International conference focuses on cancer treatment

The inaugural function was presided by Dr. C Muthamizhchelvan, Director (Engg. and Tech.). He emphasised the importance of research in immunology to tackle emerging diseases affecting human being. 

Dr. M Radhakrishna Pillai, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram inaugurated the conference with a lecture on vaccination strategy in girls for preventing cervical and other anogenital cancers in Indian women.

There were four plenary lectures, 11 special lectures, 14 oral presentations and 50 poster presentations on four major subtopics, Advances in Cancer Immunology, Immunology of Infectious diseases, Neuroimmunology, and Trends in Molecular Immunology during the three-day conference. Eminent researchers from abroad (UK, Germany, Singapore, Brazil, and Bangladesh) and India delivered plenary and special lectures while young scientists and students/scholars gave oral and poster presentations. The valedictory function was held on September 28, 2019 which was presided by Dr Sandeep Sancheti, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST. Keynote address was delivered by Dr Rainer Straub, Germany. 

The salient findings of the conference focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms of immunity involved in the development and progression of infectious diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. 

Also, possible therapeutic strategies for these diseases using immune molecules, adopting lifestyle practices, and incorporating pharmaceutical and plant-based molecules were discussed.