Mobile Lab

MOBILE VIROLOGY RESEARCH AND DIAGNOSTICS LABORATORY (MVRDL)

• RCI, DRDO developed first of its kind mobile lab called MVRDL in India to speed-up the COVID-19 screening and R&D activities. It was conceptualized on April 06 and the all activities have been completed by 20 April i.e. 15 days.
• One number of MVRDL has been dedicated to the Nation by Honorable Raksha Mantri on 23rd April’2020
• DRDO in consortium with ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad team configured a combination of two modules. One Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab and another one Bio-Safety Level 2 (BSL-2) labs are connected to carry out the virology research and diagnostic activities.
• The test laboratories are expected to carry out the following activities:
  • Conduct diagnostic test for COVID-19, real-time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) Test
  • Virus culturing for drug screening, convalescent plasma derived therapy
  • Aid in development of vaccine
  • Development of diagnostics kits
• This can be positioned anywhere due to mobile shelter based configuration
• The entire area is conditioned with HVAC system with a design of 100% fresh air ensuring no re-circulation. Room temperature of 24±40C is maintained, relative humidity is maintained less than 60% as per specifications of BSL-3 and BSL-2 labs. The labs are built as per WHO and ICMR bio-safety standards to meet the international guidelines.
• The system is equipped with access control, LAN, telephone cabling and CCTV. Fire alarm system is provided to ensure fire safety. The system has built-in furniture and is equipped with pass boxes for transfer of samples from container to other container. Personnel protective equipment is provided for personnel to cross over box.
• Other applications of the laboratory
  • It can enable the test services at remote places
  • The laboratory will enable extensive research on identification of viruses and identification of other agents causing morbidity significant to public health
  • It will enable the researchers and medical practitioners to undertake research activities and develop diagnostics assays and therapeutics
  • To understand and conduct surveillance of existing as well as new viruses.
  • To develop diagnostic kits
• The laboratory is designed to carry out following activities:
  • The laboratory screens 1000-2000 samples per day
  • Drug screening
  • Therapeutics - Convalescent Plasma therapy, Therapeutic value of milk exosomes for COVID-19, Stem cell therapy to reduce inflammation and fibrosis
  • COVID-19 Diagnostics - Covid i-Chip, IgG/IgG, Single Tube PCR test, Direct sequencing of corona viruses from clinical specimens
• Vaccine Development - Comprehensive immunity profiling of COVID-19 patients towards vaccine design and early clinical trials specific to Indian population.
• Industry Partners
• M/s iCOMM, Hyderabad identified for building shelters
• M/s iClean, Hyderabad, a company with years experience in building the containment facilities augmented the laboratory with required safety levels

PARAKH: MOBILE BSL 3 LABORATORY FOR COVID SAMPLES TESTING

• Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) Mysore, pursuing the mission to support corona warriors, has developed this quick response asset to deal the situation arising due to contagious diseases including Covid-19 pandemic.
• The Laboratory stationed on mobile platform has been named PARAKH. It provides for unidirectional airflow and gradient negative room pressure with class III Biosaftey cabinet (BSC) for entry and safe processing of clinical samples. The viral inactivation and first 2 steps of viral lysis of RNA extraction are performed inside the BSC assuring personnel protection.