Media Release
Udupi, Mar 10: Manipal Institute of Virology (MIV) celebrated its Annual Day and Alumni Meet 2025 at Dr TMA Pai Auditorium, MAHE, Manipal, marking a significant milestone in advancing virology research and pandemic preparedness. The event highlighted MIV’s transformation from the Manipal Centre for Virus Research to a premier NABL-accredited virology institute and underscored its commitment to scientific excellence.
Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, director of MIV, welcomed dignitaries, alumni, faculty, and students, reflecting on MIV’s journey since its inception in 2001. He emphasized its recognition as an ICMR collaborating centre of excellence, its 50 outbreak investigations, 20+ national and international research projects, and over 100 scientific publications in the past five years. Dr Naveen Kumar, director, ICMR-NIV Pune, was introduced as the chief guest, alongside distinguished dignitaries including Lt Gen Dr M D Venkatesh, vice-chancellor, MAHE, Dr P Giridhar Kini, registrar, MAHE, Dr Padma M R, deputy director and state surveillance officer, DHFWS Karnataka, and Dr Sreekumar E, director, Institute of Advanced Virology, Kerala.
In his inaugural address, Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, vice-chancellor of MAHE, stressed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address global health challenges. He reaffirmed MAHE’s commitment to research excellence, highlighting its top NIRF rankings, over 1,030 PhD scholars, 5,300 research publications, and leading position as India’s top private multidisciplinary university. He commended MIV’s collaboration with ICMR-NIV Pune, emphasizing the potential for joint research, resource sharing, and pandemic preparedness. “Science must be solution-oriented, and at MAHE, we provide an open platform where researchers from all disciplines can come together to drive innovation,” he quoted.
Dr Naveen Kumar, director of ICMR-NIV Pune, discussed India’s progress in viral disease surveillance. He highlighted the growth of virus detection capabilities, noting that the number of known viral species has risen from 213 in 1971 to over 15,000 in 2023. He emphasized India’s response to emerging pathogens such as Nipah virus, Monkeypox, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, West Nile virus, and H5N1 and the importance of initiatives like the PM AyushmanBharat Health Infrastructure Mission. This mission has led to the establishment of a National One Health Mission and four new zonal NIVs in Jammu, Dibrugarh, Jabalpur, and Bengaluru. India’s Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) network has expanded to 164 labs, complemented by 22 new BSL-3 labs for faster outbreak response. He emphasized the critical role of vaccine manufacturing, as India produces 70% of the world’s vaccines and is advancing mRNA, vector-based, and nanotechnology-based vaccines.
Scientific sessions and panel discussions
The event hosted engaging scientific sessions and panel discussions featuring global experts on virology research and public health.
* Dr Naveen Kumar delivered a session on epigenetic-targeted antiviral therapies, focusing on modifying m6A RNA methylation to combat viral replication.
* Dr Siddappa Byrareddy, University of Nebraska, explored immunotherapeutic approaches for HIV treatment, including Vedolizumab for gut inflammation and CAR T-cell therapy for clearing viral reservoirs in the CNS and gut.
* Dr Sreekumar E, Institute of Advanced Virology, Kerala, provided insights into dengue virus-induced vascular leakage, emphasizing the role of Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in stabilizing endothelial barriers.
* Dr Kavitha Rani B, Veterinary College, Shivamogga, presented research on Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in monkeys, highlighting the role of veterinarians in zoonotic disease detection.
Panel discussions
The ‘One Health’ panel discussion emphasized that 65-70% of emerging diseases are zoonotic, requiring collaboration between medical, veterinary, and environmental sectors. Experts discussed:
* Early disease detection in animals for better outbreak control
* The impact of climate change on disease emergence
* The need for continuous training for healthcare professionals and data-driven surveillance models
In the ‘Viral Outbreaks’ panel discussion, experts underscored the importance of real-time disease monitoring, case management, and communication strategies for controlling outbreaks. They advocated for:
* Strengthening healthcare infrastructure
* Implementing universal healthcare policies
* Developing molecular diagnostic assays for rapid pathogen detection
Advances in vaccine research and leadership in healthcare
* Dr Sweety Samal, THSTI, presented a universal beta coronavirus vaccine using an E coli-based platform, aiming to enhance broad-spectrum coronavirus protection.
* Dr Sutapa Bandyopadhyay Neogi, IIHMR New Delhi, highlighted the need for women leadership in healthcare, advocating for mentorship programs and gender-inclusive policies.
Contributions of MIV alumni
The event featured scientific presentations by MIV alumni, demonstrating their global impact in virology research:
* Dr Chaitra Rao, JDRF Post-Doctoral Fellow at Indiana University, USA discussed circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biomarkers for type 1 diabetes, providing insights into disease progression and personalized treatment strategies.
* Dr Rithu Paul Stansilaus, from Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Strasbourg, France explored influenza virus genetic reassortment, focusing on the 7+1 genome complex and its role in viral evolution and transmission.
Conclusion
The MIV Annual Day and alumni meet 2025 reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to virology research, diagnostics, and global health preparedness. The event emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration, advancements in antiviral drug discovery, vaccine development, and outbreak surveillance.
The celebrations concluded with a valedictory session, followed by an evening ceremony honoring MIV alumni, reminiscing memories, and celebrating their achievements. A cultural programme marked the grand closure of a successful event, setting the stage for MIV’s continued leadership in virology research and public health innovation.