The Regional Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (RVRDL) at ICMR-NIRBI (National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections) was established in 2015 under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. It was set up as part of the nationwide DHR scheme "Establishment of a Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities."
The first of its kind in West Bengal, RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI serves as a center of excellence in viral diagnostics, surveillance, and research. The laboratory is powered by a multidisciplinary team of skilled professionals who are committed to delivering quality, innovation, and trust.

 

Team Members
PI & Co-PIs
 

• Dr. Mamta Chawla Sarkar (Scientist-G, ICMR-NIRBI): Principal Investigator
• Dr. Santa Sabuj Das (Director & Scientist-G, ICMR-NIRBI): Co-Principal Investigator
• Dr. Provash Chandra Sadhukhan (Scientist-F, ICMR-NIRBI): Co-Principal Investigator
• Dr. Aloke Kumar Chakrabarti (Scientist-F, ICMR-NIRBI): Co-Principal Investigator
• Dr. Indranil Saha (Scientist-E, ICMR-NIRBI): Co-Principal Investigator
• Dr. Agniva Majumdar (Scientist-D, ICMR-NIRBI): Co-Principal Investigator
   

Adjunct Permanent Staff
 

• Mrs. Papiya De (Technical Officer, ICMR-NIRBI)
• Mr. Siddharth Bhardwaj (Technical assistant, ICMR-NIRBI)
• Md. Musharaf Hossain (Senior Technician, ICMR-NIRBI)
   

RVRDL Project Scientists

• Dr. Ananya Chatterjee: Scientist C (Non-Medical)
• Dr. Santanu Banerjee: Scientist B (Non-Medical)
• Dr. Dipnarayan Sinha: Scientist B (Medical)
   

 RVRDL Project Staff

• Mr. Rudrak Gupta: Research Assistant
• Mr. Souvik Kar: Laboratory Technician
• Mr. Suprakash Patra: Laboratory Technician
• Mr. Satyabrata Ghorai: Laboratory Technician
• Mr. Chinmoy Mondal: Laboratory Technician
• Mr. Samit Banerjee: Data Entry Operator
• Mr. Avisek Sinha: Multi-Tasking Staff
• Mr. Kartick Chandra Mondal: Multi-Tasking Staff
   

 RVRDL associated Project Staff

• Mr. Akash Ghosh:Project Technical Support-III
• Mr. Arya Baidya:Project Technical Support-III
• Ms. Moumita Garai: Staff Nurse
   

Establishment and Infrastructure

The foundation of RVRDL was laid with a DHR grant in 2014, and by July 2015, the laboratory began operations. Over time, it has developed into a regional hub for advanced viral diagnostics, offering support for more than 30 viral pathogens using molecular and immunological techniques.

• In 2018, a new laboratory complex with state-of-the-art facilities was inaugurated.
• The facility houses advanced tools, including real-time PCR, sequencing platforms, tissue culture facilities, and ultra-low temperature freezers.
• In 2020, the laboratory's diagnostic capacity was significantly enhanced with the installation of the COBAS 8800 system, enabling high-throughput testing.

 

Diagnostic Services and Research

Initially focused on a limited panel, RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI now provides diagnostics for a wide range of viral infections:

• Arboviruses: Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Zika, and West Nile virus
• Respiratory viruses: Influenza, RSV, hMPV, Parainfluenza, Respiratory Adenovirus, Rhinovirus
• Hepatitis viruses: A, E, B, and C
• Other pathogens: Scrub Typhus and Leptospira spp.

It also plays a crucial role in surveillance of:

• Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) / Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases, including Influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2
• Haemorrhagic fever cases, including Dengue molecular serotyping, Scrub Typhus, Leptospira, and CCHF
• Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) cases

RVRDL also contributes to genomic surveillance and data collection, supporting public health policy and intervention strategies through research on viral evolution, genetic characterization, and antigenic analysis.Properly collected specimens should be submitted to the laboratory for diagnostic testing along with a duly completed Test Request Form. Details of the investigations performed at RVRDL are provided in the table below.
 

Virus Groups	Pathogen/Disease	Specimen	Parameter Tested	Method of testing
Arboviruses	Dengue virus	Serum	NS1 antigen	ELISA
			IgM antibody
			IgG antibody
	Chikungunya virus	Serum	IgM antibody	ELISA
			Viral RNA	RT-PCR
	Zika virus	Serum	Viral RNA	RT-PCR
	Japanese encephalitis virus	Serum	IgM antibody	ELISA
Hepatitis viruses	Hepatitis A virus Hepatitis E virus	Serum	IgM antibody	ELISA
	Hepatitis B virus	Serum	HBsAg	ELISA
	Hepatitis C virus	Serum	Anti HCV antibody	ELISA
Respiratory viruses	Influenza A - H1N1, H3N2 Influenza B - Yamagata, Victoria Respiratory Syncitial Virus - A, B Human Metapneumovirus - A1A2 Human Parainfluenza virus - 1, 2, 3, 4 Respiratory Adenovirus Rhinovirus SARS CoV- 2	Nasopharyngeal swab (preferable)/ Throat swab	Viral RNA /DNA	RT-PCR
Exanthematous Fever Viruses	Measles Virus Rubella Virus	Serum	IgM antibody	ELISA
	Varicella Zoster Virus	Serum/vesicular fluid	Viral DNA	PCR
Enteric viruses	Rotavirus	Faeces	Antigen	ELISA
Other Pathogens	Mumps Virus Scrub typhus Leptospira	Serum	IgM antibody	ELISA
	Herpes Simplex Virus	Serum	Viral DNA	PCR

 

NABL accreditation

By ensuring strict compliance with ISO 15189 guidelines, robust documentation, adherence to SOPs, regular internal audits, continuous staff training, EQAS participation, and timely corrective actions, the laboratory achieved NABL accreditation in 2018 with three diagnostic parameters and successfully extended it to nine parameters in 2024 following satisfactory external audits.

