IIT-Madras and IRFC Launch India's First Single-Cell Omics Research Lab

By siliconindia | Tuesday, 18 November 2025, 10:01 Hrs

IIT-Madras and IRFC set up India’s first SCOT lab with advanced disease research tools
Facility to boost early diagnosis, drug discovery, and precision medicine
IRFC provides Rs 10.83 crore CSR funding to support the initiative

IIT-Madras, in partnership with the Indian Railways Finance Corporation (IRFC), has launched India’s first Single Cell Omics Translational (SCOT) research lab. The facility, located in the Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, is built to strengthen the country’s capabilities in early diagnosis, drug discovery, biomarker development, and precision healthcare.

Supported by a CSR grant of Rs 10.83 crore from IRFC, the SCOT lab is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments designed to study diseases at a single-cell level. The lab will support research across cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious and inflammatory illnesses, metabolic disorders, and other non-communicable diseases.

V. Kamakoti, IIT-Madras Director, said, the collaboration with IRFC marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s drug discovery and precision medicine landscape. He noted that the new lab will help create innovative solutions for early diagnostics and targeted therapies.

Usha Venugopal, Member (Finance) at the Ministry of Railways, highlighted that the initiative strengthens India’s medical research ecosystem. She said the facility will contribute to improved diagnosis and treatments, reflecting how industry-academia partnerships can drive impactful healthcare innovations.

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Anubama Rajan from IIT-Madras emphasized that India needs research platforms that link molecular-level insights to real clinical outcomes. She added that the SCOT lab will act as a national training hub, bringing together doctors, scientists, and engineers to accelerate translational research and build advanced healthcare solutions tailored to Indian patients.

With this launch, IIT-Madras and IRFC aim to deepen India’s contributions to next-generation diagnostics, therapeutics, and precision medicine.