The Karnatak University, Dharwad, (KUD) has the privilege of housing the first-ever and the only DNA testing centre in the state on its campus. The existing DNA Research Centre (DNARC) in the university has now been given the status of an autonomous institution by the state government and has been renamed the Karnatak Institute for DNA Research (Kidnar).
Chief minister Jagadish Shettar said following persistent demand from the departments of home, medical education and health for setting up a DNA testing unit in the state, the Karnataka government in a Cabinet meeting on February 8 decided to accord autonomous status to the DNARC of Dharwad and renamed it Kidnar. It also decided to appoint principal researcher Pramod Gai as director of Kidnar with immediate effect and transfer the funds granted to DNARC to Kidnar account.
Now the departments like home, medical education, health and family welfare can take the help of this facility as the DNA testing can be done at this Centre instead of sending the samples to CCMB (Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology), CDFD (Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics), Hyderabad. "This will help complete the investigation into crimes quickly. Depending on testing centres outside Karnataka was causing unusual delays in investigation," said a senior IPS officer.
The centre has already standardised the techniques of DNA testing from blood, blood stains,tissue, hair, saliva, nail etc. It will have six more scientists and laboratory assistants.
