Science and Technology interventions have made significant contributions in addressing challenges relating to human health, agriculture and environment management. All these inventions need to be communicated to the communities and the society effectively for people’s benefit
Finance Minister Sashibhusan Behera stated this while releasing the annual report of the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) on its 27th foundation day here on Sunday.
The Minister complemented the high quality and outstanding research being carried out by the scientists and students of ILS in the field of cancer biology, infectious diseases and plant and environmental biotechnology. The Minister hoped that the ILS would take the lead in developing the Bhubaneswar Biotechnology Cluster that aims to contribute to development of skilled human resources in biotechnology and life sciences.
ILS Director Dr Ajay Parida stated that the institute has published 70 research papers, produced 34 PhD degrees, obtained 8 patents, organised 8 national and international events and hosted more than 700 students for hands on training in biotechnology and life sciences. He informed that the ILS has plans for immune-genetic profiling of tribal population of Odisha, enhancing productivity of pulses, developing chemo-sensitive cancer cells, diagnostic and drug discovery against dengue, chickenguniya and Japanese encephalitis as well as structured outreach programme for farming and tribal communities for enhancing production as well as health.
Utkal University Vice Chancellor Prof SM Patnaik terming the ILS as an advanced research institution said there are complementary areas where the ILS and the university could work together. He mentioned that students and teachers of Utkal University would be greatly benefitted with exposures to cutting edge biotechnology research.
RMRC Director Dr Sanghamitra Pati, expressed confidence that ILS and RMRC could contribute significantly to understanding disease burden and its management particularly in the tribal regions of Odisha.
KIIT School of Biotechnology Director Dr Mrutunjay Suar and CIFA Director Dr Sundarray stressed the need for increasing collaborations and sharing expertise and resources among the institutions.
AIIMS Physiology Department Head Dr Mohapatra and ILS Scientist Dr Mamoni Das spoke.