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One of the final frontiers of the 21st century is to understand the structure, function and development of the human brain. A marvelously complex and sophisticated organ, the brain mediates how we perceive the world around us, generates our thoughts, memories and emotions and controls our immediate and long-term behavioural responses to the environment. While the decade of the 90’s was declared as the "Decade of the Brain", the current century would provide major leads into understanding the brain function. Since brain-related disorders represent one of the major disease groups that affect millions of people worldwide, the study of the brain or neuroscience is extremely important, not only from a scientific viewpoint but also to discover better therapies and cures.
To overcome the enormous challenges of understanding the brain in health and disease, the National Brain Research Centre (NRC) was established by the Department of Biotechnology in 1999. It has brought together neuroscientists from diverse backgrounds such as molecular biology, systems neuroscience, computational and theoretical neuroscience. The NBRC campus currently located in Manesar, Gurgaon district Haryana, 40 km from Delhi is a state-of-art facility for carrying out multidisciplinary studies on different aspects of the brain. The mandate of NBRC is to function as a "Centre of Excellence in Brain Research" with state-of-art facilities, evolve the centre through a networking approach and generate highly trained human resource.
In a remarkably short period since its inception, scientists at NBRC have made very successful inroads into understanding different aspects of the brain. Amongst the their major achievements are - successfully maintaining and differentiating human embryonic stem cells into neurons. These embryonic stem cells are also being transplanted into mice to see whether they help in repairing brain injury. In addition, cures for Alzheimer’s disease are being tested in animal models using plant extracts from traditional medicine. Genotyping tests are being developed to predict the response to drugs used for the treatment of mental disorders. Yet another breakthrough by NBRC scientists is the development of a computational tool using stochastic resonance that helps to enhance the resolution of MRI images thus providing better diagnosis.
A fast-emerging field in neuroscience is that of imaging the brain in real time using techniques such as "functional magnetic resonance imagine (FMRI)", brain morphometric (volume) measurements and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which can be used to examine the neural correlates of complex human perception and behaviour. These techniques can also be used to analyze neural basis of abnormal behaviour seen in cognitive ailments such as Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit disorders (ADHD) and effects of malnutrition. Realising the need for an FMRI facility dedicated to research, a national research facility for brain imaging is being established at the centre. This facility would be used for furthering an indepth understanding of brain function by researchers from all over the country.
Besides its scientific activities, the centre is also mandated to creating a group of highly skilled neuroscientists in the country. The institute was awarded Deemed University status by the Human Resources Development Ministry and has initiated both PhD and MSc programs. The curriculum for these programs ranges across diverse areas as neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, molecular neurobiology and development and regeneration, neurogenetics. Besides, systems, cognitive, clinical and computational neuroscience would enable NBRC students to have the widest possible exposure for their future role as leaders in the field of neuroscience. The human resource development is geared towards generation of trained manpower who can bridge across diverse disciplines such as neurobiology, physics and mathematics.
NBRC, the apex coordination centere for neuroscience research in India, is the hub of a network of 42 centres around the country that are involved in different facets of neuroscience research. The networking of existing neuroscience centers with NBRC is aimed to prevent unnecessary duplication of the work and facilities already existing. At the same time it facilitates sharing of expertise and available infrastructure for mutual benefit. Another invaluable feature of the centre is the ‘Digital Library’ that has been providing invaluable service to the Indian neuroscience research community by sharing its on-line journals and e-resources free of cost.
Looking ahead, it is envisioned that NBRC would grow into a world-class institute for brain research, catalyzing the overall growth of this discipline in the country. It would not only create a vibrant, active neuroscience community throughout the country comparable to the best in the world but also contribute to the discovery of rationale therapies and cures for brain disorders through Brain Research.(PIB Features)
**Director, PIB, New Delhi
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