Nitte DU establishes Center for Omics and Systems Medicine to strengthen India’s precision healthcare research ecosystem

Nitte DU establishes Center for Omics and Systems Medicine to strengthen India’s precision healthcare research ecosystem

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, February 28, 2026: In a major stride toward advancing India’s precision medicine landscape, Nitte (Deemed to be University) inaugurated the Center for Omics and Systems Medicine (C-OSM) at KS Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA) on February 27, 2026.

Conceived as a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary platform, C-OSM integrates multiomics technologies, systems biology, and clinical sciences to accelerate translational research, biomarker discovery, and the development of personalized healthcare solutions tailored to Indian populations.

The inauguration was presided over by Chancellor Mr. Vishal Hegde. The Chief Guest, Dr. Ravi Sirdeshmukh, Distinguished Scientist and Associate Director at the Institute of Bioinformatics, highlighted the transformative potential of collaborative biomedical ecosystems. Guests of Honour included Pro-Chancellor Prof. (Dr) M. Shantharam Shetty, Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr) M. S. Moodithaya, and Dr. Shantanu Sengupta, President of the Proteomics Society, India.

Senior leadership and faculty members were also present, including Registrar Prof. (Dr) Harsha Halahalli, Dean Prof. (Dr) B. Sandeep Rai, and Prof. (Dr) T. S. Keshava Prasad, Director of C-OSM, along with clinicians, researchers, and invited academicians.

University leaders emphasized that the establishment of C-OSM represents a strategic investment in building globally competitive biomedical research capacity aligned with national priorities such as early disease detection, population-scale health research, and innovation-driven healthcare delivery.

The center is designed to facilitate large-scale molecular profiling of diseases using integrated proteomics, metabolomics, and data-driven systems biology approaches. By combining advanced analytical technologies with well-characterized clinical cohorts and translational expertise, C-OSM aims to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world patient care.

Research programs at the facility will span oncology, metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, organoid and model system biology, and precision diagnostic development. The center will also promote interdisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, scientists, engineers, and industry partners.

During the ceremony, multiple organizations formalized collaborative partnerships with KSHEMA and Nitte DU through the exchange of MOUs. These included Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Sree Mookambika Institutes, Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology, and Molsys Scientific Private Limited.

The inauguration was followed by the C-OSM Inaugural Symposium titled “High-Precision Multiomics Driving Transdisciplinary Innovation for Translational Impact,” held at Avishkar Hall, ABSMIDS, Deralakatte Campus. The symposium convened leading researchers and clinicians from premier institutions across India to deliberate on emerging frontiers in omics science and translational medicine.

In his keynote address, Dr. Ravi Sirdeshmukh underscored the rapid advances in biomedical technologies and the critical importance of clinician–scientist partnerships in translating molecular discoveries into improved patient outcomes. Dr. Shantanu Sengupta shared insights from the national “Phenome India” initiative, highlighting the role of large-scale proteomics and metabolomics in understanding population diversity and disease susceptibility.

An online lecture by Dr. Pushkar Sharma from the National Institute of Immunology explored integrated strategies to dissect malaria parasite signaling pathways, demonstrating systems-level approaches in infectious disease research.

Post-lunch scientific sessions focused on clinical translation and implementation of omics research. Dr. Krishna Murthy from Vittal Eye Hospital discussed universal screening strategies for retinopathy of prematurity. Dr. Anirban Chakraborty from NUCSER, Nitte DU, presented zebrafish-based model systems for functional omics investigations. Dr. Giridhar B. H. of KSHEMA outlined strategies for translating protein signatures into clinical applications, while Dr. Shama Prasada K. from Manipal School of Life Sciences examined epigenetic alterations and metabolic reprogramming in cervical cancer.

The technical sessions concluded with Dr. Brijesh Pandey of Thermo Fisher Scientific presenting next-generation, high-throughput plasma proteome workflows tailored for large clinical cohort studies.

The symposium provided a dynamic interdisciplinary forum for interaction among researchers, clinicians, faculty, and students, fostering scientific exchange and future collaborations.

With the launch of C-OSM, Nitte (Deemed to be University) reaffirms its commitment to advancing innovation-led healthcare research and strengthening India’s capabilities in precision diagnostics, translational medicine, and next-generation biomedical sciences.