Recently, A Two day Science Academies Lecture workshop on “Modern approaches towards Biodiversity, Bio prospection and Conservation was organized by the PG and Research Department of Biochemistry at Kongunadu Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Coimbatore. Students received exposure on various topics delivered by Eminent Scientists like R.Raghavendra Rao, INSA Honorary Scientist, Bengaluru, M.Sanjappa, INSA Senior Scientist, Mahatma Gandhi Botanical Garden, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru and likewise.
J.Karthikeyan, Coordinator of the Lecture Workshop as well as Associate Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry (PG and Research)welcomed the gathering while V.Balasubramaniam, Principal, presided over the event. The programme was felicitated by V.Chinnusamy, CEO, KASC.
R.R.Rao in his inaugural speech highlighted about the importance of the workshop and various schemes of the Academies thereby encouraging the students and teachers to make benefit of them. The lecture workshop was scheduled for two days with eight lecture sessions by four eminent resource persons. On each day, there were four lecture sessions including interaction between the participants and the resource persons on their presentations.
He spoke at length giving details, on the topic “Biological diversity & Bio-prospection: a priority agenda for sustainable utilization of bio-resources of India” besides “Medicinal Plants of India: Diversity, Conservation and Bio prospection” while K.R.Shivanna addressed the students on “The sixth mass extinction – an overview” and M.Sanjappa on the topic of “Floristic Diversity of India – an overview”.
On 21st August 2019, the second day of the workshop, M.Sanjappa spoke on “Kas plateau: a Botanical Paradise”, K.R.Shivanna on “Wild relatives of crop species as important bio resources of genes needed for crop improvement and K.Veluthambi detailed on “RNA silencing and silencing suppression in plants” and also on “Gene targeting: A powerful functional genomics itself”. During the valedictory sessions, participants gave their feedback on the programme followed by the presentation of the report of the workshop by the Coordinator. K.R.Shivanna presided over the valedictory session and delivered the valedictory address.