At AIIMS research is not just a routine activity but rather a mission with three objectives. As anywhere else, the primary purpose of research  is to gratify curiosity by disciplined activity, thereby leading to creation of new knowledge. But at AIIMS, we are also conscious of the role research can play in improving the quality of teaching. A  teacher engaged in research is up to date with recent information, and can also inculcate a sprit of enquiry and freedom of thought into his/her students. Finally, research at AIIMS is apart of our national endeavour to cultivate a scientific temper and to eliminate from our society the way of authority and superstition.

While AIIMS attracts sizeable grants from national and international agencies,the Institution itself also offers modest research grants. The grants are sanction after the projects submitted have been screened by a Commitee and are primary meant to initiate the junior faculty into research. Thus, other things being equle, preference is given to younger application. After an investigator has made some progress,he or she can apply for biger grants from other agencies. 

There is a wide variety of research performed at AIIMS. On the one hand we do sophisticated investigations in the neurosciences, in genetics and on computer simulation of hormone-receptor interaction.On the other hand ,we undertake clinical and epidemiological studies on the prevention and treatment of national health problems. We are trying to apply advanced techniques such as DNA recombinant technology, immunology and electron microscopy to study the common diseases in our country such as leprosy, malaria , tuberculosis, diabeties, diarrhoea, hepatitis, fluorosis and iodine deficiency. We have large internationally funded programmes on goals-oriented research in reproduction aimed at widening the variety of acceptable contraceptives. The scientific publications emanating from the Institute have been quite steady  at about 2 publications per faculty member per year.about half of these publications are in journals covered by the Science Citation Index.During the 8 year period from 1980-88, AIIMS topped the list of medical colleges in India with (mean ± SD) 237.5 ± 37.3 Science Citation index-listed publications per year (Reddy et al. Natl Med J India 1991; 4: 90-92).During the 7 year period from 1987-94, AIIMS topped the list of institutions engaged in medical research in India with 1630 Medline-listed publications (Arunachalam. Current Science 1997; 72:912-922).

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The quality and range of research at AIIMS may be judged from the following highly selected assortment of some thrust areas.

Control of Diarrheal disease

In 1980s,40% of pediatric beds in hospitals were occupied by cases of diarrheal dehydration. In 1997 it is dificult to find such a case even for demonstration in many parts of India.Basic, applied and operational research done at AIIMS has played a pivotal role in achieving this transformation. Recently we have developed two types of super oral rehydration solutions based on amino concentration.

Rotavirus was demonstrated at AIIMS to be the major cause of diarrheal disease.Now we have developed a rotavirus vaccine in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology, which is ready for phase-1 trials to be started this year.

Early and sure diagnosis of tuberculosis

AIIMS has developed a PCR test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The test, which is specially useful for extrapulmonary tuberculosis, gives the diagnosis within 24-48 hours of receiving the sample in contrast with conventional tests which take 6-8 weeks.
Leprosy

Contributions of AIIMS towards research on this dreaded disease include:

Malaria

By  using modern DNA technologies at AIIMS, it has now become possible for the first time in India to study the strains of the parasite responsible for an epidemic.

HIV Diagnostic test

AIIMS has developed indigenously a highly sensitive and specific ELISA system for detecting HIV antibodies.It costs less than half the imported test kits, and has detected many early cases which the imported kits could not.AIIMS has been one of the Reference Centres for HIV/AIDS since 1986, and the National HIV Reference Centre since 1992.

Research To Control Liver Disease

Epidemiological,clinical and basic research at AIIMS has assessed the magnitude of the problem, led to the development of an indigenous diagnostic test and a candidate vaccine, and a diagnostic assay system for screening blood donors for hepatitis C virus.

Diagnostic Test For Plague

AIIMS was the first place in the world to use PCR on formaline fixed autopsy material to detect and confirm plague during the1994 outbreak.We have cloned, sequenced and expressed the f1 and pla genes of Yersinia pestis which are immunoreactive. These are being used for developing a serological test for plague.

Iodine Dificiency Disorders

Anti-Fertility Vaccine

Post-Coital and Post-Ovulatory Contraception

Basic Research on the endocrine and paracrine mechanisms in embryo implantation of pregnancy and the development of post-coital and post-ovulatory contraceptives.Our Primate Implantation Biology Laboratory has been recognized as a non-US Centre for Contraceptive Research and Development Programme of the Andrew Mellon Foundation and is also one of the 13 such Centres in the world supported on a long-term basis by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Exploration Of Antarctica

AIIMS has been participating in India's efforts at exploration of Antarctica since 1990.Besides providing health care to members of the expedition,AIIMS has also been using the opportunity to conduct research on chronobiology of the human organism, physiological responses to the stress of the hostile antarctic environment, and performance under the harsh and lonely conditions prevailing in antarctica.

Dr. B.B Dikshit Library

The library, named after the first Director of the Institute, is a treasure house

having 61423 books, 53547 journals and 14008 reports in the field of Biomedical

Sciences.The library receives  490 journals and 80 newsletters every year.The

library is open to the readers from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m seven days a week. The

library has a computer facility, microfilm  library reader and reader-printer facility

The rich and efficient is a potent force for energising our research activities.