Nagpur, India - The Whole Genomic Sequencing Laboratory of the Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, has achieved a significant milestone. The lab has been officially recognized as a new INSACOG Genome Sequencing Lab (IGSL) by the Indian SARS CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), with the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, serving as its Hub Lab. This recognition allows AIIMS Nagpur to directly upload sequencing results on the INSACOG portal, facilitating timely and accurate reporting of genomic data.

Established in May 2022, the Genome Sequencing laboratory operates within the Department of Microbiology at AIIMS Nagpur, making it the first medical institute in the Vidarbha region to offer comprehensive Genomic Sequencing facilities. The lab's establishment was made possible through technical assistance provided by USAID-RISE-JHPIEGO, which played a crucial role in strengthening the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory and implementing the Genomic Sequencing platform (NANOPORE) at AIIMS Nagpur. Since its inception, the Genomic Sequencing Laboratory has conducted sequencing tests on 319 COVID-19 samples, with reports previously being uploaded by NIV Pune, the hub lab, on the INSACOG portal.

VRDL, which was established under the Department of Microbiology at AIIMS Nagpur in 2019, has made significant contributions to disease diagnosis in the region. It has played an instrumental role in the detection and diagnosis of various diseases, including COVID-19, Influenza, Dengue, Chikungunya, Enterovirus infections, Zika, Monkeypox infection, Hepatitis, Herpes virus infections, and Japanese encephalitis. To date, the laboratory has sequenced over 200 samples from COVID-positive cases. Genomic sequencing plays a crucial role in disease surveillance and aids in the identification and monitoring of new variants.

In May 2022, the VRDL staff received comprehensive training on Whole Genomic Sequencing (WGS) for SARS-CoV-2 from the USAID-RISE-JHPIEGO team. The faculty and technical staff of VRDL, under the guidance of Dr Meena Mishra, Professor & Head of the Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Nagpur, received training in WGS/NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) at the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. Dr Meena Mishra also highlighted that the laboratory has conducted Capacity Building activities in NGS for medical microbiologists and laboratory technicians in the Vidarbha region in collaboration with USAID-RISE, under the guidance of former Director & CEO of AIIMS Nagpur, Maj Gen Dr Vibha Dutta, SM.

Dr M. Hanumantha Rao, Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur, and Dr Manish Shrigiriwar officiating Medical Superintendent, commended the dedicated efforts of the entire team at VRDL, including Dr Meena Mishra, Principal Investigator-VRDL and Head of the Department of Microbiology, along with Dr. Neeta Gade, Associate Professor, Dr. Vishal Shete, Assistant Professor, Dr. Soumyabrata Nag, Assistant Professor, Dr. Rahul Garg, Assistant Professor, Senior Residents Dr. Priyanka Singh, Dr. Smita Mohod, Dr. Priyanka Mate, Dr. Prity Narwade, Research Scientists Dr. Rashmi Mudliar and Dr. Rahul Suryawanshi, and Research Assistants Rajendra Surje and Shivani Jha. The praise extended to the laboratory technicians, including Akash Lonare, Priyanka Choudhary, Amol Sakhare, and the entire staff of VRDL, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Nagpur.

This recognition of AIIMS Nagpur's Genomic Sequencing Lab by INSACOG underscores the institution's commitment to advancing scientific research and contributing to the understanding of COVID-19 through genomic analysis. The lab's inclusion in the INSACOG network will strengthen the collective efforts in combating the pandemic and help monitor the emergence and spread of new variants more effectively.

Press Contact: AIIMS Nagpur Public Relations Office