NIPER - A Special Focus
Einstein’s three rules of work:
Out of clutter find simplicity.
From discord make harmony.
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
—Albert Einstein
When split into two, the word ‘Re-search’ truly makes more sense. Going deeper into the process of ‘looking’ for something means sharpening one’s senses, improving alertness, expanding awareness and above all, living and growing with the question. This is the ‘nature’ of research, rather, symptoms of one who is deeply into it. Not everybody is born with the burning desire to probe deep into things, probably because one doesn’t have that mindset at all or one isn’t encouraged into it. As children, we are all born with questioning mind, which has dampened somewhere in growing up process. When academics involve application based questions, churning of the mind is more and answers are aplenty.
Recognising the need for research several institutes were started with this aim in mind.
What is research?
Research is an active, diligent and systematic process of inquiry in order to discover, interpret or revise facts, events, behaviours, or theories, or to make practical applications with the help of such facts, laws or theories. The term “research” is also used to describe the collection of information about a particular subject.
Generally, one can distinguish between basic research and applied research.
Basic Research (also called fundamental or pure research) has as its primary objective the advancement of knowledge and the theoretical understanding of the relations among variables. It is exploratory and often driven by the researcher’s curiosity, interest or hunch. It is conducted without a practical end in mind although it can have unexpected results that point to practical applications. The terms “basic” or “fundamental” research indicates that, through theory generation, basic research provides the foundation for further, often applied research. Because there is no guarantee of short-term practical gain, researchers often find it difficult to obtain funding for basic research.
Applied Research is done to solve specific, practical questions; its primary aim is not to gain knowledge for its own sake. It can be exploratory but often it is not. It is almost always done on the basis of basic research. Often the research is carried out by academic or industrial institutions. More often an academic institution such as a university will have a specific applied research programme funded by an industrial partner. Common areas of applied research include electronics, informatics, process engineering and applied science.
Of many premier institutes in our country NIPER or National Institute for Pharmaceutical Education and Research focuses on research in pharmacy. It is for those graduates who are interested in pursuing research not as a career but as passion.
NIPER is the first national level institute in pharmaceutical sciences with a proclaimed objective of becoming a centre of excellence for advanced studies and research in pharmaceutical sciences. The Government of India has declared NIPER as an ‘Institute of National Importance’. It is an autonomous body set up under the aegis of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India. The Institute is conceived to provide leadership in pharmaceutical sciences and related areas not only within the country, but also to the countries in South East Asia, South Asia and Africa. NIPER is a member of Association of Indian Universities and Association of Commonwealth Universities.
In a discussion with NIPER Hyderabad’s Project Director Dr Ahmed Kamal, TCG discovers many interesting facts and figures about research. A recipient of OPPI Scientist Award, by Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India this year (2009), Kamal has published more than 220 papers, filed over 60 patents of which five US patents have been licensed and some compounds from these are undergoing pre-clinical studies.
Apart from giving a challenging career, research unearths rare skills which an individual himself/herself is not aware of until they take the plunge, says Kamal.
TCG: What was the reason behind formation of NIPER Hyderabad? When did it come into existence and who is the driving force behind it?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: We all know about NIPER Mohali which is doing a great job in research. To flag off other branches as expansion plans is but natural. NIPER Hyderabad was established in the year 2007 under the aegis of Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers as center of excellence for higher education, research and development in pharmaceutical sciences.
Keeping the demands and needs from pharma industry NIPER had to make a beginning at other places too. NIPER like IITs has got a brand name which attracted students all over India.
Location for this branch was provided by the State Government. This institute was the R&D of once exuberant IDPL, which became a sick unit 10 years ago. IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka) is a mentor institute for NIPER. Government of India wanted NIPER to be monitored by well established institutes. We do not have academics but pure research.
