New Delhi: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from private and public academic institutions to develop collaborative, multi-centric projects under its chronic and lifestyle disease program. The initiative focuses on advancing research in cardiovascular health and diseases (CVD).
Objective of the initiative
The program aims to:
- Understand the pathophysiology of cardiovascular complications and cardiac functions.
- Develop early risk-assessment strategies to reduce the complexity and burden of CVD.
- Address long-term cardiac complications, including those linked to post-COVID-19 conditions.
Background insights
- A research analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases study (1990–2019) highlighted cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in India.
- Beyond metabolic drivers, economic, social, and environmental factors also contribute significantly to the biological pathways leading to cardiovascular diseases.
Focus areas for research proposals
EOIs are sought for projects that involve both basic scientists and clinicians, with a focus on:
- Cardiovascular Consequences of Viral Infections: Including studies on post-COVID impacts on cardiac health.
- Biological Models of Myocardium: To enhance the understanding of cardiac functions and study cardiovascular consequences of viral infections.
- Cardio-metabolic Health and Prevention Strategies:
- Identifying high-risk populations (across pediatric, adolescent, and adult demographics).
- Early identification of at-risk patients using novel biomarkers or predictive algorithms.
Potential outcomes
The projects are expected to:
- Provide deeper insights into cardiac complications.
- Foster innovative models for cardiac drug discovery.
- Develop predictive tools for early diagnosis and targeted prevention of CVD.
Call for proposals
Interested private and public academic institutions are encouraged to collaborate and submit proposals addressing the outlined areas. The DBT emphasizes the importance of multi-disciplinary approaches to tackle cardiovascular health challenges effectively.
This initiative underscores the urgent need for focused research to mitigate the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in India, particularly in light of emerging challenges like post-COVID cardiac complications.
