STAFF REPORTER VELLORE MARCH 24, 2017 00:00 IST UPDATED: MARCH 24, 2017 04:32 IST
TAMIL NADU
CMC adopts next generation sequencing
$31.85
It will help in diagnosing genetic disorders and knowing which gene causes the disease within a week The Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College (CMC), has set up Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) facility primarily for research on genetic disorders, and to develop and validate diagnostic services. Funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, as part of the Centre of Excellence grant, the NGS facility has come up at the extension of haematology laboratory on Katpadi Road. The department has joined hands with MedGenome, a genomics-based research and diagnostics company, to collaborate on research projects using the NGS platform, according to Vikram Mathews, professor and head of Department of Haematology, CMC. This in-house facility will facilitate an interface between technologists and clinicians, he said and added that it would serve as a core research facility at CMC. The facility would be manned by three senior scientists — R.V. Shaji, B. Poonkuzhali, Eunice Sindhuvi E. — professors of the department and 29 life science graduates. DNA extracted from any biological material such as blood or saliva will be sequenced in this facility for diagnosis and research of genetic disorders. Till now, Sanger Sequencing was being used for DNA sequencing and identification of mutation, Dr. Shaji said. “NGS facility enables us to know which gene/mutation causes the disease within a week,” he added. Multiple benefits NGS can run 24 samples simultaneously. Citing an instance of how single genes are involved in certain diseases while multiple genes are involved in diseases such as Fanconi Anaemia, Dr. Sindhuvi said that NGS facility enabled analysis of multiple genes at one time and providedmuch simpler results Dr. Mathews said the hospital sent at least 100 to 200 samples to outside facilities for diagnosis and research purposes in a year. “As we have the facility in-house now, I expect the number of samples will exponentially increase. The cost will be reduced for the patients,” he added. He pointed out that in future, they plan to expand the facility to other platform technology from the present DNA to protein and proteomics.