State Biotech Hub Sikkim State Council of Science and Technology

Vigyan Bhawan, Deorali, Gangtok, 737102

Volume No. II Sl. No. II ,JUNE 2017

Vigyan Darshan Quarterly E-Newsletter

3RD REVIEW MEETING OF THE DBT’S OVER-SEAS ASSOCI-

ATESHIP PROGRAMME ORGANIZED AT SIKKIM

The 3rd review meeting of Overseas Associateship programme of

Department of Biotechnology, Government of India started from 29th Nov

2016 to 30th November 2016 at Gangtok. The two days long programme was

organized by Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology, Vigyan Bhawan,

Deorali. The programme was inaugurated by Honorable Minister, Shri. Tsher-

ing Wangdi Lepcha, Department of Science, Technology and Climate Change.

In the address Shri. Lepcha highlighted upon the importance of biotechnologi-

cal researches in bioresource of Sikkim. He also acknowledged the role of

Department of Biotechnology, Government of India in enhancing the growth

and development of scientific researches and infrastructure in the state. In his

deliberation, honorable Minister informed the gathering of Science and

Scholar of various institute from North-East region about the lead taken by

Sikkim on Organic Mission and Green Mission. Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo, Direc-

tor Institute of Bioresource and sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal

highlighted the programme of Department of biotechnology and appealed

everyone to take advantages of such facilities. He urged that farmer oriented

research should be taken up in further (future). He also highlighted on IBSD

activities being taken up in Imphal and Sikkim. During the Programme Dr. T.

Madhan Mohan, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India was

felicitated for rendering major contribution towards the growth and develop-

ment of biotechnology researches and infrastructure in the north East region.

Dr. Pawan Sharma, Adviser and Vinod Kumar from Department of Biotech-

nology –NERBPMC, Delhi and Prof. R.N.S Yadav from Dibrugarh University,

Assam and B. Ravindaran, IILS Bhubaneswar were the taskforce member of

the Meeting. The two days programme had participation of 70 Overseas Asso-

ciateship Beneficiaries from various scientific institute and Universities from

all over North East region. Later the chairman Prof. Ravindaran, Dr. P.

Sharma, Prof. RNS Yadav and Shri Vinod Kumar visited the State Biotech Hub

facility at Vigyan Bhawan and expressed their satisfaction. They also inter-

acted with the research scholars of State Biotech Hub (SBH) who explained

their entire research work in short. They appreciated the facility and the en-

deavor in research.

3rd Review Meeting of the DBT’S

Overseas Associateship

1

Visit Of honorable

Dr. Harsh Vhardan Union Minis-

ter Department of Science &

2

Trainings/Workshops 2

Outreach Programme 3

Measurable achievements of

State Biotech Hub 3

International conference 4

Papothecary –2017 4

M.Sc Dissertation Work 4

Research Initiated 4

Inside this issue

Fig :Release of proceeding during NER 3rd review meeting

Fig : Release of calendar for cherry blossom festival. Fig : Visit of Chairman and Task force member

to SBH Lab, Sikkim F ig: Welcome address , NER overseas meeting

Dr. HARSH VARDHAN (UNION MINISTER, SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY) VISITS SIKKIM STATE COUNCIL OF SCI-

ENCE & TECHNOLOGY APPRICIATING THE FACILITY IN

2

Volume No. II, Sl. No. II., JUNE 2017

Honorable Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vard-

han, visited Department of Science, Technology & Climate Change, Sikkim State Council of Science &

Technology while his visit to Sikkim on 31 Dec. 2016. Shri. T.W. Lepcha, Hon’ble Minister for Forest,

environment and wildlife Management, Department of Mines, Minerals & Geology, Science & Technol-

ogy and Climate Change, Government of Sikkim welcomed the Hon’ble Union Minister to the depart-

ment. Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardan while addressing additional directors, researchers, staffs of

