St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, Hosted International Symposium; Read Full Details Here

The Chemistry Department at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, hosted a one-day International Symposium titled, ‘Modern Perspective of Chemistry in Biology (MPCB’24)’ on January 6, in association with The Royal Society of Chemistry, Eastern India Section. This academic congregation aimed to explore and discuss the interdisciplinary nexus between Chemistry and Biology, highlighting the contemporary advancements shaping these fields and fostering a collaborative platform for researchers, scholars, and students to explore the evolving relationship between the two seemingly distinct fields. The inaugural address by Rev. Dr. Dominic Savio, S.J., the esteemed principal of St. Xavier's College (Autonomous) served as the grand commencement of the event. The event gained further prominence with the insightful address delivered by Professor Sriparna Dutta, the Vice-President of RSC, Eastern India Section and Dr. Debasis Das, the Guest-of-Honour, setting the tone for the day's cognitive discourse. Professor Dr. Sanjib Ganguly, the Convener, gracefully extended appreciation and acknowledgment to the participants, setting the stage for a day of intellectual embroidery.

The seminar aimed to highlight the pivotal role Chemistry plays in shaping and advancing Biological Sciences. Through a myriad of lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions, the symposium sought to unravel the intricate connections between chemical principles and biological phenomena, paving the way for innovative discoveries and advancements. The seminar featured a line-up of esteemed speakers, including prolific scientists, academicians, and industry experts from renowned global institutions. Each speaker brought forth their expertise, presenting on diverse topics that encompassed the modern landscape of Chemistry in Biology.

Professor Kara Bren from the University of Rochester, USA, delved into the intricate intersections between Chemistry and Biology with the introduction of ‘Cytochrome C based Systems for Artificial Photosynthesis’, thereby paving the way for an engrossing series of discussion. The seminar continued to captivate attendees with the scholarly contributions of Professor Stephen Ragsdale, University of Michigan, USA. Professor Ragsdale's discourse shed light on ‘How Microbes Make and Break Methane’, highlighting the natural mechanism of uptake of carbon dioxide and strategies for anaerobic crystallography. The international scope of the seminar was further enriched by Professor Ulf Peter Apfel from the University of Bochum who shared his valuable insights on ‘The Significance of Grasping Biology in the Context of Modern (Electro)Chemistry’. Professor Kallol Ray, Humboldt University and an alumnus of St. Xavier’s College provided a distinctive perception on ‘Dioxygen Activation at Transition Metal Centres’ thereby subtly hinting at the delicate mechanism of blood flow in humans. Professor Kyle Lancaster from Cornell University, Berlin and Professor Christian Limberg from Humboldt University probed into novel chemical approaches influencing biological systems, highlighting the dynamic relationship between the two domains.

In conjunction with the symposium, a poster presentation competition was organised, providing a platform for budding researchers and students to showcase their innovative ideas and findings at the crossroads of Chemistry and Biology. The competition witnessed an impressive array of posters presenting diverse research projects, ranging from elucidating novel drug delivery systems to exploring the role of enzymes in cellular processes. The hall buzzed with vibrant discussions as attendees explored diverse scientific inquiries showcased through the posters. The enthusiasm and depth of research displayed by the participants underscored the significance of this segment of the seminar.

The competition was judged by Dr. Kaushikisankar Pramanik, Professor at Jadavpur University and Dr. Ankur Ray, Assistant Professor at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata. Debapriya Maitra bagged the prize for the best poster in Interdisciplinary Category. The first prize in the category of Scientific Posters went to Srijon Sen and Soumya De for their poster based upon, ‘Investigating the role of Extein Residues in the Protein Splicing Mechanism mediated by Spl DnaX Intein enzyme’, Gopal Kanrar was adjudged to be the first runner-up while Rajarshee Dey and Soumita Layek were the second runners-up. In the category of Students’ Posters, Archisman Banerjee, Anshuman Bordoloi, Sheyangshu Sinha and Subhrajit Mondal won the first prize for their poster on ‘Unveiling the Luminescence-Chemistry and Impacts of OLEDs’, Rahul Mukherjee, Torsa Pal, Diya Ray and Sridarshana Roy were deemed as the first runners-up and Debomoyee Nandy, Zunaira Alam were the second runners-up. Special recognition and appreciation were extended to the winners of the scientific poster competition. Their exemplary presentations not only added depth to the seminar but also demonstrated a commitment to advancing knowledge at the interface of chemistry and biology.

The culmination of MPCB’24 was marked by a valedictory session, a befitting closure to a day brimming with cerebral stimulation. Dr. Suman Majumdar, serving as Director at Actylis, expressed gratitude and appreciation to all stakeholders, acknowledging their invaluable contributions in making the event a resounding success. The valedictory session served as a moment of reflection, celebrating the collaborative efforts and commitment to advancing scientific discourse at St. Xavier's College(Autonomous), Kolkata.

The ‘Modern Perspective of Chemistry in Biology’ organised by the Chemistry Department at St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata, stands as a testament to the transformative potential of interdisciplinary fraternity. By weaving together the intricate threads of Chemistry and Biology, the seminar illuminated new pathways for exploration, innovation, and scientific advancement, setting the stage for a promising future where these two disciplines converge to unravel the mysteries of life itself.