Patna, Jan. 18: Mahavir Cancer Sansthan in the state capital is set to open the first genetic lab in Bihar. The lab, to become functional soon, would help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer through genetic manipulation.

Mahavir Cancer Sansthan director Dr J.K. Singh announced this today. He said the lab would help detect cases of cancer early and cure the patients coming to the centre. At present, around 2 lakh cancer patients are undergoing treatment for various forms of the disease at the hospital.

“We have not been able to reach the internal structure of the cells and the aberrations of the chromosome. We have to find solutions to diseases like cancer in molecular or genetic labs. This will not only help diagnose the disease before its appearance, it will also help in a complete remedy,” Singh said.

The hospital will spend around Rs 12 crore to install the necessary infrastructure and equipment at the lab.

“We already have some trained personnel to carry out the research and diagnoses in the lab, while more persons will be hired. This lab will benefit lakhs of people who are, or might, suffer from diseases like cancer,” the director added.

The lab would also offer tests that will predict if a person can suffer from a particular disease few years later.

To bring the subject of molecular genetics on centre stage, the hospital will also organise a two-day national-level seminar on genetics — Genomics 2012 — in collaboration with the Union ministry of science and technology from Saturday, January 21.