Lalji Singh, former Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, said on Monday that intensive research on mitochondria was essential as it determined health and disease status.
He was delivering the keynote address at the inaugural function of the two-day fourth annual conference of the Society for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, organised by the School of Life Sciences, a constituent of Manipal University, here.
The theme of conference is ‘Mitochondrial Biology: From molecules to disease’ and it is sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research , the Department of Biotechnology, the Union government and Manipal University.
Dr. Lalji Singh described the nature and importance of mitochondria in every cell of the body and listed the varied functions of this cellular organelle, which was mostly thought of as the energy supplier of the cell.
Recent research had shown its implications in several disorders as well as in heredity and evolution and due to its importance for human health, more research in the field of mitochondrial biology was imperative.
He gave examples of the significance of mitochondria in human reproduction and hoped that in future the remarkable organelle would be the focus of human diversity, forensics as well as quality ageing, Dr. Singh said.
In his speech, H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University, said that Indian universities would be counted among the top universities of the world only if they promoted research and conferences like these were a step in the right direction.
K. Satyamoorthy, Director of School of Life Sciences, welcomed the gathering. Sanjiban Chakrabarty delivered the vote of thanks.
K. Thangaraj from Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, N. Gayathri from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, were present.
Researchers from different parts of the country and abroad will be presenting their research papers during the conference, which also includes poster presentations by young researchers.
