National symposium and alumni meet at Biotechnology, PU

Chandigarh: The Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh organized the National Symposium on “Frontiers In Biotechnology (NSFB- 2020)” and Alumni Meet” here today. The symposium was inaugurated by Prof. Pawan Kumar Dhar, Dean, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), New Delhi who discussed the potential, concepts and therapeutic applications of synthetic biology. 

Prof. Shankarji Jha, Dean of University Instruction and officiating Vice Chancellor, PU, emphasized that such an event provided a platform to discuss new ideas. 

Prof. (Emeritus) R.C. Sobti in his address highlighted the importance of biotechnology and its applications especially in the present times. 

The guest speakers were invited from prestigious research institutes of the country and diseases discussed in the symposium included cardiomyopathy, HPV, cancer, etc. 

Dr Ajay Bahl, cardiology specialist from PGIMER, Chandigarh gave a talk on the genetics of cardiomyopathy. 
Dr Alka Sehgal from GMCH-32, Chandigarh discussed cancer screening in reproductive organs and HPV vaccines. 
Dr Rupesh Deshmukh from NABI, Mohali discussed genomic intervention to understand silicon uptake in plants. Overall, potential areas where intensive research is warranted were discussed.

The highlights of the second half of the event were an interactive Alumni meet and Student Talent Hunt. As a part of the latter, competitions such as poster presentation, pictionary, declamation and ad-mad show were conducted and the winners were felicitated by Prof. (Emeritus) R.C. Sobti. 

Dr. Jagtar Singh, organizing secretary of the symposium informed that around 150 delegates from Panjab University and various affiliated colleges in the city attended the event. /(Feb 26)