Kirori Mal College hosts international conference on “Nanomedicine: Biomolecules for Human Health”

Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi recently organized an international conference via Virtual Platform on “Nanomedicine: Biomolecules for Human Health, Small Molecules: Big opportunities!”(NBHH-2021) on 27th-28th September 2021, and “Post conference workshop on Nanomedicine” on 29th September, 2021. NBHH-2021 was jointly organized by Department of Botany and Zoology under the aegis of DBT Star College Scheme.  

The inaugural session was graced by the Chief Guest, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi, Prof P.C. Joshi and Principal, Prof Vibha S. Chauhan, who gave the welcome address. The appraisal of the conference, its theme, objectives and the post conference workshop on Nanomedicine was discussed by Convenor and Program Coordinator of DBT Star College Scheme, Prof. Anita Kamra Verma. The conference co-convener Dr. RenuKathpalia invited Prof. P.C. Joshi to formally inaugurate the conference. At the onset, Prof. Joshi congratulated the organizing committee for conceptualizing such a relevant theme of the international conference and assembling such eminent National and International speakers. He also congratulated the college for establishing itself as Star college and getting grade “A” NAAC Accreditation. Prof Joshi acknowledged the fact that the organizing committee was taking full advantages of the available resources from the presentations at the Conference, full length manuscripts are to be published in the CSIR journal “Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics” with impact factor of 1.95. He also emphasized the concept of ‘Nano’ or ‘Parmanu – a tiny molecule or building block’ given by Maharshi Karnad.

The inaugural session was followed by the Plenary Session I- Radiation Nanomedicine/Nanovaccines, wherein Prof. V. S. Chauhan, Arturo Falaschi Emeritus Scientist, ICGEB gave a a very lucid and insightful talk on “Vaccine Platforms: Delivery and Role of Nanotechnology”. He discussed the different types of vaccines and its components and emphasized the role of formulation of nanostructures as a vehicle to deliver the vaccine. He explained about the nucleic acid based vaccine-DNA and RNA, and about the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system and peptide-based vaccines for Malaria.

Prof. Sunil Krishnan, spoke on “Radiation Therapy and Radio-diagnostics as Nanomedicine” elaborating the role of amalgamated gold nanoparticles and irradiation therapy for effectively treating pancreatic and hepatobiliary tumors. He further supported these findings with Monte-Carlo computational modelling and simulations. Dr. A.K. Mishra, DG, INMAS, spoke on “Radionuclides are Nano and Beyond: Application in Human Health”, Day 2 was set off with elan by distinguished speaker Prof. Tymish Y. Ochulchanskyy presently at Shenzhen University, China who enlightened the audience about “Merging Nanotechnology and Biophotonics for Imaging Guided Photo induced Therapy or Cancer”. 

This conference particularly encouraged the interaction of research students and developing academics with the more established academic community in an informal setting to present and to discuss new and current work. The Program has packed the conference with pre-conference abstract and poster submissions, creation of official website to showcase the work of all young researchers as well as faculty members all over national and international universities and invited judges who judged the work of researchers according to international standards. The presentations were judged with a panel of eminent judges having expertise in their field. Prof Tapas Sen, UCLan, UK, Prof Reena Saxena, Kirori Mal College, and Prof Tinku Basu, Amity University diligently judged the posters. While, Dr Rajni Rani, ICMR, Dr Pratima Chaudhary, Amity University Dr Durba Pal, IIT Ropar, Dr NK Prasanna, CSIR-NIScPR and Dr Zeenat Iqbal, Jamia Hamdard, judged the Oral Presentations. The program was concluded with the gracious presence of Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, South campus, University of Delhi. He announced the results of oral and poster presentations. A total of 12 awards were given that included faculty members, research scholar and undergraduate students. One day post conference workshop was organised which dealt with principle of working and methodology with the help of short video of presenters.

The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by the Convenor. The feedback form submission was mandatory by the participants. All the participants will be given e-Certificates and Abstract Proceedings. As announced the winners for Oral Presentations and Poster Presentations were given cash prizes.