Lieutenant General Daljit Singh, Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services and Senior Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps inaugurated a new Genome Sequencing Lab at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune today (June 27, 2024). The new laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art next generation genome sequencing facilities, including advanced “NextSeq 2000” and “MiniSeq” analyzers.
NGS technology has wide applications in various healthcare sectors, including hereditary diseases, oncology, transplantation medicine and reproductive medicine. This advanced technology significantly enhances the capabilities of AFMS by facilitating accurate diagnosis of rare genetic disorders, molecular prediction of malignancy and organ transplantation. This is the second such facility at AFMS, after Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in New Delhi, where the NGS facility was commissioned by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services on 23 January 2024.
The event was attended by Dean and Officiating Commandant of AFMS Pune, Commandant of Command Hospital Southern Command, Army Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences Pune and Additional Director General (Medical Research & Health), Armed Forces Medical Services besides other senior officers of Armed Forces Medical Services.
Establishment of Genome Sequencing Laboratory at AFMC Pune will not only serve the Armed Forces but will also contribute to the medical community through novel medical research and improved diagnostics. This facility will promote innovation in medical science leading to better healthcare outcomes, which is the cornerstone of national development.
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