|
The Department Of Virology is one of the WHO
surveillance centers for influenza and parainfluenza
viruses. It is
a National reference centre for rabies and NICD/WHO
centre for viral Hepatitis for Maharashtra and
Goa. The Department is also recognised by the
State and the Central FDA for Pharmacovigilance
studies in humans and animals.
The Department had earlier studied the antihepatotoxic
activity of Phyllanthus niruri plant extract
and its active constituents, in experimentally
induced Hepatitis B Virus infection models (Prestaytics
entullus). The activities of the Department
are now focused on HIV and associated diseases.
The work related to Polio, Rabies and Herpes is
being continued.
The Department renders its services to the common
public with the help of established immunization
clinic, and conducts serological tests like ELISA,
CIEP, for various viral diseases. The Department
has well-equipped tissue culture laboratory which
is being used for viral isolations from clinical
samples and for in-vitro studies of antiviral
biologicals and chemicals.
Ongoing
Research Projects
|
1.
|
Purification
and application of Lipoarabinomannan antigen
as a diagnostic tool and its comparison with
PCR, BACTEC, and conventional methods for
diagnosis of tuberculosis. |
|
2.
|
Indigenous Production
and Application of Recombinant Human interferon
alpha (rhIFN-alpha). |
|
3.
|
In-vitro study
of Phyllanthus amarus and other phytochemicals
as Anti-HIV agents |
|
4.
|
Prevalence of HBV and
HCV in HIV infected Migrant workers in Mumbai |
|
5.
|
Role of Co-receptors
in HIV pathogenesis in Indian Cohorts. |
|
6.
|
Interplay of superoxide
dismutase, free radicals and apoptosis in
HIV / AIDS patients |
|
7.
|
Study of immune responses
in spouses of HIV seropositive migrant workers |
|
8.
|
Study of Morbidity and
Mortality trends in HIV associated wasting
syndrome. |
|
9.
|
Preparation of monoclonal
antibodies to differentiate rabies and rabies
related viruses |
|
10.
|
In-vitro testing
of Anti-HIV properties of Mangrove & some
other Medicinal plants. |
Recently
Completed Projects
|
1.
|
Detection, Estimation
and Correlation of Cytokine-mRNA (TNF-alpha,
IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) in
HIV infected patients. |
|
2.
|
Study of erythropoietin
and its correlation with anemia in HIV/AIDS
patients |
Sponsored
Research and Testing projects Undertaken
|
1.
|
Study of protein impurities/contaminants,
if any, in various anti-rabies vaccines, funded
by Aventis Pharma Limited. |
|
2.
|
Testing of purified extract
of Phyllanthus amarus, for its anti-Hepatitis
B in-vitro activity, funded by Amadeus
Biotech and Pharmaceuticals. |
|
3.
|
Testing of silver solutions
(ASAP) for their anti-HBV activity
in-vitro, funded by Viridis Bio-Pharma
Pvt. Ltd. |
|
4.
|
Testing of purified extract
of Phyllanthus amarus, for its anti-Hepatitis
B in-vitro activity, funded by Fine
Fragrances Limited. |
|
5.
|
Testing of purified extract
of Phyllanthus amarus, for its anti-Hepatitis
B in-vitro activity, funded by Amadeus
Biotech and Pharmaceuticals (formerly Rallis
India Ltd.) |
|
6.
|
Clinical trials of Purified
Duck Embryo Vaccine (PDEV) for Rabies, in
pre-exposure and post-exposure cases, sponsored
by Cadila Healthcare Limited, Ahmedabad. |
|
7.
|
Validation of tissue
culture confirmation assay procedures and
validation of virus proficiency panel, as
a pre requisite for carrying out laboratory
study for the clinical trials for Influenza
vaccine, manufactured by Wyeth - Lederle. |
Training
- The Department Of Virology has been
conducting the Annual Biotechnology Training
Course for two years, annually catering
to around 200 students from different
colleges under the aegis of University
of Mumbai.
|
- The Department also conducts Annual
Lecture Series in Virology for the M.Sc.,
M.D., and M.Phil. students in Microbiology,
under the aegis of University of Mumbai
|
|
