A national seminar on ‘Microbes and Human Welfare’ organised by the Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi, in association with National Academy of Biological Science (NABS), highlighted the role of microbes in agricultural and forestry; human and animal health, and biotechnological innovations, besides focusing on diversity and conservation of microbes.
The two-day seminar on Saturday and Sunday that was inaugurated by former Vice Chancellor of Bharathidasan University K.Meena benefitted more than 300 research scholars, PG students, and university teachers.
V.A. Parthasarathy, president of NABS and former director of Indian Institute of Spice Research, Kozhikode, presided over the inaugural session.
Sixth in its series on the theme, the workshop featured interactions involving participation of postgraduate students and young researchers. Sixty papers were orally presented and 33 through posters.
K.Ramasamy, Vice-chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, handed over the first copy of the abstract to D.P. Ray, former Vice-Chancellor, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, and delivered the key-note address. P.Gunaskaran, Vice-Chancellor, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, released news letter and books and delivered a special address.
News letter
The books and the news letter were received by K.V. Peter, director, World Noni Research Foundation.
Vice-Chancellor of Periyar University, Salem, K.Muthuchelian conferred the memorial award instituted in 2012 in the name of Prof.Kannaiyan, the founder of NABS, on Dr.Kirti Singh, chairperson, World Noni Research Foundation, Chennai. P.I. Peter, founder and chairman, Noni Biotech, Chennai, presented the ‘NABS-Best Research Paper Award’ to Dr. D.Prasath of Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode.
G.Subramanian, founder director, National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, delivered the valedictory address.
He dwelt on multidrug resistance emergence patterns, and stressed the importance of microbiology in research.
