JOIN USA Biodosimetry lab will be set up at K S Hegde Medical Academy in Deralakatte.
A MoU in this regard was signed between Director, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a constituent laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the Nitte (Deemed to be University) recently.
A press release said that Biodosimetry lab is being established for assisting medical management of radiation exposure. Such exposure can occur during radiation accidents and among medical professionals. A single lab can only handle limited samples. In an emergency, the sample size will be very large. Therefore more Biodosimetry labs need to be established and work in a network for Biodosimetry service.
Once established, this lab can serve as radiation diagnostic lab for radiation overexposure among medical professional and participate in building the national and international capacity of Biodosimetry service for handling medical radiation energy. This diagnostic information will also help in the prediction of short term and long term health consequences of radiation exposure.
INMAS is a premier laboratory of the DRDO engaged in the research of basic and applied medical sciences including radioprotectors and treatment modalities for the management of radiation emergencies, endocrinology, biodosimetry, drug development and strategies for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence, radiation counter measures, besides combat causality care. Biodosimetry lab will help in monitoring radiation exposure status of medical professionals, hospital staff at K S Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University) Mangaluru and other hospitals of Karnataka State. Nineteen countries have established Biodosimetry laboratories during 2012-2014 and successfully networked. In India, there are only three laboratories including INMAS, and the lab at KS Hegde Medical Academy will be the fourth and the first in the state of Karnataka.