NIPER Hyderabad offers three branches Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Pharmacology & Toxicology. Its objectives are:
-Enhancement of creativity, motivation, drive and inculcate professionalism
-to bring synergy between academic, R&D, technology and industry through training and exposure for such environment
-bridging collaboration between Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Information Technologies and prepare for meeting global challenges
- expose the students and scholars to research in areas such as drug discovery, pharmacogenomics, toxicogenomics, RNAi and DNA technology, bioinformatics, drug design and molecular modeling, molecular biology and herbal medicine etc
-develop and practice e learning for the professionals and training for teachers, researchers, regulators in the respective fields
- create a world class institute of teaching and research in the field of pharmaceutical training.
Our first batch has just graduated and some of them have gone for further studies while some have taken up employment.
TCG: NIPER, Hyderabad offers Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis, and Pharmacology & Toxicology, any reasons for having only these specialisations?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: Well, these specialisations have been opted for Hyderabad NIPER mainly because of the demand for that particular branch. Medicinal chemistry involves new drug development, a student needs to be a B Pharmacy graduate or a PG in Chemistry and other Biological Sciences, if not B Pharm.
TCG: What is the admission procedure and eligibility criterion for a student who wishes to join NIPER?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: So far as the admission procedure goes, we had two screening processes; one is GATE and the other joint entrance exam for NIPER. We have the JEE conducted in almost 17 centers through out the country. After ranking they would undergo open counselling at Mohali. Students can chose their branch and location based on their ranking. From the coming year, students need not take GATE, it would only be a common entrance called JEE. We get really bright students because of the tough screening.
In case of cities like Hyderabad which are more pharma based, industry interaction is greater compared to others. Students keep in mind the placement aspects and hence prefer cities like Hyderabad.
There are units like Dr Reddy’s Labs which prefer students with Medicinal Chemistry. Same is the case with other two branches. For pharma analysis students prefer industries like Biocon in Bangalore.
TCG: Did recession effect placements here?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: Recession did have an impact on placements at NIPER too; it has come down to 65%. This is where students turned to PhD. At NIPER Mohali, students get fellowship. Many students go into teaching or Post Doctoral research after their PG. Some went abroad for further degrees and settled there as they got absorbed in good industries. For instance, I am here from IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Tarnaka) on deputation.
More than 90% of NIPER students have gone abroad, I have guided 40 students in PhD. Students want to go for further specialisations as it is a very competitive world and a specialist/scientist always has an edge above the rest. Very few stayed back in India. For instance, one of my students did his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry in 2004 and went to US on a post doctoral Fellowship and worked for very prestigious institutes like Scripps Research Institute. He has now returned and joined Dr Reddy’s labs in Bangalore.
TCG: You say that this has recently begun then how are the research activities going on in full scale with minimum infrastructure?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: NIPER Hyderabad is still young and will take time to grow and get a name. Students here move to IICT in the third and fourth semesters as the infrastructure is yet to be established. Students commute everyday since the hostels are here.
TCG: May we know your background and ground-breaking research you have done.
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: I have done Medicinal Chemistry and my major interest has been discovery and development of new anti-cancer compounds. We have developed a large number of new molecules which could be used a for chemo therapy. We have very good lead for quite a few of them. We have filed patents for several of them. We have also licensed some US patents for pre-clinical development.
We are working on pro drug monotherapy, which means we are targeting to save those normal cells from being damaged or killed during chemotherapy. We have also done some work in development of anti TB compounds, as TB has become a big problem in the country.
TCG: Do you think Indians are having enough exposure on drugs and their usage?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: My answer would be an emphatic ‘No’ at this stage, but it is improving now. As compared to West the awareness is slow. We haven’t been very sound with Pharma Counselling. Where as in European countries a pharmacist is trained to educate and bring about the drug awareness and usage amongst the patients. Outside India the doctor just prescribes the drugs and pharmacist takes care of the rest. We lack qualified pharmacists in our country.
