IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand and SKAN Bangalore | 17 March 2026 - The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) inaugurated the Ashok Soota Molecular Medicine Facility at the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (BSBE), marking a significant step in strengthening advanced biomedical research infrastructure aligned with national healthcare priorities and global scientific advancements.

The facility was inaugurated by Shri Ashok Soota, a distinguished Alumnus of IIT Roorkee in the presence of Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, along with faculty members, researchers, and industry representatives.

 Established as a state-of-the-art, integrated platform, the Ashok Soota Molecular Medicine Facility is designed to support drug discovery, biomolecular research, and the development of next-generation diagnostic tools. The facility enables researchers to move from decoding disease mechanisms and identifying biomolecular targets to experimental validation of lead molecules and assay development. By integrating expertise in protein science, molecular and cell biology, structural biology, biophysics, analytical profiling, and advanced imaging, the facility will support high-impact research across critical disease domains, including cancer, neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and infectious diseases. 

The facility houses advanced instrumentation supporting end-to-end workflows in molecular characterization and translational research, including Automated Protein Purification Systems (AKTA and Biorad/AKTA), HPLC and UPLC systems, GC-MS, Iso-Thermal Calorimeter (ITC), Flow Cytometer, Upright Confocal Microscope, Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Protein Crystallization Robot, CD Spectrometer, High Pressure Homogenizer/Cell Disruptor, and other high-precision analytical platforms. This comprehensive infrastructure significantly strengthens IIT Roorkee’s capability in molecular diagnostics, structural validation, biomolecular interaction studies, and advanced assay development.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “The Ashok Soota Molecular Medicine Facility significantly augments IIT Roorkee’s research ecosystem in biosciences and bioengineering. The integration of advanced infrastructure with interdisciplinary expertise will accelerate translational research and contribute meaningfully to national priorities in healthcare innovation, precision medicine, and scientific self-reliance.”

Shri Ashok Soota, distinguished alumnus of IIT Roorkee, stated, “The establishment of this facility underscores the importance of building strong research ecosystems that translate scientific discovery into societal impact. India possesses immense scientific talent, and it is equally critical to provide world-class infrastructure and collaborative platforms to enable innovation at scale. I am proud to see IIT Roorkee strengthening its capabilities in molecular diagnostics, precision medicine, and drug discovery, contributing to healthcare solutions of both national and global relevance.”

Prof. Pravindra Kumar, Head, Institute Instrumentation Center, and Ashok Soota Institute Chair Professor, added, “This facility will serve as a collaborative research platform for faculty, scholars, and industry partners. It enhances our shared research infrastructure and strengthens IIT Roorkee’s capacity to undertake globally competitive, interdisciplinary research in molecular medicine and translational biosciences.”

With this initiative, IIT Roorkee continues to reinforce its commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research, fostering industry collaboration, and contributing to innovation-driven solutions in areas of strategic importance to national and global healthcare systems.