COBAS 6800: India’s first automated COVID-19 testing machine

On May 14, 2020, the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan dedicated the COBAS 6800 RT PCR machine to the nation. Highlights The machine is completely automated and performs high end RT-PCR tests. The machine will help to increase the testing capacity of the country. It has been placed at National Centre for Disease Control, ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs

Topics: Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Biosafety • Biosafety Levels • COBAS 6800 • Hepatitis • HIV • NCDC • rapid antibody testing • Robotics • RT-PCR Machine

DRDO Mobile COVID-19 Testing Lab inaugurated by Defence Minister

On April 24, 2020, Defence Minister Raj Nath Singh inaugurated mobile COVID-19 testing laboratory facility. The facility is capable of testing 1000 samples in a day. Highlights The Mobile Virology Research and Diagnostics Laboratory (MVRDL) was developed by DRDO in association with the ESIC Hospital in Hyderabad. The laboratory was set up in 15 days ..

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs

Topics: Aerosols • Biomedical Waste • Biosafety • Biosafety Levels • Biotechnology • Defence Research and Defence Organisation (DRDO) • DRDO • ICMR

Rs 15,000 crores approved by Union Cabinet for COVID-19

On April 22, 2020, the Union Cabinet approved Rs 15,000 crores towards “India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Challenge”. The funds are to be utilised in 3 phases. Highlights For an immediate response Rs 7,774 crore has been sanctioned. The rest of the funds are to be utilised as medium-term support in 1 ..

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2020

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs

Topics: Biomedical Research • Biopharmaceuticals • Biosafety • COVID-19 • COVID-19 Emergency Funds • Drugs • surveillance state

What are the Bio-Safety Levels of Containment in India?

The National Centre for Disease Control provides four levels of Bio-Safety to be followed in India. What is Bio-Safety? Bio-Safety is the principle used to contain the spread of pathogens and toxins. This is not for the safety of the institutions working with the pathogens. However, the safety levels are implemented to safeguard the public ..

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2020

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs

Topics: Biomedical Waste • Biosafety • Corona virus • COVID-19 • Diseases • NCDC • Viral disease • WHO

GM crops only after biosafety, socio-economic evaluation: Parliamentary Committee

The Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended that no genetically modified (GM) crop should be introduced unless the biosafety and socio-economic desirability is evaluated in a transparent process. It also called for placing an accountable regime in this regard. The recommendation was made by department-related parliamentary standing committee on science and technology and environment and forest ..

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2017

Topics: Biosafety • GEAC • GM Crops • National • Parliamentary Committees • Science and Technology