PGI’s 11th annual research day celebrates medical innovations and collaborative milestones

Chandigarh: The PGI concluded its 11th Annual Research Day on Saturday, showcasing a wealth of cutting-edge medical discoveries and innovations. The event, which featured nearly 400 research publications, underscored PGI's commitment to translating laboratory findings into practical healthcare solutions.The day saw 48 researchers recognised for their top-rated publications across surgical, medical, and basic sciences, while 40 were honoured for their groundbreaking innovations. A significant memorandum of understanding was signed between PGI and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, aimed at fostering collaborative research with societal impact.Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, principal scientific advisor to the central govt, who was the chief guest, said, "Out of 69 critical technologies, India is in the top 5 ranking, in 45 of them." He highlighted the convergence of technologies driving India towards techno-strategic autonomy in healthcare and beyond, outlining govt initiatives in One Health, pandemic preparedness, and AI in healthcare.Prof Sundar Swaminathan from IISc Bengaluru, guest of honour, stressed the importance of translational research, bridging the gap between laboratory and clinical applications. Prof Vivek Lal, director at PGI, said, "Research thrives at PGI because it is ‘for the patient, with the patient, and by the patient'." Prof Sanjay Jain, dean (research), detailed PGIMER's research milestones, including securing Rs 109 crore in funding and executing 915 projects in 2023-24.Innovations showcased included a novel method for generating neuronal cells from fibroblasts, a braille-imprinted eye prosthesis, and a radio-tagging technique for detecting infections. The award ceremony recognised researchers across various specialties, with Prof Ajay Kumar Duseja (hepatology) and Prof Kajal Jain (anaesthesiology and intensive care) among the top recipients in their respective categories. Awards were also given to resident doctors and students, as well as for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.Forty faculty members and researchers were honoured for their innovative contributions, spanning departments from anaesthesiology to translational and regenerative medicine.BOXPGI conducted 714 research projects in 2023-24. This includes 542 national-level projects and 31 internationally funded initiatives. PGI supported an additional 141 projects through its internal funding programme. The institute successfully secured over Rs 92 crore in external research grants, primarily from prominent Indian agencies like the Indian Council of Medical Research, department of science & technology, and the department of biotechnology. Rs 14 crore came from international sources, including the World Health Organization and European Union agencies.