Prof. Thomas Pucadyil

Director

E-mail : director@nccs.res.in

As I assume the role of Director at BRIC-NCCS as of April 6, 2026, I am privileged to lead an institution with a rich legacy in cell biology and repository maintenance into its next chapter of translational excellence. This year marks a pivotal transition for the institute, as we move beyond discovery science to embrace the engineering-driven future of biotechnology under the national BioE3 Policy. While fundamental research will continue to remain the bedrock towards this endeavour, we will strive towards bridging the gap between fundamental research and a robust bioeconomy, ensuring that our scientific outputs contribute directly to India’s goals for employment, economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The cornerstone of this evolution is the establishment of the Bioengineering Research Centre (BRC), a state-of-the-art facility designed to apply engineering principles to biological systems. Through our newly developed Microbial and Mammalian Bio foundries, we will be leveraging advanced automation to transform cells into efficient "factories" capable of producing high-value enzymes, medicines, and sustainable materials. This infrastructure is further bolstered by a dedicated Proof-of-Concept to Early Scale-up module, which serves to de-risk laboratory discoveries and evaluate their market readiness. By integrating these principles, BRIC-NCCS hopes to position itself as a global powerhouse in biomanufacturing and synthetic biology.

To realize this ambitious vision, we are actively strengthening our scientific workforce by recruiting top-tier talent in critical interdisciplinary fields. We are seeking experts in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and process development, while simultaneously integrating digital innovation through AI/ML-based rational protein design and robotics. These efforts, combined with our leadership in national infrastructure, such as the launch of India’s first cGMP-compliant national mammalian cell line repository, ensure that BRIC-NCCS remains the primary anchor for the nation’s biotech ecosystem. Together, these developments align us with the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, creating a future where Indian biomanufacturing is predictable, efficient and globally competitive.

Prof. Thomas Pucadyil
Director, BRIC-NCCS