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National Institute of Communicable Diseases |
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ANNUAL REPORT 1997 |
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Division of
Biochemistry & Biotechnology The
Division is carrying out operational research work on communicable as well as
on non-communicable diseases or disorders of greater public health importance. Organisational Structure: §
Biotechnology
& Molecular Biology Laboratory §
Molecular
Diagnostics & Gene Cloning Laboratory §
Environmental
Biochemistry & Texicology Laboratory §
Immunochemistry
& Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory §
IDD
Laboratory Major thrust areas of activities §
Molecular
Epidemiology and Molecular diagnostics of diseases of larger public health
importance, particularly Polio, Dengue, HIV, Viral Hepatitis, Malaria,
Leishmania etc. besides other non-communicable diseases i.e. Apo-B Gene
Polymorphism related CHD and gene defect in haemophilia patients. §
Gene
cloning and Hybridoma work related to analysis of expressed genes Plasmodium vivax and development of
immunodiagnostics for malaria and leishmania §
National
Reference Centre for IDD Monitoring under the National Iodine Deficiency
Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP). §
Environmental
Biochemistry and Texicology where heavy metal poisoning, chemical analysis of
water particularly anions, cations and studies on pesticides are carried out. §
Imparts
specialised referral services and support to outbreak investigations in the
form of providing supportive data related to haematology and biochemistry
profiles clinical specimens collected during the investigation. §
Involved
in the activities of teaching & training, conference & workshop,
seminar symposia organised by the Institute from time to time to support the
National Health Programmes. Major achievements of the Division during 1997 The
division has contributed significantly to following areas: Molecular Biology Unit
i.
Developed
completely indigenous facility for automated gene sequencing of wild polio
virus type 1 This is contributes to the global polio eradication programme by
providing unique molecular epidemiology data. Earlier, the country was
dependent on US and other foreign labs for the said data. Technique of RNA
isolation from polio viruses converting into cDNA by RT-PCR and synthesising
own primers followed by gene sequence analysis are well established.
ii.
Molecular
probes, PCR primers specific for Polio, Dengue, HIV, Viral Hepatitis,
Leishmania, have been synthesised in the lab. iii. Fool proof facility for molecular
diagnosis (PCR/RT-PCR) of following pathogens has been well established: Polio, Enteroviruses (Evs), Dengue, HIV, P.
falciparum, Viral Hepatitis, P.vivax, Leishmania.
iv.
Screening
of vector mosquitoes for dengue virus by molecular biology technique.
v.
Procedures
for nucleotide sequence analysis of some of the expressed genes of P.vivax by
screening of gene library have been established. This will help in providing
useful data for future diagnostic/therapeutic deductions, as well as for strain
differentiation studies.
vi.
Methods
for gene cloning and construction of gene library are in the initial stages of
establishment. These would be important intermediary methods for in-depth
molecular epidemiology / diagnostics work.
vii.
Preliminary
experiments have been designed to study Apo-B gene polymorphism in primary
hyperlipidemia viii.
Sequence
analysis of 6 Kb mini circle gene of P.vivax would be of great help in
diagnosis of drug resistance cases and may also have therapeutic uses, as
mitochondria is a power house and genes encoded by the mini circle are
expressed at erythrocytic stages and exoerythrocytic stages. Since keeping in
view that only those genes are expressed which had some functional role, these
studies are being carried out and may have important role in future malaria
control programme.
ix.
DNA
primers for W.bancrofti and B.malayi were synthesised on the request
of a Scientist from VCRC, Pondicherry and the same were tested there and the
results were found to be satisfactory. Biochemistry Unit
i.
As a
national reference centre for IDD monitoring, this division has contributed
immensely to NIDDCP by imparting extensive training to programme associated
personnels from almost all States & UTs of India. This is also one of the
four National Reference Centres which has developed expertise in Urinary Iodine
Estimation and Thyroid Function Tests for evaluation of field surveys.
ii.
