DBT – SAHAJ Viral Bioassay Facility

DBT – SAHAJ Viral Bioassay Facility (VBaF) at the Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated for advanced research on emerging viral infections including the development of therapeutic interventions. The facility divided into three main domains such as antiviral assay development, production of recombinant antigens and the development of shark/camelid nanobody against fatal viral infections like Nipah and Rabies.

  • Antiviral assays

The facility offers conventional PRNT assays for all dengue virus serotypes and chikungunya virus as a service to academics and industries. High-throughput pseudovirion based neutralization test (PVNT) for Nipah and Rabies virus also available in the facility for large scale screening of antibodies and antivirals. The facility offers ELISPOT reading as an optional service to various research organisations and industrial partners which provides GMP/GLP level documentation for the antiviral service.

  • Recombinant antigens

The facility is well equipped with recombinant antigen/antibody purification in bacterial/mammalian/insect cultures with a maximum volume range of 10 litre bioreactor (BIOJENIK) and NGC Discover 100 chromatography system. The protein purification facility also available to various academic institutions and industries for the initial standardization.

NGC DISCOVER 100 PLUS

Instrument Make & Model

Automated Protein Purification System (NGC DISCOVER 100 PLUS)

Applications and Uses

  • Automated Protein Purification: Streamlines high-throughput separation of recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and biomolecules from milligram to gram scales.
  • Rapid Method Development: Accelerates the optimization of purification workflows using automated buffer blending, column scouting, and multi-wavelength detection.

Features and Benefits of the NGC Discover 100 System

  • High-Performance Fluidics: Automated pumps deliver precise gradients up to 100 mL/min for high-resolution biomolecule purification.
  • Precision Sample Injection: Automated large-volume injection using fixed or dynamic sample loops.
  • Advanced Gradient Management: Automated buffer and salt gradient generation with inline buffer blending up to 100 mL/min for rapid method development.
  • pH-Controlled Separations: Gradient separations at different pH conditions with real-time pH monitoring.
  • Comprehensive Detection: Simultaneous 4-wavelength UV detection (190–800 nm) for monitoring proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, and chromophores, with integrated conductivity and pH monitoring.
  • Smart Column Handling: 12-port valve supports up to 5 columns with reverse flow capability.
  • Automated Fraction Collection: XY fraction collector compatible with 1.5 mL tubes to 250 mL bottles.
  • Intuitive Software Control: Touchscreen-based software for automated control, peak analysis, and method optimization.
  • Robust Performance: Supports a wide range of buffer viscosities for reliable purification workflows.

JENIK Hyperion SS

Instrument Make & Model

Automated In-Situ Sterilizable Fermenter System (JENIK Hyperion SS)

Applications and Uses

  • Advanced Bioprocessing: Optimized for high-yield cultivation of bacterial, animal, plant, and insect cell cultures.
  • Research and Pilot-Scale Production: Ideal for process development, optimization, and pilot-scale production of vaccines, enzymes, recombinant proteins, and other biopharmaceuticals.

Features and Benefits of the In-Situ Sterilizable System

  • Top-driven agitation system with interchangeable Rushton turbine and marine/pitched-blade impellers for efficient mixing and high oxygen transfer.
  • Automated control of critical process parameters including aeration, temperature, foaming, pressure, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), agitation speed, and feed rate. Multi-gas aeration control through Mass Flow Controllers (MFCs).
  • Precision peristaltic pumps for accurate acid/base addition, nutrient feeding, and inoculum transfer.
  • In-situ sterilizable aseptic sampling and harvest valves designed to minimize contamination risks during operation.
  • PLC-based control panels with color touchscreen HMI for real-time monitoring, operation, and process control.
  • Remote monitoring capability through LAN/web-based connectivity for process supervision and data access.
  • SCADA-based secure data logging and batch recording to ensure complete process traceability and data integrity.
  • All wetted/contact parts are constructed from SS316L with mirror finish, while non-contact parts are made of SS304.

S6 Ultimate M2

Instrument Make & Model

ELISPOT (S6 Ultimate M2)

It enables advanced 12-color fluorescent work, in addition to 12 color bright field studies, live-dead-apoptotic cell counting, and histological analysis. It is also ideally suited for multi-color viral neutralization and infectivity assays as well as differential bacterial colony counting. A powerful zoom lens not only affords optical resolution suited for multi-color single-cell analysis but enables high resolution work in any well format. Its modular design permits customization for optimizing many imaging applications. It comes loaded with software supporting a wide range of assays. This instrument is high-throughput capable handling up to 400 plates per run when equipped with our automated plate loader. It has been designed for professionals working in the regulated or academic field.

