DBT nods for new course in Molecular Diagnostics

Tiruchirapalli, Oct 10: The Union Government Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has sanctioned Rs 75.15 lakh to Bharathidasan University here to offer advanced diploma course in Molecular Diagnostics to train post graduates in Life Sciences, a university press release said.

The release said the course, being launched under Human Resource Development Programme of DBT, would train talented Bio-science students in cutting-edge technologies like molecular biology, immunology, immunotechnology and genetics of infectious diseases.

The one-year full-time course will be conducted at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomedical Diagnostic Laboratory of the University.

The course is designed to impart extensive lab oriented curriculum involving DNA extraction from different clinical samples and environmental pathogens to cloning and expression analysis involving molecular technologies like PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) and RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism).

Students will also be trained in molecular tissue typing for transplantation medicine to expand the horizons of molecular diagnostic technologists to suit the growing needs of health care industries.

The university has received sanction to conduct the course for five years with an educational allowance of Rs 5,000 per month to the selected students.

The university is arranging for a tie-up with leading health care providers in the State to provide industrial exposure in molecular diagnostics.

The national-level screening test for the students will be held on October 20, the release said.

UNI