Immunology
Department has state of art equipments for sophisticated tests like serology and molecular methods of diagnosis, transplant immunology. Basic equipments for all the immunological parameters are available in the department Elisa technique is being routinely used for screening tests.
Department Mission Statement
- The department was established in 1998 with the following Objectives:
- Research and Training Activities (Special focus on specialised areas like Research areas like immunotoxins, cancer immunotherapy).
- To set up a state of art immunodiagnostic lab for sophisticated tests.
- To work on areas like Transplantation, hypersensitivity and rheumatological disorder, organ based diseases Non Infective diseases like Diabetes Mellitus.
- Various tests for infectious diseases detection.
- To organize training program /workshops for medical and paramedical staff.
ICMR- National Institute of Virology (NIV),
- The Department has been involved in doing testing for ZIKA, Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses as a Part of ICMR –NIV surveillance since August 2016.
TRANSTAN
- Recognised by Government of Tamilnadu for transplant work up pre renal transplant tests.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),
- This has been recognized as a COVID -19 testing centre by ICMR and has been doing since 2020 and 321876 tests till date.
Department for Biotechnology,
- The Department has been sanctioned an amount of Rs.45 Lakhs for a period of 3 years from DBT to be a part of “Establishment of a Consortium for One Health to address Zoonotic and Transboundary Diseases in India, including the North – east Region” from August 2021.
Teaching
Courses Offered
The Department of Immunology conducts the following training programs:
| S.No | Programme | Duration | Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Basic in Immunology | 5 Days | Rs.3,000/- | Under Graduate and Post Graduate students |
| 02 | Certificate Course on “Laboratory Immunological Techniques” | 6 Weeks | Rs.10,000/- | Under Graduate and Post Graduate students |
| 03 | Short-term Project | 3 Months | Rs.2,000/- month |
Under Graduate and Post Graduate students |
Short Term Project
| S.No | Student Name | College | Year | Duration | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | T. Arun Kumar | Alagappa College of Technology | 2006 | 3 months | Detection of human papilloma virus and the immunological status of children affected with laryngeal papilloma |
| 02 | C. Senthil Kumar | St. Peter’s Engineering College | – | 3 months | PCR-based method for the detection and differentiation of plasmodium vivae and p.falcipenum |
| 03 | Tina Elizabeth Varghese | Madha Engineering College | 2008 | 3 months | Detection and identification of unexpected antibodies |
| 04 | A. Rohini | St. Peter’s Engineering College | 2008 | 3 months | Prevalence rate of transfusion transmitted disease among voluntary blood donors |
| 05 | Nimin.C.Kurien | Madha Engineering College | 2008 | 1 month | Detection and identification of unexpected antibodies |
| 06 | – | The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University | 2008 | – | Platelet alloantibody specificities in multiply transfused patients |
| 07 | R.Sharmilsuganya | Loyola College (Autonomous) | 2006 | 1 year | Development of PCR assay for rapid detection of methycillin resistant staphylococcus aureus from clinical samples |
| 08 | K.Pradeepa | Loyola College (Autonomous) | 2006 | 1 year | Standardisation of PCR procedure for the detection of leplaspira from the clinical blood sample |
| 09 | S. Ranjith | Sathiyabama Institute of science and Technology | 2005 – 2006 | 1 year | Standardisation of single step PCR method for the detection and differentiation of plasmodium vivax and plasmodium falciparum |
| 10 | S. Premanand (M.Tech) | Sathiyabama Institute of science and Technology | 2006 | 1 year | Development of PCR assay for rapid detection of mec A gene is staphylococcus |
| 11 | M. Ramkumar | Sathiyabama Institute of science and Technology | 2006 | 1 year | Developing and standardizing an In-house nested PCR procedure for the detection of leplaspiraris in clinical blood samples |
| 12 | Neelimalathayohaman, Neethanarayanan | Bharath University | 2008 | 3 months | Prevalence of transfusion disease in voluntary blood donors |
| 13 | – | The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University | 2008 | 6 months | Blood donor adverse reactions |
