• Policy- HR & Financials
  • Annual Reports
  • Newsletters
Donate Now

Research and Innovation

Overview:

Introduction

Dhoolpet Leprosy Referral Centre (DLRC) was transformed into Blue Peter Research Centre (BPRC) in 1997 with the support from Lepra UK and Blue Peter Children Fund. Eventually, the centre has been recognised as Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) by the Department of Science and Technology with a state-of the art facility to undertake applied bio medical research in the disciplines of Clinical/ Immunology/ Molecular Biology aspects of leprosy.

In 2010, the public health component was incorporated into BPRC with an emphasis on clinical and epidemiological research in TB, leprosy, and NTDs, of immediate relevance to the people affected.

The Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre (BPHRC) was established from the funds raised by a BBC television show for children, ‘Blue Peter’. It is a nodal research centre towards implementing organisation strategic research areas Leprosy, Tuberculosis (TB) and, Lymphatic Filariasis. The BPHRC functions in line with the above strategic aim of the LS with a clinic and two laboratories (immunology and molecular biology, Microbiology) as core components within the center. The BPHRC brings uniqueness to LEPRA Society as an NGO with a centrally located laboratory that works closely with clinics and outreach programme across multiple regions in India endemic to leprosy, TB and LF.

Research Governance

Mechanisms governing research at BPHRC are well in place. The Research Advisory Committee (RAC), Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) which comprise well-known scientists, doctors, and other socially responsible individuals, oversee the research activities.

Capacity Building

Research training: A wide range of training programmes for undergraduates, postgraduates and post-doctoral researchers to develop knowledge and skills are offered. The research-based teaching and hands-on training offered to the trainees, the state-of-the-art equipment and well-equipped labs, serve as the basis for attracting and holding on to young researchers. Academic and Technical training: Medical education programme for medical graduates and post-graduates. Skill enhancement training for field and laboratory staff working on leprosy and TB. Dissemination of knowledge: The knowledge accrued is disseminated through peer reviewed journal publications at national and international levels , presentations at various conferences and community awareness programmes .

Scope of Lab investigations:

Leprosy:

  • Slit skin smear for AFB Microscopy
  • AMR test for Lepra Bacilli- DNA PCR and Gene sequencing
  • Culture and Sensitivity- wound swab

Tuberculosis:

  • TRUNAT and sputum/pus/ Body fluids smear microscopy for TB Diagnosis and Management
  • AMR test for 1st line and 2nd line Anti -TB drugs -MGIT and LPA
  • Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) culture and identification.

Trainings and Services:

  • Training of Graduates and PG students on Sample collection and microscopy in Leprosy and TB
  • Training on TRUNAT/PCR for Graduates and PG students through internships
  • Training on Microbiology and Molecular Biology hands-on training to Graduates and Post graduates
  • Short term internships on Public Health interventions and Research Methodology

Projects:

Ongoing Projects

  • Multi centric study on Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, Disinfectant Efficacy, and Genomic Characterization of Nontuberculous Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (PARDiG-NTM Study)
    Funded by: Indian Council of Medical Research, Govt. of India
  • Identification of potential biomarkers using neutrophil derived miRNA for ENL in leprosy
    Funded by: Department of Science and Technology, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (DST-ANRF), Govt. of India
  • Early Detection and management of Peripheral Neuropathy in Leprosy and Diabetes
    Funded by: Indian Council of Medical Research, Govt. of India
  • One Health Approach in Leprosy Transmission
    Funded by: Leprosy Research Initiative
  • Early Detection of leprosy via Nasal Swab PCR and Blood Transcriptomics
    Funded by: Indian Council of Medical Research, Govt. of India
  • Identification of potential miRNAs as biomarkers for detection of clinically relevant non-tuberculous mycobacteria with special reference to Mycobacterium abscessus complex
    Funded by: Department of Health Research, Govt. of India

Completed Projects

  • Personalized Footwear for foot ulcers in leprosy through Baropodometry – a community engagement model
    Funded by: Leprosy Research Initiative
  • Molecular characterization of microbial flora and signature metabolites with reference to clinical outcome of infected chronic foot ulcers in leprosy and diabetes
    Funded by: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India (GoI)
  • Epidemiological and clinical risk factors associated with disability progression among leprosy patients released from treatment
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Utility of Fluorescent Microscopy for detection of Mycobacterium leprae in slit skin smear and nasal swab smears and its comparison with conventional microscopy
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • A step towards unraveling bacterial biofilm formation through quorum sensing (QS) antagonism – Leprosy plantar ulcer model
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin for treating chronic foot ulcers in leprosy and diabetes – evidence translated into practice
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Mycobacterial gene expression in relevance to treatment outcome of Pulmonary TB patients
    Funded by: Department of Science and Technology (DST)-Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), GoI
  • Anti-microbial peptides (bacteriocins) as an alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents – novel interventional study for treating infected plantar ulcers in leprosy and diabetes
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI & Research Council of Norway (RCN), Norway
  • Assessment of psychosocial impact of clofazimine-induced skin pigmentation in leprosy patients
    Funded by: Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), UK
  • Prevalence of leprosy-related disabilities post-leprosy treatment: A vertical study
    Funded by: Robert Luff Trust, UK
  • Holistic approach to prevention and control of leprosy in a marginalized community
    Funded by: Verity Knowledge Solutions, India
  • Application of Platelet-Rich Fibrin in chronic plantar ulcers of leprosy – a pilot interventional study
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Bacterial biofilm and its implications in clinical outcome of chronic plantar ulcers in leprosy
    Funded by: DST-SERB, GoI
  • Molecular epidemiology and host susceptibility of morbidity and co-morbidity of Bancroftian filariasis in endemic states of India – a community-based study
    Funded by: Indo-German International Research and Training Group, Germany
  • A study on quality leprosy services provided, including reactions at the PHC level in an integrated setup in Andhra Pradesh
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Evaluation of molecular methods (PCR, Immunohistochemistry) against conventional methods (histopathology, culture, AFB staining in endometrial samples) and laparoscopy in detection of genital tuberculosis in infertile women (FGTB)
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • A longitudinal cohort study to identify immunological biomarkers for leprosy
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Gene expression profiling in multi-case leprosy families: “The susceptibility genes” expression through general proteomics approach
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Role of Vitamin D on T regulatory cells in leprosy spectrum
    Funded by: RSTH, UK
  • Determine immune-based interventions that can enhance NK cell & T-cell functions in HIV+ persons with TB
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI & National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA
  • Identify immunologic markers of persons at highest risk of progression of latent tuberculosis infection to tuberculosis
    Funded by: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), GoI & NIH, USA
  • Th1/Th2 immune homeostasis in tuberculosis and asthma: Effect of circulating regulatory cytokines on T cells
    Funded by: ICMR, GoI
  • Pilot study on finding suitable intervention for plantar ulcers in leprosy patients in India
    Funded by: World Health Organization (WHO) – South East Asian Regional Office

