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]
NIV is also the National Centre for Hepatitis and Influenza.It has outstations in Bangalore, Kerala and Mumbai. The field unit of NIV at Bengaluru is one of the centres under National Polio Surveillance Programme conducting surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis cases from Karnataka as a part of Global Polio Eradication Programme of the WHO South-East Asia region since 1997. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Arboviruses, Influenza and Measles as well as National Reference Centre for Hepatitis, Avian Influenza and emerging infectious diseases.[5]
Research areas include Cell repository, Electron microscopy, Rickettsioses, Hepatitis, Influenza and related viruses, Clinical virology, Biochemistry, Virus registry, and Biostatistics. The research activities of the Institute are coordinated by a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).[citation needed]
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.
First detection of human meta-pneumovirus from acute pneumonia cases in India.
Discovered Chandipura virus involvement in encephalitis outbreaks in children in India.
Isolation of several strains of Rotaviruses. Established the utility of immune goat colostrum for prevention of diarrhea.
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).
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