| 14 | J.S. Anup | St. Joseph’s College of Engineering | 2009 | 3 months | Viral load, seromarkers analysis of HBV ₊ve patients and HLA typing of Asymptomatic patients |
| 15 | S. Rathika | Shrimathi Indira Gandhi College | – | 6 months | Detection of autoantibody in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and HLA typing of the same |
| 16 | V.P. Saranya | Sastra University | 2009 | 3 months | Detection of auto antibodies and HLA typing of type |
| 17 | K. Saranya | Rajalakshmi Engineering College | 2009 | 3 months | Viral load in hepatitis Bpositive patients on treatment by molecular methods |
| 18 | R. Remya | Rajalakshmi Engineering College | 2009 | 3 months | Serasurveillance of HBsAg positive patients in voluntary blood donars |
| 19 | G. Sathyarekha | Rajalakshmi Engineering College | 2009 | 3 months | Identification of autoantibodies and HLA study in insulin dependent diabetis mellitus patients and siblings |
| 20 | M. Indhumathi | Kumararani Meena Muthaiah College of Arts & Science | 2010 | 3 months | Immunoglobulin level as a determinant for the immunological status of pre- and post- renal transplantation |
| 21 | S. Padmapriya | Kumararani Meena Muthaiah College of Arts and Science | 2010 | 3 months | Comparison of the best diagnostic tool for detection of material parasite |
| 22 | Ramyaseshadri | St. Joseph College of Engineering | 2010 | 3 months | Immunoglobulin level as a determinant for the immunological status of pre-and post-renal transplant patients and its correlation with other parameters |
| 23 | C. Kothai K. Malarvizhi |
St. Joseph College of Engineering | 2010 | 3 months | Detection of antinuclear antibodies using immuno fluoresence and western blotting |
| 24 | P. Thilak Pancha | School of Chemical and Bio Technology | 2010 | 3 months | Diagnosis of connective tissue disease |
| 25 | C.P. Saranya | Women’s Christian College | 2010 | 3 months | Detection of antinuclear antibodies using immunofluoresence and western blotting for collagen vascular disease |
| 26 | Deepak Kumar G.P, Kumaresh.J |
Shanmuga Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | 2009 | 3 months | Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing by molecular SSP method in identical and non-identical twins |
| 27 | C. NaveenVenkatesh R. Preethi |
Shanmuga Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy | 2016 | 2 months | Comparison of presence of GAD auto antibodies in children and adult for LADA /type1 diabetes mellitus |
| 28 | J. Pavithrapriya | Kumararani Meena Muthaiah College of Arts & Science | 2011 | 3 months | Serological evaluation of antibody status in a pre and post vaccinated individuals, health care personnel, hepatitis B/c affected and in renal patients |
| 29 | V. Nivedha | Kumararani Meena Muthaiah College of Arts & Science | 2010 – 2011 | 3 months | Detection of auto antibodies in LADA patients and HLA typing of patients and their siblings |
| 30 | J. Dhivya A.K. Jeheshadevi |
SreeSastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2011 | 3 months | Serological evaluation of antibody status in a pre &post vaccinated individuals , healthcare, personnel, hepatitis B/c affected and in renal dialysis patients |
| 31 | A.Sagarika P.I. Vadivukarasi |
Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2011 | 3 months | Comparison of immunoglobulin level in normal, virally infected and pre renal transplant patients |
| 32 | K. Pavithra Devi V. Priyadharshini |
Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2011 | 3 months | Determination of HLA typing infected in normal patients |
| 33 | K. Priyadharshini K. Rekha |
Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2010 – 2011 | 3 months | Detection of GAD/IA2 autoantibodies in Diabetis mellitus patients and screening of high risk individuals |
| 34 | J. Venkatesh Prasad K. Aravind Prasad |
St. Joseph College of Engineering | 2011 | – | Comparison of IgG level in normal hepatitis infected pre&post renal in transplant patients &its correlation parameter |
| 35 | F. Nancy Rebekah T. Saranya |
SreeSastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2010 – 2011 | 3 months | HLA typing in LADA patients using molecular techniques |
| 36 | G. Karthika | SRM University | 2011 | 4 months | Molecular evaluation of HLA gene polymorphism in hepatocellular carcinoma |
| 37 | Pavan Kumar Dara |
SRM University | 2011 | 4 months | Detection of auto antibodies in LADA patients and HLA typing of patients and their siblings |
| 38 | N. Haripriya M. Vishnu Priya |
