We have articulated the Mission of SKAN as follows:

“Transforming the future of medicine. Impacting millions of lives.”

The above is an ambitious goal. The world of medicine is undergoing dramatic change due to biosciences and bioinformatics. We believe we can play a leading role in this through new breakthrough ideas, discovery of kinder, gentler therapies and solutions to avoid surgeries.

A research organization will be as good as its scientists. We have already built a core team of well qualified and brilliant scientists. Through their efforts and dedication, we aim to create a great institution.

The philosophy behind SKAN projects is as follows:

• How do we delay the onset of disorders and diseases?
• How do we slow down the progression of the ailment?
• How do we provide the persons a better quality of life even as they live with the disorder and disease?
• Can we search for kinder, gentler therapies? Can we find cell and gene-based therapies in lieu of surgeries?
• Can we find better management of problems with less medication?
• Can we deploy medical analytics for prevention, early diagnosis?
• How can we ensure happy, healthy ageing?

We have already initiated 8 projects in a consortium model. Two projects with our international partners, Quadram Institute Bioscience and Cambridge University will start shortly. These include projects to understand the role of DNA mutations and clonal expansions in liver disease and neurological disorders in India using liver derived stem cells, comparative microbiome studies to understand the role of gut microbiome in Parkinson’s disease and understanding the process of healthy ageing.

Study on predictability of heart attacks and strokes: The global standard for predictability of heart attacks and strokes is the Framingham model. This led to the widespread usage of statins. We feel the study is deeply flawed as it does not consider many of the causative factors for the above cardiovascular events. We are undertaking a comprehensive study based on 3 independent cohorts which will examine the predictability based on allopathic, ayurveda and gut-brain axis related interventions with a high focus on lifestyle modification.

We believe this study will dramatically influence the world’s understanding of these cardiovascular phenomena, bring down their incidence and treatment approach.

The SKAN team is operating out of environmental and people friendly premises in an independent building in the St John’s Research Institute complex. We are also using wet labs in St John’s, funded by SKAN, for our research work. We have decided to create a world class research centre of 200,000 Square feet on 4 acres of land on Kanakapura Road. Work will commence soon as we receive required Government clearances. A photograph of the proposed centre is given below:



We will be equipping the centre with the latest equipment, housed within modern laboratories, to carry out microbiology and molecular biology research. Details are provided in the equipment/labs section within.

Our journey at SKAN is still in its early stages. We realize that we still have many, many miles to go to realize our dreams. We are confident of achieving the same with the support of our governing council, our dedicated teams, our project collaboration & consortium partners and many well-wishers.

Ashok Soota