The
division has now fully established facility for detecting pesticides like
op-DDT, pp-DDT, op-DDE, Malathion and Propoxur in serum samples on highly
sophisticated HPLC system.
iii.
The
laboratory is also equipped with hi-tech Iron-chromatograph for chemical
analysis of water including detection of anions (chloride, fluoride, bromide,
nitrate, phosphate and sulphate), cations (lithium, sodium, potassium,
ammonium, calcium, magnesium) and heavy metals (lead, iron, copper, mercury,
zinc, manganese and nickle) etc.
iv.
The
division extended material and technical support in monitoring and evaluation
studies of a machine, based on fiber optic fluorescence immunosensor, being
developed by the Deptt. of Biomedical Engineering, IIT, New Delhi under a
collaborative project sponsored by DBT/DST for immunodiagnosis of Kala-azar and
other diseases.
v.
The
division is providing biochemical diagnostic facilities during the epidemics
and disease outbreaks. Specialised laboratory services Molecular Characterization of
Disease pathogens One of
the newest diagnostic tools is hybridization using genetic probes. These assays
are extremely sensitive and specific. A new HI-tech Biotechnology laboratory
with most modern sophisticated instrument has been established which includes: §
Automated
DNA sequencer ABI Prism 373 for DNA fingerprinting §
DNA/RNA
Synthesizer for primers and probes synthesis §
Robotic
Molecular Biology Labstation (Catalyst-800) for genetic manipulation. §
PCR
Thermal Cycler Model 2400 
The new
set-up will also provide opportunity to study the molecular epidemiology of
diseases to trace down the origin and source of an infection and to develop
better disease surveillance mechanism in the country particularly for emerging
and re-emerging diseases. Synthesis of various primers for PCR POLIO M13 tailed Polio primers for 293
bp region for VP1/2A junction F
5-CAG GAA ACA GCT ATG ACC AAG ACG TCT
CTA TTC CAC AT-3 R
5-TGT AAA ACG ACG GCC AGT GTC AAT CAC
AAC CC-3 DENGUE Dengue Primer Sequence of Envelop
region (2.2 Kb) F
5-CAT ATA GTT AGC CCT AGG TGT GAA TAT CAA GCA GGA CAT A 3 R
5-TGG GAG TGA ATT AGC CCT TCC AGT CCC CCC TIT TCT TTTA 3 Dengue Primer Sequence of PreM-M
region (511 bp) D1 with M13 F tailed primer (46
mer) D2 -5'
TGT AAA ACG ACG GCC AGT TCA ATA TGC TGA AAC GCG CGA GAA ACC G-3 D2 with M13 Rev. tailed primer (47
mer) D2 -5'
CAG GAA ACA GCT ATG ACC TTG CAC CAA CAG TCA ATG TCT TCA GGT TC-3 Dengue Type Specific Primers
(within D1-D2 region) TS1 -
5 CGT CTC AGT GAT CCG GGG G - 3' (19
mer) TS2 -
5 CGC CAC AAG GGC CAT GAA CAG -3' (21
mer) TS4 -
5 CTC TGT TGT CTT AAA CAA GAG A-3 (22
mer) TS3 -
5 TAA CAT CAT CAT GAG AGA GAG C-3 (22 mer) HAPATITIS B Hepatitis B1 Primer (20 mer) 5 -
CAA GGT ATG TTG CCC GTT TG-3 Hepatitis B2 Primer (20 mer) 5 -
AAA GCC CTG CGA ACC ACT GA-3 Hepatitis B3 Primer (21 mer) 5
CTT CCA GGA ACA TCA ACT ACC-3 HAPATITIS
C Hepatitis C-1, Dow Stream Primer
(19 mer) 5- CCC
AAC ACT ACT CGG CTA G-3 Hepatitis C-2 Sense Upstream
Printer (24 mer) 5 -
AAC TAC TGT CTT CAC GCA GAA AGC-3 HIV-1 HIV-I gag region, (28 mer) 5 -
ATA ATC CAC CTA TCC CAG TAG AG AAA T-3 (SK-38) 5 -
