17 Dec 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Scientists and Researchers across the globe discuss viral diseases of Animals, Human, Plants and Aquatic animals during “Asia Pacific Congress of Virology” at Amity University
Amity University is hosting four day “Asia Pacific Congress of Virology” from December 17- 20, 2013 at Amity Campus, Sector- 125, Noida.
This four day Congress will provide an opportunity to Scientists and Researchers to discuss and deliberate upon viral disease problems of Animals, Human, Plants and Aquatic animals in the Asia Pacific Region. Over 20 International delegates are participating from countries such as USA, UK, Australia, Taiwan and Bangladesh.
Prof. A. K. Prasad, President, Indian Virological Society (IVS) and Chairman, Influenza Foundation of India; Dr. Krishan Lal, President, Indian National Science Academy and Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group inaugurated the Congress today at Amity Campus, Sector- 125, Noida.
Welcoming the august gathering, Prof. Narayan Rishi- Advisor, Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology said that Asia Pacific region is thickly populated with richest bio-diversity. A large number of diseases and viruses flourish in the region, which create problems not only in Asia Pacific region but also other parts of the world. Prof. Rishi shared the stupendous achievements of Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology within a short span of three years of its inception and highlighted that the Institute is focusing on specific research and technology development which could reach end users and benefit the society at large.
Dr. Krishan Lal, President, Indian National Science Academy, while addressing the gathering, said that viruses like Dengue Fever, HIV, Hepatitis C are affecting people across the globe and the linkages between plant, human and plant viruses is baffling and at the same time, a challenging domain. He remarked that small viral diseases could be eradicated but for viral diseases with serious consequences, it is important to understand their molecular structure and how these viruses interact with healthy human bodies. He called upon the Scientists and Researchers across the globe to step up their research in eradicating the deadly virus strains from the globe.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group expressed his joy on hosting such an important and prestigious Congress of Virology at Amity. He expressed his hope that the innovative ideas that will come out of the proceedings of the Congress will lead to sustainable solutions to natural and manmade outbreaks of viruses. He solicited the mutual cooperation and synergized efforts of the scientific community across the globe to eradicate viral disease afflicting Animals, Human, Plants and Aquatic animals globally.
Sharing his views, Prof. A. K. Prasad, President, Indian Virological Society (IVS) and Chairman, Influenza Foundation of India stressed that there is a gap in publication of researches in the area of Plant, Marine and Human Sciences. He remarked that viruses do not belong to one human community or one country; different strains of Influenza are affecting different countries and a time is foreseen when Influenza will become a pandemic and swallow the world. He averred that it has become very important for the Scientists and Researchers to work together and evolve global solution to the problem of virus through concerted efforts.
Addressing the gathering and highlighting the importance of the theme of the Congress, Dr W Selvamurthy- President, Amity Science, Technology and Innovation Foundation (ASTIF) and Chair professor, Life Sciences said that given the fact that India has largest Biological wealth, Animal wealth and Plant wealth, Bio-safety and Bio- Security becomes very important with regards to virus across the globe. After controlling natural outbreak of virus to some extent, the next step is to check man-made outbreaks, Agro terrorism and Bio- terrorism. He suggested that to mitigate Bio- threat, the first step is Genetic Profiling of the virus which could be threat to humans, plants and animals, then developing High Containment facility for the virus, Modeling and Simulation with regards to the threat, Simple, Sensitive, Cost effective, Field Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Vaccination and Developing Anti- Viral.
During the inauguration, “Excellence in Virology Awards” were conferred upon eminent Scientists and Researchers for their unparallel contribution in their respective areas. Prof. Anupam Varma- Sr. Scientist, Indian National Science Academy was felicitated with “Excellence in Virology Awards” in the domain of Plant Virology, Dr. M P Yadav- Ex Director, Indian Veterinary Research Institute in the domain of Animal Virology. Dr Kalyan Banerjee- Fellow, Indian National Science Academy was honored with Award in the domain of general Virology.
“Eminence in Virology Awards” were conferred upon Prof. V. Ravi for his outstanding contribution in Medical Virology; Prof. V. Muniyappa for his outstanding contribution in Plant Virology, Prof.Indrani Karunasagar for her outstanding contribution in Aquatic Virology, Dr. R.K. Singh for his outstanding contribution in Veterinary Virology.
During four days, numerous prominent virologists would participate in different sessions such as “Virology of the aquatic environment”, “ Viral diseases of crustaceans”, “Marine & freshwater fish viral diseases”, “Plant Virology: Impact on Science and Society Diagnostics and Surveillance”, “Virus fishing with chips: Plant virus microarrays and next generation sequencing”, “Genetics, Genomics and Proteomics approaches for unravel and evolution of plant virus”, “Virus diagnosis & diagnostics”, “Emerging, re-emerging viral infections & zoonoses”, “Arthropod-borne viral diseases”, “Influenza & other respiratory viruses” and “Blood borne viruses”