SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Core Diagnostics to establish a collaborative training and research program in oncology and genetic diagnostics. The partnership aims to create advanced skill-development modules, hands-on workshops, and joint research initiatives that equip medical students, residents, and practising clinicians with cutting-edge expertise in molecular pathology, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and precision cancer diagnostics.
Glimpse:
Under the MoU, SRMIST’s medical and allied health sciences students will gain direct access to Core Diagnostics’ state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, expert faculty, and real-world case studies in oncology genomics and hereditary cancer syndromes. Core Diagnostics will benefit from SRMIST’s academic ecosystem for collaborative research, validation of new assays, and publication opportunities. The initiative is expected to produce a new generation of trained professionals capable of delivering high-quality, India-specific precision oncology services.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), one of India’s leading deemed universities, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Core Diagnostics, a prominent name in advanced pathology and molecular diagnostics in India. The agreement was formally signed at SRMIST’s Kattankulathur campus in the presence of senior leadership from both institutions.
The partnership will focus on bridging the gap between academic training and cutting-edge clinical diagnostics in the rapidly growing fields of oncology and medical genetics. Core Diagnostics, known for its expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS), liquid biopsy, hereditary cancer panels, and comprehensive genomic profiling, will provide SRMIST students and faculty with hands-on exposure to real-world laboratory workflows, advanced assay development, variant interpretation, and clinical correlation.
As part of the collaboration, SRMIST’s MBBS, MD Pathology, DM Medical Oncology, and allied health sciences students will participate in structured training modules, observerships, and short-term fellowships at Core Diagnostics’ NABL-accredited and CAP-certified laboratories in Gurgaon and other locations. The program will also include joint workshops, CME sessions, and guest lectures delivered by Core’s senior pathologists and geneticists, including Dr. Zulfikar Ali, Chief Pathologist, and Dr. Meenakshi Swain, Head of Molecular Diagnostics.
On the research front, both institutions will collaborate on India-specific genomic studies, validation of new diagnostic panels for prevalent cancers (breast, colorectal, lung, oral), and multi-omics approaches to improve precision treatment decisions. The MoU also opens the door for co-authorship on scientific publications and joint grant applications to national funding bodies such as ICMR, DBT, and BIRAC.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. S. Ponnusamy, Registrar of SRMIST, emphasized that the collaboration will significantly strengthen the institute’s postgraduate and super-specialty training programs in oncology and genetics. Dr. Zulfikar Ali from Core Diagnostics noted that partnering with a premier academic institution like SRMIST will help address the acute shortage of trained molecular pathologists and genetic counsellors in India, ultimately improving patient outcomes in precision oncology.
The MoU is initially set for a three-year term with provision for renewal and expansion into other high-growth areas such as pharmacogenomics and rare disease diagnostics. The first batch of SRMIST students is expected to begin structured training rotations at Core Diagnostics by mid-2026.
This partnership reflects the growing convergence of academic medicine and advanced private diagnostics laboratories in India essential for building a self-reliant ecosystem capable of delivering world-class cancer care.
“Training the next generation of pathologists and oncologists on cutting-edge genomic diagnostics is not optional it is essential if we want India to lead in precision medicine. This collaboration with SRMIST is a decisive step in that direction.”
By
HB Team
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