The Whole Genomic Sequencing Laboratory of Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), AIIMS, Nagpur has been recognized by the Indian SARS CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) as a new IGSL ie. (INSACOG Genome Sequencing Lab) with NIV, Pune as its Hub Lab. Due to this recognition, AIIMS Nagpur will be able to upload the sequencing results on the INSACOG portal directly.
The Genome Sequencing laboratory was established in the Department of Microbiology at All India Institute Medical Sciences, Nagpur in May 2022 as the first Medical Institute in Vidarbha region to start the whole Genomic Sequencing facility. USAID-RISE-JHPIEGO provided technical assistance to strengthen the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory with Genomic Sequencing platform (NANOPORE) in the Department of Microbiology at AIIMS, Nagpur and thereby helped in establishing the whole genome sequencing laboratory at the Institute. The Genomic Sequencing Laboratory has tested 319 samples of COVID-19 since its inception and the reports were uploaded by NIV, Pune as the hub lab on INSACOG portal.
VRDL was established under the Department of Microbiology at AIIMS Nagpur in 2019 and since its inception, it has contributed significantly in the diagnosis of several diseases such as COVID-19, Influenza, Dengue, Chikungunya, Enterovirus infections, Zika, Monkeypox infection, Hepatitis, Herpes virus infections, Japanese encephalitis, etc. The laboratory has sequenced more than 200 COVID-positive samples to date. Sequencing plays a significant role in disease surveillance and aids in reporting new variants.
Previously, the USAID-RISE-JHPIEGO team undertook exhaustive training for the VRDL staff on Whole Genomic Sequencing (WGS) for SARS-CoV-2 in May 2022. The faculty and the technical staff of VRDL, Dept. of Microbiology, AIIMS, Nagpur have been trained in WGS/NGS at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. Dr Meena Mishra, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology informed that this laboratory has also conducted Capacity Building activities in NGS for medical microbiologists and laboratory technicians of Vidarbha region in collaboration with USAID-RISE under the able guidance of Ex-Director & CEO AIIMS, Nagpur Maj Gen Dr Vibha Dutta, SM.
Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, Dr M. Hanumantha Rao and officiating Medical Superintendent Dr Manish Shrigiriwar have lauded the efforts of the team comprising of Dr Meena Mishra, Principal Investigator-VRDL, Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Dr Neeta Gade, Associate Professor, Dr Vishal Shete, Assistant Professor, Dr Soumyabrata Nag, Assistant Professor, Dr Rahul Garg, Assistant Professor, Senior Residents Dr Priyanka Singh, Dr Smita Mohod, Dr Priyanka Mate, Dr Prity Narwade, Research Scientists Dr Rashmi Mudliar and Dr Rahul Suryawanshi, Research Assistants Rajendra Surje, Shivani Jha, Laboratory Technicians Akash Lonare, Priyanka Choudhary, Amol Sakhare and the entire staff of VRDL, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, Nagpur.
PRO
AIIMS Nagpur
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