For many a researcher at NCBS subjecting their system to microscopic scrutiny is a daily routine. But between January 5-7 2010, the tables were turned, and the critical lens of a five-yearly review was turned upon NCBS itself. The seriousness of the process was reflected in the size of the review panel - nineteen scientists in all - and the fact that sixteen of these had come from some of the best overseas universities and institutes. "The focus of the review was on examining our science and scientific programmes from the ground up and then distilling an institutional perspective", says NCBS Director, Dr K. VijayRaghavan. Three days were set aside for the Review, the main highlights of which were a series of 36 talks - by every faculty member and facility head - and poster sessions that introduced the research of NCBS in greater depth.

Well, the "report card" is now in, and it clearly indicates that NCBS and its researchers can take great pride in the progress of the last five years. In their report, which can be viewed in full here, the review team note that they were impressed by the quality of the presentations, "The scientific sessions held at the review session were equivalent to the quality of a high level international scientific meeting". They also experienced a pervading mood of positivity, saying that they "sensed the excitement and enthusiasm of the NCBS community and at all levels of the organization there was both a palpable optimism for the future and an appreciation for the special environment that has been created at NCBS".

The reviewers noted that NCBS had expanded significantly since the last five-yearly review in terms of both size  ("The faculty...has doubled in size from 20 to 41 and the number of trainees has increased from 130 to over 300") and scope ("initiation of two relatively new programmatic areas, in theory and computational biology and in ecology and evolutionary biology").

The team believed that during its rapid expansion NCBS has managed to maintain if not increase the quality of its facilities, personnel and research. The students are "some of the finest students in the country" and the faculty "is characterized by a commitment to excellence, innovation, trans- disciplinary research, and a culture of collaboration". The facilities were described as "an exceptional resource that encourages scientific creativity that is unfettered by technical hurdles" and the Centre's administraion was highly regarded: "the NCBS administration has been significantly enhanced in a number of areas". The health of the research program overall was suggested by the growth in outside funding - "the support for the faculty has increased dramatically from Rs. 360 to 1200 Lakhs, outpacing the rate of faculty growth".

Special recognition was given to the leadership of the Director, Dr. K. VijayRaghavan "a visionary and inspirational leader" and the Dean, Dr. Mayor, who together with "the NCBS community, has created an exceptional environment for the conduct of highly creative and collaborative research."

Of course, planning is already underway for Review 2015!

Full NCBS Review 2010 Report