MADRAS VETERINARY COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Department of Animal Biotechnology was started at the Madras Veterinary College in 1989. Ten years in to its existence, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recognized it as a “Centre of Excellence in Veterinary Biotechnology and Immunology” in 1999. This Department is the first Animal Biotechnology Department in this country that has been awarded the ISO 2001:9000 for Quality Management Systems through the British Standards Institute, UK. More recently, it has been awarded a Niche Area Scheme on “Molecular diagnostics for emerging avian viral diseases and their immuno pathogenesis” with a budget overlay of Rs. 200.00 lakhs for two years.
The Department of Animal Biotechnology is housed in two blocks of three floors each with ‘state-of-the-art’ facilities to carry out research in various facets of Biotechnology such as Molecular Diagnostics, Cell culture and Hybridoma, Immuno technology, Animal Genomics and Embryo biotechnology. The Central Embryo Biotechnology lab is located at the University campus in Madhavaram.
This Department offers a 2-year Master’s degree programme (M.V.Sc) in Animal Biotechnology from 1993. This programme consists of four semesters including two semesters of course work and two semesters of research/thesis work. Fifty eight students have completed their degree from this department so far and are well placed in various research establishments and industry
This Department also offers a Ph. D. degree programme in Animal Biotechnology, which consists of one semester of course work and 50 credits of research work registered over 3-5 years. Twenty six students have been awarded Ph. D degree since 1996.
In addition, a M. Phil programme has been started from 2004 to foster interaction with pure science post-graduates who are eligible for this programme, which consists of two semesters, one of course work and one of dissertation and viva voce. The first batch of six students has completed their M. Phil course and has been well placed in various institutions of repute.
Title |
Budget |
Funding Agency |
Duration |
Molecular diagnostics for emerging avian viral diseases and their immuno pathogenesis
|
Rs. 200.00 lakhs | Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. |
2 years (since 2005) |
| Molecular characterization ofE.coli 0157:H7 from animal and animal products and development of rapid diagnostic assay. (PI- Dr. P.Ramadass) |
Rs. 18.05 lakhs |
ICAR, New Delhi | 3 years (since 2004) |
Development of molecular methods for rapid detection of Johne’s disease in animals. |
Rs. 21.63 lakhs |
Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. | 3 years (since 2005) |
Application of siRNA technology in different model systems for potential use in gene expression studies |
Rs. 18.00 lakhs |
Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. | 2 years (since 2006) |
Development of a rapid diagnostic kit for leptospirosis. |
Rs. 18.00 lakhs |
Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. | 3 years (since 2004) |
| Translational Research Platform for Veterinary Biologicals (TRPVB) (PI – Dr.K.Kumanan) |
Rs. 2293.77 lakhs | Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi. | 5 years (since 2010) |
- Real time PCR
- Genetic Analyzer
- Flow cytometer
- Ultra centrifuge
- Class III laminar air flow
- Micromanipulator
DIAGNOSTIC KITS DEVELOPED
- Single serum dilution ELISA kit for EDS, IB and IBD antibodies
- Flow through kit for EDS antibodies / Leptospira antibodies
- Dot ELISA kit for detection of IBD antigen / CD / CPV antigens
- Single radial Immuno diffusion kit for detection of “Failure of Passive transfer” in calves.
- A latex agglutination test kit for detection of leptospiral antibodies in man and animals.
- PPRV antigen detection kit using flow through technology
- PPRV antibody detection kit using lateral flow technique
- Single serum dilution ELISA for PPR / antibodies using recombinant antigens
- Latex agglutination test for avian mycoplasma using recombinant antigen
VACCINES DEVELOPED
- Inactivated cell culture-adapted Newcastle disease vaccine
- Inactivated Vero cell adapted rabies vaccine
- Live cell culture adapted PPR vaccine from a goat strain.
- Live attenuated and inactivated IBV vaccine using local isolate
- Expressed sequence tags of the buffalo genome – 335 sequences submitted which accounts for more than 80% of sequences available in the international EST database.
- Latex agglutination test for avian mycoplasma
- Molecular epidemiology of IBD, IB and PPR viruses
- Molecular epidemiology of Marek’s disease, chicken anaemia virus and fowl adeno virus
- Embryo transfer, IVF and stem cell research
An HRD unit of the Department has been started to cater to the training needs of the Biotechnology students of the State. Three levels of training is being imparted, first level for 10 days on a specialized areas in Biotechnology, the second level – Summer training for a period of one month and the third level for three months project work . There has been an overwhelming response for the HRD training and several students from various colleges across the State have been benefited immensely by technical expertise available with the faculty of this Department.
Dr. K.Kumanan, Professor and Head
Dr. G.Dhinakar Raj, Professor
Dr. K.Vijayarani, Professor
Dr. A.Palanisamy, Professor
Dr. T.M.A.Senthil Kumar, Associate Professor
Dr. A.Raja, Associate Professor
Dr. A.Mangala Gowri, Associate Professor
Dr. M.Parthiban, Associate Professor
Dr. K.G.Tirumurugaan, Associate Professor
Dr. K.Brindha, Assistant Professor
Dr. S.Sathesh Kumar, Assistant Professor