CONFERENCE / PCR WET WORKSHOP CONDUCTED BY THE
CENTRE – UNDER THE AEGIS OF IAMM

L & T Microbiology Research Centre, Vision Research Foundation instituted an award in the name of “VRF-IAMM Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry chapter” for best paper award to a young scientist with a cash prize and a certificate to be presented to the winner every year during one of the IAMM local chapter meeting .

In the year 2008, Ms. P. Sowmya Senior Research Fellow, L & T Microbiology Research centre received the first award of VRF-IAMM Best paper award for her presentation of a research paper entitled “Analysis of mixed infections with multiple genotypes of Human Cytomegalovirus in immunocompromised patients” during the SOZOCON– MICRO 2008 jointly organized by IAMM (TN & Py chapter) at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical college and Hospital, Puducherry on 19th January 2008.

In the year 2009, Ms. H. Anusha Senior Research fellow, L & T Microbiology Research centre received the first award of VRF- IAMM Best paper award for her presentation of a research paper entitled “Phylogenetic analysis of clinical Herpes Simplex Virus 1 isolates targeting 269 nucleotide region within glycoprotein G and 410 nucleotide region within glycoprotein I” in TN IAMM local chapter meeting on Hospital acquired infection at Madurai Medical College, Madurai (HAICON 2009) on 2nd May 2009.

In the Year 2010, Dr. K. Subha, Stanley Medical college Hospital, received the award of VRF- IAMM Best paper award for her presentation of a research paper entitled “Bacteriology of abscesses with special reference to phenotyping and genotyping of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Stanley medical college hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu” during the CME Programme conducted under the banner of IAMM at Kanyakumari Medical College at Nagercoil on 29th July 2010.

In the year 2011, Ms. M. Sowmiya, Junior Scientist, received the award for her research paper entitled “Prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing and integrons carrying Gram negative bacilli belonging to Enterobacteriaceae among Ocular isolates - A hospital based study” during the CME programme on “Ocular infections 2011” conducted on 23rd July 2011 organised by Department of Microbiology, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai as part of IAMM - TN & Pondicherry chapter meet.

As decided at the Annual Congress in the General Body Meeting of Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists (IAMM) 2006 in Nagpur, External Quality Assessment System programme (EQAS) are being conducted as a joint venture by L & T Microbiology Research Centre, Sankara Nethralaya and Amala Medical institute, Thrissur, Kerala from January 2007 onwards.

The programme involves distribution of four Quality control packages sent during the months of January, April, July and October, every year. Each package consists of a 1) Direct Smear for evaluation, 2) Culture for identification of a bacteria/ fungal pathogen isolated from clinical specimens and serological testing to be carried out by the participant.

The reports sent by the participants are evaluated by the co-coordinators and sent back to the participants. Participation in minimum of 3 packages by the members is essential for receiving the participation certificate that is issued at the end of a cycle i.e a year. The overall performance of a participant is also communicated them. There are 600 members belonging to Medical colleges, Medical Institutions and Private clinical laboratories are participants in the programme.

Participation in EQAS enables clinical laboratories to assess their status regarding the quality of techniques followed, skill of the laboratory staff. The participation in EQAS programme also is essential for getting National Accreditation Board for Laboratories certification (NABL).