ICAR-NRC on Mithun conducts Hands-on-Training for COVID-19 diagnosis

19^th April, 2020, Medziphema, Nagaland

With an aim to contain the spread and cure the patients suffering from the deadliest Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19), the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema provided the hands-on-training to the Medical team of Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dimapur.

Highlighting the setting-up of two high-end state-of-the-art Bio-safety Level facilities at Naga Hospital, Kohima and CIHSR, Dimapur, Dr. Sedevi, Director, CIHSR stressed on the need for the medical team of CIHSR for undergoing the hands-on-training on the Real Time RT-PCR before the facility gets ready for use.

Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun stated that in line with the norms of the Indian Council of medical Research, Government of India; the Institute is ready to provide all support to the laboratory personnel of CIHSR, Dimapur for undergoing the hands-on-training on the Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) before the Bio-safety Level facility is ready. He emphasized that the Real Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real Time RT-PCR) is considered as one of the most accurate laboratory methods to detect, track and study the Coronavirus that is causing the COVID-19 Disease. As compared to the conventional RT-PCR providing results at the end, the Real Time RT-PCR provides immediate results during the process only. Dr. Abhijit stressed on the technical skill and support that is required to use the Real Time PCR.

The participants were explained the basic theoretical aspects of the Real Time RT-PCR including the mechanism and chemistry of detection followed by the demonstration of setting-up of reaction and running of the machine. The training programme accentuated on the importance of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) to minimize the risks in the handling of infectious samples in the lab. The programme also highlighted the analysis of the result and troubleshooting of different types of problems in the data. The participants were also demonstrated the different chemistry of detection in the Real Time RT-PCR along with the results’ validation.

In addition, the participants were also trained about sample handling, isolation of RNA, eDNA synthesis along with quality checking of nucleic acids and importance of sample quality in down-stream analysis during the training programme.

The CIHSR medical team under the leadership of Dr. Nito Yepthomi along with the senior officials of ICAR-NRC on Mithun attended the training programme.

(Source: ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland)