Why is it in the News?

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has joined the Blockchain for Impact (BFI) Biome Virtual Network Program to accelerate transformative healthcare solutions through biomedical innovation.

About BFI Biome Virtual Network Program:

• The BFI-Biome Virtual Network Program is a pioneering initiative uniting incubators and research institutes under a single umbrella.
• This fosters collaborations among the stakeholders in the translational pipeline, the process of transforming research discoveries into real-world applications.
• Through this program, BFI will allocate over 200,000 USD over the course of three years, leveraging C-CAMP’s expertise to develop essential programs for healthcare-based startups.
• C-CAMP being an organization to foster deep science research and innovation for societal impact, the goals and mandates of both partners naturally align and complement each other.
• The partnership is expected to blur disciplinary boundaries in approaching biotech R&D, promote cross-integration of expertise and infrastructure, and provide multidisciplinary insights into need identification, problem-solving, and solution implementation.

What is C-CAMP?

• Centre for Cellular And Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) is an initiative of the Dept of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, with a mandate to be an enabler of cutting edge Life Science Research and Innovation.
• C-CAMP is also a member of the Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster (BLiSC).
• It facilitates Bioscience Research and Entrepreneurship by providing Research, Development, Training, and Services in state-of-the-art Technology Platforms.
• As a part of C-CAMP's mandate of promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, C-CAMP has created and fostered an entrepreneur-friendly culture in and around the Academic/Research environment through its involvement in Seed Funding Schemes for Startups, Entrepreneur Mentorship program, and Bio-Incubation facility.
• It has established State-Of-The-Art Platform Technologies which are essential requirements for success and leadership in the field of Life Sciences.
• C-CAMP allows Investigators to use Techniques as tools and not be limited by Technological barriers while pursuing challenging scientific questions.

Why is it in the News?

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru recently announced that it has developed a new platform that makes it easier and cheaper to study single cells.

About the OptiDrop Platform:

• The OptiDrop platform is an innovative microfluidic chip-based technology that simplifies and reduces the cost of single-cell analysis.
• Developed by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru, India, OptiDrop enables precise and cost-effective analysis of single cells encapsulated in droplets.
• The platform boasts unique features, including live data visualization, a smaller data footprint, and a 'closed' system design that prevents external contamination.
• OptiDrop has potential applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, agriculture, and animal health, making it a versatile tool for various research areas.

Applications:

• This cutting-edge technology holds vast potential across diverse fields including diagnostics, therapeutics, agriculture, and animal health. Its versatility enables:
  • Precise examination of individual cells during drug screening processes.
  • Environment control for monitoring and addressing water contamination.
  • Identification and sorting of CAR-T cells in immuno-oncotherapeutics.
  • Selection of CRISPR-modified single cells.
  • Identifying high-efficiency clones in single-cell genomics paves the way for advancements in personalized medicine and beyond.
• This platform is a testament to the potential of combining microfluidic technologies with advanced optical sensing techniques, paving the way for more efficient and cost-effective single-cell analysis.

What is the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP)?

• The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, or C-CAMP, was conceptualized by the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India in 2009 as an enabler or catalyst of cutting-edge research and innovation in the life sciences.
• C-CAMP has established itself as a major platform technology base, industry-oriented innovation hub, and incubator unit for life science research.
• With state-of-the-art technology platforms, a rich academic environment, and networks of business and industry-related resources, it encourages researchers and entrepreneurs to develop scientific tools and solutions for socially relevant problems.
• It is an institution with the core mandate of enabling cutting-edge life science research and innovation.