TTA GGTCCT TGT CTT ATG TCC AGA ATG C-3 (SK-38) MALARIA rplu-6 Plasmodium Genes Specific
Forward Primer (23 mer) 5 -
TTA AAA TTG TTG CAG TTA AAA CG-3 rplu-5 Plasmodium Genes Specific
Reverse Primer (21 mer) 5
CCT GTT GTT GCC TTA AAC TTC-3 Plasmodium falciperum Specific
Forward Primer fal -1 (30 mer) 5 -
TTA AAC TGG TTT GGG AAA ACC AAA TAT ATT-3 Plasmodium falciperum Specific
Forward Primer fal -2 (30 mer) 5 -
ACA CAA TGA ACT CAA TCA TGA CTA CCC GTC -3 Plasmodium
falciperum Knob Associated Histidine Rich Protein KAHRP Gene Specific Forward
Primer-Ff (19 mer) 5 -
GAA ACA AAA AAC ACC GCT G - 3 Plasmodium
falciperum Knob Associated Histidine Rich Protein KAHRP Gene Specific Reverse
Primer-Fi (24 mer) 5 -
GTA CTG CAC TAG CTC CTG TAG TTG - 3 P.falciperum
Thrombospondin Related Anonymous Protein Gene Specific Forward Primer TRAP 3(28
mer) 5
ATG TAA CTT GTA TGC TGA TTG TGC ATG G - 3 P.falciperum
Thrombospondin Related Anonymous Protein Gene Specific Reverse Primer TRAP 3(31
mer) 5- TAT
CTT CAC TAT TAG GTA CGT GCC TAT TCC C-3 FILARIA Hna-1I
B. malavi Primer (18 mer) 5 -
gGg CAT AAA TTC ATC AgC - 3' NVI-W.bancrofti
(21 mer) 5CgT
gAT ggC ATC AAA gTA gCg - 3' NV2
W.Bancrofti (22 mer) 5 -
CCC TCA CTT ACC ATA AgA CAA C-3 UNIVERSAL PRIMERS 21 M13
Forward Primer (18 mer) 5 -
TGT AAA ACG ACG GCC ACT-3 M13
Reverse Primer (18 mer) 5 -
CAG GAA ACA GCT ATG ACC-3 T3
Primer (20 mer) 5 -
AAT TAA CCC TCA CTA AAG GG-3 T7
Primer (22 mer) 5 -
GTA ATA CGA CTC ACT ATA GGG C-3 Primers for Apo-B gene
polymorphism study For inc/del site Forward
Primer 5-CAG CTG GCG ATG GAC CCG CCG A -3 Reverse
Primer 5- ACC GGC CCT GGC GCC CGC CAG CA -3' For Xal-I site Forward
Primer 5-CGA GAC TAT TCA GAA GCT AA -3 Reverse
Primer 5- GAA GAG CCT GAA GAC TGA CT -3' For EcoRI site Forward
Primer 5-CTG AGA GAA GTG TCT TCG AAG -3 Reverse
Primer 5- CTC GAA AGG TGT AAT CAC -3' Biochemical estimations Division
is providing various clinical & public health related biochemical
estimations as supportive parameters for disease diagnosis and surveillance. §
About
2000 blood samples were tested for various biochemical/haematological
parameters including blood sugar, urea, liver function test, kidney function
test, lipid profile etc. It also includes 109 samples of hypertension cases
collected by the trainee participants during a field visit from Alwar District,
in which 20 samples showed high total cholesterol level and 19 samples showed
low cholesterol level, in 30 samples triglyceride level was high and in 11
samples HDL Cholesterol level was low. §
Total
150 salt samples collected by Epid Div. NICD from J.J. Clusters were processed
for the estimation of iodine content via titration method. Out of them, 148
salt samples were found deficient in iodine content. In 103 salt samples iodine
content was found Nil, in 45 samples it was < 5 ppm, where as only in 2
samples it was found adequate, that is more than 15 ppm. §
That
283 urine samples collected through different sources (IDD Nut.Cell, DGHS-200,
AIIMS-24 and NICD-59) were processed for Urinary Iodine Excretion Assay, out of
them only 5 were found deficient. §
About
