The ASM National Conference on Microbiome: The Unseen took place on August 22nd and 23rd, 2023. The conference was jointly organized by the Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Research Departments of Microbiology, along with the Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry at Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi. The event aimed to shed light on the intricate world of microbiomes and their significant role in various aspects of life. The proceedings of the conference were as follows:
Day 1: August 22, 2023
The conference commenced with a prayer. Dr. A. A. Mohamed Hatha, the Country Ambassador of ASM, delivered the welcome address, extending warm greetings to all attendees. Dr. Preethy Nair, the Principal, presided over the function, emphasizing the importance of such gatherings in fostering knowledge exchange and scientific collaboration. The conference was officially inaugurated by Dr. Sabu Thomas, Scientist, Pathogen Biology, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology signifying the start of two days of intellectual exploration and discourse. Dr. A. A. Mohamed Hatha took the honour of unveiling the Abstract Book, a compilation of ingenious research contributions. To felicitate the event, C. P. Jayansankar, Chief Operations Officer of Adisankara Group of Institutions, shared his insights and support. The function concluded with Dr. Manju R, Associate Professor in the PG and Research Department of Microbiology, delivering the vote of thanks, and expressing gratitude to all participants, organizers, and contributors.
The conference then transitioned into its first technical session of the day. Dr. Sabu Thomas delivered an engaging speech on the topic “Human Microbiome: Supreme Community in Controlling Our Health,” shedding light on the profound impact of microbiomes on human health and well-being.
Technical Session 2:
In the subsequent session, Dr. Baby Chakrapani, the Director of the Centre for Neuroscience in the Department of Biotechnology at Cochin University of Science and Technology, addressed the attendees. His lecture titled “The Microbiome: The Missing Link in Neurodegenerative Diseases” delved into the interesting relationship between microbiomes and neurodegenerative conditions.
The afternoon session revolved around active participant engagement, primarily conducted through both poster and oral presentations. A total of 17 participants displayed their project and research endeavours via posters, offering a diverse array of insights.
Additionally, oral presentations were structured into two distinct themes: Microbiome and Microbes. These presentations took place in two separate venues, where postgraduate and research students had the opportunity to showcase their work.
Day 2
On the second day, two informative technical sessions took place. The first session was conducted by Dr. Ranjith Kumavath, an accomplished Associate Professor from the Department of Biotechnology at Pondicherry University. Dr. Kumavath presented on the topic, “Anthropogenic Impact on Antibiotic Resistome Diversity in Mangrove Sediments of India.”
The second session of the day was Dr. Devika Pillai. A recognized authority in her field, she delivered a comprehensive lecture on the subject of “Manipulating Fish Microbiome for Enhanced Aquaculture Production.” Her insights provided valuable perspectives on advancing aquaculture practices.
Later in the afternoon, an interactive session was held, providing a platform for engaging discussions and the exchange of knowledge. This session fostered collaborative learning and the sharing of diverse viewpoints.
The day concluded with the valedictory function, during which the contributions and achievements of the participants were acknowledged. This event recognized the recipients of the “Best Poster” and “Best Oral Presenter” awards, underscoring the participants’ hard work and dedication.
The ASM National Conference on Microbiome: The Unseen successfully provided a platform for researchers, academics, and enthusiasts to delve into the fascinating world of microbiomes, fostering meaningful discussions and the exchange of innovative ideas.