Adviser Inagurates Mass spectrometry and Metabolic Core Facility

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Chandigarh 08^th August:- Mass spectrometry and Metabolic Core Facility established in the Department of Pediatrics at the Advanced Pediatric Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh was inaugurated by Vijay Kumar Dev, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh Administration. This facility could see the light of the day because of the concerted efforts of Prof. Yogesh Chawla, Director PGI, Prof Sunit Singhi, former Head of Department of Pediatrics and Prof. Pratibha Singhi, Head, department of Pediatrics. It is first of its kind facility in the region and will benefit the general public at low cost in detection of metabolic disorders which affect the brain and other organs.  Tandem mass spectrometer and Gas chromatograph-Mass spectrometer will help in screening and diagnosis of more than 100 disorders with one drop of blood and small volume of urine respectively. The laboratory is participating in Proficiency Testing and Quality Control Programs of CDC, Atlanta, USA and has already achieved 100% accuracy. Apart from metabolic disorders, tandem mass spectrometer is also a gold standard technique for testing various drugs used for epilepsy and for suppressing immunity in cancer and transplant patients.  Besides this, ICP-MS facility for detection of heavy metals and trace elements was also inaugurated.

The adviser was highly impressed by the advanced infrastructure of the laboratories and congratulated the PGI for conceiving and implementing this facility for the benefit of general public. He showed keen interest in starting the newborn screening and assured full cooperation from Chandigarh Administration.