Manipal : Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, recently inaugurated and began operations at a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility, marking an important milestone in strengthening high-containment biomedical research, infectious disease diagnostics, and public health preparedness.
Following a detailed meeting and extensive discussions, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Dr Sharath K. Rao, formally announced that the facility is open and operational. This milestone reflects Dr Rao’s leadership and vision, which have been instrumental in advancing this important institutional initiative. Special recognition is also due to Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay for his sustained efforts, commitment, and perseverance in bringing the facility into operation.
The BSL-3 facility is designed to support research on infectious agents requiring enhanced containment, with specialised infrastructure, controlled access, engineering controls, and stringent biosafety practices. It will strengthen capabilities in infectious disease research, diagnostics, surveillance, and translational biomedical science.
As part of the facility’s governance and biosafety oversight, a new committee has been formed, comprising representatives from various constituent units of MAHE and members of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC). This multidisciplinary representation will support effective oversight, coordination, and compliance with established biosafety and regulatory requirements.
The facility received certification from the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, in March 2026. Its operationalisation marks a significant step in MAHE’s commitment to safe, responsible, and high-quality biomedical research.
****
