15 Invited speakers from USA deliberate on Cancer Biology

Katra Feb. 13: International Symposium on Biotechnological Advances in Cancer Biology (ISBAICB-2012) was held at Matrika Auditorium, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra on Feb 13th, 2012 which was a Satellite Symposium of the Ataxia Telangiectasia International Workshop held in New Delhi from Feb. 7-11, 2012. The Symposium was jointly organized by School of Biotechnology, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and National Center of Applied Human Genetics, JNU, New Delhi. SMVDU hosted this International Symposium to address diverse research areas focused on DNA damage, mechanisms of mutagenesis and genetic instability, and the relationships between genetic instability and human cancer. The Symposium was supported by University Grants Commission, Department of Science and Technology. GOI and J&K State Council for Science and Technology, J&K Govt.

Highlight of the inaugural session was the Keynote lecture delivered by Prof. R.N.K Bamezai, Vice- Chancellor, SMVDU which dealt broadly with the complex nature of Cancer; using breast cancer as a model. Prof. Bamezai underscored the details about the contributions made by his research group in this niche area in past 20 years.

Apart from Prof. Bamezai the other invited speakers, who are at the forefront of their respective fields, come from a variety of disciplines included Prof. Jessica Tyler, Prof. Walter N. Hittelman, Prof. Bin Wang , Prof. Junjie Chen, Prof. Leslie A. Krushel, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Prof. Peter M. Burgers, Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University, St Louis, USA; Prof. Tanya Paull, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, University of Texas, USA; Prof. Martin Lavin, Queensland Institute for Medical Research, Australia; Prof. Peter McKinnon, Prof. Sachin Katyal, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, USA; Prof. Thomas Ludwig, Columbia University, USA; Prof. Tej Pandita, UT Southwestern Medical Centers, USA; Prof. Altaf Wani, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA; Prof. David A. Boothman UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA and Prof. Nobuo Horikoshi, UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA.

Over 130 participants from various institutions participated in the Symposium. There were four sessions which were held during the proceedings of the day which included understanding Ataxia Telangiectasia, DNA damage response, aging and cancer. The symposium focused on new findings concerning the role of the DNA damage response and cell cycle control in cancer and to discuss new insights in the area of cancer biology and the latest trends in cancer research. Cutting edge research was presented and deliberated upon on the molecular mechanisms involved in the repair and processing of DNA lesions, genome instability, and cancer etiology.

The symposium presented a unique opportunity for faculty, post-docs and students in this field of research to interact with the invited speakers, and got an opportunity to learn about their research activities. The symposium also provided an excellent opportunity for young investigators to participate in a forum and interact with leading investigators in this important area of biomedical research.

Earlier during the inaugural session Prof. V. Verma, Dean College of Sciences felicitated Prof. Bamezai with a memento on behalf of School of Biotechnology for having been bestowed with the title of Padmashree award to Prof. Bamezai. He also delivered the welcome address detailing the achievements made the School in a short span of time. Students of SMVDU enthralled the audience with a colourful cultural performances.

All the participants appreciated the efforts put in by the organizers, especially the Organizing Secretary Dr. Samantha Vaishnavi and the other members of the event management committee for organizing an International Event in this important area.