International Conference on Molecular Medicine | MolMED 2012
February 19-22, 2012
Organized by
Centre for Bio-Separation Technology (CBST) at VIT University, Vellore, in collaboration with SUNY Buffalo (USA), IIT Madras, Swinburne University (Australia), CHARUSAT University (India) and an industrial partner Laila Pharma, India.
Main focus on "Genes, Genomics & Chronic Diseases" and a mini-symposium on "Nutraceuticals and their role in disease prevention."
About the Conference
The Centre for Bio-Separation Technology (CBST) at VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu was established by Prof. M. A. Vijayalakshmi, with the support of Department of Science and Technology under the Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas programme, in 2005. It has strong links with Université de Technologie Compiègne, France where Prof. Vijayalakshmi has more than thirty five years of service dedicated to biotechnology and bioengineering teaching. CBST has a vision to be a World Class Centre dedicated to Separation Science and Technology for biopharmaceuticals of high therapeutic value and for application in biomedical technologies.
This centre, in association with University at Buffalo (The State University of New York, Buffalo, USA), Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne, Australia), Indian Institute of Technology – Madras (IITM, Chennai, India), Charotar University of Science & Technology (CHARUSAT, Changa, India), and Laila Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (Chennai, India) is organizing this three day international conference on Molecular Medicine “MOLMED-2012” to expose Technology and Networking to the research community.
Molecular medicine is a broad field, where physical, chemical, biological and medical techniques are used to describe molecular structures and mechanisms, to identify fundamental molecular and genetic errors of disease, and to develop molecular interventions to correct them. The molecular medicine perspective emphasizes cellular and molecular phenomena and interventions rather than the previous conceptual and observational focus on patients and their organs. Therefore, it propagates a systematic understanding of the biological structures and functions at the molecular level through specified tools like proteomics, genomics, metabolomics and other basic researches which form the backbone to a sound Drug discovery and development program. Molecular medicine has thus led to the identification of several newer targets for drug delivery, making the drugs more effective. Nevertheless, with a better knowledge of the underlying mechanism of the diseases, several interventions could be effectively planned to combat them and to prevent further progression. This conference will thus look into various aspects of molecular medicine and cover topics related to genetic analysis of diseases, identification of novel targets and its mechanism.
The concept of nutraceuticals has evolved from the recognition of the link between food and health. These (often referred to as phytochemicals or functional foods) are natural bioactive, chemical compounds that have health promoting, disease preventing or medicinal properties. Rapid advances in science and technology, increasing health care costs, an aging population and rising interest in attaining wellness through diet are among the factors fuelling interest in nutraceuticals. The use of nutraceuticals, as an attempt to accomplish desirable therapeutic outcomes with reduced side effects, as compared with other therapeutic agents has met with great monetary success. Current research on the use of nutraceuticals as potential cancer chemo preventive agents has been limited largely to the study of their antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in human cancer cells. Therefore, it is very important that nutraceuticals be discussed and debated for analyzing its significance in disease prevention.
Eminent experts in these multidisciplinary fields from within India and abroad will deliver plenary lectures. Short communications from young scientists, poster sessions, etc. will be organized to encourage young scientists and innovative initiatives in these emerging fields, and to promote exchanges and interactions between scientists from these diversified fields.
In a congenial atmosphere, a good opportunity will be provided for Industries, Academia and Young Scientists to interact through exhibitions, demonstrations and discussions, featuring the latest equipment available for studies in these fields.
Further Info http://www.vit.ac.in/molmed2012/
