An Associate Institute of the University of Hyderabad, the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) is a not-for-profit institute that aims to conduct innovative research in unifying areas of chemistry, biology and chemical biology. Our goal is to create and foster a research culture where chemists and biologists work together to generate original ideas, and generate experimental data which can lead to novel therapies for human disease and an improvement in quality of life. Training future generations of scientists working at the interface of chemistry and biology is an integral part of our mission. The facilities at ILS are spread over an area of 130000 square feet (12000 square meters). The institute is located in the southeast corner of the campus of the University of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, India. ILS became functional as an autonomous entity in 2007 as the result of a partnership between the Andhra Pradesh state government, private industry and the University of Hyderabad.

Find a way or make one

The Latin phrase ‘Aut viam inveniam aut faciam’ translates into ‘I will either find a way or make one’. The phrase is attributed to the famous General Hannibal Barca of the northern African kingdom of Carthage. During the Punic wars with the Roman Empire between 300-100 BC, Hannibal became the first general to cross the Alps with an entire army including elephants. Hannibal uttered the phrase before embarking on his famed journey across the Alps, in response to critics who considered the task impossible. We at ILS seek inspiration from these words in our efforts to achieve our goals.