1. Introduction

The Bioscience Research and Training Centre (BRTC) was established in 2018 as an innovative research unit under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU). It focuses on infectious disease research and pathogen molecular biology. Situated within the Bio 360 Life Science Park, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram, it spans 2 acres with a built-up area of 7,000sq.ft. The centreis equipped with advanced laboratories and infrastructure to support interdisciplinary research in virology, immunotherapeutics, bacteriology with a special focus on antimicrobial resistanceand molecular diagnostics. The centre also facilitates student projects, internships and specialized workshops to nurture young researchers.

2. Vision and Objectives

• · Conduct high-quality research and training in frontier areas of pathogen biology.
• · Advance scientific understanding of infectious diseases affecting animals.
• · Promote capacity building through workshops and training programs for developing skilled scientific manpower.

3. Infrastructure and Facilities

3.1 Laboratories

• Cell Culture Laboratory
• Virology Laboratory
• Serology Laboratory
• Bacteriology Laboratory
• Molecular Biology Laboratory

3.2 Training Hall

The centre houses a fully air-conditioned Training Hall designed with a comfortable seating capacity of over 30 participants. The hall is equipped with a high-resolution LCD projector and integrated audio-visual system.

3.3 Equipment Available

Real Time PCR, Thermal Cyclers, Gel Documentation System with Software, Horizontal and Vertical Gel Electrophoresis Apparatus, RefrigeratedCentrifuge, Class II Biosafety Cabinets, UV-vis Spectrophotometer, Type I and Type IIWater Purification Systems, Microplate Reader, Transilluminator, pH Meter, Bright Field Microscope with Imaging System, Inverted Microscope with Real-time Imaging System, CO₂ Incubators, Deep Freezers (-80°C & -20°C), Refrigerators, Liquid Nitrogen Container, Laminar Air Flow Units, Autoclave, Hot Air Oven, Orbital Shaker & Cooling Incubators.

 

4. Major Activities and Services offered

4.1 Diagnostics and Research

• Molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases in companion animals
  Advanced conventional and quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays are employed for the detection and characterization of infectious agents in companion animals. These molecular platforms offer high sensitivity, specificity and rapid turnaround, enabling accurate diagnosis and effective disease surveillance.
• Anti-Rabies Antibody Screening Assay:
  The Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT), the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended gold standard for assessing rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies, is utilized for serological evaluation of post-vaccination immune response and surveillance studies.
• Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing:
  Standardized antibiotic susceptibility assays are conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial isolates, supporting rational therapeutic interventions and antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

4.2 Training and Capacity Building

• Internship Programs for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students:

Structured internship programs are offered to undergraduate and postgraduate students from diverse life science disciplines. These programs provide hands-on exposure to advanced laboratory techniques, diagnostic methodologies and research workflows.

• Project Dissertations for Life Science Students:

The centre facilitates dissertation and project work for postgraduate students pursuing degrees in biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, veterinary sciences and related fields. Students are guided through the entire research process—from hypothesis formulation and experimental design to data analysis and scientific reporting—thereby enhancing their analytical and research capabilities.

• Need-Based Laboratory Training Programs for Veterinarians and Life Science Professionals:

Customized, demand-driven training modules are periodically organized for veterinarians, researchers and life science professionals. These programs focus on upgrading their technical proficiency and bridge the gap between laboratory research and field application.

4.3 Upcoming Facility: Central Laboratory Animal Facility (CLAF)

The CLAF is a 13,000 sq. ft. exclusive facility designed to bridge BRTC with pharmaceutical and biomedical industries, fostering translational research and controlled experimentation studies.

4.3.1 Operational Focus & Objectives of CLAF:

• Production and supply of quality laboratory animals (mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs).
• Housing facility for specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice.
• Facilitation of animal experiments and consultancy for experiment design.

5. Projects and Achievements

5.1 External Aided Projects

Title of the Project	Duration	Funding Agency	Amount	Principal Investigator
Establishment of Molecular Virology Laboratory in BRTC	2019–2021	RKVY, RAFTAR	₹73 lakhs	Dr. Sreeja R. Nair
Pilot Study on Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Cats	2021–2023	AHD, Govt. of Kerala	₹11 lakhs	Dr. Sreeja R. Nair
Evaluation of Maternal IgY Transfer in Chicken Eggs	2022–2024	AHD, Govt. of Kerala	₹11 lakhs	Dr. Krithiga K.

 

5.2 State Plan Projects

 

• Isolation and characterization of antibiotic resistance pathogens from chicken and raw milk samples of Thiruvananthapuram District(2020–22)
• Studies on Infectious Bursal Disease virus-host interaction(2020–22)
• Enhancement of animal health and productivity through development of rapid, accurate disease control measures for infectious diseases of viral etiology (2022–23, continuing)
• Strengthening of Bioscience Research and Training Centre, Thiruvananthapuram (2020–23, continuing)

6. Human Resource Development

6.1 Training Programs Conducted

Name of Training Program	Date
Seminar on “Advancements of Molecular Biology in Life Science Research”	17.04.2018
Hands on training on “Introduction to Bioinformatics Tools for Life Science Research”	14.01.2019 &15.01.2019
Online lecture series on “Entrepreneurship and Opportunities in Veterinary Biologicals and Diagnostics”	25/02/2022 & 26/02/2022

 

6.2 Student Engagement

A total of 23 external undergraduate and postgraduate students successfully completed internship programs of 15 days to one month duration at BRTC. These internships provided hands-on exposure to advanced laboratory techniques, diagnostic methodologies and research practices in the fields of bacteriology, virology, molecular diagnostics and animal biotechnology.

