The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory (WTRL), in the Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, has been conducting translational, multi-disciplinary research in gastrointestinal infections, liver, and vaccines for several decades.
WTRL is located in the five-storied Williams Research Building with well-equipped microbiology, virology, parasitology, cell culture, molecular biology (with next-generation sequencing), immunology (including FACS), biochemistry and pathology laboratories (with electron microscopy facility). The laboratory has a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation, participates in several external quality assessments (EQA) programs, and conducts multiple training workshops annually. We initiated a proficiency testing program across India (CMC Parasitology EQAS) in 2022 for the microscopic examination of parasites. Currently, there are 105 laboratories enrolled in the program.
WTRL has international collaborators with the University of Washington, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Imperial College, Stanford University, University of Virginia, University of Liverpool, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.
WTRL collaborates with the Departments of Medicine, Child Health and Developmental Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases, Neonatology, Hepatology, Gastrology Clinical Biochemistry, and Community Health at CMC.
Publications
The laboratory has several national and international recognitions:
We offer a wide range of diagnostic services, including microscopy for parasites such as stool examination for ova and cyst, special stains (Modified ZN stain, Standard and Modified Trichrome stain, Giemsa stain, and Fields stain) for various specimens like fluids, aspirates, pus, and sputum, as well as helminth identification through histopathology. Our serological assays include Leishmania dipstick for anti-rk39 antibody, ELISA tests for Helicobacter pylori, Rotavirus, Toxoplasma gondii, Anti-tissue Transglutaminase and Fecal Calprotectin. Molecular tests such as qPCR are performed for Toxoplasma gondii, Acanthamoeba spp, Entamoeba histolytica, Leishmania, Strongyloides spp, and Fasciola spp. Furthermore, we offer biochemical assays such as blood and urine xylose, liver dry-weight copper, faecal elastase, serum acylcarnitine, and faecal immunochemical test (Hemoglobin) for colon cancer screening.
Histopathological services are offered for gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies and surgically resected specimens, concentrating on inflammatory disorders like IBD, tuberculosis, and disorders causing malabsorption.
Electron microscopic services are provided for renal biopsies, gastrointestinal biopsies for infections and neonatal enteropathies, respiratory disorders like pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and hematological disorders like congenital dyserythropoietic anemia.
Service
We offer a wide range of diagnostic services, including microscopy for parasites such as stool examination for ova and cyst, special stains (Modified ZN stain, Standard and Modified Trichrome stain, Giemsa stain, and Fields stain) for various specimens like fluids, aspirates, pus, and sputum, as well as helminth identification through histopathology. Our serological assays include Leishmania dipstick for anti-rk39 antibody, ELISA tests for Helicobacter pylori, Rotavirus, Toxoplasma gondii, Anti-tissue Transglutaminase and Fecal Calprotectin. Molecular tests such as qPCR are performed for Toxoplasma gondii, Acanthamoeba spp, Entamoeba histolytica, Leishmania, Strongyloides spp, and Fasciola spp. Furthermore, we offer biochemical assays such as blood and urine xylose, liver dry-weight copper, faecal elastase, serum acylcarnitine, and faecal immunochemical test (Hemoglobin) for colon cancer screening.
Histopathological services are offered for gastrointestinal mucosal biopsies and surgically resected specimens, concentrating on inflammatory disorders like IBD, tuberculosis, and disorders causing malabsorption.
Electron microscopic services are provided for renal biopsies, gastrointestinal biopsies for infections and neonatal enteropathies, respiratory disorders like pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and hematological disorders like congenital dyserythropoietic anemia.
Training
The department hosts students from various departments and courses at the undergraduate (MBBS, BSc MLT, and BSc Nursing), Postgraduate, and Super specialty levels (DM Infectious diseases, DM Gastroenterology, DM Nephrology, DM Hepatology, DM Virology, and Fellowship in Paediatric infectious diseases).
The department also conducts annual international workshops with hands-on training in collaboration with the Department of Infectious Diseases – Global Health and Humanitarian Medicine (GHHM) [https://ghhmsouthasia.msfindia.in/] and Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine [https://cmctropmed.com/].
Furthermore, the department presently hosts PhD programs.
Contact Details
The Welcome Trust Research Laboratory,
Williams Building,
Christian Medical College,
Ida Scudder Road, Vellore
Tamil Nadu- 632004
