Kottayam, Kerala

Research Activities

• > Successfully demonstrated community oriented IVM strategy for the control of Chikungunya/Dengue vectors in the rubber plantation sector of Kerala
• > Constructed DNA Barcodes (short gene sequences to identify species) for 150 common species of mosquitoes) and other vector species prevalent in India
• > DNA barcoding methodology standardized for taxonomic identification of medically important insects including sandflies. DNA Barcodes described for Phlebotomus argentipes and Ph. papatasi, vector species of leishmaniasis in India, for the first time
• > Reported a crucial mutation in the envelope gene of Chikungunya Virus (A226V), which enabled the virus to multiply and disseminate in Aedesalbopictus, the predominant Aedes species in Kerala, causing a widespread outbreak of Chikungunya fever in the Western region of Western Ghats. Also, incriminated Ae. albopictus as the main vector of CHIKV during the CHIKV outbreaks during 2006 -2011 from Kerala State, India
• > Description of a new species, Platynectessahyadriensis(Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), predatory to Ae.albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae) from the foothills of Western Ghats, Kerala- a biological control agent
• > Simple PCR tool developed for identification of Culexvishnui species complex
• > Recorded and genetically characterized all the 4 serotypes of dengue from Kerala (DENV4 recorded for the first time in Kerala)
• > Reported of serotype and genotype shift of DENV (from American/African to Asian type of DENV1) during the unprecedented outbreak of Dengue in Thiruvananthapuram District during 2017
• > Characterization of Leishmaniadonovanias the parasite involved in the cutaneous leishmaniasis from human, vector and reservoir hosts from the endemic Kani tribal population of Western Ghats, Kerala, India
• > Characterized Orientiatsutsugamushiin mite samples (Leptotrombidiumdeliense), human and rodent samples from Gorakhpur, U.P., reporting AES syndrome cases 
• > Carried out Nation-wide vector surveillance of zika in collaboration with seven ICMR institutes in India.

On-going Projects

• 1. Entomological and epidemiological investigations on leishmaniasis among the tribal populations in the Western Ghats, Kerala (IM 1905; 2019-2022).
• 2. Genetic diversity of argentipes, the vector of Leishmaniasis from different biogeographical zones of India
• 3. Molecular and genetic analysis of dermatropy/viscerotropy of Leishmaniadonovani(EM 1923; 2019-2022).
• 4. Evaluation of cost-effective “Ovillanta” ovitrap for control of dengue in an endemic area of Kerala state : a small-scale field study
• 5. Studies on the concurrent infection of dengue virus serotypes in the perspective of genotype shift of dengue virus serotype 1 in Kerala, India
• 6. Sero epidemiological studies of zika virus in Kerala, India
• 7. Surveillance of animal reservoir host for Leishmaniasis and monitoring of insecticide resistance of the vector species, argentipes in India.

HRD Activities

The following students undergoing PhD programme under the guidance of Dr. Prasanta Saini, affiliated to ACSIR and Pondicherry University.

• > Fathima P.A: Studies on the population genetics of Phlebotomus argentipes s.l. in relation to its transmission potential to Leishmaniasis in Western Ghats, India
• > Harish Kumar Shah: Faunistic studies on the Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India
• > Anns Tom: Studies on the gut and salivary gland microbiome of Phlebotomus argentipes Ananadale and Bruenetti,1908 (Diptera: Psychodidae) the vectors of Leishmaniasis in Western Ghats region, Kerala
• Training on vector borne disease control activities to staff from State Health Dept., different Medical Colleges in Kerala (Govt. MC, TVPM; AIMS, Kochi; AMS, Kannur) and to different Universities in Kerala
• Short term Masters’ project studies on Zoology/Microbiology/Biotechnology.

Infrastructure (Labs)

• VCRC Field Station Kottayam has well established research laboratories in molecular biology and entomology. Following major instrumental facilities are available at the field station- Deep Freezers -80oC and -40oC, Micro-centrifuges, Fine balance, BSL 2 Bio-safety cabinets, Thermal cyclers, Gel electrophoresis units with power packs, PCR enclosure cabinets, Real time PCR machine, Autoclave, Programmable digital control water bath, Lyophilizer, Water purifiers, Ice flaking machine, Dry baths, Hybridization ovens, UV transilluminators, Gel Documentation System, Cell disrupters, Air purifiers, Computer Workstations for genetic analysis, Compound microscope, stereo microscopeetc.