We Offer you a state of the Art ULTRA SENSITIVE and RAPID GENETIC Fluorescent PCR test for CHIKUNGUNYA, Tuberculosis, Herpes Virus and many more infectious diseases.

We are an ISO certified, accreditated Medical Diagnostic Laboratory based in Mauritius – GREEN CROSS Medical Laboratory. We are currently the largest laboratory in Mauritius and we have recently developed a state of the art, fluorescent PCR Genetic Test for detecting the Chikungunya virus in affected patients. The technique is ultra-rapid (24 – 48 hrs results) and highly sensitive, directly detecting the Viral RNA in the blood sample, thus allowing a definitive diagnosis of a Chikungunya infection. The equipment and reagents used are highly sophisticated, as is required for Molecular Genetic testing and is offered at the highly competitive price of only US$ 39.00.

 The test has been a great success in our country and surrounding islands, including Africa and we would like to extend it to India, given the high prevalence of the disease at present and the lack of an accurate and rapid method of diagnosis.

Should you want a copy of our leaflet, which will give you some more information on the test(s). or if you have any further queries, please do not hesitiate to contact us on doorgesh@greencrosslab.net.

 With Thanks and Regards,

 Dr. Gowreesunkur Doorgesh

Director – Green Cross Medical Laboratory.

P.S: Also available by Ultra-Sensitive PCR technique (ALL results in 24-48 Hours) are tests for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Herpes Simplex Virus, Epstein Barr Virus, Chlamydia, Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasmosis, Hepatitis B and C and several others.

Researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in India and a unit of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in France have made a key discovery about a molecule that helps the malaria parasite infect human cells. The breakthrough, achieved at a facility in Grenoble, may represent an important step towards finding new therapies for treating the disease that is very common in India. The researchers are also investigating molecules important at an earlier phase of malaria infections, when parasites invade the liver.

The malarial parasite called Plasmodium, is passed to humans through the bite of Anopheles mosquitoes and replicates inside red blood cells, which eventually burst.For the parasite to enter these cells, it first has to bind to the cell through interactions of proteins on the surfaces of red blood cells and the parasite. The study which will appear in an online edition of Nature, reveals key features of a protein on the surface of Plasmodium that permits it to bind.

"Until now we have not had a close-up view of the precise surface where the two proteins interact," explains Mr Amit Sharma, the corresponding author of the paper. "That surface is absolutely crucial in permitting the parasite to enter the cell. If we can determine its features in atomic detail, we may be able to find weak points that could make good targets for drugs."

In addition to interfering with the binding process, such drugs must also not be able to interfere with normal processes in red blood cells, something the researchers claim to have found in their study.

In order to consolidate its already existing dominant presence in the Russian pharmaceutical market, pharma company J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd (JBCPL) is planning to set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Moscow. The subsidiary company called "OOO Unique Pharmaceuticals Laboratories" has been mandated to expand the company’s international business in Russia and CIS countries which has been its key growth driver in recent times. It will initiate its business plans with a start-up investment of $3 million.

Mr D.B. Mody, director of JBCPL, said, "We plan to grow our market share in the $5.5 billion (at retail price) pharma market in Russia and CIS countries and maintain our leadership position with introduction of new products and novel technologies in much wider therapeutic fields in near future." The bulk of the revenues (45 per cent) for JBCPL are in the form of export revenues generated mostly from these markets. In fiscal 2004-05, the total exports of JBCPL were pegged around Rs 211 crores at a total turnover of Rs 370 crores.

Elaborating on the Russian operations, Mr Mody added that the company, in the mid 90s forayed into Russia and was then amongst the first Indian companies to establish a representative office in Moscow. Currently, it has two marketing offices in Moscow and Kiev and operates in ten countries in CIS.