DBT has taken up the initiative to address MDR-TB in NER through “MDR-TB in North East India: A Genomic Driven Approach" programme



Tuberculosis is one of the India’s major health problems. In spite of the commendable performance of National TB control programme, the incidence of TB has not declined significantly. With the emergence of MDR-TB, a different set of challenges and problems in the public health programme has set in. These challenges are even more daunting in the Northeast India, underlining the need to develop innovative intervention approaches. Due to varied geographical and ethnic diversity of North Eastern Region of India, the genetic makeup, transmission dynamics, virulence and drug resistance patterns of Mycobacterium strains circulating in this region need to be studied in depth so as to find ways to mitigate the TB situation.
Therefore, DBT initiated “MDR-TB in North East India: A Genomic Driven Approach." to address various scientific and societal issues of MDR-TB in NER and devise a long-term plan for disease management. This network programme involves scientists from the State Government Departments, NGO, Institutions and Universities of the Eight North Eastern Region and from other parts of the country.
Even as the incidence of TB has not declined significantly in spite of several initiatives by the government, especially in the North Eastern Region (NER) of the country, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is embarking on a research programme in a consortium mode on MDR-TB in the NER with focus on genomics driven intervention approaches.
The broad areas of this joint research programme include, Mapping hot-spots of TB and MDR/XDR-TB in NER by whole genome sequencing of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (this will include development/validation of media/device for cold chain transport of TB isolates across NER and other parts of the country); Population genetic studies to delineate predisposing factors associated with TB/MDR-TB/XDR-TB, including pharmacogenomics of anti-TB drugs; Repurposing studies on existing drugs against other diseases for their anti-TB activity. Relook into critical concentrations of drugs that define sensitive and resistant M. tuberculosis strains; Development/validation of new tools for diagnosis of TB and drug resistant TB and non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM), creation of infrastructure facility in NER; and Awareness programme on NTMs and paragonimiasis through training/seminar/workshop/health camps.
Researchers from universities, institutes, colleges, hospitals, health departments and NGOs having experience in these areas can participate in this research programme.
DBT has taken up the initiative to address various scientific and societal issues of MDR-TB in NER and devise a long-term plan for disease management.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Macrophytes in Deccan India

Image
Macrophytes in Deccan India Alpana Saha Sub-Editor Vigyan Prasar C-24, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi – 110016 E-mail: alpanarim@gmail.com ; alpana@vigyanprasar.gov.in Abstract Macrophytes are the aquatic plants that are generally present in the water bodies. The macrophytic plants can range from bryophytes, pteridophytes to angiospermic plants. So, aquatic plants or macrophytes can be found both in stagnant and in flowing water. Taking position of plants in water macrophytes are broadly divided into four categories. The broad four categories are: submersed plants, leaves-floating plants, free-floating plants and rooted plants. Submersed plants have all the portions of the plant emerged inside the water body, for example, Hydrilla. Leaves-floating plants have leaves floating on the surface of the water, for example, watershield and lotus (Nymphaea). Free-floating plants have all the parts of the plants freely floating in the water body, for example, catt
Read more

ADMINISTRATIVE THEORIES

ADMINISTRATIVE THEORIES IT’S SIGNIFICANCE IN MY VIEW Administrative theories given by Taylor and Fayol in the early year were such that it aims at dehumanizing the human resource working in any organization. Taylor focused on the micro aspect of the organization and Fayol focus on the macro aspect. One took the scientific aspect and the other one took the aspect of improving the top management. One thing was very common in the two kind of study that was the aspect of Mechanization of the worker and the work environment. To bring efficiency of work and the best output they just forgot to take care of humanitarian aspect of the most important resource, i.e., the human resource for whom the efficiency and output is all about. This brings out the benefit to the capitalist at the cost of the craftsmanship of the human being. Mechanization of work environment and human beings in the name of quality and quantity adversely affects the creativity of the worker in long run. So, b
Read more

Mind that helps us achieve our Goal

Image
On the occasion of 150 th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, CSIR-NISCAIR had organized a talk at it’s Satsang Marg premises. The topic of the talk was “How to achieve goals by infinite powers of mind: inspiration from Gandhi.” The talk was delivered by Dr. BK Paliwal . Dr. Paliwal has completed 30 awesome years in various sectors and organizations both Government and private corporates. He started his career from National Dairy Development Board. From there he switched to Dhara vegetable oil and food company limited. After serving for 7 and a half years to the company he accepted a job in Mother Dairy. After that, there was no looking back for him. He subsequently served for Cargill India Private Limited and Emami Agrotech Limited. In the welcome address of the Programme Dr. Mukesh Pund , Head Human Resource Development Division of NISCAIR said that for youth to get motivation from the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi is always a great idea. He even added that Dr. Manoj Kumar
Read more