SV University Launches CoE In VLP Technologies

The centre was inaugurated on Wednesday at the CoE VLP technologies Laboratory on the university campus.

Rector Prof. Ch. Appa Rao inaugurated the facility in the presence of registrar Prof. M. Bhupathi Naidu, principal Prof. V. Padmavathi and other faculty members.

The Centre of Excellence is one of eight centres approved under the SVU RUSA Phase II programme. It is headed by Prof. M. Hema of the department of virology and Prof. M. Rajasekhar of the department of zoology.

The overall RUSA Phase II programme is coordinated by Prof. K.V. Sucharitha and Prof. M. Balaji.

The project has received `3.3 crore under the RUSA Phase II. Most of the funding has been used to procure advanced research equipment, including a confocal microscope from Evident Olympus, Japan.

The university also upgraded its existing cell culture and greenhouse facilities to support research across plant, animal and human cell systems.

The centre will focus on VLPs, which resemble viruses but are not infectious. These particles have applications in disease diagnosis, imaging, drug delivery, vaccine development and cancer research.

The facility will promote interdisciplinary research by bringing together experts in virology, biotechnology, molecular biology and nano-biotechnology while encouraging collaboration with other universities and institutions.

The centre will also provide practical training to faculty members, research scholars and postgraduate students from SVU and nearby universities. Degree college teachers will receive training in modern laboratory techniques to strengthen teaching and research.

University officials said the facility, funded jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh through the State Project Directorate, RUSA, Vijayawada, will improve research infrastructure and create better opportunities for students and faculty.