Overview
In 1970, Tuberculosis Prevention Trial (TBPT), at Madras saw the birth of the IBM 1401-H computer system for doing data processing work for the BCG trial. Twelve years later when the TBPT was merged with TRC, it was decided to replace the IBM 1401-H computer system with new computer to manage against an increasing amount of data and analyses. In 1984, TRC had purchased a micro-computer called “Aurolec data processing system” and carried out analyses work. Later, in 1986, a VAX-11/750 computer system with 8 terminals was installed. The system was working up to 1999 and became obsolete. In 2000, the LAN system funded by USAID through WHO/ICMR was installed. This LAN is being used for data management systems pertaining to the MODEL DOTS PROJECT undertaken by TRC. This had created facilities for researchers, students and trainees to communicate within and outside TRC.
Head of the Department:
Dr Rajendran K, M.Sc., Ph.D., Scientist 'E'
Email id :
krishnan[dot]r[at]icmr[dot]gov[dot]in
| Sr. No. | Name of the Staff | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Rajendran K | Scientist E |
| 2 | Mrs. Basilea Watson | Scientist D |
| 3 | Mrs. Swarna Deepa B | Scientist D |
| 4 | Mr. Kirubakaran B.K | Principal Technical Officer |
| 5 | Ms. Kalaivani D | Technical Officer-C |
| 6 | Mr. Vijayaraj S | Technical Officer-C |
| 7 | Mr. Kishan Kunal | Technical Officer-B |
| 8 | Mrs. Lakshmi N | Technical Officer-B |
| 9 | Mr. Amuthan A | Technical Assistant |
| 10 | Mr. Bathula Sai Kiran | Technical Assistant |
| 11 | Mrs. Divya S | Technical Assistant |
| 12 | Mr. Karthik Raja K | Technical Assistant |
| 13 | Ms. Priyanka G | Technical Assistant |
| 14 | Ms. Ranjitha R | Technical Assistant |
| 15 | Mr. Sankuru Chinnaiah | Technical Assistant |
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Isolation and Characterisation of the first temperate phage capable of lysogenising M. tuberculosis
In an effort to develop luciferase reporter phage (LRP) constructs with high sensitivity of detection, attempts were made successfully for isolating a temperate mycobacteriophage capable of infecting and lysogenising M. tuberculosis.
Well stained acid fast bacilli (AFB) were demonstrated in smears prepared from pot stained sputum and smear results were comparable with conventional ZN method.
The efficiency of the construct was found to be higher than the existing LRPs with cultures as anticipated. The attempt marked the beginning of diverse attempts to improve the LRP diagnostic assay.
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LRPs for the rapid detection of dormant tubercle bacilli
The luciferase reporter phages (LRP) show great promise for diagnostic mycobacteriology.
Since the tuberculosis (TB) cases among HIV infected population result from the reactivation of latent bacilli, development of LRPs capable of detecting dormant bacteria would be useful.
In a milestone study, 3 LRP constructs were developed using promoters of genes functioning during dormancy. These LRP constructs exhibited detectable luciferase activity in dormant as well as in actively growing M. tuberculosis .
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Phagebiotics cocktail as substitute for antibiotic supplements in liquid culture of M. tuberculosis
Organisms of the normal flora that survive the action of the decontaminating agent during sputum processing can cause heavy contamination of the culture, especially liquid culture.
Antibiotic supplements are used in liquid cultures to control such growth despite reports that these agents have deleterious effect on the tubercle bacilli.
This study demonstrated a novel hypothesis that a cocktail of phages that infect and lyse these organisms could be used in liquid cultures instead of the antibiotic supplements with better decontaminating efficiency and M. tuberculosis retrieving capacity.
Further study established the feasibility of using phage lysin supplement to phagebiotics in decontaminating processed sputum samples in liquid culture of M. tuberculosis . The study opened up new possibility of developing a novel biofriendly method of sputum processing.
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Phagebiotics cocktail as substitute for antibiotic supplements in liquid culture of M. tuberculosis
Organisms of the normal flora that survive the action of the decontaminating agent during sputum processing can cause heavy contamination of the culture, especially liquid culture.
Antibiotic supplements are used in liquid cultures to control such growth despite reports that these agents have deleterious effect on the tubercle bacilli.
This study demonstrated a novel hypothesis that a cocktail of phages that infect and lyse these organisms could be used in liquid cultures instead of the antibiotic supplements with better decontaminating efficiency and M. tuberculosis retrieving capacity.
Further study established the feasibility of using phage lysin supplement to phagebiotics in decontaminating processed sputum samples in liquid culture of M. tuberculosis . The study opened up new possibility of developing a novel biofriendly method of sputum processing.
Gallery