402 sera samples of clinically diagnosed patients at various Govt. Hospitals
and dispensaries were referred to test thyroid hormone levels. These sera
samples were tested for T3, T4 and TSH, out of them clear
cases of 7 Hyper (1.74%) and 73 Hypo (18.13%) were detected. However, in 7
cases T4 high and TSH normal, in 14 cases T3, T4
high and TSH normal, I 1 case T3, T4, TSH all high, in 1
case T4 high T3 low and TSH normal and in another case T4
low and T3 and TSH normal were observed. §
A
total of 71 samples including 39 water samples collected from National Zoology
Park Complex, New Delhi by Entomology Division, 8 from DGHS, Nirman Bhavan,
were analysed for the quantitation of anions and cations. The level of anions
and cations in DGHS water samples and normal tap water samples were found to be
in the permissible limit. However, the samples from National Zoological Park
Complex, New Delhi contained excess amount of chloride, nitrate, sulphate,
calcium and magnesium. §
A
total of 10 serum samples obtained from patients who had attempted suicide were
analysed for the presence of pesticides. These samples were found to contain
high amounts of malathion and propoxur. Support to National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme
(NIDDCP) Iodine
is an essential micronutrient required by human body in trace amounts i.e.
100-150 microgram per day to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones are
essential for normal development and function of the brain and nervous system
and also for maintenance of bodys heat and energy. The deficiency of iodine
has several important health consequences that together are called Iodine Deficiency Disorders or I.D.D.
It can affect from the development of foetus to all ages of human beings. The
consequences may include abortion, still births, mental retardation,
deafmutism, squint, dwarfism, goitre of all stages, neuromotor defects,
cretinism etc. Thus it affects the human resource development and ultimately
the socio-economic development of a country in two ways. Firstly, by affecting
human beings the people would mentally be slower and less vigorous. They
would be harder to educate and motivate, less productive and will depend on
others for their care. Secondly, by affecting the livestock, the domestic
animals of the area will be less productive in terms of yields like meat, eggs,
wool etc. It is estimated that 1.6 billion population of the world is at the
risk of iodine deficiency disorders, out of which 200 million people are in our
country. About 64.0 million people are suffering from endemic goitre and
another 8.8 million are victims of mental or motor handicap. To monitor the
proble, surveys are in progress and 235 out of 275 districts surveyed so far
have been found to be endemic for IDD. Iodine is consumed by the human beings
mainly through air, water and food. Iodine is present in the top soil but
glaciers, snow, rains, winds, floods sweep away the top soil and make the soil
iodine deficient. Deforestation, industralization, urbanisation and even
excessive agriculture of the land is also making the soil depleted in iodine.
