What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A state-of-the-art bio-safety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory under the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) has begun functioning, bringing in a new-age facility for research on viruses with high potential for life-threatening diseases.
This is a dedicated modular-type BSL-3 laboratory which was commissioned, after National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (Hyderabad), the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) and the Manipal Centre for Virus Research.
According to the laboratory-in charge, Dr Rajesh Chandramohanadas, the BSL-3 category is set to facilitate studies on risk group-3 agents which can trigger fatal ailments but will not have epidemic-level strains. Numerous such facilities have been strewn across the country to research such disease-causing microbes.
Labs need to be of BSL-3 standard for research on disease-causing microbes such as coronavirus, some varieties of influenza virus and mycobacterium tuberculosis. Such facilities follow protocols that contain dangerous viruses through infrastructure and engineering devices besides guaranteeing the safety of those working in the lab.
These labs will solely promote research on epidemics, molecular medicines and biotechnology, while also ensuring instruments for diagnosis. According to Dr Chandramohanadas, these facilities will guard people against new and recurring viral diseases.
The RGCB BSL-3 lab is slated to function in association with other high-profile research institutes, government agencies and international organisations to contribute to medical studies amid efforts to enable the public to guard against potential epidemics.
The RGCB, instituted in 1990, is an autonomous institute under the union government’s Department of Biotechnology.