St. Joseph College of Engineering | 2011 – 2012 | 2 months | Serological evaluation of TORCH agents in prenatal & perinatal patients |
| 39 | P. Anusuya D. Arunadevi |
Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2012 | 3 months | Estimation of GAD and IA2 in type 2 diabetes and their siblings. |
| 40 | G. Gracevedambal M. Induja |
Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2012 | 3 months | Serological evaluation using seromarkers in asymptomatic blood donors for hepatitis B virus |
| 41 | S. Divya S. Priya |
Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technology | 2012 | 3 months | Serological evaluation of TORCH test in perinatal mother |
| 42 | K. Chitra | Bharathidasan Institute of Technology | 2013 | 3 months | Comparison of best diagnosis method for detection and quantification of malarial parasite |
| 43 | J.E. Ramji | Sree Sastha Institute of Engineering & Technolo | 2013 | 3 months | Estimation of GAD & IA2 antibody in LADA patients |
| 44 | S. Usha | Sree Sastha Instituteof Engineering & Technology | 2013 | 3 months | Detection of levels of IG in pre & post renal transplant patients |
| 45 | Harshida Madhavan | Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology | 2014 | 3 months | Surveillance of methilicin resistant staphylococcus aureus in school going children and anti-microbial activity of rhizoporamucornata, avicennia alba and avicenniaofficinialis against MRSA |
| 46 | KarthikaiSelvi R. Sharmila |
Adhiyamman College of Engineering | 2016 | 2 months | Comparison of presence of GAD autoantibody in children and adult for LADA/type 1 diabetes mellitus |
| 47 | SP Subramanian ME. Dhusyanandh G. Krishnakumar |
Jeppiar Engineering College | 2015 | 3 months | Detection of autoantibodies in younger age diabetes mellitus patient |
| 48 | Dinesh Kumar A Muthusanthiya B |
Sree Sastha institute of engineering and technology | April 2017 | 3 months | Serological Evaluation of TORCH AGENTS in Prenatal Patients |
| 49 | Soundarya G Mathuvel Kuppusamy P.S |
Sree Sastha institute of engineering and technology | April 2017 | 3 months | To detection of GAD65 Autoantibodies in Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) Patients. |
| 50 | Devaraj A | Adhiyamaan College of Engineering | February 2021 | 3 months | Comparison of Presence of GAD Auto Antibodies in Children’s and Adults for Lada/Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus |
| 51 | Sruthi V.S | VIT Vellore Institute of Technology | June 2022 | 3 months | Estimation of Seromarkers and Viral Load of Hepatitis B Positive patients. |
| 52 | Kishore Balaji .N | Bharthidasan University | June 2022 | 3 months | Detection of GAD65, IA2 Autoantibodies and C-peptide levels in LADA patients. |
| 53 | Yuvaranjani S Sherin C.B. |
Bharthidasan University | July 2023 | 1 months | Estimation of Anti-GAD and Anti-IA2 in Diabetes Mellitus patients to distinguish between Type 2 Diabetes and LADA. |
| 54 | Sruthi | Sastra University | August 2023 | 2 Weeks | Basic Immunological Techniques |
Continuing Medical Education CME
| S.No | Date | Topic | Speaker | No. of Participants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 24/07/2008 | Leptospirosis Program | Dr. Bapi Raju | 34 |
| 02 | 09/04/2009 | CME on Accreditation of Labs | Dr. Revathi | 50 |
| 03 | 22/12/2009 | Microarray Technique | Dr. Vijayalakshmi | 44 |
| 04 | 09/02/2010 | Basics in HLA | Dr. S. Pushkala | 18 |
| 05 | 08/10/2010 | Guest Lecture on Immunological Techniques | Dr. Kurosawa | 68 |
| 06 | 01/03/2013 | HLA Workshop | Dr. S. Pushkala | 38 |
| 07 | 27/07/2013 | Diabetes Mellitus and HLA(ICMR funded) | 74 | |
| 08 | 10/09/2014 | Medical Aspect of EBOLA Virus | 56 | |
| 09 | 03/12/2014 | A-Z About Detection of Bacterial Pathogen | 190 | |
| 10 | 23/03/2017 | Cancer Immunotherapy | Dr. Senthamil R Selvan | 61 |
| 11 | 10/05/2018 | Hands on Workshop on HLA Typing | Dr. C.N. Srinivas | 21 |
| 12 | 25/10/2018 | Hands on Workshop | Dr. S. Pushkala | 24 |
| 13 | 25/10/2018 | Hands on Workshop | Dr. S. Pushkala | 15 |
| 14 | 07/01/2019 | Hands on Workshop Basic Immunological Techniques |
14 | |
| 15 | 22/02/2019 | Guidance and Parameters for NAAC Accreditation for Health Universities |
91 | |
| 16 | 19/03/2019 | Hands on Workshop | 7 | |
| 17 | 25/07/2019 | 1. Biometric Sensors for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers 2. Significance of Immune System with relevance to Oncology and its Functional Evaluation in the General Population |
