NIT Andhra Pradesh Pushes the borders of Chemistry to improve the World
Institute organizes workshop to examine how chemical science can not only fight disease but also helps in betterment of human life
TADEPALLIGUDEM : National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh is encouraging its Faculty and Researchers to focus on how chemical science can solve not just today’s problems but those of the future as well.
Towards this, the Institute organized a five-day online faculty development programme on ‘Advances and Challenges in Chemical Science’ from 20th to 24h September 2021.This Faculty Development Program aims to discuss advancements in the field of chemical science.
Addressing the inaugural event, Prof. C.S.P. Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh, said, “Chemistry can help to bring research and development into the modern age by uncovering better-validated biological targets for urgent clinical needs, modernizing drug discovery and manufacturing, and developing new therapeutic approaches. The development of a new chemical and transforming it into a drug is still a challenging process.”
Further, Prof. C.S.P. Rao said, “Researchers of chemical and biomedical sciences are looking beyond the conventional methods to cure diseases by employing new therapeutic approaches. The developments and advances in this area are required for the betterment of human life. Chemists helped to encounter the second wave of COVID-19 in India by developing new medicines and oxygen extraction methods. The main aim of the faculty development programme is to discuss recent advances in the field of chemical science.”
This five-day Faculty Development Programme was intended for faculties, scientists, research scholars to upgrade their knowledge of research and to interact with experienced researchers. The speakers will provide insights on importance of chemical science in the following areas:
Ø Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Ø Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Ø Crystal Engineering
Ø Polymer chemistry
Delivering the Inaugural lecture, Dr. T. Kurmayya, Head, Department of Chemistry, NIT Andhra Pradesh, said, “Thanks to Prof C.S. P. Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh for being the catalyst to organize a five-day online FDP on Advances and Challenges in Chemical Science. Since its inception, the department has been offering theory and practical courses to B. Tech. Faculty members of the department are actively involved in teaching and research activities. I congratulate all the participants of the FDP and believe it will be beneficial to gain knowledge.”
After successful completion of FDP, the participants will be able to:
· Learn new methods for creating functional materials at the nano level using the concepts of molecular architectonics and nano architectonics.
· Understand the role of intermolecular interactions to develop functional materials.
· Acquire knowledge of biocompatible materials for efficient drug delivery in cancer treatment.
· Understand the role of elements in biological systems.
· Gain knowledge of the photo – redox catalytic approach for organic synthesis.
· Understand molecular self-assembly and its utility in various fields.
Delivering a lecture on Molecular Architectonics Prof. T. Govidaraju,Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, explained how biomolecules and their mimics serve as auxiliaries in the design of modular building blocks. He described the significance of chirality and minute structural mutations to develop molecular architectonics. Their utility in various fields such as health, energy and environment also narrated.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Surendra, NIT Andhra Pradesh, expressed his gratitude to all the participants from various academic Institutes for making the Faculty Development Programme a success.
Other Top speakers at the event included:
Ø Prof. T. Govindaraju, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru
Ø Prof. M. Jayakannan, IISER, Pune,
Ø Prof. Kumar Biradha, IIT Kharagpur
Ø Prof. Kana M. Sureshan, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Ø Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bengaluru
Ø Dr. Durga Prasad Karothu, New York University Abu Dhabi
Ø Dr. Sangita Roy, Institute of Nano Science and Technology Mohali
Ø Dr. Veera Reddy Yatham, IISER Thiruvananthapuram
Ø Dr. Amit Ashok Vernekar, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai
Ø Dr. N. Damodara Reddy, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai