Research Center For DNA Diagnostics
Encyclopedia
The Research Centre for DNA Diagnostics (RCDD), Karnatak University
, Dharwad
, Karnataka
, India
, the foundation stone laid by Medical Education Minister V.S. Acharya, is being set up with the assistance of Rs. 3 crore sanctioned by the Department of Medical Education.
and to conduct advanced research.
According to Pramod B. Gai, professor and coordinator, Department of Applied Genetics and Principal Investigator of the centre, studies have revealed the high frequency of consanguineous marriages especially uncle-niece and first cousin marriages south India.
“Marriages between close relatives are high in rural north Karnataka. This increases the frequency of homozygosity of harmful recessive genes in the population and in turn, increases the co-efficiency of inbreeding. As a result compared to other areas, there is a high frequency of hereditary disorders in the region,” he said.
The research conducted at the centre would be at four levels — Single Gene Disorders (for example, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Thallassemia, Haemophilia), Chromosomal Disorders (Down’s Syndrome, Turner’s Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome), Biochemical Disorders (Phenyl Ketone Urea, Galactosemia, Alkaptonurea) and Multifactorial/Polygenic Disorders (Diabetes, Cardio Vascular diseases and various types of Cancer).
According to the initial plan, the tests would be conducted on samples taken from patients who approach Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Hubli, for treatment. During the next stage, the facility would be extended to other government and private medical colleges in north Karnataka.
The facilities would be extended to other parts of the State in phases. B. Vijay Chandra, Head, Department of Anatomy, KIMS, T.A. Shepur, Head, Department of Paediatrics, KIMS, M.L. Kulkarni, Head, Department of Paediatrics, JJM Medical College, Davangere, and K. Thangaraj, Senior Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, will be assisting in setting up the centre.
At a later stage, RCDD also plans to train medical professionals and other doctors at the grassroots not only in the diagnosis of such hereditary diseases but also in the role of human genetics in medical practice.
Karnatak University
The Karnatak University established initially at Mumbai in 1949, the location was shifted to Dharwad in October, 1949 and Karnatak University had its official inauguration in March 1950. The campus spans 750 acres . Dr. D. C. Pavate was the vice-chancellor of the university from 1954 to 1967...
, Dharwad
Dharwad
Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, the foundation stone laid by Medical Education Minister V.S. Acharya, is being set up with the assistance of Rs. 3 crore sanctioned by the Department of Medical Education.
Objectives
The primary objective of the centre is to identify hereditary disorders prevalent in north KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
and to conduct advanced research.
According to Pramod B. Gai, professor and coordinator, Department of Applied Genetics and Principal Investigator of the centre, studies have revealed the high frequency of consanguineous marriages especially uncle-niece and first cousin marriages south India.
“Marriages between close relatives are high in rural north Karnataka. This increases the frequency of homozygosity of harmful recessive genes in the population and in turn, increases the co-efficiency of inbreeding. As a result compared to other areas, there is a high frequency of hereditary disorders in the region,” he said.
The research conducted at the centre would be at four levels — Single Gene Disorders (for example, Sickle Cell Anaemia, Thallassemia, Haemophilia), Chromosomal Disorders (Down’s Syndrome, Turner’s Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome), Biochemical Disorders (Phenyl Ketone Urea, Galactosemia, Alkaptonurea) and Multifactorial/Polygenic Disorders (Diabetes, Cardio Vascular diseases and various types of Cancer).
According to the initial plan, the tests would be conducted on samples taken from patients who approach Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospital, Hubli, for treatment. During the next stage, the facility would be extended to other government and private medical colleges in north Karnataka.
The facilities would be extended to other parts of the State in phases. B. Vijay Chandra, Head, Department of Anatomy, KIMS, T.A. Shepur, Head, Department of Paediatrics, KIMS, M.L. Kulkarni, Head, Department of Paediatrics, JJM Medical College, Davangere, and K. Thangaraj, Senior Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, will be assisting in setting up the centre.
Counselling centres
As part of the project, genetic counselling centres would be established at KIMS and also at RCDD, through which it had been planned to counsel patients.At a later stage, RCDD also plans to train medical professionals and other doctors at the grassroots not only in the diagnosis of such hereditary diseases but also in the role of human genetics in medical practice.