The subject Veterinary Microbiology was taught to the students of Veterinary Science as early as 1904. It was first taught under the aegis of Department of Bacteriology and Pathology. The Department of Bacteriology became a separate entity during 1949 and Dr. I. M. Azizuddin became the first head of the Department. A separate Department of Virology was started during 1971. Later during 1977 the departments of Bacteriology and Virology were merged together to become Department of Microbiology. It was renamed as Department of Veterinary Microbiology during 2002. The Department is one of the oldest departments and has achieved many laurels.
Vision
The Department of Veterinary Microbiology wishes to be a leading institution in identifying and controlling the infectious diseases of animals and birds through quality education, sustained and fruitful research and result oriented extension activities.
Objectives
To offer quality education in Veterinary Microbiology using modern education technology to equip veterinarians to meet challenges in field
To develop, standardize and transfer vaccines and diagnostics for infectious diseases like PPR, Newcastle disease and avian infectious bronchitis
To study the molecular pathogenesis of Newcastle disease and Avian infectious bronchitis
To start continuing professional developmental programmes for veterinarians in microbiological techniques and microbiological issues related to international trade and business of animals and animal products including food from animal origin
Education
This Department is one of the first few departments to offer M.V.Sc and Ph.D as early as 1958 and 1977 respectively. Besides offering M.V.Sc and Ph.D programmes, this department is offering following courses for UG students. The following courses are offered to the undergraduate students, as per the MSVE 2016 Veterinary Microbiology (3+2) curriculum includes theory and practical parts. The Veterinary Microbiology course consists of:
Unit-1: General & Systematic Veterinary Bacteriology
Unit-2: Veterinary Mycology
Unit-3: Microbial Biotechnology
Unit-4: Veterinary Immunology and Serology
Unit-5: General and Systematic Veterinary Virology
Research
This Department has excellent facilities to carryout research in microbiology. The following schemes have been completed successfully by obtaining funds from various funding agencies from India and Overseas. Department received funds from the following notable agencies like PL480 USDA, United Kingdom Research & Innovation, World Bank, SEPPIC France, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, National Project for Rinderpest Eradication, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Agricultural Technology Project, Department of Science and Technology and Government of Tamil Nadu.
Completed Research Schemes
PL 480 scheme of surface defects of skin and hides
Sero-surveillance of blue tongue in Tamil Nadu
A molecular probe for rapid diagnosis and epidemiology of viral disease of cultural species of Prawns.
Development of RIA/IRMA kit for the diagnosis of blue tongue
Development of homologous vaccine against PPR
Preparation of oral pellet vaccine against Newcastle disease
Evaluation of inactivated oil emulsion vaccine for infectious bursal disease virus of tissue culture origin under laboratory and field conditions.
Development of a thermostable Vero cell adapted peste des petits ruminants Virus Vaccine
Veterinary diagnostics for prevalent and emerging diseases
Microbiological approach to reduce calf mortality in Tamil Nadu
Development of safe and potent anthrax vaccine for small ruminants
NADP Project on Novel diagnostics and vaccine delivery system for emerging and economically important bacterial and viral diseases affecting small ruminants
Improvement to the New castle oral pellet vaccine to make it more adaptable in field condition
All India Coordinated Research Project in haemorrhagic septicaemia
Establishment of centre for poultry products certification for free from microbes for export
Studies on the safety and efficacy of poultry vaccines (fowl cholera & infectious bronchitis) using modern adjuvants
Studies on the safety and efficacy of poultry vaccines (combined vaccine against Newcastle disease and avian infectious bronchitis) using modern adjuvants
Large scale controlled field trial with combined inactivated vaccine against Newcastle disease and avian Infectious bronchitis
Assessment of maternal antibody titre to determine the vaccination time in lambs and kids against PPR virus
Production evaluation and Standardization of Vero cell adapted live attenuated peste des petits ruminants (PPR) Virus vaccine under field conditions
Development and delivery of online e-courses for continuous professional development programmes in veterinary and animal sciences
Identification of avian infectious bronchitis virus in field conditions and development of a potent inactivated vaccine
Large scale controlled field trial with oral pellet vaccine (D58 strain) against Newcastle disease
Novel and rapid detection of Staphylococcus aureus mastitis
ICAR Tribal subplan “Technological empowerment of tribal farmers through adoption of TANUVAS technologies in Tamil Nadu”
Development of rapid and visual detection of zoonotic potential Staphylococcus pseudintermedius by nucleic acid lateral flow assay
On-going Research Schemes
Institutional Development Plan of TANUVAS funded by National Agricultural Higher Education Project and World Bank with the financial outlay of Rs.24.98 crore
Development and Standardisation of a novel DIVA (marker) vaccine against Newcastle disease to augment production from poultry funded by TANII, Govt. of Tamilnadu
United Kingdom Research & Innovation (UKRI) under GCRF grant through Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom sponsored scheme on UKRI GCRF One Health Poultry Hub with a financial outlay of GBP £667306.
Salient Achivements
Research
Developed and standardized the production of thermostable live vaccines against Newcastle disease. The technology has been transferred to M/s Globion of Suguna group. The vaccine is now commercially available.
Developed and standardized production of oral pellet vaccine against Newcastle disease.
Developed single serum dilution ELISA kit for the quantification of antibodies against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis viruses.
The complete genome of NDV isolates obtained from village chicken was sequenced.