Institutional Board:

Research at Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre (BPHRC) is supervised by three separate bodies.

  • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
  • Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC)
  • Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC):

The committee meets annually with the following objectives: 

  • Guiding the overall direction of research
  • Identifying priority areas for research
  • Approval and monitoring of scientific proposals

Members of TAC:

Sl. No Name Designation
1 Dr. Viswa Mohan Katoch Chairman
2 Dr. Diana Lockwood Member
3 Lt Gen. Dr. Tutakne Member
4 Lt Gen Dr. VD Tiwari Member
5 Dr. Utpal Sengupta Member
6 Dr. R. K. Mutatkar Member
7 Dr. Aparna Srikantam Member
8 Dr. Michael Sukumar Pallapati Convenor

Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC):

It is registered with Department of Health Research (GoI)- National Ethics Committee registry for biomedical and Health Research  The committee meets periodically with the following objectives: 

  • To review biomedical research projects to safeguard the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of the volunteers- patients and healthy subjects.

The following are the members of IEC:

Sl. No Designation Name Expertise Primary/Secondary Internal/External
1 Chairperson Justice B. Prakash Rao Legal Primary External
2 Vice-Chairperson Dr. P. Uday Kumar Pathology/Immunology Primary External
3 Organizing Secretary Dr. Aparna Srikantam Microbiology Primary Internal
4 Medical/Technical Dr. KSR. Shiva Sai Immunology/Biotechnology Primary External
5 Medical/Technical Dr. Ananth Reddy Leprosy/Surgery Primary External
6 Non-Technical Mr. Prasanth Naik Psychology/Social Primary Internal
7 Non-Technical Mr. Anand Akundy Social Anthropology Primary External
8 Lay Person Mr. Prasad Community Primary External
9 Lay Person Ms. Bhavani Community Primary External
10 Medical/Technical Dr. Chakrapani Public Health Secondary External
11 Medical / Technical / IEC Co-convenor Dr. P. Michael Sukumar Clinical Secondary Internal
12 Legal Srinivasa Rao Pachwa Legal Secondary External

Institutional Bio-Safety Committee (IBSC)

The committee meets twice in a year with the following objectives:
  • To review the status of the rDNA and other biosafety related aspects of the research projects in the institution.

IBSC members:

Sl. No Designation Name
1 Chairman Dr Aparna Srikantam, Hyderabad
2 DBT Nominee Dr P. Uday Kumar, Scientist G, ICMR-NIN
3 Member Secretary Dr. Michael Sukumar Pallapati
4 Outside Experts Prof. Emeritus Dr KSR Siva Sai, JNTUH, Hyderabad
Dr. Sangita Mukhopadhyay, CDFD, Hyderabad
5 Biosafety Officer Dr. Aparna Srikantam, Hyderabad
6 Internal Expert Dr. Kumar Ebineshan, Hyderabad

Collaborations:

Category Institution
National University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS, Pilani), Hyderabad Campus
Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnosis (CDFD), Hyderabad
Central JALMA Institute for Leprosy (CJIL), Agra
Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad
Sivananda Rehabilitation Home, Hyderabad
State TB Training & Demonstration Centre (STDC), Hyderabad
Telangana Government Chest Hospital, Hyderabad
Telangana State TB Society
AIIMS, Bibinagar
JIPMER, Pondicherry
NIMS, Hyderabad
Osmania Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad
IICT, Hyderabad
Siddha Clinical Research Unit, Tirupati
IIT, Hyderabad
International London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), UK
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
University of Pittsburgh, USA

Extra –Mural Funding Bodies

Category Organisation
National Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India
Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of India
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India
VERITY Knowledge Solutions, Hyderabad
HPCL
Core Funding – LEPRA, UK
International Fogarty International Centre, US – National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Research Council of Norway
Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), UK
Leprosy Research Initiative
WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO-SEARO)
Rotary International
International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)
USAID

Accreditations and Recognitions:

  • Accredited lab for AMR in Leprosy under NLEP
  • National Mycobacteriology certification systems of CTD, MoHFW, Government of India
  • Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)

Partnering to eliminate disease, restore dignity, and build inclusive communities.

Facebook-f Linkedin-in Instagram
Quick Links
Quick Links
Contact Info
Copyright © 2026 Lepra Society, All rights reserved.
Made with ❤ by Buzzing Brands