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mitochondrial m cherry. This stable producer 2. Jackson James: Development of a low samples obtained from clinical laboratories as a the third semester has started where students
cells once transfected with pcDNA3 S protein cost Anosmia screening tool to mass screen surveillance to understand community prevalence have moved into their area of specialization
generates, fluorescent peudovirons to infect ACE2 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers; DST-SERB. of SARS CoV-2 namely Disease Biology, Molecular Diagnostics
expressing cells. The system has been validated and Genetic Engineering. We are privileged
with VSVG and ready for testing using S protein. 3. R. Radhakrishnan: Development of a point Screening of all SARI patients in ICU’s for now to have top class national and international
of care Lateral Flow Diagnostic Platform for a panel of respiratory viral infections including faculty in addition to our wonderful colleagues as
HEK cells were transfected with the detection of viral antigens and antibodies IgG & SARS COv-2. teachers. My deepest appreciation and thanks to
following expression vectors to produce IgM of Corona Virus SARS-CoV-2 enabling efficient all those who made this possible.
recombinant proteins for direct diagnostics use and swift diagnosis and mass screening”; BIRAC - Search for a possible “super spreader”
and also for antibody production NATIONAL BIOPHARMA MISSION. of Covid 19 as a possible source for increasing
community transmission in Kerala.
1. pCEP4-myc-ACE2 GRANTS UNDER REVIEW:
2. pcDNA3.1-SARS2-Spike Research Reviews
3. pcDNA3-SARS-CoV-2-S-RBD-sfGFP Ranjith S Kumar, Ajith RR, Manoj P, E. Sreekumar;
Design and Development of a Highly Sensitive 1. Debnath, M, Banerjee, M, Berk, M. Genetic
For generating FRET based assay for S Rapid RT-LAMP Droplet Microfluidic Platform for gateways to COVID‐19 infection: Implications for
protein – ACE2 binding inhibitor screening, both SARS-CoV-2 Detection (Collaborative Project with risk, severity, and outcomes.The FASEB Journal.
the donor and acceptor fluorescent vectors of College of Engineering, Trivandrum); DBT-BIRAC July, 2020;34(7) 8787-8795. doi.org/10.1096/
S protein and ACE2 were designed and created fj.202001115R
using Cerulean and Venus as fluorescent partners. E. Sreekumar; Umasankar PK; Hrishikesh Damle.
Screening phytochemical libraries to identify 2. Betcy Susan Johnson and Malini Laloraya.
Studies initiated on establishing target cell host-directed antivirals (HDA) against SARS CoV- Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 patients transforms
based assays for inhibitors of viral proteases for 2 targeting IFITM family Interferon-stimulated to a Cytokine Super Cyclone in patients
development of new therapeutics against SARS gene (ISGs) using innovative assays; DBT-BIRAC with risk factors. Cytokine & Growth Factor
Cov2 (Collaboration with Atrimed Pharma Pvt Ltd; Reviews, July 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
Bangalore) cytogfr.2020.06.014
Studies initiated on status of alpha helical
membrane pores during SARS Cov 2 infection K.R Mahendran. Indo-German joint project During the first prolonged lockdown several of
proposal (DBT-DFG) in collaboration with Jacobs our PhD students were unable to go home. We
S2 fusion peptides that facilitate viral University Bremen, Germany Title: Decoding viral ensured all safety measures for them and the
membrane fusion synthesized, purified, and membrane fusion and inhibition using novel dedicated group of scientists, technical support
biophysical studies being carried out. Liposome- electro-optical assays. personnel as well as essential administrative staff
based membrane fusion assays have been who worked very hard during this critical period.
optimized Covid 19 Diagnostic Facility RGCB provided free food to all its personnel We will continue to strive for more breakthroughs,
during this lockdown period in both campuses. discoveries and services in the country’s war
Molecular modeling of S protein membrane A real role model for the country: RGCB’s We also provided free food and supplies for all the against this deadly disease. RGCB thus continues
binding and pore formation. Examined different Laboratory Medicine & Molecular Diagnostics guest workers at our Aakulam construction site, its unique position as a true translational
intermediates and conformational states during Facility functions 18-hour shifts on all 7 days. ensuring their welfare in this difficult lockdown biotechnology and disease biology institute
pore assembly period. On lifting of the second lockdown in order standing by its commitment to deliver top class
Over 43,000 nasal swabs analyzed to date to allow our PhD students return to the campus, research based solutions for India and the world.
Research Grants by RT PCR for Covid 19 diagnostics RGCB arranged for quarantine with full board for
14 days and provided Covid 19 testing. Jai Hind
FUNDED GRANTS: Co-developed Covid 19 Diagnostics Suite
We ensured that our MSc students stranded
1. E. Sreekumar, T.R.Santhosh Kumar, P.K. Clinical Studies all over the country did not lose any days of
Umasankar, Shijulal Nelson Sathi, Ravi Shankar L; their academic calendar. Our sincere team of
New Therapeutics against SARS Cov2: Analyzing Epidemiological studies to improve the Research Engineering Services and the Academic Professor M. Radhakrishna Pillai
small molecule chemical libraries by establishing strategies in surveillance and containment of Committee along with dedicated teachers FRCPath, PhD, FAMS, FNA, FASc, FNASc
targeted cell-based assays for inhibitors of viral Covid-19 provided live classes during the lockdown Director
entry and viral protease; DBT- BIRAC through “GoToMeeting”. The students finished
Use of SARS Cov-2 Antibody rapid their second semester examinations through
test for detection of IgG in a subset of patient a dedicated examination portal. As I write this,