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 In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening India’s research capacity in infectious disease surveillance and intervention, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health (NIREH), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is hosting a national-level hands-on workshop on Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction (ddPCR) from August 11 to 14, 2025, with a special emphasis on molecular virology.
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Council of Science and Technology under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of MP is supporting the event.
ddPCR has applications in infectious disease testing, prenatal/newborn screening, genetic disease testing, and oncology. By equipping researchers with skills in ddPCR and pathogen quantification from environmental samples like wastewater, the workshop aligns with global strategies for early warning systems, viral mutation tracking, and community-level surveillance. This will further pave the way for improved public health response mechanisms.
Molecular virology, a cornerstone of modern biomedical science, provides deep insights into the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis. By deciphering how viruses invade, replicate, and interact with host cells, the field plays a pivotal role in guiding the development of next-generation vaccines, antiviral drugs, and early diagnostic tools. In light of recent global health threats, such as Covid-19 and other emerging zoonotic diseases, this workshop comes at a critical time.
The workshop offers a comprehensive blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on training in advanced molecular techniques, particularly ddPCR—a cutting-edge platform for high-precision quantification of nucleic acids. Key components of the workshop include Wastewater sample processing, biosafety measures for sample handling, DNA/RNA isolation protocols, ddPCR reaction setup and execution, data analysis using QuantaSoft Software and interpretation of molecular virology data in the context of environmental and public health.
As one of the permanent institutes under the ICMR, NIREH uniquely integrates environmental health with molecular epidemiology. The institute's mission is to explore the impact of environmental exposures, ranging from pollution to climate-induced vectors, on human health, making it an ideal venue for this interdisciplinary workshop.
The workshop features an impressive lineup of experts and academicians from premier research institutions across India and South Asia, including Prof. R.K. Ratho, PGIMER, Chandigarh, Dr. Yashpal Singh Malik, GADVASU, Punjab, Dr. Pradip Vijay Barde, ICMR-NIV, Jabalpur, Dr. Niranjan Mishra, NIHSAD, Bhopal, Dr. Ritesh Vijay, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, Dr. Mallika Lavania, ICMR-NIV, Pune, Dr. Shaswati Nema, AIIMS, Bhopal, Prof. N.P. Sunil Chandra, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka and Dr. Bhupendra K. Verma – AIIMS, New Delhi.
Chief Patron of the event is Dr. Rajnarayan R. Tiwari, Organizing Chairperson is Dr. Pradyumna Kumar Mishra, Organizing Secretary is Dr. Ram Kumar Nema and Scientific Committee Members are Dr. Vishal Diwan, Dr. Devojit Kumar Sarma, and Dr. Surya Singh.
This intensive training program is tailored for faculty, postdoctoral researchers, PhD scholars, and postgraduate students with an academic background in virology, molecular biology, environmental science, or related fields. Number of participants are limited to 30 and application deadline is July 21, 2025. Selection criteria is based on academic credentials and as per Government norms. Result announcement will be made on July 25, 2025 on the institute’s website.
This workshop represents a broader national effort to bridge basic molecular virology with translational and environmental health research, offering powerful tools to tackle epidemics and understand virus-host dynamics in both clinical and environmental contexts.
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