MDRU Lab

Facility

Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU), Madras Medical College (MMC)

  • The Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) of Madras Medical College (MMC) commenced on 01.01.2014. The initiation of research studies began on 01.04.2015.
  • Funded by Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
  • Details of High end multidisciplinary research activities:
    • Completed Projects: 59
    • Ongoing Projects: 44
  • Participation in eight national registries funded by ICMR.
  • 38 Publications have been accomplished by MRU, MMC in International and National Journals.
  • Last Updated: July 2025
Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) at Madras Medical College (MMC): A Brief Overview
  • The Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) at Madras Medical College funded by Department of Health Research, Government of India was established on January 1, 2014. The Local Research Advisory Committee (LRAC), responsible for overseeing research activities, was initially constituted in 2015 and underwent reconstitution on March 28, 2023, having conducted a total of 12 LRAC sessions. Organogram
  • The research endeavors at MRU have been prolific, with a total of 117 multidisciplinary projects undertaken since its inception. Of these, 44 projects are currently ongoing, with 18 funded by MRU and 26 projects with a total extramural grant of 40 crores. Additionally, 59 projects have been successfully completed, contributing to the unit's impressive track record.
  • Scientific output is reflected in the form of 38 publications, boasting a cumulative Impact Factor of 72.9, with an additional 5 publications currently under preparation. The unit has also been actively involved in the development of processes, guidelines, and patents with a total of 5 achievements in these domains.
  • MRU at MMC with a well-equipped lab has established expertise in various research techniques, such as genomic DNA isolation, PCR, RFLP, and RT PCR with TaqMan SNP genotyping assays, Histopathology sectioning, IHC, Western blotting, 2D Gel electrophoresis and ELISA. The unit has made significant strides in Iso Electric Focusing (IEF), particularly in CDGS diagnosis using Dry Blood Spot samples.
  • The impact of the MRU extends beyond its research endeavors, with 3,877 individuals benefiting from workshops, training programs, and conferences organized by the unit. Furthermore, the unit has contributed to the academic landscape by guiding 37 MD/PhD theses and supporting 4 PhD students every year through ICMR funding.
  • In summary, the Multidisciplinary Research Unit (MRU) at Madras Medical College stands as a beacon of scientific excellence, with a rich history of projects, publications, and contributions to medical research and education.
S.No Department Officers
1 Nodal Officer Dr. A. Chitra, Professor, Institute of Community Medicine
2 Asst. Nodal Officers Dr. Poovazhagi, Professor of Paediatrics
Dr. N. Murugan, Professor of Pulmonary Medicine
Dr. Sakthirajan, Asst. Professor, Nephrology
Dr. Vikram, Asst. Professor, ENT
3 Human Resource Dr. R. Karthick, Scientist C
Dr. R. Arunkumar, Scientist B
Mrs. P. Priyadarshini, Lab Technician
Mrs. S. Kalaivani, Lab Technician
Mr. R. Muthukumar, DEO / Lab Assistant

