Genetics – Institute for Research & Development

Our Laboratory

The Institute for Research and Development is equipped with a genetic research laboratory, which is capable of handling molecular genetic research. The laboratory was established in 2007 in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Twin Registry and King’s College London, UK. The lab was developed to support and collaborate with scientists and academics who wish to conduct their research within the country as the the Institute for Research and Development strongly oppose the export of genetic material abroad for research purposes and promotes conducting all genetic research in the locale where the genetic material was collected from. The lab is available for genetic research to all academics and personnel with keen interest in molecular genetic research.

The genetic laboratory is well equipped to perform a range of genetic and molecular biology related multidisciplinary research. We have established a unique biobank containing DNA and serum, of twins and singletons. We collaborate both nationally and internationally with well-established research institutes to carry out high quality result oriented research in the country.

Our Directive

Carry out research projects with national importance and policy impact.
Bring together academics & experts in molecular biology, biotechnology, & genetics.
Establishing partnerships with local & international research institutions, universities & government organizations.
Execute theoretical & practical education programs.

The Biobank

The IRD biobank is a unique repository consisting of Genomic DNA and serum of twins (both monozygotes and dizygotes) and a matching comparison sample of non-twins in the developing world. To our knowledge this is the first of its kind biobank establishment in Sri Lanka.

It was established along with the Colombo Twin and Singleton Follow-up Study (CoTaSS 2). Ethical clearance for this purpose was obtained from the ethics committees of Sri Jayawardhanepura University and Kings College London.

Consent was obtained from twins and non-twins participating in the CoTaSS 2 to store their blood for future studies. However, the samples will not be used for any specific study without obtaining fresh ethical clearance for specific projects from relevant ethics committees.

The goal of the IRD biobank is to create a national repository of bio-material on twins and higher order multiples. 3,000 plus samples of extracted DNA and serum is being stored in a large -80°C freezer, and this will continue to grow with future studies. Collected bio specimens will be used for cutting edge research which will give new insights into diseases burdening South Asia, leading to new methods of treatment and intervention in the future. Our plan is to establish capacity within the country to carry out these studies.

Whole Blood

Whole blood samples, from 2,583 twins & 900 singletons, collected during the Colombo Twin & Singleton Follow-up Study, are stored in EDTA tubes at -80°C for future DNA extraction.

Serum

3,483 serum samples collected during the Colombo Twin & Singleton Follow-up Study, are stored at -80°C for future serological studies.

DNA

DNA extracted from whole blood samples, are stored at -80°C for future genetic, GWAS and epigenetic studies.

Our Current & Future Endeavors

Through the Colombo Twin and Singleton Follow-up Study (CoTaSS 2) genetic testing for zygosity determination will be used to validate a questionnaire on zygosity determination. This questionnaire was cross-culturally adapted and translated into Sinhala, and preliminary validation was done in the CoTaSS 1 study. Read the journal article.
Two projects on plant genetics which includes sex determination and DNA barcoding are in the planning and grant application phase.
Training courses for post A\L students, undergraduates, and professionals who wish to obtain hands on training related to molecular biology and genetics have been planned. These courses will be conducted by experts in the field and will consist of lectures and practical sessions.

Certificate Course

The certificate program on Practical Skills in Molecular Biology and Genetics is designed to provide students a thorough knowledge of core concepts and practice of molecular biology and genetics for eventual services in the rapidly expanding areas of biomedical sciences and life sciences.

In-Plant Training

In-plant training (also termed, industrial training) provides undergraduates with laboratory research experience in molecular biology and genetics.

Internship

Selected students will have the opportunity of supporting the IRD mission, under staff researcher guidance, by participating in research.

Volunteership

A research volunteer position is awarded to individuals who are interested in performing tasks for, or providing services to, our genetics laboratory without monetary compensation.

TVEC Accredition

The Institute for Research & Development in Health & Social Care, is registered as an academic institute with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, Sri Lanka under the program “Registration of Training Institutes Providing Tertiary Education or Vocational Training”. The TVEC is a government institute responsible for policy formulation, planning, quality assurance, coordination, and development of tertiary & vocational education in the country.

The registration certifies that our training program meets the standards specified by government. Subsequent guidance given by the TVEC will ensure the internal and external improvement in efficiency our training programs. All laboratory training programs offered by the Institute for Research & Development in Health & Social Care are registered separately, in order to obtain the ‘certificate level’ accredition.

TVEC Registration

Facilities For Private Hire

Lab Space for Your Research

1,500 ft2 laboratory space comes with administrative areas, bench tops, fume hoods, bio-safety cabinets, washing areas and chemical storage to meet your research needs. We offer the resources, time, space, reagents and supervision according to your need to support you to carry out your research at our laboratory facility at an affordable rate.

