Central Research Laboratory (CRL) was started in 2012 to provide centralized research infrastructure for the benefit of investigators across multiple disciplines at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital (SMVMCH). CRL is located on the first floor of the college building in the Department of Biochemistry.

CRL supports PG & UG students, faculties and PhD scholars, for their research activities by providing technical assistance and access to advanced scientific instruments. The research may be in the form of undergraduate research projects, postgraduate dissertation work, PhD thesis work and faculty research projects. In addition, CRL organizes training programmes, workshops/seminars and CME’s for students, faculties and research scholars in the focused areas of research.

The laboratory holds facility for DNA, RNA and protein isolation and analysis with the support of necessary equipment, such as Thermal cycler (PCR), electrophoresis units, ultra-centrifuge, water bath, spectrophotometer, multi-well plate reader and HPLC. This could facilitates molecular biology research at CRL for diagnostic purposes like dengue serotype identification, genotyping of scrub typhus pathogen, surveillance of hepatitis surface antigen, confirmation of genetic disorders such as Prolidase deficiency, and cardiovascular diseases associated with gene polymorphisms and continue to support related works across various areas of medical research.

CRL provides -20°C deep freezer facility to store samples of undergraduate, postgraduate and faculty research work

Two sessions of laboratory training was conducted for 1Vth year MBBS students from 29.01.2024 – 12.02.2024 and 07.04.2024 – 21.04.2024. The program started with a brief introduction about CRL followed by a pre-test. Theoretical aspects of relevant biochemical and molecular biology techniques, basics of bioinformatics and a brief account of research methodology were included in the theory classes. Practical sessions were equally beneficial to instill knowledge on techniques like DNA isolation from blood and bacterial colonies, gene amplification and polymorphism detection by PCR-RFLP and separation of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis. The program was concluded with submission of student’s log book, post-test and feedback.

Session 1: 29.01.2024 – 12.02.2024

Session 2: 07.04.2024 – 21.04.2024

Session 1: 29.01.2024 – 12.02.2024
Session 2: 07.04.2024 – 21.04.2024

The program was aimed to develop research aptitude among medical students by selecting a research topic as a short term project after thorough discussion with the participants and faculty of CRL and HOD, Biochemistry. It was beneficial for the students in terms of learning the process of development and execution of a research problem. The students carried out retrospective studies on clinical parameters associated with a disease condition. The entire process helped the students to learn how to select a specific research topic, data collection, sorting and analysis, interpretation of results and report writing.

Session 1: 20.02.2023 – 05.03.2023
Session 2: 06.03.2023 – 19.03.2023

Laboratory training session started with an introduction about CRL instrumentation facilities followed by a pre-test. Theory sessions included presentations on DNA isolation and separation techniques, molecular techniques to identify genes and alleles, basics of bioinformatics, biochemical separation techniques and introduction to research methodology. During the practical sessions, students participated in the isolation of DNA from whole blood and bacterial colonies, gene amplification and polymorphism detection by PCR-RFLP, separation of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis and protein separation by serum electrophoresis. The training program concluded with the submission of logbook, post-test and feedback.

Date: 25.04.2024
Venue: Demo – 2, Department of Biochemistry & CRL
Time:  09.30 – 04.00 pm
Organizers: Central Research Laboratory & Department of Biochemistry

The program was aimed to provide hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge of the processes involved in DNA isolation and separation. Participants included 23 students of 2nd year DMLT and B. Sc MLT, School of Allied Health Sciences.

The event started with a brief introduction of the workshop by Dr. Kulkarni Sweta, Professor and HOD, Department of Biochemistry followed by distribution of files to the participants by faculty of Biochemistry and CRL. Further, the workshop began with a pre-test and presentation on ‘DNA Isolation and Applications’ by Dr. Tresa Remya A. T, Research Scientist, CRL followed by Presentation on “DNA Separation by agarose gel electrophoresis” by Ms. B. Shalini, Research Assistant, CRL.

Group wise hands on training on DNA Isolation from whole blood by salting out method was performed under the supervision of Dr. Tresa Remya A.T, Dr. S. Suganya, Mrs. K. Elakiya, Mr. R. Rajprasath, Ms. B. Shalini and Ms. J. Jasmine Manna Rani, and provided insights into DNA isolation procedure to the participants.

In the afternoon session, students carried out separation of the isolated DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis at CRL under the guidance of Dr. Tresa Remya A.T, Mr. R. Rajprasath and Ms. B. Shalini. Event concluded with post-test and feedback

Date: 06.09.2023
Venue: Biochemistry Department Demo – 2, CRL
Time:  01.00 – 04.30 pm
Organizers: Central Research Laboratory

One day Lab Visit for II B. Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture students of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College was organized by the Central Research Laboratory (CRL), Department of Biochemistry, SMVMCH. About 30 students participated in the lab visit. The program began with a brief introduction by Dr. Kulkarni Sweta, Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry followed by presentations on ‘Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)’ and ‘DNA separation by agarose gel electrophoresis’ by Dr. Tresa Remya A. T, Research Scientist, CRL. Further, the students visited CRL instrumentation facility to know about the operation and applications of the instruments. Illustration of separation of PCR product by agarose gel electrophoresis was performed under with the supervision of Dr. Tresa Remya A. T and B. Shalini, Research Assistant, CRL. The students were enthusiastically participated in all the sessions and the organizers received positive responses for the event.

