Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a national Institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India joined hands with the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Manipur to fight COVID-19, according to a press release.
On request from the authority of JNIMS, a Real Time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) instrument along with consumables was provided from IBSD to supplement the existing functioning of VRDL (Virus research and diagnostic laboratory), Microbiology, Department of JNIMS in detecting COVID-19.
RT-PCR is used to study gene expression, which is needed to diagnose the diseases and is one of the most accurate laboratory methods for detecting, tracking, and studying the coronavirus.
Also read: Manipur closely monitoring COVID-19 scenario
This initiative was taken up under the guidance of director Prof Pulok K Mukherjee of IBSD, who congratulated the whole team of the JNIMS under the leadership of director Prof Th Bhimo Singh of JNIMS who are performing yeoman’s service in the tough time of fighting the pandemic.
IBSD director Prof Mukherjee also expressed that IBSD team is ready to extend any possible help with the available resources at the institute for fighting COVID-19.
“The authority of the institute would like to laud the commendable services provided by the JNIMS during this global health crisis,” says senior administrative officer Akbar Mazid in a press release.
The staff of IBSD Imphal has donated one-day salary to PM CARES Fund.
The IBSD as per the release claimed to have distributed hand sanitisers to the media persons, police and sanitary workers of Imphal Municipal Council just before the announcement of national lockdown.
IBSD which was established in 2001 with an objective to find scientific ways for the sustainable uses of the bioresources and its protection to stop the depletion of the rich biodiversity in the northeastern region, has its centres at Shillong, Gangtok and Aizawl too.