Toxicology

Courses:

Two weekly certificate courses are conducted by the department: Analytical Toxicology & Forensic DNA Analysis, with the help of self-generated training manuals. The courses are open to medical and non-medical candidates from across the country. More than 200 candidates have been trained ever since the courses were started. A PhD programme in Toxicology is also in place.
In June 2004, a new national level society on toxicology was begun, with the PCC at AIMS as the current headquarters - The Indian Society of Toxicology. This organization has a composite membership of professionals drawn from varied fields who are engaged in the research or practice of toxicology. Scientific conferences, symposia, workshops, etc across India are organized regularly by the Society. The Society also brings forth a half-yearly journal dedicated to toxicology - Journal of the Indian Society of Toxicology.
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Research Projects:

The following research projects have been undertaken by the department:

Establishing Identity And Relationship Of Fetal DNA Isolated From Maternal Blood.
Detection of Origin and Post-delivery Clearance of Fetal DNA from Maternal Circulation using Y-specific Short Tandem Repeat Markers and its Forensic Implications.
Molecular Analysis of Male Fetal DNA in Maternal Blood using Y-STRs and Testis-specific Protein Y-Encoded Gene Marker for Forensic Purpose.
A Comparitive Forensic Study to Detect Circulating Male Fetal DNA in Maternal Blood Circulation using Y-specific STRs and Mitochondrial DNA
Assessment of Mercury Contamination of Eloor Region of Periyar River in Kerala by Dithizone Method
Identification of Active Principles of Manihot esculenta and Cerbera odallum by Thin Layer Chromatography: The Potential for Misinterpretation in Forensic Cases
Lead Contamination of Cassava - A Preliminary Study in the District of Ernakulam of Kerala State

National/ International seminars organized

No	Name of conference	Place	Date/Period
1	"Current Trends in Forensic and Clinical Applications of Biotechnology". One-day National Workshop held at AIMS, in association with the Directorate of Forensic Science, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India	AIMS, Cochin	01 November 2003
2	"Management of Chemical Accidents with special emphasis on Medical Response." Two-day National Workshop held at AIMS, in association with the National Safety Council (Kerala Chapter), Indian Medical Association (Cochin Branch), Ministry of Environment & Forests (Govt of India), and Dept of Factories & Boilers (Govt of Kerala)	AIMS, Cochin	18 & 19 December 2003
3	"The Role of the Laboratory in the Management of Drug Overdose" Workshop held during the course of the Southern regional Conference of Pharmacologists-2004	AIMS, Cochin	05 October 2004
4	TOXOCON-1. The Inaugural Conference of the Indian Society of Toxicology held at AIMS, in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research, and the Directorate of Forensic Science, Ministry of Home Affairs	AIMS, Cochin	28 November 2005
5	TOXOCON-2. National Snakebite Conference held at Aims, in association with the World Health Organization	AIMS, Cochin	24 & 25 July 2006
6	TOXOCON-4. National Snakebite Conference held at Aims, in association with the World Health Organization	Houseboat, Backwaters, Cochin	06 January 2008