Srinagar, July 16: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir has secured the Department of Science and Technology (GoI)-funded Centre of Excellence (CoE) for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis below the One Health framework. This might be India’s first Centre of Excellence for Exploring Challenges to Identify Antimicrobial Resistance Drivers and Potential Antimicrobial Alternatives in a One Health Approach (CoE-AMRDPAA), inserting SKUAST-K on the forefront of one of the world’s most urgent scientific and public well being priorities.
As a lead establishment, SKUAST-K will operate by way of a strategic partnership with some of India’s premier establishments, together with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, the Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh, and the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, integrating experience in microbiology, genomics, biotechnology, engineering, synthetic intelligence, medical sciences and public well being.
This recognition comes at a time when SKUAST-K has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing innovation-driven agricultural universities. During the previous few years, the University has constructed a vibrant analysis ecosystem with 134 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), over 120 technology-based startups, internationally benchmarked laboratories in plant and animal biotechnology, genomics, molecular diagnostics, stem cell biology, precision agriculture and synthetic intelligence. Several breakthrough applied sciences developed on the University, together with novel diagnostics for lung well being and rickettsial fever and regenerative stem-cell bandage applied sciences, have additionally superior in the direction of worldwide patent safety, reflecting the University’s rising international analysis footprint.
The Centre might be led by Prof Syed Mudasir Andrabi, Professor and Head, Division of Animal Biotechnology, because the Principal Coordinator. Under his management, a multidisciplinary staff of scientists from partnering establishments will undertake one of India’s most complete analysis programmes on antimicrobial resistance.
The Centre will examine the emergence, evolution and transmission of antimicrobial resistance throughout people, animals, agriculture, meals programs and the setting by way of nationwide surveillance, superior genomics, metagenomics and molecular epidemiology. Leveraging synthetic intelligence and machine studying, the programme will develop predictive fashions, clever surveillance programs and evidence-based decision-support platforms to strengthen nationwide preparedness towards antimicrobial resistance.
An equally vital focus of the Centre would be the discovery and growth of next-generation options to traditional antibiotics. Research will embody antimicrobial peptides, phytochemicals, probiotics, biomaterials, nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics and different revolutionary interventions geared toward decreasing dependence on antibiotics whereas bettering human, animal and environmental well being.
Welcoming the approval, Vice-Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai described the Centre as a defining milestone in SKUAST-K’s journey in the direction of changing into a globally recognised analysis and innovation college.
“This Centre of Excellence is a national recognition of the scientific capabilities that SKUAST-K has built over the past few years. It reflects our commitment to innovation-led research that addresses real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Antimicrobial resistance is a silent pandemic threatening human, animal and environmental health alike. Through this Centre, we aim to develop science-based, technology-driven and globally relevant solutions that contribute to India’s health security while reinforcing the One Health vision. The Centre will also nurture young scientists, strengthen national research networks and position SKUAST-K as a leading global hub for One Health research and innovation.”