National Workshop and Conference on "Advances in Computational Neurochemistry and Neurobiology"

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Date: Dec 21, 2015

The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computer Centre, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong organized 29th Annual Meeting of Society for Neurochemistry, India: National Workshop and Conference on “Advances in Computational Neurochemistry and Neurobiology” from December 16th to 21st 2015. This event was planned in the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong as this north-eastern region occupies special attention in India to encourage, promote, guide students and young faculties in this remote region as well as other parts of India to promote neuroscience / neurochemistry. The total programme was divided in two sections first three days for workshop and last three days for conference. Many participants’ across India actively participated this week long event at NEHU, Shillong. Prof. D. N. Tibarewala from Jadavpur University, Kolkata was the Chief Guest on 16th December in the workshop inaugural and Prof. K.P. Mohanakumar, Former Chief Scientist IICB, Kolkata was the Chief Guest on 19th December conference inaugural. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. B. K. Sharma, Honorable Vice Chancellor, NEHU, Shillong in the presence of all the dignitaries on the dias and also enlightened us to share his valuable words in this area. We are very happy that Prof. Kumar Sambamurti, Medical University of South Carolina, USA joined this event. Many neuroscientists across India also participated and shared their valuable knowledge and recent advancements in this field. On behalf of Society for Neurochemistry, India, Prof. Prakash Babu Phanithi, Secretary, SNCI delivered the commendable speech in the conference inaugural. Dr. Sudip Paul, Assistant Professor, BME was the Organizing Secretary; Dr. Dinesh Bhatia, Head, BME was the Convener and Dr. T. K. Sinha, Associate Professor, Computer Centre was the Co-Organizing Secretary of this programme.  

The main aim of this event was to train young scholars/scientists, so that they will have hands on experience with the latest techniques in neuroscience/ neurochemistry. The Society for Neurochemistry, India (SNCI) is having its headquarters in one of the premier institutes of higher learning, University of Hyderabad which organizes conferences and workshops regularly. This year (2015) Department of Biomedical Engineering, NEHU got the opportunity to conduct hands on workshop and annual meeting. During Executive committee meeting and followed by General Body Meeting the members discussed many issues as part of agenda and decided to start the North-East Chapter at BME deptt, NEHU, Shillong under the coordinatorship of Dr. Sudip Paul. This would facilitate the students and faculty of this region to interact with the society members and scientists for the help and guidance. This week long event created awareness among young students to take up this area for the research as career in the future so that they could offer better solutions to different neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Stroke, Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease, and Huntington's disease and metabolic disorders of the brain. Different approaches were discussed in the molecular, developmental, structural, functional, evolutionary, computational and cognitive neuroscience, like neural stimulation, imaging, brain mapping and systems biology approach and medical aspects of the nervous system. Moreover, many neurological diseases, neuro-infections, neuroprotection using traditional medicine were also explained to investigate mechanisms using computational and imaging techniques. More than fifty research papers were presented by the research scholars and faculty members. There were two cash awards for best oral presentation and one best poster presentation award for the students/young investigators. In the valedictory, Prof. Prakash Babu Phanithi was the Chief Guest and he appreciated all the students, staffs and faculty members of the department for their commendable efforts to organize this event in grand success. The gathered scientists acknowledged the funding agencies for their financial assistance.