Tharoor calls for cutting-edge research in probiotics

RGCB hosts meet on probiotics

Trivandrum / February 3, 2024

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 03: Considering the importance of probiotics in healthcare this subject needs more cutting-edge research, for which leading institutions like Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) can take a major role, Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP, said today.

Dr Tharoor was delivering the key-note address at the 14th Probiotic Symposium held at RGCB.

Dr Tharoor pointed out that in Ayurveda cleaning of the gut has been a part of regular treatments and so people in Kerala are aware of gut health even from the olden days.

Noting that biotechnology is an extremely important area for the country, Dr Tharoor said the kind of work RGCB is doing in biotechnology research field will have resonance throughout the nation.

Citing the success of companies in other countries, Dr Tharoor called for public-private collaboration in biotechnology research where private sector can finance research programmes in public sector.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Professor NK Ganguly, former director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said the probiotics field has come a long way and recalled that during its initial stage the studies in this area were not taken seriously by experts who dismissed their suggestions saying there was not enough scientific proof.

Now science has done its job and probiotics have become an accepted part of health treatments.

Prof. Ganguly said probiotics have even become the sole way to treat some diseases, like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that can lead to cancer.

He said research has also shown that probiotics can play a key role in making sure that some medicines given to lung cancer patients are effective.

Professor Chandrabhas Narayana, director of RGCB and Dr Neeraja Hajela, general secretary of Gut Microbia and Probiotic Science Foundation, Dr E Sreekumar, director of the Institute of Advanced Virology, also spoke at the event.

The two-day event is attended by delegates from India and various countries.

Ends