Central University of Punjab organized two Invited lectures under Webinar Series ‘Recent Trends in Microbiology’

Bathinda: To disseminate the knowledge on latest advancements in the field of microbiology and to promote quality of research, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda organized two Invited Lectures under the Webinar Series on ‘Trends in Microbiology’. CUPB Dept. of Microbiology conducted these lectures under the patronage of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari. The invited speakers of these webinars were Prof. Alfredo G. Torres, University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas, USA and Dr. Soumen Basak, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India.

At the start of the programme Prof. R.K. Wusirika, Dean Incharge Academics, delivered the Welcome Address. Prof. Monisha Dhiman, HoD, Dept. of Microbiology, put a light on the programme theme. Dr. Pramod Kushwaha introduced the invited speakers. introduced the invited speakers.

In the first lecture, Prof. Alfredo G. Torres, The Herman Barnett Distinguished Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas delivered a talk on topic “Developing protective gold nanoparticle glycoconjugate vaccines against bacterial pathogens”. He shared details on the two major pathgens Burkholderia and Escherichia coli on which his lab is working with the goal of deciphering host immune responses triggered during infection that can guide in the development of effective vaccines. He also discussed the various bioinformatic tools and parameters for effective vaccine designing.

In the second lecture, Dr. Soumen Basak, Senior Scientist, Systems Immunology Laboratory, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi shared his views on the topic ‘RNA viruses and NF-kappaB signaling: Friends or Foe’. He talked about the NF-kappaB pathways in Chandipura and Chikungunya viruses and its role in establishing viral infections.

The lecture was followed by discussion and Question & Answer Session moderated by Dr Somesh Baranwal where students shared their queries with expert speakers. Towards the end Dr. Nasir Salem proposed formal vote of thanks. Faculty, scholars and students of the university attended these lectures through an online platform.