VirologyRMRIMS, Patna

DIVISION OF VIROLOGY
The lab was established on 4 Dec, 2012. The Division of Virology at ICMR-RMRIMS is performing basic and applied research in the areas of virology and associated viruses. Our research is focused on the molecular virology of Respiratory viruses, Flaviviruses, Viruses causing Gastroenteritis, and Oncogenic Viruses etc. Because understanding transmission matters, efforts track viral variation alongside human immune responses during infections. Data produced supports practical public health decisions, especially when outbreaks emerge unexpectedly. Across India, monitoring systems for influenza and COVID-19 operate under the DHR-ICMR VRDL framework. Through genome analysis and field observations, findings add clarity to disease patterns over time. A leading facility in virus detection, this lab operates around the clock, analyzing more than 30 human pathogenic virus tied to public health. It meets high accreditation standards and handles genetic profiling of difficult cases. When the coronavirus emerged in early 2020, staff swiftly launched PCR-based screening in Bihar, one of the first in the region to do so. Training local laboratories became part of their role, along with assessing quick-test kits for antigens and antibodies. Their work fed into nationwide immunity studies while ensuring test accuracy across outside centers. Designated by NACO as a key hub for HIV confirmation and viral load detection, they help strengthen nearby regions’ ability to respond effectively.

• COBAS 6800/ COBAS 5800
• NGS (Illumina Miseq)
• Fluorescence inverted microscope and upright microscope
• BOD, CO2 & Bacteriological Incubator
• Bio-safety Cabinet BSL-II Plus
• Gradient PCR, RT-PCR, & Conventional PCR
• ELISA Reader & Washer
• Basic equipments (-20 & -80 deep Freezers, Water bath, Weight machine, Oven, Autoclave and Cold Centrifuge machine, etc)

• Received Gold Medal in the VRDL in 2025 from DHR Conclave 2025
• Supported diagnosis of COVID-19 during the pandemic, carried out more than 21 lakh samples of COVID-19

• Dr. Bipin Bihari Mishra, PhD (Research Scientist-I)
• Dr. Kanak Raj Kanak, PhD (Research Scientist-I)
• Mr. Neetesh Jindal (Research Assistant)
• Mr. Rajendra Kumar (Lab Technician)
• Mrs. Surya Suman (Lab Technician)
• Ms. Pinki Kumari (Project Technical Support III)
• Mr. Sumit Shrivastav ( DEO)
• Ms. Rinkal Kumari (MTS)

• Establishment of a network of Laboratories for managing epidemics and Natural Calamities (VRDL) at ICMR-RMRIMS, Patna.
• Pan India Influenza Like Illness (Ili) And Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) Surveillance Epidemiological, Clinical And Genomic Analysis at ICMR-RMRIMS, Patna
• Comparative Genome Analysis of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) and Whole Transcriptome Analysis of JEV positive AES Patients in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bihar region and Gorakhpur, UP region during different sessions by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS): A Pilot Study at ICMR –RMRIMS, Patna.
• Identification of Adenovirus Genotypes causing Gastroenteritis and Respiratory illness among Children under 5 – Years age in Patna, Bihar Region.

Email: ganeshiitkgp@gmail.com