BD Life Sciences-Biosciences, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), in collaboration with Christian Medical College – Vellore has launched its second Center of Excellence (CoE) in flow cytometry for clinical research in India. This CoE will serve as the National Reference Center for clinical diagnostics applications, wherein hematologists, physicians, lab specialists from across India can come together to deliberate and discuss standardization and best practices in clinical flow cytometry.

The CoE at CMC Vellorewill help to push the bounds of clinical research, provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and conduct diagnosis with higher accuracy to achieve faster turnaround of reports and better patient outcomes.

Pavan Mocherla, Managing Director, BD India/South Asia at the inaugural ceremony said, “Over the years, flow cytometry has been an invaluable tool in several clinical applications. Christian Medical College, Vellore has been leading healthcare and research for more than 120years and we are honoured that this Centre of Excellence in flow cytometry at CMC Vellore is a testament of our purpose of advancing the world of health^TM. The depth of experience of CMC’s faculty of Haematology department and BD’s technological advancements will together provide a world-class experience for anyone coming in for training or treatment. Our aim is to encourage best practices, stay ahead in science to create a strong foundation for better patient outcomes.”

Dr Vikram Mathews, Associate Director & Professor of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore said, “The proposed Centre of Excellence in flow cytometry at the department of Haematology in Christian Medical College, Vellore is another milestone in the academic collaboration between the institute and BD-India. As a state-of-the-art diagnostic facility, the Center of Excellence will help educate and train the pathologists and haematologists in multicolour flow cytometry analysis. The lab is one of the largest diagnostic flow cytometry facilities in the country and the services offered include leukemia and lymphoma diagnostics, minimal residual disease for leukemia and myeloma, Stem cell enumeration, primary immunodeficiency disorders and lymphocyte subset analysis, paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and cellular therapy assays. The proposed collaboration with BD-India strengthens our relationship, positioning us to perform high quality diagnostic services and academic activities further. It will not only help students’ and early career pathologists’ understanding of this field but will also nurture the institute’s mandate of integrating diagnostic service with active academic and research activities.”

This CoE is equipped with a comprehensive range of flow cytometer instruments like BD FACSLyric^TM, BD FACS Canto™ II, BD FACS Canto™ 10C and BD Accuri™ C6 Plus that will help in increasing awareness about the role of flow cytometry in clinical diagnostics among healthcare professionals.

Puneet Talwar, Business Director- India/ South Asia, BD Lifesciences- Biosciences added, “Our association with CMC Vellore goes back to three decades when we supplied them our first BD FACS flow cytometry instrument. Over the years, we have strengthened our partnership by regular up-gradation of technology as well as other tools/resources required by CMC in serving its patients. With the establishment of this Centre of Excellence in flow cytometry, we will be writing a new chapter for our academic collaboration. This will give us a platform to train and educate many more pathologists and haematologists in the country in multicolour flow cytometry analysis.”

In addition to this CoE, BD also has CoEs as mentioned below:

1. BD-Calcutta University CoE in Nanobiosciences – Kolkata
2. BD-NCBS CoE in Advanced flow cytometry – Bengaluru
3. BD-PD Hinduja CoE in Clinical flow cytometry – Mumbai
4. IISER- BD Centre of Excellence (CoE) in flow Cytometry – Pune

About flow cytometry:

Flow Cytometry is a process used to sort, separate and examine microscopic particles, such as cells and chromosomes. It plays an important role in clinical diagnostics and research. BD offers a growing portfolio of flow cytometry instruments for leukemia/lymphoma phenotyping, stem cell research, immunology, and CD4 testing.

About BD

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. BD helps customers enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. bd.com