LPU organized International Conference on Microbial Bio-prospecting

Jalandhar,January 1,2024: The School of Bioengineering and Biosciences at Lovely Professional University organized the International Conference on Microbial Bio-prospecting (ICMBSDG)-2023. It aimed at the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in collaboration with the Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI). The Ministry of Science and Technology of India funded the conference through its Department of Biotechnology.

Deliberations were made on “Recent Trends and Advancements in Microbial Technology” that could contribute towards achieving SDGs related to “Zero Hunger (Goal 2); Good Health and Well Being (Goal 3); Life below Water (Goal 14); and, Life on Land (Goal 15). It fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing; and, also addressed seeming global challenges in the sectors related to microbial bio-prospecting.

The Chief Patron of the Conference, Founder Chancellor of LPU Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal congratulated all at the helm of affairs of the conference, and invoked them to churn out productive outcomes for ultimate benefit of the global society.

AMI President Dr Sunil Pabbi asked LPU students to be a great part of research on microbial diversity as it requires befitting educated manpower in the field for healthy growth in the sector. It was also shared that the conference is planned to promote communication among scholars and practitioners from other scientific fields, who want to enhance diverse scientific approaches.

For this, leading scientists and researchers from Sri Lanka; Jordan; Chile; and from across top international–national institutions shared their expertise about the innovative works done in “enzyme technology; microbial community in ocean; microbial nano-formulated food and industrial microbiology. Prof Dr RGU Jayalal Sabaragamuwa from the University of Sri Lanka; Prof Dr Abdel Rahman Al Tawaha from Jordan, Dr. Belle Damodara Shenoy, Principal Scientist at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, (Visakhapatnam) and others were prominently present.

The conference maximized the impact of science and innovation on the global society. It proved to be a wide platform to discuss cutting-edge advancements in exploring the microbial world; innovative technologies, industrial sustainability, and strategies for ensuring global food and nutritional security as per SDGs.

Some of the sub themes discussed for zero hunger included Mushroom culturing in enhancing agricultural productivity; Microbial Science of Food Fermentations; Food Nanotechnology; Probiotics and more. Microbial products such as antimicrobials, enzymes, beverages, drugs, toxins, vitamins, amino acids, organic acids, solvents, food products, and recombinant proteins were for goal 3; aquatic microbiology, aquaculture and fisheries, marine natural products for goal 14; and, protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial microorganisms-microbes for goal 15.