SVU sets up VLP Technologies Centre to boost life sciences research

Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) has launched Centre of Excellence in VLP Technologies as part of the Centres of Excellence planned under SVU-RUSA Phase-II programme to strengthen research, innovation and skill development in higher education. The university has so far approved eight Centres of Excellence under the programme.

The initiative is being coordinated by Prof KV Sucharitha of Department of Home Science as Coordinator-I and Prof M Balaji of Department of Biochemistry as Coordinator-II. The Centre of Excellence in VLP Technologies has been entrusted to Prof M Hema of Department of Virology and Prof M Rajasekhar of Department of Zoology. It is housed at Sri Venkateswara College of Sciences and aims to promote advanced research and training in life sciences. It was funded jointly by the Government of India and the AP government through the State Project Directorate, RUSA, Vijayawada.

Supported by an investment of Rs 3.3 crore under RUSA Phase-II programme, the centre has been equipped with advanced research facilities, including a high-end confocal microscope from Evident Olympus, Japan. Instead of creating new infrastructure, the university upgraded its existing cell culture and greenhouse facilities, enabling researchers to study viruses in plant, animal and human cell systems.

The centre will focus on research involving virus-like particles (VLPs), which are non-infectious, biodegradable particles that resemble viruses. These particles have applications in disease diagnosis, medical imaging, drug delivery, vaccine development and cancer research.