The Cancer Institute, Adayar in Chennai has installed a Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment for advanced research and detection of cancer cells.

The unit, costing over Rs.21 lakh, has the ability to detect one tumor cell from one million normal cells, and can even detect cancerous genes from thousands of other genes surrounding it, according to Dr.T.Raj Kumar, Scientific Director of the Institute.

The Chennai Wellington Corporate Foundation, an NGO in the field of healthcare research and social activities, donated the PCR unit to the hospital. The foundation also had funded for the first of its kind in the country Hereditary Cancer Detection and Prevention Programme conducted by the Adayar Cancer Institute.

According to Dr.V.Shantha, Chairperson of the Institute, setting up the PCR unit can be considered as recognition of the importance of research in healthcare in the country. The unit would help to further the ongoing cancer research initiatives of the institute, as research of today would become treatment of tomorrow.

The Institute was trying to leverage the developments happening in the field of molecular biology and genetics, as it has changed the concepts of medicinal practice.

The State Health and Family Welfare Minister Thalaivi Sundaram inaugurated the PCI unit, last week.