P.hd in Molecular Immunodiagnostics

P.hd in Molecular Immunodiagnostics

The department has been instituted with the primary mission to facilitate development of indigenous assays for reproductive health care as a commitment towards translational research. We were the first in the world to develop ELISA based test for detection of pregnancy and subsequently urine-based kits for four reproductive hormones for the assessment of infertility and the technology has been transferred to the industry. Reference norms have been established for bone markers in Indian population and the age related changes in these markers and sex steroids have been investigated. An in-house assay for osteocalcin (bone formation marker) was developed. The genetics of osteoporosis namely the polymorphisms in ER-alpha and VDR (WHO funded) as well as COLIA-type1 alpha 1 genes have been studied in relation to bone mass. The changes in pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6) levels during menopausal transition and their relation to bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) were also explored. The department is presently investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.