1. Surveillance, Detection & Epidemiology of Transboundary and Emerging Animal Diseases
Avian Influenza (AI):
- Detected and characterized over 300 outbreaks of H5Nx avian influenza (H5N1, H5N8) across India.
- Revealed persistence of H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1a and emergence of H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b.
- Characterized H9N2 viruses (G1 lineage) and demonstrated altered disease outcome due to H9N2 pre-exposure.
- Conducted live bird market surveillance and confirmed circulation of low pathogenic AI (H9N2) strains.
- Identified neuraminidase inhibitor resistance in Indian H5N1 isolates.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD):
- First to confirm LSD infections in cattle, buffaloes, yaks, and gazelles; notified India’s first occurrence (2019) to WOAH.
- Provided diagnostic SOPs to RDDLs and state labs; characterized Indian LSDV strains to support vaccine development.
- Maintained national diagnostic vigilance for LSD in field and imported samples.
Porcine Diseases (PRRS & ASF):
- Reported India’s first occurrences of PRRS (2013) and ASF (2020) to WOAH, triggering national control actions.
- Tested over 3,500 PRRS and 2,000 ASF samples from outbreak zones.
- Conducted genetic and pathogenic characterization of PRRSV and ASFV isolates; shared SOPs with state labs.
- Identified circulation of ASFV in >20 states, aiding disease mapping and policy response.
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHFV):
- Confirmed CCHFV circulation in livestock and ticks near human index cases (Gujarat, Rajasthan).
- Identified hotspot regions in Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, and Kerala; optimized recombinant NP-based ELISA for serosurveillance.
Zoonotic Virus Surveillance:
- Conducted virome analysis of swine, sylvatic rodents, and ticks, discovering Orthohantavirus, Mammalian orthourubulavirus 5, and Mammalian orthoreovirus.
- Created synthetic positive controls for prioritized zoonotic viruses to support national diagnostics.
2. Diagnostic Technologies and Molecular Tools
- Developed and validated multiplex real-time RT-PCR assays for AI (Influenza A, H5, H9, N1), PRRSV, and ASFV.
- Designed recombinase polymerase and CRISPR/Cas-based assays for ASFV detection.
- Created recombinant antigen-based ELISAs for:
- Avian Influenza NP and H1N1 Swine Influenza.
- PRRSV (antibody detection).
- BVDV (NS3 and Erns-based assays).
- CCHFV antibody screening.
- Developed Lateral Flow Assays (LFA) for rapid AI H5 detection and POCT kits for SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing in animals.
- Standardized IPMA assay for PRRSV genotype 2 and RT-PCR for Orthohantavirus and Ganjam virus detection.
- Commercialized multiple diagnostic kits via Agrinnovate India Ltd., ensuring national availability.
3. Vaccine Development and Immunological Advances
- Designed H3N8 equine influenza vaccine and evaluated protective efficacy.
- Created inactivated PRRS vaccine (under field evaluation) and inactivated BVD vaccine (released 2024).
- Evaluated ASFV gene-deleted mutants using CRISPR/Cas9 for attenuation and filed a provisional patent for a live-attenuated ASF vaccine.
- Investigated host-pathogen interactions and immune responses to PRRSV and AI in animal models.
4. Genomic & Computational Research Innovations
- Developed computational pipelines for:
- Screening antibody therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
- Predicting vertebrate susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 using ACE2 receptor modeling.
- Analyzing viral codon usage bias and intrinsically disordered protein regions for zoonotic virus adaptability.
- Conducted metavirome sequencing for discovering novel zoonotic viruses in livestock and wildlife.
- Bayesian molecular dating analyses of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages (BA.1 & BA.2), revealing independent evolutionary origins.
5. One Health & Zoonotic Preparedness
- Integrated animal surveillance data into zoonotic risk mapping.
- Contributed to the national preparedness framework for Avian Influenza, ASF, LSD, and CCHFV.
- Supported One Health collaborations with ICMR, NCDC, and WHO reference centers for joint outbreak response and genomic tracing.
