The Manipal Centre for Virus Research was established on 1st May 2010, to augment the diagnostic virology capacity and to enhance research activities at the University. It is regional reference laboratory for influenza virus for the southwestern states of India and a grade-1 Virology network laboratory established by Indian council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, and Government of India. MCVR is directly administered by the University. It offers a Master’s programme in Clinical Virology a unique programme to create a cadre of Virologists who are not only comfortable within the four walls of the laboratory but also equally proficient in public health and industry settings as well as in policy and decision making groups at National and International levels. It supports the associated University hospitals and the health departments of the neighboring states with diagnostic services for viral diseases. MCVR was in the forefront of for providing diagnostic support to combat the Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1/2009 as one of the eighteen notified laboratories by government of India.