Inauguration of National Analytical Facility for Nutrition and Metabolism Research

On June 26, 2025, the National Analytical Facility for Nutrition and Metabolism Research was officially inaugurated at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad (TIFRH), marking a significant advancement in multidisciplinary research dedicated to addressing India's pressing health issues, including anaemia, obesity, diabetes, and double-burden malnutrition. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Dr. Kamlesh V. Khedkar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

This pioneering facility operates under the auspices of TIFR/ARUMDA (Advanced Research Unit on Metabolism, Development, and Aging), and stands as the first of its kind in India focusing on metabolic and lifestyle diseases. According to Dr. Ullas Kolthur, principal investigator and coordinator of ARUMDA, the facility aims to bridge essential scientific research with clinical applications, uniting experts from biology, medicine, and public health to tackle critical health challenges. The initiative underscores the interplay between genetics, dietary practices, socio-economic disparities, and rapidly evolving lifestyles that contribute to a surge in metabolic syndromes and age-associated diseases.

The National Analytical Facility is equipped with advanced technologies that facilitate clinical and pre-clinical studies. These include body composition analysis, high-resolution metabolomics, and targeted metabolomics, which are essential for understanding conditions like anaemia and obesity. The facility is also poised to support national health initiatives such as the Anaemia 'Mukt Bharat' campaign, which focuses on iron deficiency, and 'POSHAN Abhiyaan', which aims to combat malnutrition through precise nutritional strategies.

The facility's research capabilities extend to the ICMR's advanced research center on 'Normative Baseline for Childhood Development in India', which aims to set standards for early-life metabolic health and growth trajectories. Dr. M. Krishnamurthy, the director of TIFRH, emphasized the importance of fundamental research in addressing socially relevant issues and noted that the establishment of ARUMDA exemplifies this mission.

With the establishment of this facility, researchers in India are expected to gain deeper insights into metabolic health, thus enhancing the implementation of informed dietary interventions and strategies aimed at alleviating malnutrition. Mahendra Sonawane, another key figure at ARUMDA, remarked on the significance of this facility in advancing research that aligns with national health priorities, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes across the country.

The inauguration of the National Analytical Facility for Nutrition and Metabolism Research represents a crucial step forward in addressing India's health crisis related to metabolic diseases and nutrition, and reflects a commitment to advancing scientific research that has far-reaching implications for public health and policy. As the facility begins its operations, it is expected to contribute significantly to the body of knowledge necessary for formulating effective health strategies that can tackle the dual challenges of undernutrition and obesity, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive approach to health and nutrition in India.