10 months ago
RGCB Named National NGS Hub for Metagenomic Surveillance
The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Kerala has been chosen as one of the national hubs for a big health project called the Metagenomic Syndromic Surveillance Programme.
This project is part of the government's One Health Mission, which aims to understand and control infectious diseases better.
RGCB will use its advanced technology to study thousands of samples from all over India to find pathogens that cause diseases like fever, brain swelling, stomach problems, and lung infections.
This will help doctors and scientists predict and respond to disease outbreaks more effectively.
The project involves several other research centers and is led by Dr. Rajesh Chandramohanadas.
It's a big step towards improving India's health preparedness and understanding how diseases spread among people, animals, and the environment.
RGCB selected as one of four national NGS hubs for metagenomic surveillance under India's One Health Mission.
Focus on acute febrile illnesses (AFI) using advanced sequencing and data-analytics in a BSL-3 facility.
Project aims to detect known, rare, and emerging pathogens through unbiased metagenomic sequencing.
Partnership with multiple institutions including CCMB, TIGS, GBRC, and ICMR.
Expected to strengthen epidemic intelligence and support development of indigenous diagnostic tools.
- Who
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB)
- What
- Named national NGS hub for metagenomic surveillance
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- When
- Not specified
- Why
- To tackle undiagnosed infectious diseases and strengthen epidemic intelligence
Key facts
- Organization
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB)
- Location
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Programme
- Metagenomic Syndromic Surveillance Programme
- Mission
- One Health Mission
- Focus Area
- Acute Febrile Illnesses (AFI)
- Facility
- Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3)
- Partners
- CCMB, TIGS, GBRC, ICMR–NIE Chennai, ICMR Headquarters
- Lead Researcher
- Dr. Rajesh Chandramohanadas
Quotes
Dr. Ranjan Das
Director of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
“The shift from reactive to anticipatory surveillance is now underway--data-driven, intelligent and predictive.”
NDTV
“It highlights the collaborative surveillance model that IDSP and NCDC are strengthening.”
NDTV
