The Division of Virology plays a
key role in the surveillance studies undertaken by the National
Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases to understand the
etiological role of different diarrhoeagenic viruses in and around
Kolkata to gather information with relation to the disease burden;
the Division also serves to impart training to graduate and doctoral
students and staff so as to improve the human resources capable of
studying diarrhoeal diseases across the country.
The research programs include intramural projects and extramural
projects with national and international funding and collaborating
scientists. The current programs are associated with ICMR, CDC
Atlanta, Sapporo Medical University, Okayama University, Japan etc.
The Division has extended its activites to include studies on
influenza viruses and has organized a routine surveillance program
in collaboration with World Health Organization and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA for close monitoring of
genetic diversity among circulating strains. The Division also
maintains necessary laboratory facilities to carry out
investigations during an outbreak of suspected viral diseases.
Objectives of Division:
- Surveillance and Disease burden of Diarrhoea induced by
Enteric Viruses
- Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the circulating enteric
viruses in and around Kolkata with focus on Rotaviruses,
Caliciviruses ( Norovirus and Sapovirus), Astroviruses,
Picobirnaviruses and Adenoviruses
- Analysis of the signaling mechanisms during Rotavirus- host
cell interactions: Study of host cellular proteins required for
viral replication and pathogenesis.
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