Transcription profile of various pathotypes of NDV has been established in in vitro and in vivo models.
Developed and standardized the production of tissue culture adapted inactivated oil emulsion vaccine against IBD.
Developed and transferred the technology of production of live vaccine against fowl pox to IVPM.
Multiplex real time PCR technique has been standardized to detect Mycoplasma species in poultry.
First report on the isolation and identification of peste des petits ruminants virus in sheep in India.
Developed and transferred the technology of production of live vaccine against PPR (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh).
Developed and standardized the production of thermostable live vaccine against PPR.
Pasteurella organisms causing infections in animals and birds have been characterized and transcriptome data have been generated in mice and buffalo.
Inactivated vaccine has been developed against mastitis in cattle caused by coliforms.
Education
A first of its kind in India - a Learning and Assessment centre comprising of Simulators for Day-one Veterinary graduate skill development
Virtual laboratory - Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality based bovine anatomy is being developed for undergraduate students for any time, any where learning.
Skill laboratory with Language lab was established at MVC-Chennai, VCRI-Namakkal and CFDT-Koduvalli.
Smart classes with interactive panel were established at MVC-Chennai (Three), VCRI-Namakkal (Two) and CFDT-Koduvalli (One).
Human Resource Development Programs
Summer/Winter Schools conducted
State of art immunodiagnostics and computer applications in emerging microbial diseases of animals (1999)
Modern diagnostic techniques in the control and prevention of viral diseases of small ruminants with special reference to peste des petits ruminants, sheep pox and blue tongue (2003)
Global challenges in vaccinology and control of animal diseases – strategies, approach and blueprint (2006)
Reverse Genetics and Transcription profiling in Molecular Pathogenesis of Viral diseases with special reference to avian viruses (2018)
Seminar/Conference Conducted
International seminar on future of Livestock health: A paradigm chance to maximize productivity for economic gains and XXVI Annual convention of Indian Association of Veterinary Microbiologists, Immunologists and Specialists in infectious diseases (2012)
20th Indian Veterinary Congress & 27th Annual Conference of IAAVR and National Symposium on Veterinary Research Priorities in Translational Animal Health, Production and Food Safety (2020)
Trainings conducted
National Workshop on diagnosis of blue tongue (1996)
Training Programme on emerging bacterial and viral diseases (1997)
Summer training programme for B.Sc. Microbiology students (2001)
Training on PPR vaccine production to scientists of vaccine manufacturers of other states (2003)
ASCAD programme – Training to VAS in microbiology techniques (2005-06)
Training on microbiological techniques to B.Tech students (3 batches) – (2006-07)
The ICAR-NAHEP sponsored IDP of TANUVAS conducted a series of Faculty development programmes, student development activities like skill development, career development and entrepreneurship programmes for the undergraduates of TANUVAS (2019-2021)
Infrastructure
Class III bio-safety cabinet
Class II bio-safety cabinets
Real time PCR thermal cyclers
PCR thermal cyclers
ELISA reader
NanoDrop
Complete electrophoresis system
Gel Doc system
Freeze driers
Centrifuges and microfuge
Ultra low freezers
Inverted microscopes
Research microscopes
CO2 incubators, Egg incubator
Ultracentrifuge
Electroporator
Extension
Since the inception of the department, it is involved in solving all the disease problems of this part of the country. The department also conducts regular in-service training programmes for the field veterinarians, and specialised programmes for scientific workers on the diagnosis of bacterial and viral diseases etc.
Oral pellet vaccine for Newcastle disease have been distributed on charge basis to the farmers rearing backyard poultry through peripheral centres of the University.
Live attenuated vaccine for Pestes des petits ruminants disease in small ruminants have been distributed to the farms.
Participating in Chennai Science Festival, organised by Science city every year.
Participated in the Regional Livestock and Fisheries Technology Exhibition at Tirunelveli and Trichy (Sep 2012)
Conducted Skill development course on Laboratory Assistant – 2
Participated in the 4th Agrivision-2019, National Convention organised by MHRD, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare, NABARD, Govt of India.
Faculty members were involved in dissemination of technological advancements and updates on various animal diseases through mass media.
Faculty members of the Department deliver lectures in skill development programmes for the farmers.
Participating in the India Tourist and Industrial Trade Fair at Chennai every year.
Around 600 tribal farmers native of Salem, Namakkal, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and the Nilgiris were identified, trained on Animal husbandry activities and each farmer was provided with 2 sheep/goat and 20 Desi chicken.
Thrust Areas
Establishment of Centre of Excellence in Veterinary Pathobiology (Microbiology Section)
Molecular and phylogenetic characterization, transcription profile and development of DIVA vaccine against Newcastle disease and avian infectious bronchitis viruses affecting chickens and PPR virus affecting small ruminants.
Faculty
Dr. J.John Kirubaharan, Professor and Head
Dr. K.Shoba, Professor
Dr. B.Samuel Masilamoni Ronald, Professor
Dr. M.Vidhya, Assistant Professor
Dr. S.Rajalakshmi @ Radabai, Assistant Professor
Dr. A.Elamurugan, Assistant Professor
Dr. G.Elaiyaraja, Assistant Professor
The Professor and Head,
Department of Veterinary Microbiology,
Madras Veterinary College, Chennai - 600007.
Phone: +91-44-25304000
E-mail: hodvmcmvc@tanuvas.org.in
