Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, gets next-gen genome sequencing lab

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, October 11

An advanced next-generation genome sequencing laboratory set up on the campus of Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak was inaugurated today.

To help in multiple fields

The MDU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rajbir Singh, stated that this modern laboratory would help in the exploration of viral, microbial, animal, plant and environmental genomes, and would facilitate the applications of genomic sequencing in multiple fields.

The laboratory has been set up at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore, which has been borne entirely by Rockefeller Foundation. It has been set up by the PATH organisation.

In his inaugural address, the MDU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rajbir Singh, stated that this modern laboratory would help in the exploration of viral, microbial, animal, plant and environmental genomes, and would facilitate the applications of genomic sequencing in multiple fields.

He expressed the hope that this scientific facility would pave the way for innovative healthcare solutions and boost the research ecosystem of the university. The vice-Chancellor said the MDU was looking forward to working with Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHS), Rohtak, for joint applications, studies and research, especially in the area of life sciences.

He expressed gratitude to PATH organisation for setting up the advanced laboratory at the university and Rockefeller Foundation for the financial support. Prof Dhruva Chaudhry, senior professor and head of the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine at UHS, underlined the importance of collaborative studies and research between the MDU and UHS. “Genomic epidemiology is one specific area where collaborative studies and research are the need of the hour,” he maintained.

Earlier, Dr NS Chauhan, associate professor and principal investigator of genomic sequencing project, gave a detailed presentation on the scope of the genome sequencing laboratory.

“The applications of genome sequencing will be for DNA as well as RNA. It has utility in viral genomics, microbial genomics, disease diagnostics, forensic genomics, environmental genomics, human genome sequencing, gene expression proficiency and evolutionary phytogenetics,” he pointed out.

Dr Mayank Sharma, senior programme officer, PATH organization, disclosed that the MDU, Rohtak, was the only university in the country chosen for the project, while the four other institutions selected for it were medical colleges or scientific organisations.

He pointed out that genome sequencing had application in management of Covid-19 as well as other diseases based on gene-sequencing analysis. The PATH organization will work closely with the MDU for this genome-sequencing project, he added.

Proposing the vote of thanks, the MDU Director (Research), Prof Anil K Chillar, said this facility would have a stellar role in futuristic genomics based research work.