Lamp lighting ceremony of ISWCPC-2023
CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam, organised an International Seminar and Workshop on CRISPR/Cas-based Plant Functional Genomics and Computational Modelling (ISWCPC-2023) from 17-21 January 2023.
The event was graced by esteemed Chief Guest, Prof. Ch. Mohan Rao, CSIR-Distinguished Scientist, and Former Director of CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, and thirty other eminent speakers and resource persons from India and abroad. Prof. Ch. Mohan Rao in his inaugural keynote address stressed that CRISPR/Cas-based system will be the future for India in agriculture, bio-energy and health therapeutics.
Prof. G.Narahari Sastry, Director, CSIR-NEIST, was the Chief Patron and Organising Chairman of ISWCPC-2023. Prof. Sastry informed that the year 2020 marks the epoch-making event where Nobel laureates Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A.Doudna discovered one of gene technology’s sharpest tools, the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors, which have not only revolutionised basic science but also invoked opportunities to develop climate-resilient crops and lead to ground-breaking new medical treatments. The CRISPR technology of genome editing has unlocked the gates for anew era of gene editing therapies, with a promise to transform genomics research, drug developments, and crop improvement. Scientists and researchers at CSIR NEIST have undertaken advanced biological research in the areas of breakthrough technologies like CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing and translational genomics, data science and bring translational interventions for society in terms of surveillance, diagnostics, therapeutics, and other solutions. With the advanced technologies, instrumentation and most enthusiastic scientific human resources, CSIR-NEIST has been holding a premier space in leading science in the NER as well as in the country towards societal benefit and self-sustainability.
The grand event hosted 400 participants from all over India, and International speakers and participants joined online. The event was mainly focused on thematic areas of CRISPR/Cas-based Plant Genomics, Biotechnology, and Computational Biology to strengthen the research and entrepreneurship activities of the North Eastern Region.
The structured two-day workshop conducted for 60 participants provided theory and hands-on and practical demonstration of the CRISPR/Cas genome editing pipeline from the selection of target gene to the evaluation of CRISPR-editing events by eminent resource persons from the field.
The panel discussion on “CRISPR/Cas: present and future for Indian R&D scenario” highlighted the significance of this cutting-edge technology for India in the coming years.
The event ended with concluding remarks and a way forward note from Prof. Sastry whoemphasised on the capacity building, collaboration and further strengthening of R&D of CSIR-NEIST on CRISPR/Cas-based systems in Agriculture, Health and Energy sectors.