The air, water and crops grown on iodine deficient soil will not provide
sufficient quantity of iodine for normal functioning of the thyroid gland. To
meet the requirement, the easiest way is to iodise salt as it is the cheapest
and essential consumable commodity taken by each and every individual in more
or less equal amount. Division of Biochemistry & Biotechnology at NICD is
functioning as a National Reference Laboratory for monitoring of IDD since
1992. Two major activities are undertaken: Training : The laboratory is conducting IDD
courses for medical and paramedical staff belonging to different States and
Uts. So far 10 such courses have been completed and more than 200 health
professionals from different parts of the country have been trained. Laboratory Support: The laboratory is estimating the
iodine content of salt and urinary iodine estimation in urine samples collected
during IDD surveys conducted by IDD & Nutrition Cell, DGHS and NICD. The
Laboratory is providing diagnostic services by estimating T3, T4
& TSH hormone levels in the blood samples of suspected patients referred
from various Govt. Hospitals/Dispensaries of Delhi and adjoining areas. For
this purpose, preferably a fasting blood sample of 3ml in a plain vial or 1 ml
separated serum of the patient alongwith detailed clinical history on the
prescribed proforma is being collected. For urinary iodine estimation, a casual
urine sample of 5ml layered with few drops of toluene alongwith clinical
history of the patient is being collected. Maintenance of cell for gene cloning and hybriodoma work E. coil
DH-alpha 5, XL-1 Blue cells, M13 K07 helper phage etc. are being maintained for
gene cloning and excision work. In-virto
culture of P. falciparum, L. donovani
and SP2 Myeloma cell lines are being maintained. Storage and supply of reagents and materials In-vitro culture of L.donovani is being
maintained regularly for the production of promastigote. Antibodies were raised
against the crude sonicated promastigotes in normal rabbits. The L. donovani sonicated promastigote
antigens and the raised antibodies were supplied to Centre for Biomedical
Engineering, IIT New Delhi under an ongoing DST sponsored collaborative project
to develop a simple machine based on fiber optic fluorescence immunosenser to
replace the conventional, more sophisticated and costlier
Spectro-fluorophosphometer or Fluorescent Microscope for the diagnosis of
Kala-azar and oter diseases. In addition to clinical biochemistry services the
division is providing specialised diagnostic services to patients referred from
Govt. hospitals and dispensaries.
Public health and other bacteriological, biochemical services The division
is conducting various tests under Public health biochemistry serviceslike
chemical analysis of water, assay of base content of antimalarial drugs, assay
of available chlorine in chlorine tablets, assay of urinary iodine excretion
(UIE) in urine and estimate of iodine content in salt samples, etc. Research Projects 1. Molecular Epidemiology of Wild
Polioviruses by Sequencing of 150 bp (VPI/2A junction) Gene of Polio type 1) Global
efforts are on to eradicate Poliomyelitis by 2000 AD. India being the largest
contributor to the disease, the global success of the programme depends on how
surveillance mechanism is strengthened to keep a vigil on the Wild Poliovirus
circulation in the community. NICD is
recognised as the WHOS South-East Asia Regional Centre for Poliomyelitis for
the past several years. Facilities for virus isolation and intratypic
differentiation using probe hybridisation and ELISA are being effectively used
to support the programme. However, for molecular characterisation and further
genotyping within Polio type 1, 2 or 3, the country was earlier dependent on
CDC, Atlanta. Now these unique facilities have been well established in the
Division of Biochemistry & Biotechnology at NICD. 
Wild
Poliovirus type 1 isolates (originally characterised by Dr. Shashi Khare,
Incharge of Poliovirus laboratory at NICD, Delhi) were used to perform gene
sequence analysis. Standard Sabin type 1 was used at control; the Hep-2 cell
grown virus was disrupted by repeated freezing and thawing. RNA from the virus
was extracted and converted into cDNA using reverse transcriptase. The cDNA
thus obtained was subjected to PCR to amplify 293 bp region of the gene located
at the VP1 / 2A junction at nt 3235-3527, using M13-tailed upstream and
downstream primers, sysnthesised in the lab on DNA/RNA synthesizer. PCR product
was purified and further subjected to sequencing kit (Perkin-Elmer). The
product was again purified and subjected to sequencing gel on DNA Sequencer, and the following day the data
were analysed. Results indicated a high degree of homology (about 99%) within
Wild Polio type 1 isolates studied. The unique facility for molecular
epidemiology of Poliovirus will strengthen the Polio Eradication Programme. 2. RT-PCR/Cloning and Sequencing of
Pre M - M (511 bp), Env NS1 (452 bp), and Env (2.2 Kb) region of Dengue Virus
Type-2 Isolates Molecular
characterisation of the clinical isolates of Dongue virus type 2 is being done.
