to carry out fMRI studies and synthetic chemistry for drug discovery and future research in the problems of clinical importance. The Government of Uttar Pradesh is fully committed to develop it as an advanced Centre of Bio-medical Research with close interaction with the premier medical and research institutions such as Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Central Drug Research Institute, Indian Institute of Toxicological Research, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and National Institute Botanical Research all in Lucknow and the Centre of Behavioral and Cognitive Studies (CBCS), University of Allahabad. Keeping these aspects in mind and to broaden the scope, the Government changed its name from the Centre of Bio-medical Magnetic Resonance to “Centre of Bio-Medical Research” such that the scope is broadened while retaining the same abbreviation “CBMR” since the Centre already established itself internationally as “CBMR”.
The Centre has its own Guest house and student Hostel. The staff Quarters are likely to be ready by the year-end.
With all such support, the Centre is best equipped in the country in terms of its experimental facilities and infra-structure for research and training under its scope and objectives.
The Centre on its part has established itself as a Centre of excellence in research and development in the following areas:
- Disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring
- Brain function studies using functional MRI
- Training programs in these areas at the National Level
- Molecular synthesis for drug discovery
This is testified by the following:
- In addition to the liberal support from the State Government, the research programs of the Centre are adequately funded by the Central Government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the University Grants Commissions, the Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
- Besides, the Centre signed an MOU for the following International and National collaborations:
A. International Collaborations:
- A tri- institutional program, CBMR, MPI and CBCS, Allahabad
- National Research Council of Canada
- Centre for Learning, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington D.C.
- Chemistry Department, Georgetown University, Washington D.C. USA
- RMIT University, Australia
B. National Collaborations:
- Centre for Behavioural and Cognitive Studies, Allahabad
- Central University, Hyderabad
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, DRDO, Delhi
- Baba Sahib Ambedkar University, Lucknow