Prof. Yoshimi Dr. Samuel Abraham |
48 |
| 18 | 08/18/2019 | Hands on Workshop Basic Immunological Techniques | Dr. Pushkala | – |
| 19 | 18/09/2019 | World Patient Safety Day | Dr. Anuradha Pichumani | 61 |
| 20 | 21/12/2019 | Basic Training Programme on Human Rights” (NHRC Fund) |
Honorable Former Judge Mr. Kannan Mr. Chandru Mr. P. Jyothimani Mrs. PushpaSathyanarayana Tmt. V. Shobhana, I.A.S. Secretary |
59 |
| 21 | 02/01/2020 | Basic Training Programme | Dr. S. Pushkala | 5 |
| 22 | 03/01/2020 | Basic Training Programme | Dr. S. Pushkala | 7 |
| 23 | 07/12/2021 | Diagnosis of Zoonotic Disease | Dr. Azhagiyanambi TANUVAS | 32 |
List of Publications (Titles)
International Papers
| S.No | Journal Name | Title | Vol. No. & Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Vox Sanguinis | HLA and its importance in Transfusion | 89, suppl.2 2005 |
| 02 | Vox Sanguinis | Donor recruitment motivation and retention – few problems in developing countries | 89, suppl.2 2005 |
| 03 | Vox Sanguinis | NAT testing for HIV,HCV, HBV in Voluntary blood donors in comparison with conventional serological techniques used in blood banks | 89, suppl.2 2005 |
| 04 | International journal of leprosy year | PCR in paucibacillary leprosy patients and their contacts and the effect of treatment | March 2000 |
National Papers
| S.No | Journal Name | Title | Vol. No. & Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Asian Journal of Transfusion Medicine | Serosurviellance of HBsAg in Voluntary Blood Donors Seromarkers Viral Load of HBV | Vol 3 Issue 1, Jan 09 |
| 02 | Indian Journal Hematology and Blood Transfusion | Acute Moderate Normovolemic Hemodilution in Elective ortho surgeries | Vol XXI suppl 1, 2003 |
| 03 | Indian Journal of Pediatrics | Component therapy | Vol 70, Aug 2003 |
| 04 | Asian journal of Transfusion Science | Donor adverse reactions | Vol 2 Issue 1 Jan 2008 |
| 05 | Journal of Biomedical Sciences | The Hand wash asepsis with the usual disinfectants | March 2009 |
| 06 | Journal of Biomedical Sciences | The effective way of destroying the viruses in collected blood bags | March 2009 |
| 07 | Journal of Biomedical Sciences | Donor adverse reactions | March 2009 |
| 08 | Journal of Biomedical Sciences | Study of Microbial organism in drinking water | March 2000 |
| 09 | Journal of Biomedical Sciences | Incidence of MRSA in health caseworker | June 2010 |
| 10 | Journal of Biomedical Sciences | Role of Human Papilloma Virus in Juvenile Laryngeal Papillomatosis in Children | Vol 32, p511 – 515, Nov 2012 |
| 11 | Biomedicine | The identification of synthetic peptide vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 through reverse vaccinology approach | April – June 2021 |
| 12 | Biomedicine | Role of therapeutic plasma exchange in liver disease | – |
| 13 | Nueroscience report Journal of International Brain Research organisation. | Beneficial immune modulatory effects of N 163 and Beta glucans to boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy | July 2023 |
| 14 | Newspaper article | Beta glucan in Duchene Muscular Dystrophy | 11th July 2023 |
Research
PhD Students
| S.No | Name of the Candidate | Ph.D. Research Title |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dr. S. Joy Varghese | Role of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (PLASMAPHERESIS) in Liver Disease Patients both Clinically and Immunologically. |
| 02 | Mr. Tammanna Bhajantri | The Expression of Macrophage Coreceptor Cxr4 During HIV-I Tropism |
UGC Project
| S.No | Topic | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Study on the Asymptomatic Hepatitis B Patients and Genotyping of the virus | 2012 – 2016 |
University Project
| S.No | Topic | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Serological testing of patients to provide a roadmap for management of Chronic Urticaria – “Urticaria package” | 2017 – 2018 |
One Health Project
| S.No | Topic | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Establishment of a Consortium for One Health to address Zoonotic and Transboundary Diseases in India, including the North – East Region-Funded by Department of Biotechnology-MoS&T | 2021 |
Up-Coming Project
| S.No | Topic | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | One Health approach for surveillance of Human Brucellosis-Funded by EpiPointe – An International organization for Epidemiology of Global Health. | 2023 |
Seminars Attended
- Participated in Transom from 2000-2008 presented paper in all the conference ISOT 2010.