Applications

Single-Color ELISPOT, Double-Color Enzymatic ELISPOT, Twelve-Color FluoroSpot, Twelve-Color Fluorescence BioSpot, FRNT / FRA PRNT / Viral Titer Assays, Bacterial/Yeast/Viral Colony Counting, Live/Dead/Apoptotic PBMC Counting, Twelve-Color Microscopic Fluorescent Cell Imaging, Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity Assays, Histology Slide Analysis, ELISA Analysis, Proficiency Testing, Suited for Regulatory Compliance, Suited for BSL 3/4.

Plaque reduction-based Antibody Assay Services.

The Viral Bioassay facility (VBaf) offers antibody screening assay services to validate the virus inhibition potential of your antibodies/antiviral compounds. The assay is based on the Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) which measures the ability of the antibodies/antiviral compounds to neutralize a virus. The antibodies already validated to show antiviral activity against the virus of interest will be used as an internal control.

Assay format and service catalogue details

Catalogue No. Service Name Plate Type Dilution Scheme Cost per Sample
PRNT-DV1-24W-8D PRNT Assay – Dengue Virus Serotype 1 24-well plate 8-point serial dilution in duplicates Rs. 25,000 + 18% GST
PRNT-DV2-24W-8D PRNT Assay – Dengue Virus Serotype 2 24-well plate 8-point serial dilution in duplicates Rs. 25,000 + 18% GST
PRNT-DV3-24W-8D PRNT Assay – Dengue Virus Serotype 3 24-well plate 8-point serial dilution in duplicates Rs. 25,000 + 18% GST
PRNT-DV4-24W-8D PRNT Assay – Dengue Virus Serotype 4 24-well plate 8-point serial dilution in duplicates Rs. 25,000 + 18% GST
PRNT-CHIKV-24W-8D PRNT Assay – Chikungunya Virus 24-well plate 8-point serial dilution in duplicates Rs. 20,000 + 18% GST

Deliverables

  • IC50 values with interpretation
  • Raw plaque count data
  • Summary report (PDF)
  • Representative images

Notes

  • All samples must be submitted with a completed submission form.
  • Repeat or customized assays can be arranged upon request
  • Payment for the samples should be made in advance. The account details for payment is as below:
Details Information
Account No 5513101003216
IFSC Code CNRB0005513
Bank Canara Bank

Pseudovirus-based Neutralization Test (PVNT)

The Pseudovirus-based Neutralization Test (PVNT) has emerged as a robust and versatile alternative to traditional virus neutralization assays in modern virology. By utilizing recombinant viral vectors (such as Lentivirus or VSV) engineered to display the surface glycoproteins of highly pathogenic viruses, PVNT allows for the precise measurement of neutralizing antibodies without the need for the live, infectious agent. This system provides a safer, high-throughput platform that can be conducted in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) facilities, significantly accelerating vaccine and antibody evaluation studies.

Assay format and service catalogue details

Catalogue No. Service Name Plate Type Dilution Scheme Cost per Sample
PVNT-NiV-I* PVNT Assay – Nipah Virus 96-well plate 8-point serial dilution in triplicates Rs. 25,000 + 18% GST
PVNT-NiV-II** PVNT Assay – Nipah Virus 96-well plate Single dilutions upto 72 samples Rs. 30,000 + 18% GST
PVNT-RBV-I* PVNT Assay – Rabies Virus 96-well plate 8-point serial dilution in triplicates Rs. 25,000 + 18% GST
PVNT-RBV-II** PVNT Assay – Rabies Virus 96-well plate Single dilutions upto 72 samples Rs. 30,000 + 18% GST

Deliverables

  • IC50 values with interpretation
  • Summary report (PDF)
  • Activity report only (PDF)

Notes

  • All samples must be submitted with a completed submission form.
  • Repeat or customized assays can be arranged upon request
  • Payment for the samples should be made in advance. The account details for payment is as below:
Details Information
Account No 5513101003216
IFSC Code CNRB0005513
Bank Canara Bank

Anti Rabies Antibodies in Human Serum (Clinical) – Sample Submission form 

Dr. E. Sreekumar

Director

Project Coordinator

DBT-SAHAJ Viral Bioassay Facility

Institute of Advanced Virology

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Dr. Jithesh Kottur

Scientist C

Project Co-Coordinator

DBT-SAHAJ Viral Bioassay Facility

Institute of Advanced Virology

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Dr. Santhik S L

Facility Manager

Facility Incharge

DBT-SAHAJ Viral Bioassay Facility

Institute of Advanced Virology

Contact Us

Dr. Santhik S L, Facility Manager, DBT-SAHAJ. VBaf

Institute Of Advanced Virology, Bio 360 Life Sciences Park Thonnakkal,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695 317

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