25 Oct 2021
Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Sciences
Date: 25th to 29th October, 2021
Time: 3.00pm to 5.00pm
The Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Sciences organized a five day Faculty Development program on CRISPR: Principles and Application from 25th to 29th October, 2021. 18 faculty members from the Department of Biotechnology actively participated in the event. Dr. Gokul Kesavan, Program Director, Vowels Advanced School of Learning & Research was the resource person for the FDP. Dr. Kesavan highlighted the importance of the advancements in genome editing technologies in the recent decade. He deliberated regarding the preciseness, user friendliness and powerfulness of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and also its potential in transforming biological research thereby exhibiting beneficial effects on human health, environmental sustainability and food security.
Dr. Kesavan further focused CRISPR/Cas9 as the next step of evolution in terms of analyzing and editing the genetic information of animals, humans, plants, and microbes. He also threw a light on the simplicity of the CRISPR/Cas9 platform in comparison to the earlier existing tools, which has led to its rapid adoption and wide array of its applications. Dr. Kesavan concluded the FDP with the impact of genome editing in sustainable development, environmental management, food security and find applications in the development of affordable diagnostics and therapeutics for various diseases.
Dr. Gokul Kesavan was very interactive and energetic throughtout the five days sessions, which was reflected from his one to one interaction with the faculty members addressing their queries. The interaction was very fruitful and the discussion went on regarding the latest achievements of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in the production of transgenic tomatoes rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid. The FDP event concluded with the projects designed by faculty members employing various tools of gene editing technology.
