Leh, Sept 01: The Department of Zoology at the Leh Campus of the University of Ladakh successfully hosted a one-day symposium on “Translational Medicines in Drug Development: Next Generation Therapeutics in the Management of Cancer and Infectious Diseases” at the multipurpose hall of Leh Campus.
This significant academic event brought together faculty members, researchers, and students from various departments, including Zoology, Mathematics, and Forensic Science, to explore cutting-edge developments in the field of drug development.
The symposium commenced with a warm welcome address delivered by Dr. Basharat Ali. A formal acknowledgment of the distinguished guest speaker, Prof. Swati Biswas from the Department of Pharmacy at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad, was presented by Dr. Mohd Hussain, Dean of Science at the University of Ladakh.
As part of the ceremonial proceedings, Dr. Hussain presented Prof. Biswas with traditional khatags, a gesture symbolizing respect and honor. Additionally, Dr. Subrat Sharma, Dean of Research at the University of Ladakh, presented a memento to Prof. Biswas, marking the occasion with a token of appreciation.
In his address, Dr. Mohd Hussain expressed his deep gratitude to Prof. S.K. Mehta, the Vice- Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, for his continuous support and guidance, which have been instrumental in the university’s progress. He highlighted several key achievements under Prof. Mehta’s leadership, including the securing of significant grants, the establishment of CISIC, a state-of-the-art laboratory, and the introduction of innovative academic courses.
The keynote address, delivered by Prof. Swati Biswas, was a highlight of the symposium. Her presentation, titled “Development of Multifunctional Polymeric Nanoplatforms to Treat Cancer and Infectious Diseases,” provided a comprehensive overview of advanced therapeutic strategies. She elaborated on the potential of Chemo-Photodynamic Therapy (Chemo-PDT), which combines chemotherapy with photodynamic therapy, to enhance cancer treatment by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that specifically target and damage cancer cells.
Prof. Biswas also discussed the therapeutic role of oxygen-evolving compounds and the oxidation of guanine, facilitated by photoactivated platinum-azido compounds. Her talk provided valuable insights into the characterization of modified porous polycaprolactone- polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (mPPCPN Ms) using sophisticated techniques such as Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC).
Furthermore, she highlighted the advantages of light- responsive polymeric micelles for controlled drug delivery and the innovative synthesis of bioinks for 3D bioprinting. She noted their significant applications in tissue engineering and discussed the challenges associated with maintaining cell viability in these contexts.
Prof. Biswas’s keynote also included an overview of her research on 3D-bioprinted antibacterial contact lenses designed to treat ocular infections. These lenses integrate antibacterial properties and antimicrobial peptides, offering a promising solution to combat such infections.
The event concluded with a group photo.This was followed by a visit to the CISIC at the University of Ladakh, where attendees could explore the advanced research facilities available at the university.
The second session of the symposium featured a detailed presentation by Prof. Biswas on “Research Methodology.” She meticulously outlined the systematic approach to conducting research, covering essential aspects such as study design, data collection, analysis techniques, and reporting. She also provided practical guidance on drafting research papers, from crafting the title and abstract to drawing meaningful conclusions. She discussed the importance of selecting journals for publication based on impact factor and quartile ranking, offering valuable advice to budding researchers.
The symposium concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Amjad Hussain, Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology, who expressed his appreciation to all participants for their active involvement and to the guest speaker for her invaluable contributions.
