| Sr. No. | Name of the staff | Designation | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Sunil R. Vaidya | Scientist-F and Group Leader |
Virus Registry and Virus Repository is ‘central service facility’ maintaining various virus stocks in lyophilized form and distributing these viruses to various departments within the institute as per the requirement of the concerned Scientists or Group. In addition, we are providing prototype virus stocks on request for research purpose to other institutes/ organizations/ universities as per the institutional standard operating protocols (as per international/ national biosecurity regulatory directives). We are holding viruses isolated from mosquitoes/ sand flies/ ticks, domestic/ wild animals and humans from different parts of the country. In addition, we are holding large number of serum samples collected from the acute and convalescent patients with suspected virological/ bacteriological etiologies/ infections since the foundation of ‘Virus Research Centre’ during 1952. Our department also registering/ cataloguing clinical specimens referred for the laboratory diagnosis of various known and unknown viral infections, coordinating specific testing and dispatching report to the concerned.
Research Areas
Genetic and antigenic characterization of public health important viruses. Biology/ molecular biology/ epidemiology of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella viruses.
| Sr. No. | Name of the staff | Designation | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Sunil R. Vaidya | Scientist-F and Group Leader |
| Sr. No. | Name of the staff | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mrs. Neelakshi S. Kumbhar | Sr. Technician-3 |
| 2 | Mr. Madhukar B. Kamble | Sr. Technician-1 |
| 3 | Mrs. Divya R. Bhattad | Technician-C |
| 4 | Mr. Sarang S. Kamble | Lab Assistant-1 |
| 5 | Mr. Raju M. Rahurkar | Lab Assistant-1 |
| 6 | Mrs. Surekha S. Mohol | Lab Assistant-1 |
1. Genetic and antigenic characterization of measles, mumps and rubella viruses.
2. Introduced avidity testing for measles and rubella to understand recent and past infections/ reinfections.
The Government of India is accepted to participate in the measles and rubella elimination goal 2023, hence genetic and antigenic characterization of measles and rubella viruses (MeV & RuV) becomes essential. Previously, at WHOs National Reference Laboratory, the throat swabs/urine specimens and PCR products obtained from the fever with skin rash cases were received for virus sequencing and genotyping. MeV and RuV sequences obtained from different parts of India since 1996 were compared with global sequences and genetic divergence/ molecular evolution was studied. Overall, circulation of MeV genotypes B3, D4, D7 and D8 strains and RuV genotypes 2B were observed in various States and Union Territories of India
In addition, MeVs, Mumps viruses (MuV) and RuVs were isolated from throat swab or urine specimens obtained from the suspected measles/mumps/rubella cases. For the first time, the full genome sequencing of 60-MeV, 11-MuV and 10-RuV isolates was carried out. In addition, the cross-neutralization studies using wild type MeV/MuV/RuV and vaccine strains were performed. ICMR-NIV is playing a key role in studying molecular epidemiology of measles and rubella viruses since 1996. It is crucial data for national immunization program to eliminate all three (MMR) vaccine preventable diseases. Previously, ICMR-NIV participated in measles vaccine trials including aerosolized vaccine under the aegis of WHO. In addition, the suitability and potential of oral fluid to substitute serum in estimating measles IgG antibodies were studied.