MIV is of the premiere NABL accredited virology laboratories in the south-west coastal India. MIV is a Centre of Excellence recognised by the Global Virus Network (GVN) and a partner in WHO Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). Recognised as NVBDCP Apex Referral Laboratory for Arboviral diseases (MoHFW, Govt. of India), MIV was also a Grade-I Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory under ICMR, MoHFW, Govt. of India (2010-2019) and a Regional Reference Laboratory for Influenza Virus under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, MoHFW, Govt. of India (2009-2021). MIV, a constituent unit under MAHE, is one of the country’s first virology diagnostic laboratories under the private-public partnership scheme and one among the few national institutes offering academic programs in Virology.

Why study at MIV?

MIV offers two unique academic programs, MSc Clinical Virology and PhD in Virology. M.Sc. Clinical Virology is a two years full time postgraduate programme and PhD in Virology is a three years doctoral program. The MSc Clinical Virology program has a capacity of 15 seats and every year all the seats are filled considering the high demand for this unique course, attracting students from different geographical regions across the country and the world. 

The academic programs aim at training students in the state of the art virological techniques useful in public health, diagnostics, industrial, research labs, and academic sectors. The programs award degrees with an international acclaim and world-wide recognition, with an ample scope for talented candidates in both private as well as government sectors. Several MIV graduates have been employed so far in various reputed research centres, medical colleges, and diagnostic laboratories across the country and abroad. Career options for higher research are also promising as reflected from the number of alumni enrolled for doctoral and post-doctoral programmes in international institutes.

Additionally, virology skill-based training and one-month certificate course in Clinical and Diagnostic Virology for MD Microbiology trainees are some of the certificate programs available at MIV.

MIV has a unique arsenal of well-qualified and experienced faculty, who are talented and dedicated academically and professionally and display high standards of moral and ethical values. The faculty is trained in using latest and modern technology in teaching-learning techniques, and continuously upgrades their knowledge and skills through various faculty development programs. 

MIV has collaborations with several national and international institutes. These collaborations have proven effective in knowledge sharing and capacity building projects for the students and faculty of MIV. 

Why do research at MIV?

MIV, as one of the best virology institutes in India, has the platform for cross-cutting, in-depth research in the field of Influenza viruses, Herpes simplex viruses, Enteroviruses, Adenoviruses, Human Papilloma Viruses, Hepatitis viruses, COVID-19 virus, Dengue viruses and Chikungunya viruses. MIV undertakes research in thrust areas targeting improvement in clinical diagnosis of diseases, infectious disease surveillance and epidemiology including molecular epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging viral diseases, developing various strategies for newer and alternative treatment modalities, platforms for testing antivirals, medical entomology, cervical cancer screening, immunological profiling of viral diseases and development of diagnostic kits and vaccines. Research on advanced molecular diagnostics and pathogen discovery employ advanced techniques such as sequencing, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and Luminex multiplex serology. Disease awareness and community-based studies such as outbreak investigations, in coordination with the government public health departments, are some of the other key activities that extend ample research opportunities.

To accentuate research credentials, MIV has collaborated with some of the well-known national and international research organizations. To name a few national collaborators are Indian Council of Medical Research, (ICMR), MoHFW, Govt. of India, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Gurgaon, etc. Some of the international research organizations collaborated with MIV are University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza Reference and Research at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Melbourne, Australia, University of Lille 2, Lille, France etc. MIV has successfully completed 24 research projects. Six collaborative projects funded by DBT, BIRAC, ICMR, and SERB, are ongoing. Five scholars are currently pursuing PhD in virology.

Why get diagnosed at MIV?

MIV is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), signifying quality and competence in medical testing facilities in accordance with the standard ISO 15189:2012. It is the one and only virus diagnostic laboratory in India with more than 40 serological, molecular and autoimmune tests included in its scope. MIV has the state-of-the-art infectious disease diagnostic facility, a blend of classical and advanced methods, that provides the capability to detect infectious diseases with an average turnaround time (TAT) of 24 hours. The institute enjoys excellent working relationship with national, state and district public health services across the country and extends diagnostic support towards the development of public health infrastructure in the country.

Why collaborate with MIV?

MIV is a diagnostic and research centre along with being an academic institute, with the state of art infrastructure, and biosafety facility for conducting academic and research projects on infectious viruses. MIV supports the hospitals under Manipal Academy of Higher Education and other health care departments of Karnataka and neighbouring states with diagnosis and surveillance of infectious diseases. Some of the hospitals, who have collaborated with MIV for diagnostic services, are Kasturba Hospital Manipal, TMA Pai Hospital Udupi, TMA Pai Hospital Karkala, Adarsha Hospital Udupi, etc.

Partnering with MIV gives ample opportunities to receive grant funding and creating cooperative agreements. MIV looks forward to establishing new collaborations with different academic, research and public health sectors which will strengthen the institute by helping connect people, sharing knowledge and opportunities, empowering internal competencies, leveraging specialization, and identifying needs.