MICROBIOLOGY

Location

The Department of Microbiology is situated on the first floor of Building 9 within the college section of the campus. Student laboratories and faculty offices are located in one wing, while the diagnostic laboratories are positioned in the opposite wing—creating a clear distinction between academic and diagnostic functions.

Core Functional Areas

• 🧪 Teaching
• 🔬 Diagnostics
• 📚 Research

Teaching Activities

Teaching is primarily directed at second MBBS students during their third and fourth semesters, spanning a total of 1.5 years. The educational approach integrates multiple methods, such as:

• 🎓 Lectures
• 🗣️ Student Seminars
• 🔎 Demonstrations
• 🧫 Practical Laboratory Exercises

The curriculum focuses on understanding the natural history of infectious diseases—including etiology, pathogenesis, laboratory diagnosis, treatment, and control measures at the community level.

Diagnostic Facilities

• 🧬 Cultures for common bacteria and fungi with antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• 🧪 Serological tests for detecting antibodies against bacterial and viral infections.
• 🔬 Light microscopy for examination of wet mounts and stained smears.
• 💨 Sputum smear examination following RNTCP protocols (since Dec 2004).
• 🧻 Preparations are underway for initiating conventional cultures for mycobacteria.

Research Activities

• 📑 Three research projects completed by M.Sc. Microbiology students as part of their academic curriculum.
• 📤 Research proposal submitted to RNTCP for work focused on tuberculosis diagnostics and public health impact.