Date: 28.04.2023
Venue: Demo – 2, Department of Biochemistry & CRL
Time: 09.30 – 04.00 pm
Organizers: Central Research Laboratory & Department of Biochemistry

The event started with a prayer and welcome address by Mr. Balakrishna Pai R and the formal inauguration of the workshop was done by the Deputy Director and Dean Dr. Kagne R. N in a lamp lighting ceremony. Dr. R. Gopal, Professor and Head, Department of Microiology & Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences and Dr. Kulkarni Sweta, Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry felicitated the event.

The workshop started with a pre-questionnaire followed by two consecutive theory sessions on ‘DNA isolation and applications’ and ‘DNA separation by agarose gel electrophoresis’. The respective sessions were taken by the resource persons Dr. Tresa Remya A. T. And Mr. R. Rajprasath. Further, the practical sessions began at Biochemistry student’s lab with the supervision of two more resource persons Mrs. K. Elakiya, and Dr. S. Suganya. The participants successfully isolated DNA from whole Blood by salting out method and separated the DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis. The workshop offered training to 17 students from School of Allied Health Sciences. The students were enthusiastically participated in the workshop, the event concluded with post-questionnaire and the results were highly appreciable.

Date: 17.02.2023
Venue: Demo – 2, Department of Biochemistry & CRL
Time: 09.30 – 03.45 pm
Organizers: Central Research Laboratory & Department of Biochemistry

The Workshop on ‘DNA Isolation and Separation’ was organized by the CRL in association with the Department of Biochemistry, SMVMCH. The workshop offered training to 26 students from II & III year Allied Health Sciences on DNA isolation from whole blood sample and further separation by agarose gel electrophoresis. The workshop started with a pre-questionnaire followed by two consecutive theory sessions on ‘DNA isolation and applications’ by Dr. Tresa Remya A. T, Research Scientist, CRL and ‘Agarose gel electrophoresis’ by Mr. R. Rajprasath, Research Assistant, CRL. An inauguration event was conducted after the theory sessions at Biochemistry Demo room-2 with the inaugural address by respected Director Dr. D. Rajagovindan and felicitation by Dr. R. Gopal, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology and Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences.

Further, the practical sessions started at Biochemistry student’s lab, the participants successfully isolated DNA from whole blood and separated it by agarose gel electrophoresis. The students were enthusiastically participated the workshop, the event concluded with post-questionnaire and the results were highly appreciable.

Date: 05.08.2022
Venue:  Demo – 2, Department of Biochemistry & CRL
Time:  10.30 am – 04.00 pm
Organizers: Central Research Laboratory

The Lab Visit for Ist year B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture students of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Engineering College was organized by the Central Research Laboratory (CRL), Department of Biochemistry, SMVMCH. About 48 students participated in the lab visit. The event was conducted on 5th August 2022 from 10.30 am to 4 pm at CRL. The program started at 10.30 am with a brief introduction of instrumentation facility of CRL by Dr. S. Asmathulla, Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry followed by presentation on ‘Introduction of Polymerase Chain Reaction & Agarose Gel Electrophoresis’ by Mr. M. Kaviraj, Research Associate, CRL. Practical sessions on ‘PCR technique’ and ‘DNA separation by agarose gel electrophoresis’ were conducted by M. Kaviraj and R. Rajprasath, Research Assistant, CRL. The students were enthusiastically participated in all the sessions and the organizers received positive responses for the event.

Date: 30.03.2019
Venue: MEU Hall (Ground floor, College Block) & Cell culture lab, CRL
Time:  09.00 am – 04.30 pm
Organizers: Department of Microbiology & Central Research Laboratory

The event started with an introductory talk by Dr. R. Gopal, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology followed by a presentation on ‘Introduction to cell culture techniques’ Dr. R. Balamurugan, Research Scientist, CRL. After the tea break, the guest of the event Dr. P. Shankar, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Villupuram delivered a talk on ‘Application of Molecular Techniques in Diagnosis’. Another interesting presentation was done by Dr. R. Udhaya Sankar, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology on ‘Molecular epidemiological markers of infectious diseases’. During the afternoon session, demonstration of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) isolation and handling of cell lines was carried out under the supervision of faculties at cell culture lab, CRL and event was successfully concluded.

The major modes of contamination when handling potentially infectious agents are:

• Hand to mouth contact

Control: Usage of hand gloves and face mask.

Gloves protect the skin from hazardous materials which may come into contact with hands. However, precautions to be taken while removing the gloves and disposing to prevent contamination from sticking chemicals or infectious agents.

Face mask can be used in laboratory to prevent contamination from biological and chemical materials. Ensure that face masks must be laundered or disposed at the end of the day. Face masks used in a laboratory never be worn outside the lab.

• Hand to eye contact

Control: Usage of hand gloves, safety glasses or goggles.

Safety glasses or goggles will protect eyes from physical or chemical harm.

• Direct contact with superficial cuts, open wounds & other skin conditions that permit absorption into subcutaneous skin layer.

Control: Usage of lab coat, long pants and shoes.

Lab coats will protect clothes, superficial cuts, open wounds of skin from chemical or biological agents and flames in some cases. Long pants and shoes completely covering the top of the foot should be worn at all times when working in the lab.

• Splashes, spills or aerosol contact with skin and eyes.

Control: Usage of lab coat, gloves and goggles

All laboratory wastes including infectious materials and other liquid and solid wastes will be segregated and discarded in biohazard waste collector bags based on the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016.