Akshatha Velankar working as a young-professional- II at ICAR- National Institute of Veterinary Epidemilogy and Disease informatics (NIVEDI), Yelahanka, Bangalore 560064 under the project CSF-CP (DAHD). As a Research Assistant in the Classical Swine Fever Control Programme (CSF-CP) at ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), I am involved in extensive research on Classical Swine Fever (CSF). My work encompasses **cell culture, immunology, and molecular biology** techniques to support disease diagnosis, vaccine evaluation, and surveillance. I maintain and propagate **PK-15, MDBK, and hybridoma cell lines** for virus isolation and serological assays. I also perform **Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization Test (FAVNT) and ELISA** to assess immune responses in vaccinated pigs. Additionally, I contribute to **molecular characterization of CSFV isolates** through RNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis to study genetic diversity and evolution. My research plays a crucial role in enhancing CSF diagnostics, vaccine assessment, and disease control strategies . This work aids in improving national CSF surveillance and epidemiological understanding.

‍