Five day international school on mitochondria and brain at PU
Author(s): SK VyasChandigarh, October 23, 2015: Panjab University (PU) would host the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) supported school on the theme of ‘Mitochondria and Neurodegeneration’ from October 26 to 30, 2015. ...
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Oct 24, 2015 12:30
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Chandigarh, October 23, 2015: Panjab University (PU) would host the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) supported school on the theme of ‘Mitochondria and Neurodegeneration’ from October 26 to 30, 2015.
Mitochondria are organelles, described as “cellular power plants” as they are responsible for the production of energy for cells in form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria have been shown to govern many cellular functions like signaling, cell cycle and cell growth, as well as programmed cell death (apoptosis). Therefore, it is not surprising that, in neurons, which depend primarily on ATP production to meet energy demands, any compromise in mitochondrial function places neurons at a high risk for both dysfunction and/or death Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction is believed to play a substantial role in wide spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s Disease, epilepsy, aging, cancer, etc that affects millions of people worldwide.
The five day school plans to provide theoretical and practical training on vide ranging topics related to role of mitochondria in nervous system to young researchers from Asia-Pacific region and representing Iran, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Bhutan, Pakistan and India.
The faculty for the school includes eminent scientists in the field drawn from various parts of the globe. Director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, US Prof. Russell H. Swerdlow would share his expertise related to role of mitochondria in Alzheimer’s disease. Executive Director, Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Prof. P Hemachandra Reddy would provide insights into the role of mitochondria in age related neurodegenerative diseases. University of Nottigham, UK Dr. Lisa Chakravarti would deliberate on role of mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease.
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan Dr.Masami Kojima, Dr. Sunil Kaul and Dr. Renu Wadhwa would share their findings on various aspects related to mitochondria research including the beneficial role of Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng.
Medical University of South Carolina, US Prof. Inderjit Singh would share his work related to peroxisome and mitochondria in neurodegeneration. Stony Brook School of Medicine Dr. Nand K Relan would discuss the role of nuclear medicine tools in studying mitochondrial diseases.
The faculty from India would include Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (IICB) Kolkata Prof. K.P. Mohanakumar would share his work related with cybrids (cell fusion). Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad Dr. K. Thangaraj would be sharing his work related to mitochondrial DNA and evolution. Indian Institute of Technoology, Kanpur Prof. S. Ganesh would talk about role of mitochondria in Lafora disease, a type of epilepsy.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Dr. M. Rajeshwari would talk about role of mitochondrial DNA in diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders. Other participants would include from Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai Dr. Ullas Kolthur, Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (DRDO-INMAS), Delhi Dr. Anant N. Bhatt, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB), Delhi Dr.Vinod Scaria, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow Dr. A.B. Pant and Dr. Poonam Kakkar, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Mohali Dr. Sudip Mandel, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali Prof. S.S. Sharma, Central University of Punjab Dr. A. Mantho. They would cover various aspects related to mitochondria during the five day event.
Organizer Prof. Rajat Sandhir of the event has been investigating the role of mitochondria in the nervous system for more than a decade.
The event would be inaugurated on Monday by, Vice Chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Prof. Raj Bahadur at ICSSR Complex at PU.
Prof. Sandhir said that the event is expected to help in sharing expertise and knowledge and would provide platform for inter-institutional collaboration to improve the understanding about the role of mitochondria in neurological conditions. It ultimately may be a step closer in identifying therapies to prevent or reduce the burden of neurological conditions, he added. / (SK Vyas, Jalandhar)
Date:
Saturday, October 24, 2015
