Member SpotlightsEnsuring the Production of Safe Vaccines Ponnuswamy Suresh, MVSC, BVSC A Member Since April 2003  Employed as a technical executive at Zydus Cadila Health Care Ltd., Dr. P. Suresh Suresh works for one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in India. He supervises the Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Duck Farm. The eggs produced by the White Pekin ducks raised in this special facility are used to produce ultra purified Rabies vaccine. Obviously the SPF Duck Farm is not what one might imagine a typical farm looks like that is set in the countryside. Since the flock must be free of certain pathogens, the ducks are completely reared in a controlled environment. Technically, SPF means that certain pathogens and antibodies to these organisms are absent in the duck embryos. This degree of certification ensures that the vaccines produced in these duck eggs will be safe for human use. Maintaining such pristine conditions is challenging and depends upon an innovative climate control system that relies on purified air maintained at positive pressure. The inlet air quantity is controlled by variable frequency drive shafts located in the air-handling units. The air is first filtered through a prefilter and then through a HEPA filter. Controlled exhaust fans evacuate the air within the facility. The inside temperature is regulated by evaporative cooling. The birds drink water that is sterilized by reverse osmosis and eat feed that is heat sterilized. Dr. P. Suresh has had a great deal of experience working in the animal sciences since he obtained a bachelor of veterinary science degree and did postgraduate work in veterinary microbiology with a concentration in avian microbiology. His post-graduate thesis was entitled, “Isolation, characterisation and vaccination trial of Egg Drop Syndrome virus (EDS-76) in layers”. The EDS virus belongs to the Atadeno family, which can cause production loss in up to 20% of commercial layers (i.e., poultry). After completing his fellowship, Dr. P. Suresh worked in a university-based research center in the field of avian microbiology. His focus was mainly on diagnosis of poultry diseases by using various microbiological techniques. He also spent time studying flock serology, i.e., monitoring immune status through the use of different immunological techniques. Part of his research objectives was to develop cell culture techniques for chicken and duck embryo fibroblasts. He became adept at assessing the potency of different poultry vaccines by using immunoassays. In addition to hoping to prevent the spread of poultry disease through contaminated vaccines, Dr. P. Suresh is developing novel methodologies for diagnosing poultry diseases. He would like to also improve the health status of poultry by advising proper vaccinations based on unique serology profiles. When not thinking about or working with poultry, Dr. P. Suresh adores playing cricket. He enjoys studying world and more specifically, Indian history. He has been president of the local rotaract club and is very much interested in participating in social activities with his friends. ### << Previous Next >> [ View All Member Spotlights ] |
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