CCDCP is an integral part of the IUCBR & SSH with the objectives of conducting basic and advanced research on epidemiology of infectious diseases with special reference to viral diseases. CCDCP will provide facilities for gene-based diagnosis of potential outbreaks of viral infections as a requisite for the region. Realizing the importance of sophisticated RT-PCR tests for accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 patients, IUCBR has offered its expertise to the Government of Kerala in late March 2020. The Virus Research & Diagnostic Centre (VRDC) has now been recognized as a Centre for Diagnosis of SARS- COV-2 by ICMR/DHR, Govt of India, and Kerala State Health Department. Initial diagnostic effort was totally dependent on the research staff of the Centre, from the Senior Scientists to the Research Scholars and technical personnel. Recognizing the value of the services of the VRDC, the State Government have sanctioned 26 positions ranging from Research Officers, Laboratory Technicians, Laboratory Assistants, Data Entry Operators and Cleaning Staff to strengthen the diagnostic capabilities of VRDC under the Arogya Keralam Scheme. With the assistance of these personnel, and over two dozens of volunteers from the CPAS and other institutions, the VRDC has already tested 330,000 patient samples from mainly Kottayam and Idukki districts, and partly from Palakkad district. In addition, the VRDC has become a hub to impart training to personnel from other newly established Govt. Medical College Diagnostic Centers in Kerala.
Other core activities in CCDCP are centered around studies on anti-microbial resistance, immunity status of health professional in hospitals, novel SARS-CoV-2 detection and assay protocol development, host-virus gene interaction, and immunity maintenance in convalescing patients and in at-risk population in relation to novel herbal molecules or formulations.
The ultimate motto of CCDCP is to conduct advanced research for monitoring of viruses of clinical relevance to Kerala. Graduates and postgraduates will be trained for safe use of detection devices, virus sample handling & processing, RT-PCR assays, and clinical reporting on samples. CCDCP has established collaborative programs with Govt. Medical College, Kottayam; District Hospital, Kottayam and General Hospital, Pampady for joint programs in the area of infection- immunity research. Additionally, a strong collaborative program is initiated with two research laboratories in the UK with minimal funding. The group of experts involved are all set to attract major funding in collaborative research ventures.
CDAR is dedicated to the discovery of genetic and molecular basis of neurological disorders connected to the present-day ageing and child population. The research team of CDAR is undertaking a number of translational research programs on geriatric and developmental neurologic disabilities with a view to develop clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic measures. During 2017-2019, epidemiological surveys and medical camps were conducted by CDAR to assess the frequency of these disorders in the local population, and identified at-risk individuals. For the purpose, CDAR has established laboratories on genetic and molecular biology, clinical immunology and biochemistry, genomics and proteomics, advanced cell biology, imaging facilities and a preclinical behavioral laboratory. In addition, a cytogenetic facility to detect chromosomal abnormalities in children withcongenital and developmental disabilities is also established. Scientists working at the centre are in the process of generating disease specific cell lines (iPSC and cybrids) to be used as cellular models of diseases and for creating novel animal models. During the last three years, CDAR received several centrally funded grants, and established collaborative programs with a number of laboratories in India and abroad, with substantial funding. The scientists associated with this centre have received more than 10 major projects, 3 women scientist projects and 5 mentored fellowship/ associateships projects from national and international agencies.
CDD is committed to investigate aboriginal medicinal plant-derived molecules, which is the need of the hour for Indian pharmaceutical sector. Drugs developed from medicinal plants native to the region are effective in local population, yet scientific basis of which are unknown. Amongst the traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda is steadily evolving as modern medicine, and CDD is dedicated to the discovery of novel medications particularly of plant origin. CDD currently concentrates on modern ways of drug delivery, leveraging on nano-technology to address blood brain barriers, placental barriers, and in reduction of toxicity of certain existing drugs. The facility is uniquely placed, to effectively screen against endemic diseases, to produce low cost, affordable drugs from plants. CDD will provide advanced laboratory facilities for researchers working in the area of drug discovery, and Ayurvedic drug formulations. CDD is supporting ongoing research in CCDCP and CDAR for novel drug discovery and new formulations from indigenous plants for the treatment of viral infections and chronic diseases.The scientists associated with this centre have received 3 major projects and 1 women scientist project.
Preclinical pharmacological testing is an indispensable part of drug development. IUCBR has CENR, a unique preclinical neurobehavioral testing facility which allows researchers to study responses to a number of internal and external stimuli, with the goal of gaining insight into nervous system dysfunction associated with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. The goal of CENR is to establish latest behavioral techniques for studying pain, anxiety and depression, motor and cognitive functions, social and environmental interactions. Behavioral tests involving motor and cognitive function would reflect symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, while social and environment interaction studies would assess susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. In addition, facility for performing rodent brain stereotactic surgery for precise delivery of nanoliter quantities of chemical and biological agents to distinct brain nuclei is also established. To extend rodent studies to clinical settings, scientists at CENR have developed a novel approach of combining eye tracking with EEG (electro ence phalography) to measure neural responses to eye saccades for studying the dynamics of attention and cognition, and their alterations in individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
The institute currently houses a Community health Centre (CHC), run by DHS, Govt. of Kerala, which caters to patients from the locality.
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