Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology

Rapid technological developments in the field of molecular biology and biomedical instrumentation allowed rapid strides to be made in immunology bringing it from the bench to the bedside. Although a part of almost every Masters’ programme in biological sciences across the world, immunology is seldom found as a subject of specialization resulting in a dearth of trained personnel in this key area. Several human viral diseases like polio, small pox etc. have been causing morbidity and mortality throughout the world from centuries, many of which have been controlled. However, there is still a constant threat to the society from various deadly viruses like HIV, hepatitis, herpes etc. and other emerging viruses. Viruses have also been responsible for causing wide spread diseases in animals (rabies, foot and mouth disease etc.), plants (leaf curls and mosaics, tulip break, etc.), fishes etc. Loss of plant yield and damage to ornamental plants has led to huge economic losses. Viruses keep evolving themselves and thus it remains a big challenge for scientific and medical community to combat viral diseases.