Different gene regions such as core, pre-M-M, Env, NS1-NS5 have been chosen to
study the molecular characteristics and the strain differentiation. Gene
sequences obtained of 511 bp of Pre M and M region revealed mutations at three
different places on the gene, which may be attributed to DHF nature of the
disease. These results however, are preliminary and further studies are on. In
addition to this, we have now started 452 bp region of Env and NSI region and
2.2 Kb Env region of the virus also for sequencing. 
Dengue
fever and DHF are cause of serious concern to health professionals in India.
NICD being the apex institute is expected to keep a close vigil on the disease
pattern so as to enable decision makers to institute appropriate
prevention/control measures. Differential diagnosis of Dengue/DHF is often
difficult and the conventional methods are not adequate. Molecular
characterisation of the gene will help in providing early warning signals and
also the strain differentiations, if any, during dengue/DHF outbreaks in India. 3. Sequence Analysis of Expressed
Genes of Plasmodium vivax The aim
of the study is to develop markers for future parasite genome project of P. vivax. It is planned to do complete
sequence analysis of about 10-15 cDNA clones of P.vivax. For the study initially 50-100 cDNA clones would be
screened from the dDNA library of P.vivax
constructed in ZAP II vector, available with Dr. Y.D. Sharmas Lab. at AIIMS,
New Delhi. Sequence analysis of P. vivax
would give a better understanding of the molecular genetics, expressed tag
sequences, candidate genes for the development of vaccine and drug designing
and recognising specifies specific probes for identification and diagnosis P.
vivax is the most common human malarial parasite in the Indian Subcontinent,
accounting for almost 70% of malarial infections. As a result, it causes great
morbidity and accounts for a single largest disease related to loss of manpower
in India and thus responsible for a great socio-economic problem. P.vivax, unlike P. falciparum can not be maintained in culture of more than one or
two cycles. However, the work on P. vivax antigen expression and their role in
parasitic functions as well as in host immunity has just begun with the help of
genomic DNA libraries of P.vivax. The
P.falciparum genome project has
already begun whereas for P. vivax it
has to be initiated. This study is to develop the expressed sequence tags which
will be useful in future P.vivax
parasite genome project of greater public health importance. A small
aliquot of the original library has been plated out on LB agar medium to
prepare a low density plaque colony by incubating at 370 C for 6-8
hrs till the pin head shaped plaques appeared. The plaques were lifted on
nitrocellulose filter disk and processed for plaque hybridization with human
DNA probe to eleminate the human clones. The well isolated and corresponding
plaques which did not react with human DNA probes than be picked up and stocks
were made in SM medium. Homologous clones would be eliminated in the next round
of screening by cross hybridization. These isolated clones have now been
subjected to PCR amplification using forward and reverse primers M13 or T3/T7
and are being checked on agarose gel. The positive clones will then be
processed for nucleotide sequencing with the help of automated DNA sequencer. 
4. Sequence analysis of 6 kb
minicircular mitochondrial genome of P.vivax The 6
kb minicircular genome of Plasmodium vivax code for Cytochrome oxidase
subunit I & III, cyctochrome b and fragmented rRNA genes. This circular
gene has been completely studied in its sister parasite i.e. Plasmodium falciparum. The 6 kb circle
is proposed to be of diagnostic value (PCR based) because chloroquine
resistance is related to mitochondrial genome only. The study will, therefore,
help in tracing the drug resistant strains and their genotyping in future.