- Organized many CME, and workshop in Immunology – the latest one being “antibody based Novel approach to cancer treatment”.
- Published paper in 5 International Journals and 10 papers in National Journal.
- Hands on training in the “advanced techniques of molecular method of detection” organized by the Cancer Institute (WIA) for fourteen days from 1st January 2010.
- Hands on training for HLA by TBG kit by molecular method done by the company expert in our lab.
- Participated in 37TH ISBTI-TN TRANSCOM 2012conference & I Presented poster – “Seroserveilance of HbsAg in Voluntary Blood Donors and Serological evaluation of Asymptomatic HbsAg Positive Voluntary Blood Donors”.
- Participated in AMEE 2012, LEYON presented two papers in the Conference.
- Presented a paper on comparison of mCA in nursing and other paramedical undergraduate students – Prague AMEE 2013 Copenhagen A comparison of the Performance of Students from life Sciences vs Medicine and its Allied Specialties in an Objective test on regenerative medicine; the lessons learnt for Curriculum Development.
- Training in red cell antibody screening and identification 12 September 2012.
- Lecture on immunology in RPL cases – CME on Recurrent first trimester pregnancy loss – 5th October 2012.
- Participated in recent advances in the management type 2 DM- 19th Nov 2014.
- Presented and published a paper in 74thsceintifica session of ADA at Sanfranscico on June 13-17, 2014.
- Presented a paper in FOCIS at Chicago Illinois June 25-28th 2014.
- Presented a paper in Immunocon Madurai September 20th 2014.
- Conducted a CME funded by ICMR- A=-Z in detection of bacterial Pathogens – December 3rd 2014.
- Conducted a seminar on type 2 dm in August 2013.
- Have conducted around 18 webinars for all our affiliated colleges and PG Students on various subjects – once in a fortnight from May 2021.
- Chaired a session on 17.11.2021 for NCRM Niche – Japan.
- Chairing and moderating the national congress on clinical and Microboiological infection diseases – on 4/12/2021.
- Conducted international update on COVID on 19th January 2020.
- Conducted international seminar on Holistic Medicine in December 2018.
- Spoke on Rabies and one Health as a part of food safety international Conference and workshop conducted by TANUVAS on 26.10/2021
- Key speaker on immunity and mental health after COVID at Loyola College on 10.11.2021.
- Attended World one health congress 2022 held at Singapore, Nov 2022.
Lab Test Being Done
| Branches | Test Name | Price-corporate | Govt and Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetology | GAD | 400 | 200 |
| IA2 | 400 | 200 | |
| CPeptide | 360 | 180 | |
| Rheumatologist | ANA | 395 | 160 |
| Antids DNA | 550 | 220 | |
| ANCA | 750 | 300 | |
| CRP | 150 | 60 | |
| ASO | 225 | 110 | |
| RA Factor | 300 | 150 | |
| Gastroenterology | AntiHBC | 300 | 150 |
| HbeAg | 300 | 150 | |
| HBVDNA / HCVRNA | 2500 | 1250 | |
| HbsAg | 2500 | 1250 | |
| Anti HCV | 390 | 160 | |
| Physician | Dengue, ELISA | 300 | 200 |
| Scrub Typhus | 400 | 200 | |
| Gynaecology | Toxoplasma IgG | 225 | 110 |
| RPL–TORCH panel | Toxoplasma IgM | 225 | 110 |
| Rubella IgG | 225 | 110 | |
| Rubella IgM | 225 | 110 | |
| Herpes Simplex | 225 | 110 | |
| CMV | 275 | 110 | |
| Paediatrics | IgG | 500 | 250 |
| IgM | 500 | 250 | |
| IgE | 500 | 250 | |
| IgG4 | 500 | 250 | |
| C3 | 500 | 250 | |
| C4 | 500 | 250 | |
| Transplant Team | HLA – (Molecular Method) | 10000 | 8000 |
Faculty Members
| S.No | Name of the Faculty | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Dr. S. Pushkala, MD., | Professor & HOD |
| S.No | Name of the Staff | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ms. M. Veeralakshmi | Lab Technician Gr I |
| 02 | Mr. K. S. Gurunathan | Lab Technician Gr II |
| 03 | Mr. P. Ponnusamy | Lab Technician Gr II |
| 04 | Mr. R. Deiveegan | S.G.Lab Technician Gr III |
Contact
Department of Immunology
The Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University,
No.69, Anna Salai, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032.
Phone: +91 44 22353548,
Email ID: doiprof@tnmgrmu.ac.in