JIPMER, Part 2

Dr. Subhash Parija is an expert in parasitology. The focus of his research lab is to develop diagnostic methods for more rapid and accurate detection of parasitic infestations. He walked me around his lab and had the head of each section describe the equipment and the types of studies performed. In Bacteriology, they use a Bactec system, including anaerobic cultures. Both of these characteristics are found in few clinical labs here in India. They also make much of their own agar and other culture media. We went to Virology, Serology, the TB area, and the molecular biology area. They also have a tissue culture area that is currently maintained only for educating the microbiology residents (there is a residency here separate from path for persons who want to be MD microbiologists). This area, consisting of two rooms, is slated to be completely renovated in the next few months. Dr. Parija’s lab is going to be a referral center for avian flu for all of South India. They have funds to renovate as well as get two real-time PCR machines and other fancy pieces of equipment.

We then went out the front door of the building and headed to a smaller structure that is dedicated to HIV testing and counseling. Dr. Parija heads up the newly created HIV Cell at JIPMER, and maintains a separate lab area for all HIV-related specimens and assays. Finally, he showed me the animal facility, which he also heads. There they house mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and sheep. They used to have non-human primates, but decided that it was too much for now.

I am impressed with JIPMER and with Dr. Parija. It is an institution where research efforts are valued and prioritized, and one that has a long tradition of excellence both in research and the clinical arena. I am going back Monday to meet with Dr. Hamid from Internal Medicine. He sees most of the HIV-infected patients.