Translational Virology

Research Area

Virology

Disease SurveillanceOur group worked on disease surveillance program of notable viral infections such as, Dengue and Chikungunya in collaboration with Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital, Pune. As a part of multicentric norovirus surveillance network in India, our group has participated in hospital-based surveillance of norovirus in year 2018-2019, partly sponsored by CDC, USA. We have conducted sero-epidemiological study of Hepatitis A Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella viruses.
Diagnosis of Viral diseasesOur group continuously working on standardization of molecular and serological assays for diagnosis of emerging or re-emerging viral infections such as Dengue, Chikungunya, SARS-CoV-2 and evaluates the performance of commercial available diagnostic kits in disease diagnosis.
Immune Response to Viral Infection In this area, our group focuses on understanding the antibody (IgG, IgG subtypes, IgA, neutralizing antibody) and cell mediated (Innate immune cells, B cells, T cells, Follicular T helper cells) immune response against viral infection in patients exposed to Dengue or Chikungunya or different variants of SARS-CoV-2.
PathogenesisOur group focuses on virus-host cell interactions and signaling pathways to understand the pathogenesis of viral disease. We are working on interaction of dengue viruses with immune cells, platelets, endothelial cells, Fc-gamma receptor expressing cells and their effect on disease severity. In SARS-CoV-2 infection, we are investigating the role of neutrophil activation in modulating the immune response towards disease severity.
Biomarker identification Our group is actively involved in identifying the determinants responsible for disease severity or protection in dengue or SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.

Vaccines

Despite the large health impact of Chikungunya and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections, vaccines against these two pathogens are not available. Our lab is involved in evaluation of antigen, adjuvants and delivery routes to develop vaccines against Chikungunya and RSV. Our laboratory also takes keen interest in assessment of the immune response in humans after immunization. We have already assessed antibody and T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2, DTwP-HBV-HIB, MMRV vaccines.

Assay Development

Our laboratory is actively involved in development and standardization of molecular and serological assays for diagnosis of viral diseases – dengue, chikungunya and SARS-CoV-2. We have also developed specialized cell-based assays for quantitation of dengue viremia from patients. Further, we offer R & D support to our "NIBEC" program for the development of assays for immunogenicity assessment of viral vaccines.We are also engaged in development of different tests for evaluation of antiviral products, particularly against SARS-CoV-2.

Antivirals

Our lab focuses on

Development, repurposing of Drugs/NCE's against SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, Dengue, Chikungunya and other critical viruses (anti- viral drug development)
Working with industrial collaborators for development of antiviral products such as antiviral porous, non-porous material, disinfectant, cleaners for improvisation of household products (anti- viral product development)