Dissertation and Project Work by External Students

BRTC hosted 10 external postgraduate students and five undergraduate students who completed their dissertation and project works under the supervision of the BRTC faculty. These projects focused on diverse areas including molecular diagnostics, infectious disease surveillance and antibiotic resistance profiling.

7. Staff Profile

7.1 Co-ordinator

Dr. Sreeja R. Nair, M.V.Sc., Ph.D Associate Professor Veterinary Microbiology

Work Experience

Sl.No.	Position sheld	Institution	From	To
1	Veterinary Surgeon	Department of Animal Husbandry,Govt.of Kerala	October 1996	April 2010
2	Assistant Professor	Kerala Agricultural University	April 2010	April 2011
3	Assistant Professor	Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University	May 2011	April 2023
4	Associate Professor	Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University	April 2023	Continuing

 

Awards and Recognitions

• Achiever’s Award – College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Thrissur (2021)

Published more than 25 articles as first or corresponding author in national and international journals

Achievements

· Principal Investigator of two externally aided research projects sanctioned with funding of ₹73 lakhs and ₹11 lakhs

Books/Chapters

• Bovine Mastitis – Biofilms and Biomarkers (2023) – ICAR-SRRS Dharwad & NADCL Baramulla.

Guide ship Details

Ph.D: Completed (2), Ongoing (3)

M.V.Sc: Completed (7), Ongoing (3)

M.Sc: Completed (13), Ongoing (1)

7.2 Faculty Member

Dr. Devi S. S., M.V.Sc., Ph.D Assistant Professor, Veterinary Pathology

Academic Recognition/Award/Prize/Certificate, Fellowship received

• First rank for B.V.Sc& AH
• Dr. V. N. Krishna Iyer award for highest marks in Veterinary Preventive medicine
• Dr. K. M. Ramachandran Memorial award for highest marks in Veterinary Pathology
• Late T. T. Varghese Endowment Award for being first in the Final BVSc & AH examination
• First rank for M.V. Sc
• Dr. N. P Panicker Memorial Endowment Prize for the highest OGPA in M.V.Sc Programme
• First rank and Gold medal for Ph.D programme
• PTA merit award for first rank in Ph.D

Workexperience(inchronologicalorder).

Sl. No.	Position sheld	Institution	From	To
1.	Veterinary Surgeon	Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Kerala	Feb 2006	March 2015
2.	Assistant Professor	Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University	March 2015	continuing

 

ProfessionalRecognition/Award/Prize/Certificate

Sl.No	Award/Prize	Awarding Agency	Year
1.	Special Appreciation certificate for the contributions in containing Avian Influenza outbreak	Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of Kerala	2014
2	First prize for Poster presentation in the National Seminar on “Role of the Veterinary Profession in sustainable development to improve livelihoods Food security and safety	Indian Veterinary Association	2018
3	Second best oral presentation award in Kerala Veterinary Science Congress	Indian Veterinary Association	2019
4.	Achiever’s Award	College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Mannuthy	2021
5.	First prize for poster presentation in the International Veterinary Pathology conference	Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists	2022
6	First prize for oral presentation in Kerala Veterinary Science Congress	Indian Veterinary Association	2022
7.	Second prize for oral presentation in International Seminar on “Exploring the boundless horizons of veterinary profession- unleashing a new era worldwide”	Indian Veterinary Association	2023
8	First prize for oral presentation in International Seminar on “One Health approaches for the prevention and control of emerging Zoonoses”	Indian Veterinary Association	2024

 

Guide ship Details
Ph.D: Completed (Major–1, Minor–1), Ongoing (Minor–1)
M.V.Sc: Completed (Major–6, Minor–16), Ongoing (Major–1, Minor–3)
M.Sc: Completed (Minor–4)

Published more than 15 research articles as first or corresponding author in various National and International Journals

Books/Chapters

S.No	Title of the content	Name of the Book	Yearof Publication
1	Colibacillosis in pigs (Co-authored Book chapter)	Pig Diseases and management- Today and tomorrrow’s printers and publishers	2021
2	African swine fever – An emerging threat to global swine industry (Book chapter)	Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases of Livestock and Poultry – Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University	2021

 

8. Contact Information

Bioscience Research and Training Centre (BRTC)
Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Bio 360 Life Science Park, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram – 695017
Email: brtc@kvasu.ac.in
Phone: 0471-2618010

Coordinator:
Dr. Sreeja R. Nair, M.V.Sc., Ph.D
Email: brtc@kvasu.ac.in
Mobile: +91 9447021182