AFMC Pune Launches Advanced Genome Sequencing Lab, Boosting Armed Forces Medical Capabilities
Pune, 27th June 2024: In a landmark event, Lt Gen Daljit Singh, AVSM, VSM, PHS, the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services and Senior Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps, inaugurated the new Genome Sequencing Lab at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. The event witnessed the presence of the Dean and Officiating Commandant of AFMC Pune, the Commandants of Command Hospital Southern Command, the Army Institute of Cardio Thoracic Sciences Pune and the Additional DGAFMS (Medical Research & Health), along with other senior officers from Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
The new lab is equipped with cutting-edge Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) facilities, featuring advanced “Nextseq 2000” and “Miniseq” analyzers. NGS technology has extensive applications across various healthcare domains, including inherited diseases, oncology, transplant medicine, and reproductive medicine. This advanced technology significantly enhances the capabilities of the AFMS by enabling precise diagnosis of rare genetic disorders, molecular prognostication of malignancies, and facilitating organ transplantation. After the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in New Delhi, where the NGS facility was launched by DGAFMS earlier this year on 23 January 2024, this is the second such facility in the Armed Forces.
The establishment of the Genome Sequencing Lab at AFMC Pune plays a pivotal role in nation-building by enhancing the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The advanced capabilities of this lab will not only serve the Armed Forces but also contribute to the broader medical community through ground breaking medical research and improved diagnostics. This facility will foster innovation in medical science, leading to better healthcare outcomes, which is a cornerstone of national development. By training skilled professionals in cutting-edge genomic technologies, the lab supports the development of a highly competent healthcare workforce, further strengthening the nation’s health security and scientific prowess.
