1986: Prelude to the inception of NCCS The origins of the National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) can be traced back to the 'National Tissue Culture Facility' (NTCF), a project initiated within the Department of Zoology, University of Pune, under the leadership of the founder Director of NCCS, Dr. U. V. Wagh. NTCF was constituted in 1986 under the Cell Repository Program of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Biotechnology Board (NBTB).
1988: Inception of NCCS In 1988, the 'National Tissue Culture Facility' was registered as a Society under the name, 'National Facility for Animal Tissue and Culture Collection' (NFATCC), which formally marked the inception of what is now called NCCS, with subsequent recognition as an autonomous institution of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India. NFATCC was established with a mandate of three main functions: National Cell Repository, Research & Development and Human Resource Development. NFATCC moved out of the University campus to a new location in the Kothrud area of Pune.
1996: Change of name from NFATCC to NCCS The 'National Facility for Animal Tissue and Culture Collection'(NFATCC), was renamed as the 'National Centre for Cell Science' (NCCS) in 1996 to highlight the focus of its research, which touched diverse areas of modern cell biology, particularly those addressing human health issues like cancer, diabetes, regenerative medicine and infectious disease. NCCS began a new chapter in August 1992, when late Shri P. R. Kumaramangalam, the then Minister for Science & Technology, laid the foundation stone for a new laboratory building within the academically-enriched campus of the University of Pune.
2013: NCCS Silver Jubilee NCCS celebrated completion of 25 glorious years of service to the nation on its Foundation Day, 26th August, 2013. Proudly crossing this important milestone, NCCS continues to evolve by strengthening and expanding its excellence in innovative basic and translational research, while upholding the original mandate. It endeavours to embrace the future with enthusiasm by expanding its excellence in cutting-edge basic research and, at the same time, promoting science for the benefit of society.
