UT Adviser to Inaugurate Mass Spectrometry and Metabolic Core Facility in APC

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Chandigarh 06^th August:- Vijay Kumar Dev, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh will inaugurate Mass Spectrometry and Metabolic Core Facility tomorrow on 7^th August, 2015 at 4:30 pm in Pediatric Biochemistry, 3^rd Floor, C Block, Advanced Pediatric Centre (APC), PGIMER, Chandigarh.

 Advanced Pediatric Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh has established Mass spectrometry and metabolic core facility which is first of its kind in the region and third in the country in a government set up. This will help in detection of metabolic disorders – inherited conditions which affect the brain and other organswhich result in mental retardation, fits and even death.  Initially these conditions were considered to be rare but with better detection facilities it has been found that they are not uncommon. World-wise one in 3000 babies may be affected with one or other kind of metabolic disorder.  At PGIMER, the incidence has been found to be 10% in high risk children. If one child in the family is affected then chances of other child getting affected are also there and to prevent this metabolic & genetic diagnosis is essential.  Tandem mass spectrometer and Gas chromatograph – Mass spectrometer will help in screening and diagnosis of more than 1000 disorder with one drop of blood and small volume of urine. To maintain the quality of testing, the laboratory is participating in Proficiency Testing and Quality Control Programs of CDC, Atlanta, USA and has already achieved 100% accuracy.

Detection of various drug used in epilepsy and for suppressing the immune system in patients undergoing transplant will also be carried out.  ICP-MS facility will help in detection of more than 30 trace elements and heavy metals in biological samples. This will help in nutritional assessment and in detection of heavy metal toxicity. GCMS can also be used for analyzing environmental pollutants like pesticides and Bisphenol-Aetc.