ICGEB conducting research in birdflu

Hyderabad, Apr 1 (UNI) International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Director Virender Singh Chauhan today said the ICGEB was conducting research into birdflu in collaboration with Vietnam-based research institutes.

Speaking to newspersons here, Prof Chauhan said the research will enable scientists to find a vaccine which will be able to prevent outbreak of the disease among humans.

He also said the institute will conduct animal trials on malaria vaccine joinlty developed by the ICGEB and drug manufacturers.

Earlier, delivering the 14th SS Bhatnagar Memorial Lecture on ''Trends in malaria vaccine, drug and peptidomemetics research'' organised by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here Prof Chauhan said, ''We have produced recombinated proteins of experimental malaria vaccine.'' ''Clinical trials of the vaccine will take place this year and animal trials will begin next year,'' he added The ICGEB has focused on development of blood stage malaria vaccine and the efforts received a boost with availability of three genomes of the host, parasite and the vector.

He said the occurrence of malaria was the highest in forest areas, particularly in Sundergarh area of Orissa recording 43 per cent.

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