Innovations in industrial and marine biotechnology focus of two-day seminar at SOA

Bhubaneswar, Nov 4: During a seminar on “Research and Innovations in Industrial and Marine Biotechnology: A Circular Economy,” held at Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) in Bhubaneswar, biotechnology expert Prof. N. Tajuddin emphasized the need to consider antibiotics as a matter of national security. This statement came in the context of the significant role antibiotics played in combating COVID-19, which claimed over 5.3 lakh lives in India.

Prof. Tajuddin, Pro-Vice Chancellor of B.S. Abdur Rehman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, stressed that advancements in biotechnology require widespread societal collaboration to address pressing issues like environmental pollution and malnutrition.

The two-day seminar, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology’s Science and Engineering Research Board, aimed to promote innovative biotechnological solutions aligned with circular economy principles. It brought together researchers, industry experts, and policymakers to discuss the vital role of industrial and marine biotechnology in tackling global challenges such as resource scarcity and climate change.

Prof. Hrudaynath Thatoi, Director of SOA’s Centre for Industrial Biotechnology Research (CIBR), highlighted the seminar's relevance in today’s context. Prof. Pravat Kumar Roul, Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, pointed out that biotechnology is crucial for agricultural development, with significant growth evident in startups and products in this field.

Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, noted the university's commitment to biotechnology, with plans for an international conference next November and the establishment of 19 research centers, including CIBR. The program featured insights from Dr. Anindita Chakraborty, Scientist at UGC-DAE CSR, and was conducted by Dr. Sasmita Mohanty.