About Us
The department of Molecular Immunology and Microbiology is engaged in investigating host pathogen interactions in the context of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as other infections of relevance to maternal and child health. The prime focus of the work is to delineate the microbiome-immune axis underlying physiological processes such as pregnancy and its complications as well as pathological conditions such as congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) as well as other pediatric blood borne infections. Besides this, work is also being carried out to understand the biology of the gut homing receptor, integrin a4b7 in the settings of RTIs/STIs with a focus on deciphering its role in facilitating immunopathogenesis of HIV and other associated co-infections. Another interesting area of work being pursued is deciphering the contribution of membrane vesicles produced by Gardnerella vaginalis towards the pathogenesis of the RTI, bacterial vaginosis (BV). Homeostatic mechanisms involved in maintenance of the healthy vaginal microbiota predominated by Lactobacillus spp. in the presence of challenges posed by various bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens are also being studied. A recent interest of the department is the delineation of the role of HLA-G, a class I major histocompatibility antigen in modulating intrauterine inflammation caused by various infections during pregnancy. The major tools being employed for the work being undertaken are multiparameter flow cytometry, next generation sequencing as well as a variety of in vitro, ex-vivo and animal models.
People
| Name | Designation |
| Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor | Scientist ‘E’ and Head of Department |
| Dr. Krishna C. Itta | Scientist ‘D’ |
| Dr. Siddhanath Metkari | Principal Technical Officer |
| Mrs. Gauri Bhonde | Senior Technical Officer-I |
| Mr. Sunil D’Souza | Lab Assistant |
Projects
Ongoing Projects:
| Title | Funding agency | From | To |
| Longitudinal cohort study of lactating women to assess the impact of SARS-CoV- 2 exposure and vaccination on systemic and vertically transferred SARS-CoV-2 specific immunity in the mother-infant dyad (PI: Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor) | ICMR | 2023 | 2025 |
| Intranasal Mucosal Vaccine for COVID-19 (PI: Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor) | DBT | 2020 | 2023 |
| Molecular analysis of HLA-G in pregnant tribal women and its role in infectious etiologies modulating intrauterine inflammation – A prospective cohort study (PI: Dr. Krishna Chaaithanya Itta) | ICMR | 2023 | 2026 |
Completed Projects:
| Title | Funding Agency | From | To |
| Establishment of ten ICMR-Biorepositories for COVID-19 (PI: Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor) | ICMR | 2020 | 2021 |
| Development of a Non-Invasive Evaluation Protocol for Detection of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Newborns (PI: Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor) | ICMR | 2018 | 2020 |
| Targeted Biofilm Control: Implications for the Prevention of Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis (PI: Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor) | DBT | 2013 | 2016 |
| Studies on HIV-1 GP120 Mediated α4β7 Integrin Dependent Signaling in T cells and its Role in HIV-1 Pathogenesis (PI: Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor) | ICMR-DBT | 2012 | 2015 |
Contact Us
Telephone: +(91-22)24192126
Email Id: mim[at]nirrch[dot]res[dot]in
| Name | Designation | Email Id | Phone no |
| Dr. Vikrant M. Bhor | Scientist ‘E’ and Head of Department | bhorv[at]nirrch[dot]res[dot]in | +(91-22)24192016 |
| Dr. Krishna C. Itta | Scientist ‘C’ | ittak[at]nirrch[dot]res[dot]in | +(91-22)24192017 |