Molecular Diagnostic Center

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre has a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 NABL-accredited Molecular Diagnostic Centre, which was inaugurated in September 2020. COVID (SARS CoV2) real-time PCR, Qualitative assay and Hepatitis C RT PCR are performed in the laboratory. A total of 11,358 samples were processed from January 2021 to June 30th, 2021, for effective management of the COVID-19 second wave. 46 samples for HCV RNA RT PCR were processed in the first six months of the calendar year 2021. We have been selected as one of the sites for the COVAXIN clinical trial, which is currently in Phase 3. We have processed 2100 samples as of June 30th, 2021, as part of this trial. The laboratory is currently in collaboration with WHO on two study projects. Study 1 is aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of COVID-19 total Ig antibodies among healthcare workers in India. Study 2 is aimed at analysing the effectiveness of COVAXIN and COVISHIELD vaccines against severe COVID-19. It is a multicentric hospital-based case-control study. We have recruited 87 cases and 243 control subjects as of June 30th, 2021, for the study.