Virology Research & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) & RT-PCR Lab
Our new ‘Virology Research & Diagnostic Laboratory’ inaugurated at the hands of Dr. Shripad Banavali (Director of Academics, Tata Memorial Centre) on September 18th, 2020 provides all necessary equipment for research and next-generation advanced technology to diagnose faster and more accurately in the Molecular Laboratory.
This advanced technology will help to diagnose and prevent infections by viruses like COVID19 Dengue, Hepatitis A.B.C.D., SARC,H1N1,HIV, HPV, EPSTIn Barr virus, Ebola, MERS, ZIKA, Malaria, cervical cancer and many other communicable diseases. By knowing the viral load through the RT-PCR test, the treatment of these deadly diseases will be made easier. The laboratory will be a boon to Konkan and a benchmark in diagnostics for Molecular and viral lab.
The mechanism in the lab will encourage research activities on genotyping, cloning, mutation detection for hereditary diseases, microarray, cancer biomarkers, DNA methylation under the guidance of institute’s Scientific Advisory Committee member and well-known scientist Dr. Rita Mulherkar.
In a broader view of imparting training and education in Molecular biology & virology, Dr. M.G. Deo Molecular Laboratory has been established in B.K.L. Walawalkar Rural Medical College. The training in Genetics, DNA extraction and PCR is imparted to young aspirant budding medicos, students in this well equipped molecular laboratory.
The laboratory has been established as per ICMR guidelines and accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL), a Constituent Board of Quality Council of India.
The laboratory is well equipped with advanced equipment with cutting-edge technology such as Real Time PCR machine, Biosafety cabinets class IIA2, -80°C deep freezer, -20°C deep freezer, Cold centrifuge etc. The Roche Company’s RT PCR Machine ‘The LightCycler® 96’is fully automated. Results are specific, generated automatically as compared to other company’s machines (where graphs are analyzed and results have to be interpreted manually) and with no false positivity in it.