Malaria positive blood sample from Delhi and adjoining region including
relapse, chloroquine sensitive & resistance cases will be included for the
study. The aim is to develop PCR diagnosis of Chloroquine resistance cases and
also to develop some drug targets by using mitochondrial inhabitors. During
1997 N-terminal region of cytochrome oxidase subunit-I (900bp) and middle
portion of cytochrome b (850 bp) was sequenced and confirmed by homology search
using Malaria database P. vivax
malaria continues to be a major health problem and any attempt for furtherance
of knowledge, particularly in the field of molecular insight, will be a welcome
addition. 5. National Reference Laboratory for
IDD monitoring under NIDDCP It is
estimated that 1.6 billion population of the world is at a risk of IDD, out of
which 200 million people are in India. About 64 million people are suffering
from Goiter & another 8.8million are victim of mental motor handicap. The
aims of the project are: To
monitor thyroid function test in sera of suspected patients of IDD, to monitor
Urinary Iodine excretion and to monitor iodine in common salt. The laboratory
is functioning as National Reference Laboratory for IDD and providing
diagnostic and referral services for iodine deficiency disorders. Assay of hormone
levels of T3, T4 & TSH are being done in serum
samples of suspected patients referred from Govt. hospitals and dispensaries by
ELISA kits. The figure shows an increasing trend of hypothyroidism during the
last three years. Quantitative assay of iodine levels in salt samples,
collected during survey by DGHS or NICD teams, is being conducted by titration
method. Urinary iodine excretion is also being estimated in urine samples
collected during surveys. In addition to this, training courses are being conducted
for State and U.Ts personnels in co-ordination with IDD & Nutrition Cell,
DGHS for monitoring, management and other aspects of Iodine Deficiency
Disorders Control Programme. 
The
study is expected to given an insight into the exact endemicity of an area. The
study will also help in developing corrective control measures and enhancing
the socio-economic status of the individuals as well as community in the
country. 6. To monitor the levels of anions,
cations and heavy metals in drinking water Water
is essential to sustain life, and a satisfactory supply must be made available
to consumers. Every efforts should be made to achieve a drinking water quality
as high as practicable. Water that is highly turbid, highly coloured and has
objectionable taste will be regarded as dangerous and will be rejected for
drinking purposes. Today we know that we can no longer rely on our primitive
senses in matter of judgement of water quality. The excess of anions, cations
and heavy metals in drinking water may cause a number of health problems like
fluorosis, renal function disorders, impairment of nervous system,
carcinogenesis etc. Therefore, chemical analysis of water provides a way to
ensure public health at large. A total
of 71 samples including 39 water samples collected from National Zoological
Park Complex, New Delhi by Entomology Division, 8 from DGHS, Nirman Bhavan,
were analysed for the quantitation of anions and cations. The levels of anions
and cations in DGHS water samples and normal tap water samples were found to be
in the permissible limit. However, the samples from National Zoological Park
Complex, New Delhi contained excess amount of chloride, nitrate, sulphate,
calcium and magnesium. 7. Fiber optic based senser for
biochemical and immunological estimations This is
a DBT sponsored collaborative project with Prof. Sneh Anand, Centre for
Biomedical Engineering, I.I.T., New Delhi to develop a simple machine based on
fiber optic fluorescence immunosenser to replace the conventional, more
sophisticated and costlier Spectrofluorophosphometer or Fluorescent Microscope
for the diagnosis of Kala-azar and other diseases. The I.I.T. group is involved
in developing the basic fiber optic fluorescence immunosenser machine. For
testing the machine NICD is providing sonicated L.donovani promastigote antigens and polyclonal antibodies. The
evaluation of the machine for immunodiagnosis of Kala-azar and other
communicable diseases during the subsequent years. 8. Studies on lipid profile in breast
cancer patients This is
a collaborative project with Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology
(ICPO), New Delhi to study the lipid profile in breast cancer patients of LNJP
Hospitals. The blood samples from pre and post therapeutic breast cancer cases
are being processed for different parameters of lipid profile viz. total
cholesterol, serum triglyceride, HDL, LDL-cholesterol by autoanalyser. Thirty randomly selected cases each of breast and cervical carcinoma and 20 matched healthy control women were studied. Significantly, higher mean levels of triglycerides (x = 192.1 mg/dl, SD ± 113.5), total cholesterol (x = 212.9mg/dl, SD ± 49.78) were observed in breast cancer patients as compared to controls or cervical cancer patients. Cervical cancer patients had low mean values for all lipid fractions. |
