Amity University Gurugram organized two days International Symposium on “Lipid in the forefront: A lot more to discover” under the patronage of renowned Biotechnologist of India Prof. Rajendra Prasad, Dean, Research& Director, Amity Institute of Biotechnology and Amity Institute of Integrative Sciences and Health in which scientist of global outreach.
Prof Preston Mason of Harvard Medical School discussed the new insights into mechanisms of action for Omega-3 Fatty acids in regulating cholesterol and heart disease. They play several important roles in our body including providing energy and helping in proper digestion and absorption of food. Lipidomics is the popular platform to identify and profile the entire lipid repertoire in a particular cell, be it bacteria, plants or animals. The study of lipids and their role in cell dynamics, signaling health and diseases are emerging as frontal areas of research. We at Amity Lipidomics Research Facility – ALRF are actively doing research on various aspects of Lipid Biology pertaining to host-pathogen interaction, drug resistance and debilitating diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis.
In the continuation of the National Symposium held three years before, AUG inaugurated the International Symposium in the presence of eminent scientist Prof Preston Mason of Harvard Medical School, USA along with Prof. Judith Berman of Tel Aviv University, Israel, Prof Robert Arkowitz, University of Nice and Prof Martine Bassilana from Université Côte d'Azur, France joined hands with the SERB Distinguished Fellow and Eminent Lipid Scientist Prof.Amitabha Chattopadhyay of CCMB, Hyderabadalongwith Prof. K. N. Balaji IISc. Bengaluru, Dr. Saikat Bhattacharjee from RCB, Faridabad, Dr. Shailza Singh NCCS, Pune, Dr Arvind Ramanathan, INSTEM, Dr Anand Bachhawat IISER, Mohali, Dr Malathi Srinivasan, CFTRI& Dr Avinash Bajaj, RCB, with research scholar from all over the country to discuss and work together which will create an infusion of scientific creativity and will help the knitted ‘lipid community’ at the international level.
Prof. Judith Berman of Tel Aviv University, Israel gave her talk on cellular and genetic consequences of azole antifungal treatment, including the role of intracellular drug targeting, on pathogenic yeasts Candida, a causative agent for many hospitals acquired infections.
Prof.Amitabha Chattopadhyay, CCMB, Hyderabad described the importance of Cholesterol, the predominant sterol in higher eukaryotes, discussed its crucial role in maintaining the structure and organization of cell membranes and is involved in essential cellular processes in health and disease.
Prof Robert Arkowitz, University of Nice presented the role of acidic phospholipids function and distribution in fungal pathogen management. He also discussed the role of G proteins as a critical component for filamentous growth, antifungal drug sensitivity, and virulence in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans
Prof Martine Bassilana from Université Côte d'Azur, France shared her findings on the Candida albicans' ability to switch between different morphological states is associated with its adaptability and pathogenicity. She elaborated on the mechanism of active endocytosis to counterbalance exocytosis at the hyphal tip and role of membrane lipids and proteins.
Prof. K. N. Balaji IISc. Bengaluru delivered a talk on the role of accumulated lipids in mitigating the effects of anti-TB drugs against the intracellular bacteria.
Dr Arvind Ramanathan, INSTEM, discussed the Role of arachidonic acid-derived lipids in cellular senescence. He described how the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) has been characterized for secreted proteins that participate in the development, wound healing, inflammation and many age-related pathologies during the senescence process and longevity.
Scientists and active researchers from several research institutes namely IISc, CFTRI, NCBS, IISER, NII, CCMB, JNU, RCB, University of Hyderabad, NCCS were brought together at Amity University Haryana to discuss the relevance of lipids in cell organization and dynamics, signaling and various disease and their role in potential therapeutic strategies. These biological and biomedical scientists in our country including Dr. Durba Sengupta, Dr Shobhan Sen, Dr Jaydeep Bhattacharya, Dr Zeeshan Fatima and Dr Ashutosh Singh, among others, shared their recent findings in the broad area of lipid metabolism and dynamics with an eye towards future translational efforts.
Prof (Dr.) Padmakali Banerjee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Amity University Gurugram, Maj. Gen. B. S. Suhag (Retd.), Maj. Gen. G S Bal(Retd.), Prof (Dr.) Rajendra Prasad, Sq. Ld. S K Singh(Retd.), Dr. Ujjaini Das Gupta, Dr Kaustav Badhyopadhay, Dr. Amit Kumar Pandey,Dr Machiavelli Singhwere present among other university faculty member, staff and research students in the symposium.
The international delegates were highly impressed with the university infrastructure and facilities at Amity Manesar Campus. They were delighted to view the excellent research labs, ongoing project, work culture and lush green environment and development of biotechnology and integrative sciences.
All the participants carried a lasting impression of the international conference and campus, eager to collaborate and visit the campus in future programs and projects.