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Virus research centres planned

Staff Reporter

Proposals sought from recognised institutions

KOCHI: With viral attacks posing health hazard in different areas, the Department of Biotechnology has invited proposals for establishing virus research centres.

The department seeks proposals from recognised institutions to establish virus research centres to develop comprehensive biomedical programme for virus research. The priority research areas include respiratory viruses with emphasis on avian influenza, Japanese encephalitis, dengue and other emerging viruses such as chikungunya.

The focus will be on vector control strategies, development of novel vaccine platforms and rapid methods for virus detection. Centres of excellence capable of developing broad and comprehensive research programmes for virus research, excluding HIV, is being sought, according to official sources.

The initiative is intended to be an investigator-driven team effort to address diverse aspects of virus research ranging from basic structure, biology, replication, antigenic and genetic diversity, methods of detection, pathogenesis and vaccine development.

The broad goals of this initiative are establishment of centres and networks with strong basic research agenda to develop a unified platform to bring together diverse expertise in all spheres of biotechnology, sources said.

Scientists working in universities, national laboratories and private organisations are expected to join the project. The department will encourage formation of coordinated groups, associating researchers with diverse backgrounds and disciplines so as to investigate all aspects of virus research on an integrated manner.

Such a move is intended to develop a comprehensive programme under one roof. Additional collaboration involving teams from one or more institutions could be included. The department is also encouraging research in biotechnology by various interested individuals and groups. An award has been instituted exclusively for women scientists doing research in biotechnology.

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