JAMMU: CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, successfully completed five-day Training Programme on “Hands-on Training on Upstream & Downstream Processing of Industrially Important Products”, held here today. The programme saw enthusiastic participation of 17 postgraduate and doctoral students drawn from six universities across India.
The valedictory session marked the conclusion of the training programme, graced by the dignitaries including Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, and Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist, Head of RMBD & IST, and Head of CSIR-IIIM Srinagar Branch.
At the valedictory session, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM while addressing the participants, said that at present they are pursuing the academic courses in microbiology to learn the subject at conventionally and such hands-on trainings are meant to expose them to the advanced industrial microbiology which has application in pharmaceuticals, bio-pharma, bio-fuel, food, environment and pollution etc.
He also expressed pride in India’s reputation as the "Pharmacy of the World" and reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to nurturing young researchers, promoting self-reliance in biopharmaceutical products development, and contributing to the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Dr. Ahmed also acknowledged the positive feedback from participants and emphasized that CSIR-IIIM remains open to all researchers eager to pursue their scientific endeavors. The session concluded with the distribution of participation certificates to all attendees.
Earlier Dr. Vikash Babu, Coordinator of the training programme, gave a brief of the lectures delivered and hands-on training imparted during last five days. He informed that throughout the five-day programme, participants engaged in a series of expert-led lectures and hands-on training sessions. On first day, Dr. Asha Chaubey, Senior Principal Scientist and Head of the Fermentation and Microbial Biotechnology (FMB) division, delivered first lecture on “Opportunities in Industrial Microbiology and Fermentation Technology.”
This session explored the expanding career opportunities in industrial microbiology and the vital role of fermentation in sustainable production. This was followed by a session from Dr. Saurabh Saran, Principal Scientist, FMB division on “Role of CSIR-IIIM in Entrepreneurship and Skill Development in J&K” He detailed about the roadmap of potential and various initiatives taken by government and institute’s commitment to bridging the gap between research and industry by supporting budding entrepreneurs.
Afternoon practical sessions were led by Dr. Vikash Babu, focusing on “Upstream Processing, Sterilization, and Inoculation in Fermenters” Participants gained hands-on experience in operating fermenters and learned the critical role of sterilization and aseptic inoculation techniques. On the Second day, Dr. Saurabh Saran delivered the first lecture on types and applications of fermenters and in lab session- sampling and analysis was carried out while in the second half, lecture was delivered by Dr. Vikash Babu on enzymes and its importance in pharmaceutical industries followed by practical sessions taken by Dr.Asha Chaubey on protein purification.
On third day, Dr. Sundeep Jaglan delivered a lecture on isolation and preservation of microbes followed by Hands-on training was provided in the similar research topic by Mr. Rahul Kalgotra and Dr. Sundeep Jaglan. On the penultimate day of training programme, Dr. Meenu Katoch presented on molecular biotechnology, followed by a practical session. In the second half, Dr. Vinod Kumar covered downstream processing, followed by hands-on training on processing of running batches. The last day of training programme was led by Dr. Kanhaiya Kumar, Senior Scientist, FMB division.
The day started by the lecture on “Bioreactor design, operation and analysis”, where Dr. Kanhaiya explained the various aspects of Biochemical Engineering crucial for the product development in Bioreactor. The session concluded with demonstration and Hand-on training on Multibioreactor system. In the second half, assignment activity was carried out by Dr. Nasir Ul Rasheed followed by valedictory session.
Er. Abdul Rahim and Dr. Asha Chaubey also spoke on the occasion. The valedictory session proceedings were conducted by Ms. Nargis, Ph.D. scholar while Dr. Vinod Kumar, Senior Scientist in the FMB Division presented formal vote of thanks.
