 Early Times Report
AMRITSAR, Feb 20: The Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, successfully organized a three-day National Conference on Basic and Translational Research in Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, under the leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Karamjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor. Sponsored under the RUSA 2.0 grant, the event served as a vital platform to explore how cutting-edge research in human genetics and molecular biology is poised to revolutionize future healthcare-through improved diagnosis, targeted therapy, and personalized medicine.
The conference brought together 19 distinguished speakers from premier academic institutions and industry, offering a comprehensive view of how genetics and genomics are driving the future of precision medicine.
The inaugural keynote was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) A. K. Munirajan (University of Madras), who spoke about how individual genetic polymorphisms impact patient responses to commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs like warfarin, statins, and clopidogrel-underscoring the promise of pharmacogenomics. This was followed by an insightful plenary by Prof. (Dr.) B. K. Thelma (University of Delhi), who shared her lab's groundbreaking work on ARL15, a novel GWAS-identified locus with potential as a druggable target for rheumatoid arthritis.
Throughout the conference, talks reflected the overarching theme of bridging basic research with clinical applications. Candidate-based genetic association studies focused on neurological, metabolic, and oncological disorders. Dr. Gopeshwar Narayan (BHU) highlighted the role of telomere modulation in cervical cancer, while Dr. Rajiv and Dr. Prajapati explored host immune responses and apoptotic gene regulation in Leishmania donovani, showcasing the expanding frontiers of parasite genomics.
The conference also highlighted India's efforts in rare disease research, with Prof. Dr. Anjana Munshi elaborating on the PRaGeD program, aimed at awareness, diagnosis, and discovery of novel variants in pediatric rare genetic diseases.
The event was further enriched by industry experts including Dr. Ramprasad (MedGenome), Dr. Brinderjit Buttar (CORE Diagnostics), and Dr. Rajeev Pandey (Thermo Fisher Scientific) who brought perspectives from genomic diagnostics, NGS-based reproductive health, and spatial biology, respectively-illustrating how laboratory research is being translated into clinical realities.
A special highlight was the hands-on BIOSKOOL workshop led by Dr. Swarkar Sharma (CU Jammu), equipping students with practical skills and insights into experimental techniques relevant to human genetics. |
