PM Modi Hails IIT Madras' Bold Mission to Map 100 Human Brains
PM Modi highlights the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre's mission to create high-resolution 3D digital atlases of 100 human brains.
In the latest episode of his monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat' aired on October 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shone a spotlight on a scientific frontier being explored in India. The Prime Minister lauded the pioneering research at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) at IIT Madras, describing the facility's ambitious work as a global benchmark for scientific progress.
A Digital Blueprint of the Human Mind
The center, which was officially dedicated to the nation by PM Modi during his visit on October 11, 2026, is currently embarked on a monumental task: mapping 100 human brains. This is not a simple scan, but the creation of high-resolution digital 3D atlases detailed down to the cellular level.
Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, the head of the center, explained that the process is incredibly intricate. It involves the reconstruction of thousands of ultra-thin brain slices, which are then meticulously assembled into highly detailed 3D maps. To handle the staggering volume and complexity of the data generated by this process, the team is leveraging the immense processing power of 'Param Shakti', one of India's most powerful supercomputers.
Breakthroughs and Future Horizons
The SGBC is not just planning for the future; it has already delivered significant scientific milestones. Among its achievements are:
- The ANCHOR Project: Recognized as the most detailed 3D brainstem atlas in the world.
- The DHARANI Atlas: A specialized fetal brain atlas released in 2025.
The implications of this research are profound. By understanding the brain's architecture at such a granular level, scientists hope to unlock new treatments and breakthroughs for devastating neurological conditions, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Open Science for Global Impact
The vision for this project extends beyond the walls of IIT Madras. Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Richma Warma and other contributors have expressed their intention to make this data open-source. By doing so, they aim to provide a foundational resource that scientists across the globe can use to accelerate their own neurological research.
A Synergy of Support
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the establishment of the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre is a testament to successful collaboration. He credited the joint efforts of the government, academia, industry, and the IIT alumni network. A key figure in this journey was Kris Gopalakrishnan, the co-founder of Infosys and an alumnus of IIT Madras, who was instrumental in initiating the support for this specialized research.
Closing his remarks on the subject, the Prime Minister highlighted a critical necessity for such scientific leaps: organ donation. He noted that donating organs does more than just save individual lives; it provides the essential biological material required to fuel advanced scientific research that could eventually benefit all of humanity.