The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India have signed an MOU for supporting joint collaborative research programmes in the area of Cancer.

Signing the MoU, Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary DBT and K N Vyas, Secretary DAE expressed solidarity to work towards the common goal of tackling cancer and this is expected to bring a quantum change in the present scenario of cancer research. The DAE is represented by its Tata Memorial Centre and which also functions as the coordinating centre on behalf of The National Cancer Grid of India.

This MOU aims to help strengthen the various initiatives specifically for cancer viz.  Strategizing and prioritizing cancer research, development of new and affordable technologies, jointly design and fund clinical trials, coordinate and collaborate for translational research, interventions, training of manpower and infrastructure development.

The clinicians will work in coherence with Researchers to identify and develop collaborative research programmes and public health initiatives for awareness of the public at large. Various activities like joint clinical fellowships, intensive workshops on clinical research methodologies and protocol development will work towards creating a community of trained manpower and provide a platform to utilize their acquired skills in the best possible manner.