Kolkata, Jan 5 (IANS) India needs to invest in research in emerging challenges such as diabetes, cancer and neurological disorders, Indian-origin US cancer biologist Inder Verma said here Monday.
Verma is a leading authority in gene therapy, retrovirology, and cancer, particularly glioblastomas (brain tumour).
Verma - who is originally from Punjab - is an American Cancer Society Professor of Molecular Biology in the Laboratory of Genetics at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of California, San Diego.
"We have had very large amount of investments in communicable diseases (in the past), which still remains a big deal.
"But now that the country is economically better, particularly for some middle class families, there is really an emerging need for (investments in) non-communicable diseases," Verma told IANS on the sidelines of the Infosys Prize Award here.
Verma is the jury chair for the Infosys Prize 2014 for the discipline of life sciences.
He said the areas to think for the future were "cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, particularly diseases like Alzheimer's".
"For example, diabetes which has become a real challenge now was not such a big deal before," he said.
Verma said India has a long way to go compared to the US, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country last year has spurred action in certain disciplines like cancer.
"We have a long way to go because our investments have been relatively small compared to the US.
"When Mr. Modi came to US not so long ago, there has been certain encouragement in working in certain areas such as cancer biology," he said.
Collaborations between the two nations, according to Verma, will be "helpful" in terms of technology transfer, ideas and exchange of scientists in the future.
"There has been very little research in basic sciences in cancer which Mr. Modi together with the National Cancer Institute in India has begun to make collaborative efforts. There are more efforts in vaccines," he added.
Pope Francis, the greatest religious leader of Christians, appealed to the world on Wednesday. Po
There has been a case of the bombing of Ukrainian cities by Russia. Officials say Russian shellin
US President Trump, who imposed tariffs on India for buying oil from Russia, is now getting surro
The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked all countries to share information related to the o
Xiaomi launches Redmi Note 11T Pro series with its new Mi Band 7, know features and price
Redmi Note 11T Pro Series: Popular brand Xiaomi has recently launched Redmi Note 11Pro series in
New Delhi. The government banned 59 apps from China on Monday. This list includes apps like Tikto
Food delivery startup Swiggy is reportedly laying off over 250 employees this month across operat
Airlifting of People Stranded in Ladakh Begins
Jammu, Jan 25 (IANS) Airlifting of people stranded in Jam
De Villiers fit to play warm-up fixture
Christchurch, Feb 10 (IANS) South Africa skipper AB de Vi
Hyderabad, Feb 2 (IANS) Kothapalli Geetha, a member of parliament in Andhra Pradesh, has been di
