The Virus Research Centre (VRC),
Pune came into existence in 1952 under the joint auspices of the
ICMR and the
Rockefeller Foundation, as a part of the global programme of investigations on the
arthropod-borne group of
viruses.[4] In view of its expanded scope and activities, the VRC was re-designated as the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in 1978.[4]
The National Institute of Virology is one of the major
Institutes of the
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).[4] It was established at
Pune,
Maharashtra,
India in 1952 as Virus Research Centre (VRC) under the auspices of the
ICMR and the
Rockefeller Foundation (RF), USA.[4] It was an outcome of the global programme of the RF for investigating the Arthropod Borne viruses. Since the studies on arboviruses and their arthropod vectors involve most of the basic principles and techniques of general
virology,
entomology and
zoology, these viruses were also considered to be an ideal group, to begin with, for intensive training and research in
virology. The RF withdrew its support in 1967 and since then the institute has been funded by the
ICMR.[4]
Gate of National Institute of Virology, Pune
The institute was designated as one of the collaborating laboratories of the
World Health Organization (WHO) in 1967 and it started functioning as the regional centre of the WHO for South-East Asia for arbovirus studies from 1969. Since 1974, it has been functioning as a WHO collaborating centre for
arbovirus reference and research. In 1995 it has been redesignated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for
Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research and Rapid Diagnosis of Viral Diseases.[4]
A Microbial Containment Complex (MCC) having P-3
biosafety levels for handling
microorganisms of highly infectious nature is being established at Pashan, 11
km off the main laboratory at
Pune. The
laboratory will provide a National
Containment facility for the safe handling of
hazardouspathogens.
Landmark achievements
Isolated the 11 strains of
SARS-CoV-2virus and helped India becoming the fifth country in world to isolate the strain[7]
First laboratory in the country that developed comprehensive infrastructure facilities like:
Ecological studies to understand the natural cycle of
zoonotic viruses like KFD, JE, and Chandipura (CHP) etc.
Discovered 22 new viruses; a few have been characterized fully, while others are partially characterized or unrecognized. Recently, isolated and characterized a novelvirus “Malsoor”, from frugivorous bats, belonging to
Phleobovirus family.
Pioneering effort in outbreak and pandemic investigations and establishment of research group in
Epidemiology. Over 250 epidemics investigated.
Discovered one new species each of
rodent and
bat; and a subspecies of
bird.
Developed the first
mosquitocell line in the world: popularly called ‘the Singh's cell line’, a
clone of which is now known as C6/36 (clone developed by A Igarashi), is used extensively for
arboviral studies. Many new cell lines were also developed from
fish and
arthropods subsequently.
Developed indigenous
ELISA for detection of JE,
Dengue, WN, CHP,
Hepatitis A, B, E,
Rota,
Measles and Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) viruses
First visualization of
Hepatitis E virus particles, confirmation of the virus as the causative agent of water bore
hepatitis, characterization of
clinical,
epidemiological and
immunological parameters for development of a candidate vaccine. (Technology ready for transfer to Industry).
Epidemiology and characterization of
Hepatitis viruses, development of vaccines and diagnostic reagents.
Establishment of multisite
Influenza surveillance network in 2004. Isolated numerous strains of
influenza A and B viruses from humans and animals.
Establishment of
Avian Influenza Department for investigation of Avian Influenza in India (2006) and pandemic Influenza investigation and policy making in 2009.
Bangalore unit has been accredited as National Laboratory for Karnataka under National
Polio Surveillance Program (NPSP) since 1997. In addition
Gorakhpur and
Kerala units have also been established.
Recently, played an important role in providing
diagnostic services,
training and support in developing a country-wide network for diagnostic facility and various national documents.
Development of an
inactivated KFD vaccine for
public health (Technology transferred to Karnataka state).
Development of an
inactivated JE vaccine for
public health (Technology transferred to Industry).