Projects

S.NO Title of the Project
1 Artificial intelligence framework for lung cancer nodule segmentation and classification using convolutional neural network from imaging to diagnosis.
2 Comparative efficacy of dexamethasone and Methylprednisolone in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients – a randomized controlled trial.
3 The Role of OB Gene Product in Modulating Lipid Profile and Its Implications in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis.
4 Correlation of CT staging and biochemical parameters in assessing disease severity and mortality of COVID-19 patients.
5 A complex presentation of anti-NXP2 antibody positive inflammatory myositis with peripheral neuropathy.
6 A study on clinical profile of diabetes mellitus in COVID-19 patients, hyperglycemia management, and risk assessment for mortality.
7 Analysis of Blood Lead Level and its Clinical Significance Among Occupational Exposed Painters in Chennai Based Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.
8 "Caring for the Uncared for": A Novel Initiative of Madras Medical College.
9 Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of COVID-19 Patients with Omicron Variant Admitted in a Tertiary Care Center, South India.
10 Effect of Haemoglobin and Iron Status of the Antenatal Mothers on their Newborns at Birth: A Cross-sectional Study.
11 Profile of COVID-19 Patients at Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward, in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India.
12 Clinical Outcomes among Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients in an Isolation Facility in Chennai, India.
13 Convalescent plasma transfusion for the treatment of COVID-19: Systematic review.
14 Elevated liver enzymes with comorbidity is a high-risk factor for COVID-19 Mortality: A South Indian Study on 1,512 Patients.
15 Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Patatin-like phospholipase 3 - rs738409 Gene variant in Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among Chennai-based South Indian population.
16 Burden and impact of multidrug resistance infection on outcome of the patients with decompensated liver disease in a tertiary care institute.
17 High prevalent hypovitaminosis D is associated with dysregulation of calcium - parathyroid hormone - vitamin D axis in patients with Chronic Liver Diseases.
18 Prevalence of H. pylori in Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) in a tertiary care center, South India.
19 Profile of pulmonary infections in renal transplant patients.
20 IgE antibody in serum-detection and diagnostic significance as a biomarker in patients with uncontrolled asthma.
21 Magnetic resonance imaging of the placenta in intrauterine fetal growth restriction.
22 Even A Single Breath Counts.
23 A Cross-Sectional Study on Gallstone Disease and its Risk Factors in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India.
24 Prevalence of Elevated Serum Aminotransferases among Asymptomatic Population of Tamil Nadu, India.
25 Prevalence of Bloodborne Infectious Diseases in a Large Population Observed Over Blood Donors.
26 Outcome of Therapy in HCV Patients in a Public Health Tertiary Care Center.
27 Current Prevalence of HCV in Patients with Liver Disease and its Related Profile.
28 A Rare Congenital Disorder of Intrahepatic Bile Ducts.
29 Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Risk Analysis of Vertical Transmission Among Pregnant Women.
30 Relationship of Psoriasis and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
31 Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Liver Cirrhosis Patients to Early Diagnosis of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy.
32 Seroprevalence and Factors Associated with Surface Antigen of Hepatitis B Virus and Anti Hepatitis C Virus Antibody Among Southern Region of India.
33 Translating Research to Policy: Setting Provider Payment Rates for Strategic Purchasing under India National Publicly Financed Health Insurance Scheme.
34 Process Evaluation of Health System Costing – Experience from CHSI Study in India.
35 Using Cost Evidence for Price Setting: Experience from a Large National Public Insurance Scheme of India.
36 Non-Invasive Markers: Fibrometer, Fibroscan vs Liver Biopsy in Detecting Liver Fibrosis in HBV Patients.
37 Viral Burden of HBsAg Among South Indians in a Tertiary Care Center—10 Year Survey.
38 COOMBS: Continuous Overview of Mega Blood Donation of South India—A Five-Year Study of Bloodborne Infectious Diseases.
S.NO Title of the Project Funded
1 Genetic profiling of young AMI in South Indians
2 Genetic association of radiology in acute pancreatitis
3 Biotinidase deficiency in children with seizures & developmental delay
4 CYP2C9 genotype & NSAID hepatotoxicity in autoimmune disease
5 Toxic chemicals in plastics & PCOS – prospective study
6 Heavy metals in patients using CAM therapies
7 Salt intake estimation from urine in hypertension – Tamil Nadu
8 HFNC vs CPAP in neonates with meconium aspiration – RCT
9 Urinary NGAL biomarker in type 1 diabetic nephropathy
10 Novel biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis
11 Anti-SMN antibodies & clinical phenotype in MCTD
12 N-Acetylcysteine effect on transfusion in beta-thalassemia children
13 DEB-TACE + RFA vs TACE-RFA in hepatocellular carcinoma – RCT
14 Anemia & gestational diabetes in pregnancy
15 DRAKI-R: Dialysis requiring acute kidney injury registry
16 DEB-TACE + RFA vs conventional TACE-RFA – HCC trial (duplicate)
17 Fever, sugar, swallowing, BP care in acute stroke – Indian QI study
18 Neuronal damage profile post COVID-19 – cohort study
19 Indian MS & demyelinating disorder registry
20 Yoga-based cardiac rehab in heart failure – RCT
21 Romiplostim in inherited bone marrow failure – Phase 2 study
22 Centre for research in aplastic anemia – HSCT & medical therapy
23 National hospital-based registry for venous thromboembolism – MMC
24 TIME heart failure study
25 Protocolized cardio-obstetric care in high-risk pregnancies
26 INDIASTONE: Natural course of asymptomatic gallstones
27 Influenza vaccine to reduce CV events post-MI – multicenter RCT
28 LATECOMER trial: Invasive vs ischemia-driven strategy in late STEMI
29 Stroke registry (ICMR-NCDIR)
30 Indian chronic kidney disease (ICKD) study
31 SAUNA trial: Selective vs universal antibiotics in preterm neonates
32 RECORD-IN trial: Cord-intact resuscitation in neonates
33 CAR-RAHAT: Rural healthcare transformation research centre
34 Genetic variants in Type 1 diabetes in South Indian children
35 INSPIRE study: Influenza & COVID-19 SARI burden in adults
36 Erythropoietin monotherapy in HIE – LMIC multicenter RCT
37 Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) model clinic
38 i-HCH mHealth program for diabetes drug adherence
39 Pedoscan offloading footwear for diabetic foot prevention
40 TROP2 expression in colon & rectal cancer staging & metastasis
41 Homocysteine, folic acid & lipid profile in CKD patients
42 Single vs multidose antibiotic prophylaxis in hernia repair SSI
43 Meditation impact on telomere length in chemotherapy patients
44 Molecular diagnosis & antifungal susceptibility in dermatophytosis – multicenter
S.NO Title of the Project Funded
1 Molecular patterns in gastric cancer  
2 Lead exposure in workers & families – Chennai  
3 Congenital glycosylation disorders in neurodegeneration  
4 Vitamin D receptor polymorphism in Type 1 Diabetes  
5 Caring for the Uncared – MMC initiative  
6 Diabetes profile & mortality risk in COVID-19  
7 Maternal Hb & iron status impact on newborns  
8 Vitamin D deficiency in chronic liver disease  
9 Hematological changes in diabetes complicating pregnancy  
10 Genetic markers in NAFLD – pilot study  
11 Psoriasis & NAFLD relationship  
12 Healthcare service costing in India (CHSI)  
13 Elevated serum aminotransferases in asymptomatic people  
14 Gallstone disease & risk factors – South India  
15 IgE antibody as biomarker in uncontrolled asthma  
16 Pulmonary infections in renal transplant patients  
17 MDR infections in decompensated liver disease  
18 Outcomes in mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 – Chennai  
19 Elevated LFT profile in COVID-19 patients  
20 COVID-19 patients at Zero Delay ward – South India  
21 Breakthrough COVID-19 infections – South India  
22 Oxidative stress in cirrhosis & hepatic encephalopathy  
23 Placental MRI in IUGR  
24 Omicron COVID-19 profile – South India  
25 Gene polymorphism in vasculitis & limb ischemia  
26 Gene polymorphism in PPCM (South India)  
27 3D-printed spine models for surgery simulation  
28 Complement pathway in thrombotic microangiopathy  
29 VEGF as prognostic marker in gastric cancer  
30 Rare congenital intrahepatic bile duct disorder  
31 AI facial analysis in autoimmune disorders  
32 AI-ML capillaroscopy model in connective tissue disease  
33 CHEST SCORE for coronary artery disease risk  
34 Ischemic heart disease in young South Indians  
35 WHO Solidarity trial – COVID-19 drug repurposing  
36 Convalescent plasma in moderate COVID-19 (PLACID)  
37 DLCO in early hepatopulmonary syndrome  
38 Cytokeratin-18 in acute-on-chronic liver failure  
39 Tamil Nadu pregnancy & heart disease registry  
40 SARS-CoV2 infection in newborns – cohort study  
41 TOPSPIN trial – single-pill BP therapy in India  
42 Women with cirrhosis  
43 Vitamin D levels in Type 1 Diabetes  
44 CT staging & biomarkers in COVID-19 severity  
45 Outpatient satisfaction & time-motion at RGGGH  
46 Mortality pattern in MMC & RGGGH  
47 OB gene & lipid profile in atherosclerosis  
48 Anti-NXP2 antibody myositis with neuropathy  
49 H. pylori in Immune Thrombocytopenia (South India)  
50 Even a single breath counts  
51 BLOOD study – blood-borne infections in donors  
52 HCV therapy outcomes in public health center  
53 HCV prevalence in liver disease patients  
54 HBV prevalence & vertical transmission – Chennai  
55 HBV & HCV seroprevalence – Tamil Nadu  
56 Fibrometer/Fibroscan vs biopsy in HBV fibrosis  
57 HBsAg viral burden – 10-year South India survey  
58 COOMBS – 5-year mega blood donation study  
59 Dexamethasone vs Methylprednisolone in COVID-19  

