The objectives of CALIBRE include establishing state-of-the-art infrastructure to harness the power of AI to transform biology research, developing advanced AI tools for basic, applied, and translational biology research, providing education and training to young Indian researchers to apply AI tools in biological research.
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The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), both centres of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), have signed an agreement to jointly establish a Centre for Artificial Learning and Intelligence for Biological Research and Education (CALIBRE).
CALIBRE will be an interdisciplinary centre dedicated to advancing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in biological research, education and innovation.
Harnessing AI to transform biology research
The objectives of the centre include establishing state-of-the-art infrastructure to harness the power of AI to transform biology research, developing advanced AI tools for basic, applied, and translational biology research, employing neuromorphic, brain-inspired computing approaches to advance AI technology, providing education and training to young Indian researchers to apply AI tools in biological research and creating named Chair Professorships and Research Travel Fellowships to support biology research.
“While several AI platforms exist internationally, India requires its own context-specific AI tools and infrastructure to address challenges unique to Indian biodiversity, climate, health landscape, and fundamental research landscape. CALIBRE will serve as the national hub where biological insight meets AI innovation,” said a communique from NCBS.
Convergence of frontiers
CALIBRE will be set up through a ₹25 crore contribution from Vishal Gupta, founder of Reed India Consulting LLP, and Ms. Deepshikha Gupta.
“Biology for AI and AI for Biology — two frontiers converging, powered by India’s brightest minds at CALIBRE”, said Mr. Gupta
L.S. Shashidhara, Director, NCBS., noted that the work of NCBS researchers who work across scales of biology will help test and evaluate the power and limits of various AI tools.
Rajesh Gopakumar, Director, ICTS, noted that ICTS’ deep strengths in the mathematical and theoretical sciences will help in the development of new AI techniques and tools with applications in biology as well as related areas of epidemiology and public health.
“Finally, the most exciting frontier is to use insights from the functioning and architecture of the brain itself to improve the current AI frameworks,” he added.
Published – October 29, 2025 04:15 pm IST
