Biological Sciences Scope & Priorities
Statement: Projects are sought towards addressing India-centric problems in broad areas of life sciences through integrated or specialized experimental approaches. Methodologies may span genetics, biochemistry, genomics, metabolomics, chemico-biological, biophysical/structural studies, ecological modeling, or systems-level engineering.
Priority Areas
- Nutrition and Health: Understanding the relationship between indigenous diet, the Indian gut microbiome, metabolic regulation, and preventative health interventions.
- Biodiversity & Chemical Ecology: Documentation, bioprospecting, and scientific validation of India's bio-wealth, medicinal flora, pollinator ecology, and invasive species management.
- Infectious Diseases: Elucidating pathogen biology, host-pathogen interactions, vector control (mosquito dynamics), novel diagnostic platforms, and mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- Human Genetics & Non-Communicable Diseases: Genomic diversity studies, GWAS/SNP mapping of risk loci for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers prevalent in the Indian population.
- Crop Protection & Value Addition: Biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crops, biocontrol agents, and post-harvest biological value addition.