Events

Workshop, Research Lectures, and Guidance for Proposal Preparation

S.No Meeting Date Meeting Details No. of Participants
1 12-12-2015 Research Methodology workshop 73
2 29-03-2016 Research Methodology workshop 129
3 03-11-2017 Research Methodology workshop 107
4 08-05-2018 Research Methodology workshop 128
5 15-11-2018 IEF workshop 13
6 30-03-2019 Good Clinical Practice 67
7 11-04-2019 Research review 14
8 15-04-2019 Research review 84
9 07-01-2020 Dr. V. Mohan (Role of Researcher) 91
10 12-03-2021 Research review 21
11 26-03-2021 Research review 17
12 10-04-2021 Research review 38
13 16-04-2021 Research review 17
14 28-01-2022 Good Clinical Practice 180
15 18-08-2023 Manuscript Writing Workshop 145
16 06-10-2023 Research Methodology 15
17 19-03-2024 Basics in Research Methodology 110
18 05-04-2024 GCP-Research Ethics Workshop 152
19 12-04-2024 Research Day 600
20 30-04-2024 CME 72
21 04-06-2024 Ph.D Proposal (ICMR) 23
22 06-06-2024 Cytogenetics Workshop with Pathology 47
23 11-09-2024 Research Methodology Workshop (3 days) 25
24 09-10-2024 GCP-Research Ethics Workshop 1270
25 23-11-2024 How to Select a Journal for Publication 98
26 13-12-2024 How to Select a Journal for Publication (Internal Medicine) 30
27 17-12-2024 How to Select a Journal for Publication (Dermatology) 52
28 18-12-2024 How to Select a Journal for Publication (IOG) 25
29 01-05-2025 MIRACLE’25 Research Workshop 40
30 26-06-2025 Ph.D Proposal (DHR) 2025 - 2026 8
31 13-07-2025 MD Pharmacology (14 days) 5
32 03-09-2025 Ideation Workshop 41

Awards and Achievements

Award 1 Award 2
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