Haffkine Institute for Training, Research and Testing is a premier biomedical research institute in India, located in Paral, Mumbai (for a detailed history of the institute please visit www.haffkineinstitute.org).
Dr. WaldemarHafkine, a Russian microbiologist, founded the Bombay Bacteriological Laboratory in 1899 to develop a vaccine against bubonic plague, a major public health concern in the then Bombay Presidency. On August 10, 1897, the institute was founded by Dr. Halfkine.
Since then, the Haffkine Institute has emerged as a multi-disciplinary organization engaged in training, research and testing in various aspects of infectious diseases.
Haffkine Institute, University of Mumbai, M.Sc (Bio Research) and Ph.D. Delhi is recognized as the research center for this postgraduate course. Accordingly, Haffkine Institute offers M.Sc in Applied Biology Chemistry and Microbiology. (Bio Research) and Ph.D. can be done.
The Venomous Animal Unit was established in 1920 to prepare anti-venom sera against venomous snakes and scorpions as well as to develop anti-venom against various herbal and chemical agents, behavioral changes in snakes, anti-venoms of snakes and scorpions.
The Department of Virology is primarily concerned with the epidemiology, pathophysiology and immune response to various viruses and the diseases they cause. In the last two decades, India, particularly Mumbai, has suffered from three major public health emergencies which infectious in nature: Leptospirosis in 2006, H1N1 influenza in 2009 and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In all these areas, Hafkin Institute was at the forefront in providing 24-hour diagnostic facilities and highly specialized human resources. We have tested more than 55,000 samples for Covid-19 in the last two years.
The Institute serves as the nodal laboratory for the NCDC-IDSP Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Program and as the regional coordinator for the NCDC-NOHCCPZ.
In addition, we work in various specialized areas such as toxin biology and medical entomology, particularly the observation of mosquitoes as vectors of infectious diseases. Our work in vaccine biology can help us develop new vaccines and improve existing vaccine approaches. A functional synthetic chemistry unit is also available for the design and synthesis of potential drug molecules.
Haffkine Institute consists of a group of highly qualified and experienced scientists and researchers who collaborate to achieve the objectives of the Institute. Various national and international organizations including the Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology and the World Health Organization support the Institute's research programmes.
Haffkine Institute is dedicated to improving and expanding public health in India. The organization is involved in many community health programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of the people of the country. The Institute also educates medical professionals and scientists in the field of public health. Both University of Mumbai and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences are affiliated to Haffkine Institute.
The institute runs a diagnostic laboratory that offers disease testing services. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for performing advanced diagnostic tests. The laboratory employs highly skilled and trained technicians and scientists who collaborate to provide accurate and reliable test results.
The Haffkine Institute has a strong international network of collaborations and partnerships with leading research institutes and institutions around the world. Partnerships established by the Institute have led to the exchange of knowledge, expertise and technology in the public health sector.