Response to COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI played a central role in Eastern India's response.

• It became the first COVID-19 testing facility in the region (February 2020).
• Capacity was rapidly scaled up to 3,000 samples per day, testing nearly 5 lakh SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples to date.
• Served as a referral laboratory for inconclusive COVID-19 results.
• Supported national efforts by conducting sero-surveys, kit validation, and RNA extraction kit testing.
• Provided ILQC (Inter-Laboratory Quality Control) support, ensuring consistent diagnostic quality across regional laboratories.
   

Participation in EQAS

RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI successfully participates in multiple External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) programs coordinated by national providers:

• Scrub Typhus IgM ELISA - RVRDL, JIPMER, Puducherry
• Chikungunya IgM ELISA, Dengue IgM ELISA, CCHF Real Time PCR, Influenza & SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR - ICMR-NIV, Pune
• Dengue IgM ELISA - VRDL, Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad
• Dengue Molecular Serotyping - Govt. Theni Medical College, Tamil Nadu
• Japanese Encephalitis IgM ELISA - VRDL, King George's Medical University (KGMU), Uttar Pradesh
• Leptospira - ICMR-RMRC, Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair), Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Hepatitis B (HBsAg ELISA) and Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV antibody ELISA) - IAMM EQAS, New Delhi
   

 

Collaboration and Capacity Building

As a Regional VRDL, ICMR-NIRBI plays a key mentoring role for 12 state and medical college - level VRDLs in its jurisdiction. Support includes:

• Training on molecular and advanced diagnostic technologies
• Guidance in good laboratory practices, biosafety, and accreditation-related documentation
• Conducting ILQC activities to ensure diagnostic accuracy
• Collaboration in clinical studies of regional public health importance

RVRDL also organizes hands-on training workshops in RT-PCR, serological assays, viral culture, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Continuous mentoring and troubleshooting support ensure consistent diagnostic quality across the region.

VRDLs under RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI jurisdiction include:

• VRDL, STNM, Gangtok
• VRDL, AIIMS Kalyani
• VRDL, Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan
• VRDL, Diamond Harbour Government Medical College & Hospital, Diamond Harbour
• VRDL, IPGMER, Kolkata
• VRDL, Malda Medical College, Malda
• VRDL, Midnapore Medical College, Midnapore
• VRDL, Murshidabad Medical College, Murshidabad
• VRDL, North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling
• VRDL, R G Kar Medical College, Kolkata
• SLVRDL, ICMR-RMRC, Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair)
• VRDL, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair)
   

 

Inter-Laboratory Quality Control (ILQC)

As a designated referral laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 ILQC, RVRDL provides quality control services for both serological and molecular assays. This ensures uniformity, reliability, and trust in diagnostic results across West Bengal.

 

Research on Emerging and Re-emerging Viruses

RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI actively contributes to national and international research on viral pathogens.

• Conducted genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants and evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine candidates.
• Collaborated with STNM, Gangtok to identify Enterovirus as the cause of a conjunctivitis outbreak in 2023.
• Performed genomic sequencing of Respiratory Adenovirus samples from the 2023 West Bengal outbreak.
• Explored antiviral properties of compounds, alternative diagnostic platforms, CRISPR-based diagnostics, and low-cost RT-PCR alternatives in collaboration with IITs and research institutes.

 

Looking Ahead

As India continues to face frequent viral outbreaks, both novel and re-emerging, the role of RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI is more critical than ever. The laboratory remains committed to:

• Strengthening public health surveillance and diagnostics
• Ensuring rapid detection and response to emerging viral threats
• Expanding diagnostic scope to include Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and other pathogens
• Building new collaborations with medical college - level facilities for diagnostics, surveillance, and research
• Advancing translational research to improve public health outcomes

With its strong infrastructure, skilled workforce, and proven record of excellence, RVRDL-ICMR NIRBI continues to serve as a pillar of support for national public health, ensuring preparedness against future epidemics and pandemics.

Facilities Available

 

NICED VRDL provides facilities like Biosafety Level III, ELISA for diagnostic purposes, conventional PCR, real time PCR, sequencing and offline/ online data capture. Major equipment stationed at the NICED VRDL are Genetic Analyser/ Sequencer, BSL-2 plus laboratories, Gel imaging systems, ELISA Washer, ELISA Reader, pH Meter, Thermo-cyclers for PCR, Real-Time PCRs, Centrifuge, -80⁰/-20⁰ Centigrade Freezer, Walk-in cold room. A well equipped seminar room with training facilities is available.

 

 

 

Contact Us

Regional Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL)
Dr. S.C. Pal Building (NIRBI-1 Building),

ICMR - NIRBI (Formerly NICED)
P-33 C.I.T. Road Scheme - XM,
Beliaghata, Kolkata - 700010

Tel.: 033 2370 5533 / 4478 / 0448 / 2353 / 7469 Ext. 121 / 190
Email: vrdln.niced@gmail.com

Specimen collection/receiving counter:
ICMR-NIRBI Virus Laboratory,
GB4, 1st Floor, ID & BG Hospital,
Beliaghata, Kolkata - 700010