TCG: Is this the reason for spurious drugs which are flooding the market today?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: Not really, this has nothing to do with spurious drugs, that is a different problem altogether. This menace can be stopped with strict monitoring and vigilance. It is unfortunate that this is growing very fast as this is done so meticulously that even an expert cannot make out if it a spurious or real drug. Awareness can cure this problem to a great extent.
TCG: What are the awards and achievements that NIPER, Hyderabad achieved?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: I should say it is too young to have any credits now. Students here would get the best of PG programmes as we have real support from government. As we have specialised areas we do not have a permanent teaching faculty here, but we get the best from the field. We have experts from the pharma industry who give students the real picture out there. We have visiting faculty from all over the country.
TCG: How does one identify a NIPER student?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: As I said our students go through a very tough selection process which gets the cream to us. They have that analytical thinking and approach which is much needed for someone in the area of research. We have various students in various levels in the class. We have continuous assessment and gradation system. We do not have marks. We know when a student needs the extra help to bring him or her on the track. In addition to this we have a Finishing School in the third semester of the final year where students learn the tricks of trade and how to brace themselves through an interview. As a result of this our student will have the edge over the rest. Our students are also trained in communication and soft skills on weekends to polish them further.
TCG: Could you tell us about your awards?
Dr. Ahmed Kamal: (With a modest smile) I have received more than seven awards, latest being the OPPI Scientist Award, by Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India this year (2009). Apart from all this research is my passion. The team I work with is also equally committed and dedicated.
TCG also met the course co-ordinator
Dr. S. Ramakrishna who has given more details about the institute and the course. He shared quite a few interesting facts about pharmaceutical research, course/curriculum design and functioning.
TCG: How important is research and why is pharmacology most sought after branch?
Dr. S. Ramakrishna: Main motto of any research institute is drug synthesis and NIPER Hyderabad is always geared towards this. Pharmacology is the most preferred branch, as it is the key subject which translates any research work into reality. Only when a new compound goes through pharmacology test will it work. For example, I wish to make a drug for diabetes which is an improvised version and with minimum side effects. I want my drug to have maximum potency and efficacy, without causing much harm. Now I will work/synthesise to bring out the required formulae/combination compounds. But all of them need to be proved first. As a pharmacologist I will test the drug invitro, invivo etc, make the animal diabetic then give this insulin to see if it works. This is the duty of a pharmacologist. This entire process will take 2 to 3 years.
TCG: What is the strength of NIPER Hyderabad?
Dr. S. Ramakrishna: At present (in the third batch) there are 57 students of which 19 are girls. Our first batch just graduated. The second batch has 45 students of which there are six girls.
TCG: How is the course structured?
Dr. S. Ramakrishna: MS has four semesters. After which the next year will be spent completely in research. This is carried on in the IICT campus, Tarnaka.
TCG: Is organic chemistry really volatile as our teachers say?
Dr. S. Ramakrishna: Passion for chemistry is the ground rule for the subject to stay with you. Once you imbibe this with interest and love there is no question of forgetting it.
TCG also met some students who are committed to make a difference to the society through their research. In fact Gopalakrishna Tunga says medicine has always been his area of interest, but he could not get a seat in medicine and this led him to research.
Gopalakrishna Tunga: Remember the ‘Dexter’s Lab’ in cartoon network that shows a huge research lab and sows the seed of research into you? Well, the difference between research scientists and the rest of us is that they have nurtured their interest and we haven’t. We all have a scientist hidden in us who is bubbling with curiosity to explore science, mathematics or life itself, just let that scientist loose!!
We learn the theoretical part while studying any subject but to have an intense depth, research and development is highly required. It ensures valid information and in depth analysis of the subject we study. It has the access to the various dimensions of knowledge, expertise and skills of that department, also the facility of modern research equipment.
Research helps in explaining things with a practical vision and the study is completed faster. Lastly, we can say that prior research on any given subject is necessary for great discoveries!