Hyderabad: Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India Prof K Vijay Raghavan on Friday inaugurated the Covid-19 Diagnostic Training Programme of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad.
The programme would impart practical laboratory training required for carrying out Covid-19 diagnostic tests, in addition to online theory lecture modules in basic molecular biology relevant to Covid-19 diagnosis.
According to the TIFR, Hyderabad, the training programme has been initiated through the Principal Scientific Adviser’s office and supported by funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
TIFR-Hyderabad, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), PanIIT Alumni Reach for India (PARFI) and National Institute of Immunology (NII) worked together to form a well-rounded training module on the Covid-19 testing methods, such as RT-PCR and LAMP-based assays, and laboratory practices with a focus on biosafety protocols, it said.
The training module would be followed up by an assessment of acquired skills and training experience at the Covid-19 diagnostic lab at ESIC Hospital, Hyderabad.
“We have learnt much about the virus, and we need to learn a lot more. In other words, research on the virus and its impact on the society translated into immediate, medium-term and long-term benefit is very important,” Prof Vijay Raghavan said
TIFR-Hyderabad Director Prof V Chandrasekhar outlined the centre’s other Covid-related activities such as standardising a quick colour-based LAMP assay, developing low-cost rechargeable N95 masks and mask-testing device, and long-term research goals to devise treatment strategies.
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.
Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .