Microbiology Research Lead Executive is one the six Research Lead Executives lead by Deputy Director General (DDG) for Animal Health Research. It has four research desks including Bacteriology and Mycology Research Desk, Immunology Research Desk, Virus Research Desk and Laboratory Animal/Experimental Animal Desk. It is run by a Lead Executive who is answerable to Deputy Director General for Animal Health Research for all matters pertaining to microbiology related research, surveillance, disease outbreak investigation and diagnostic services. The Lead Executive is also responsible for preparation of annual plan and budget, quarterly and annual reports, leading, monitoring and evaluation of the research desks organized under Microbiology Research Lead Executive structure.

The MRLE has the following major duties and responsibilities:

• Identify and prioritize nationally economic and public health important infectious diseases, develop and execute research projects;
• Facilitate national and/or international collaborative research projects on “One Health” with multidisciplinary approach including public health, environment, wildlife and other partners;
• Develop collaborative research projects and solicit fund by identifying and liaising with potential national and international research and development funding institutions;
• Coordinate outbreak investigations, identify and characterize causative pathogens and review reports and recommendations to clients;
• Undertake (in collaboration with other research lead executives) Trans-boundary and other important disease surveillance and prepare control strategies;
• Support and lead research desks in their efforts to conduct research, surveillance, outbreak investigation and diagnostic service and review, monitor and evaluate their performances;
• Lead and oversee Biosafety Level III (BSL III) zoonotic disease laboratory;
• Perform any other duties as may be required by the DDG for Animal Health Research.