INSTITUTE OF MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(IMTECH)
MANDATE
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To promote an integrated
research, development and design base for microbial technology.
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To undertake basic
and applied research and development programmes in established and newly
emerging areas of biotechnology including genetic engineering.
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To develop and maintain
gene pool resources and genetic stocks of microbial cultures andother cell
lines.
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To impart training
in microbiology, microbial technology and biochemical engineering to research
workers and technologists.To establish and maintain efectives linkages
with industry and educational institutions, develop capabilities for producing
design and engineering packages for industrial plants and to undertake
contract work on research and development in the area of biotechnology.
MAIN FACILITIES
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Scanning & transmission
electron microscopes.
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Ultra and super
speed centrifuges.
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HPLC/FPLC and gas
chromatograph.
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Amino acid analyser.
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Protein sequencer
and protein synthesizer.Fermentation pilot plant (1500 litre) and associated
down stream processing equipment.
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Alpha digital computer
system.
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Modern facilities
for identification, preservation and maintenance of microorganisms.
SIGNIFICANT
ACHIEVEMENTS
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Development of a
process for the efficient conversion of molasses to alcohol using an osmo-tolerant
and ethanol tolerant strain of yeast.
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Development of know
how for enzymatic conversion of rifamycin B to difamycin S.
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development of simplified
processes for purification of urokinase from urine, based on anti-urokinase
monoclonal antibodies.
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Development of new
targeting rationale for selective delivery of drugs to microphages utilizing
the exquisite specificity and high effciency of the process of endocytosis
mediated by receptors present exclusively on the cells of microphage lineage.
This provides a generalized method for manipulating the metabolical activity
of microphages for a variety of purposes and is likely to find
application in the application of therapy of diseases in which macrophages
are involved such as leishmaniasis, tuberculosis, leprosy, rheumotoid arthritis
as well as some neoplastic diseases.
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Identification of
a 150 kDa molocule on the macrophage surface and three molecules (155 kDa,
105 kDa and 37 kDa) on the b-lymphocyte surface as a novel costimulatory
molecules which slelectively activate TH1 & TH-2 cells respectively.
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Established the
clonality of V, cholerae 0139 strain and predicted that the new
epedemic strain 0139 for cholera has evolved from 01El Tor strain.
ACTING DIRECTOR
Dr C. M. Gupta, Ph.D.,
F. N. A., F. A. Sc., F. N. A.Sc.
CONTACT ADDRESS
Sector 39-A, Chandigarh. 160 014.
Telephone: (091)172-690908, 690713, 690785, 690263.
Telegram : INTECH, CHANDIGARH.
Telex : 0395-7369 IMT IN.
E-mail : root @ imtech. ernrt. in.
Copyright(c) Institute
of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, 1997.
Created and Hosted
by NIO, Goa.