Clinical Gastroenterology

Clinical gastroenterology department is staffed by seven Professors, two Associate Professors, four Lecturers who provide diagnostic services for the institution. The department also contributes to a multi-specialty liver transplant team.

Besides routine gastroenterology outpatient and inpatient work, the department has a long standing record of pioneering research work.

Research labs

The Department of GI Sciences and Wellcome Laboratories functions as four main research wings. The laboratories are well equipped to conduct studies on molecular epidemiology of enteric infectiosn, as well as using modern molecular and cell biology techniques to study gastrointestinal and liver pathophysiology.

Research staffing

The Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences is a multi-disciplinary department. In addition to the Clinical Faculty and other Support Staff of the Department, there is a full-time research core, which is comprised by the following. The Basic Sciences Faculty comprises 4 Professors (1 Biochemistry, 3 Microbiology, 1 Pathology), who are exclusively concerned with teaching and research. There are 8 Research Fellows currently in the Department, who are registered for their Ph.D. degree. In addition, there is a full-time Secretary for the research activities, 7 Technicians (Biochemistry, Histopathology, Microbiology) and 6 support staff.

Current research interests

Dr. K.A. Balasubramanian:
Oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of the GI tract. Studies on experimental cirrhosis and liver microvesicular steatosis.

Dr. George Kurian:
Functional bowel disease therapeutic trails colonic function, histological and psychological correlates. Viral hepatitis – HBV, HCV and HEV in the community.

Dr. Ashok Chacko:
Genetic studies in tropical pancreatitis. Colonic function in cirrhosis with portal hypertension.

Dr. B.S. Ramakrishna:
Regulation of intestinal ion transport and application to diarrhoea. Regulation of intestinal immune responses.

Dr. Gagandeep Kang:
Molecular epidemiology of enteric infections. Pathophysiology of enteric infectionjs. Immune responses in enteric infections. Prevention and control of enteric infectious disease.

Dr. Anna B. Pulimood:
Light microscopy, ultrastructural changes and the immune response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and functional bowel disease.

Dr. C. E. Eapen:
Genetic studies in Wilson’s disease. Pathogenesis of acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Besides routine academic programs and journal clubs, the department conducts seminars on topics for detailed study and areas of importance, identified by the candidates themselves. Often, a difficult clinical problem faced in daily clinical practice is chosen as a topic for in-depth study. There is a faculty lecture on the first Wednesday of each month, during which ongoing research projects in the department are discussed and research seminars every week, involving Ph.D. students and faculty.

Research Project

Each candidate conducts at least one research project during his course. This is guided by one of the senior faculty. Each candidate undergoes a 3-day course on the basics of clinical epidemiology conducted by the Clinical Epidemiology unit. The results of the study is presented at the annual meeting of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology / Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in India / Indian National Association for the study of liver. The results are also published in relevant journals.

Library

The departmental library subscribes to 30 journals and is well stocked with various textbooks in the concerned specialties. This library is open 24 hours a day, all days of the week. The main hospital library also has a wide collection of journals. Internet access is available on LAN 24 hours a day in the department.