The majority of non-communicable diseases like mental retardation, cancer, cardiac diseases, diabetes, hypertension, neuromuscular disorders, and haemoglobinopathy are caused by abnormal DNA mutations in the functional gene.
Modern medicine can diagnose and control these non-communicable diseases using the latest DNA technologies. Fatal mutations passing to the next generations can be prevented or detected as early as during the tenth week of pregnancy. But unfortunately, Kerala did not have suitable avenues for higher studies and research in the sphere of genomics and DNA technologies.
Noorul Islam Education Trust has launched an ambitious programme in genomics through its Noorul Islam Center for Advanced Biotechnology (NCAB). NCAB is equipped with state of the art facilities with international standards. Upon validation and optimisation, the facilities will be available for life science students, physicians and the general public.
The foundation stone for NCAB was laid by Mr. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of state for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, in January 2016 at NIMS Medicity campus, Neyyatinkara, Trivandrum. NCAB is the first of its kind, in the private sector, in Kerala, after the state-owned Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology.
NCAB facilities, spread over 20,000 sqft. both in NIMS Medicity and Noorul Islam University, facilitate academic and research activities in molecular human genetics, plant and animal biotechnology, infectious diseases, genetic disorders, gene therapy via stem cells, and effectively integrate researchers, physicians and students.
Courses like M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D. shall be started in collaboration with Nurul Islam University. Students will have the opportunity to interact closely with specialty doctors in molecular human genetics as part of the programme.
Molecular investigations of fatal infectious diseases — such as H1N1, Ebola, Swine Flu, and tuberculosis — is close to reality at the NCAB labs. Latest lab tests like Next generation sequencing, whole genome sequencing etc. signal infertility and genetic disorders which may arise in future.
There is also scope for genetic research in agriculture. The lab would be equipped to decipher the genetic combinations of genetically modified fruits and vegetable, which has always been a matter of controversy. Various departments of NCAB are headed by Dr. Devraj, Dr. Murugan, Dr. Shareek and Dr. Shafeek.