Ultra-low Freezer Facility for Rent

Our ultra-low freezers are ideally suitable for the storage of products at freezing temperatures to meet your industrial requirements. This facility is coupled with an advanced power backup system and secured by a 24 hour electricity supply. This is now available for external scientists as 50 L, 100 L, 200 L, and 400 L cubicle spaces for monthly, quarterly and annual payment plans at affordable rates. We are happy to advice you on the right choice of your ultra-low freezer requirements.

Liquid Nitrogen Plant DNA Extraction

Includes initial training for Liquid Nitrogen-based plant DNA extraction by laboratory technical staff, along with support & close supervision from laboratory research staff throughout the process. Contact us for quotation.

-20°C Freezer Storage Facility

Our Facilities

Our genetic laboratory maintains facilities and resources for the analysis and manipulation of nucleic acids and proteins.

The Team

Expression of Estrogen Receptor α in gonads of in-ovo estrogen exposed male chickens (Gallus domesticus) with and without post hatching estrogen treatment.

23 Sep 2019 Poultry industry is one of the fast growing livestock industries in the world. One of the key features of the layer industry is, it doesn’t require commercial male chicks for the table egg productio...

CoTaSS 2 Follow-up study – IRD Bio-bank

23 Sep 2019 The Colombo Twin and Singleton Follow-up Study (CoTaSS2), which is a ‘population based twin study of psychiatric disorders and metabolic syndrome in Sri Lanka’ was one of main projects completed d...

Development of Inflammatory Biomarker Panel for Laboratory-Based Depression Diagnosis: A Sri Lankan Twin Study. (IMiD Project)

23 Sep 2019 Currently depression is diagnosed through questionnaire base protocols by a healthcare professional. However, due to overlapping clinical characteristics of different psychoneurological disorders ofte...

Effect of exogenous estrogen treatment on gonadal morphology, morphometry and estrogen receptor alpha mRNA expression in gonads of male chickens (Gallus domesticus)

01 Mar 2019 The current study was designed to investigate the post-hatching ERα expression in left gonads of male chickens along with gonadal morphology when the exogenous estradiol supply is continuous, assumin...

Literature Review for Identifying the Research Gaps on Taxonomy, Molecular Systematics and Conservation Status of Endemic Skink Genus Lankascincus (Squamata: Scincidae)

29 Nov 2018 Sri Lanka harbours a rich endemism for skinks. As a key link in the food-chain, skinks support to balance the ecosystem and help retaining eco-cycles, in the ecosystem. The genus Lankascincus, an ende...

Effect of exogenous estradiol on the gonadal morphology and morphometry of the male chickens (Gallus domesticus)

27 Sep 2018

Initial validation of zygosity determination questionnaire for Sri Lankan twins using STR analysis of 15 unlinked loci and the gender-determining marker amelogenin

27 Aug 2018 Zygosity determination is an essential component in behavioural genetics which uses twins for research. Although genetic markers are considered gold-standard, questionnaire based methods are preferred...

Determination of testicular estrogen receptor α expression of male chickens (Gallus Domesticus) with age

24 Aug 2018 Estrogen activity within living cells is regulated by its receptor, estrogen receptor α (ER α) and estrogen receptor β (ER β) in chickens as in many other species. ERα expresses predominantly in ...

Agricultural, Economical and Ecological Importance of Phoenix pusilla (Ceylon Date Palm) and Its Future Research Perspectives

01 Feb 2018 Phoenix pusilla, is an underutilised fruit crop, and an untouched genetic resource, facing a severe genetic loss due to the negligence of the public and lack of scientific research. The aim of the rev...

Protein Overexpression in Different E. coli Strains for Industrial Scale Drug Development in Sri Lanka

01 Feb 2018 Research and industrial scale protein overexpression for pharmaceutical products uses Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains due to their well-characterised genome and easy manipulation. This review addre...

Comparison of DNA isolation and dominant and co-dominant molecular markers to reveal the genetic sex of Gallus domesticus (Domestic chickens)

01 Feb 2018

Sri Lankan Twin Registry Biobank: A Resource for Human Genetic Research in Sri Lanka

04 Dec 2017 Bio banking is an innovave concept of storing and sharing biological samples for current and future research. Even though it is well established in the western world, it is still in its infancy stage ...

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Optimization of Sex Chromosome Linked CHD Gene for Genetic Sexing of Domestic Chickens (Gallus domesticus)

01 Dec 2017 Abstract Chromodomain Helicase DNA (CHD) binding protein loci is one of the sex chromosome linked gene found in most avian species including domestic chickens. CHD genes are preserved within avian Z a...

Quality assurance of biospecimens for biobanking purposes: Sri Lankan Twin Registry Biobank

13 Jul 2017 Quality assurance is a vital component in biobanking to assure integrity and viability of samples. Although standards are established for biobanking in the western world, such guidelines are yet to be...