Sikkim State Council and media persons praised Sikkim for being the first organic state of the country

and said that visiting North Eastern state has been a desire of his for a very long time and that it has

been a privilege to finally be here. Appreciating the achievement of the council in the field of Science

and technology, Dr. Vardhan said small state like Sikkim could be a model state in science and tech-

nology and urged those involved in it to be pro active and work towards achieving that. He said Sci-

ence is universal but technology is local and suggested to understand the problem at root and inter-

vene to solve them. Dr. Vardhan said setting-up of science and technology councils throughout the

country was a vision of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, (Honorable Ex-Prime Minister of India), and to see

how it has prospered over the years reaching out even to the farthest corner of the country is some-

thing to be proud of. He also added that the science and technology of the country still lacks many

proactive mechanisms but assured that in due time this could all be worked out. Application of Science

and Technology for the welfare of human and bringing changes in people’s life through various tech-

nology-based innovations should be the prime goal of the organization, he added. He also paid a visit

to SBH laboratory and had a direct interaction with all the research scholars. The entire SBH facility

was explained in brief to the Hon’ble Union Minister by Dr. B.C. Basistha, Additional Director, SSCS&T.

Dr. Vardhan appreciated the facility and also said that the government is open for discussions to

various proposals made by the council and added that the government will provide all possible help for

the development of science and technology in the state. He also added that projects like BLISS

(Establishment of Biotechnology Lab in SR. Sec. Schools) and BIC (Biotech Incubation Centre) can be

sent through him for approval.

STATE BIOTECH HUB SIKKIM TRAINED 75 PARTICIPANTS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

TECHNIQUES

Hands on training on Biotechnology tools and (techniques) was successfully organized by

State Biotech Hub Sikkim in total of six training programme. The motive of the training programme

was to trained different sets of participants with included School students (XII-PCB), Research Schol-

ars, Project staffs and Teachers (GT and PGT) of different government schools, colleges and research

institute of Sikkim. Each training programme was conducted in three to five days. A total of 75

(seventy five) participants were trained during the entire training programme. The participants who

attended the training were from the Dept. of Botany, Zoology, Microbiology and Horticulture of Sikkim

University, Dept. of Medical Biotechnology of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Dept. of

Botany of Sikkim Govt. College, Pollution Control Board- Dept. of Forest, Govt. of Sikkim, Research

Scholars of Sikkim University and Graduate and Post Graduate Teachers of Govt. Schools of Sikkim.

Training module for the programme were prepared systematically keeping in track of the syllabus of

schools and colleges so as to benefit the participants academically. In order to encourage the keen

learners , the laboratory training manual was handed over to each participants which would help them

in their future academic journey in the field of biotechnology tool and techniques. A positive feedback

was gathered from each participants and they particularly emphasized that they have gained more

interest in the field of Biotechnology due to this hands on training as they could work individually in

such lab having advanced Biotechnological equipments.

The topics covered during the training were

Biotechnological Techniques

Molecular technique on bamboo species

Basic training on Biotechnology Techniques

Fig : SSCS&T welcomes Dr. Harsh Vhar-

dan

Fig : Visit to SBH lab by Dr. Harsh Vhar-

dan

Fig : Interaction with the staff members

of SBH

Fig : Completion of Hands on Training

on Biotechnology

Fig : Completion of Hands on Training

on Biotechnology for 2nd batch

OUTERACH PROGRAMME BY STATE BIOTECH HUB,SIKKIM

COVERING OVER TWENTY THREE GOVT. SECONDARY AND SR.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SIKKIM

State Biotech Hub (SBH) under Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology

(SSCS&T), conducted an outreach programme on Biotechnology and its application at

23 different secondary and Senior Secondary schools in all four districts of Sikkim. The

topics for the programme were selected as per the syllabus of class XI and XII of CBSE

and also highlighted the application of Biotechnology.

The topics included were

Introduction to Biotechnology

History of Biotechnology

Biotechnology and Our Environment.

Biotechnology and Organic Farming.

Principle and Processes of Biotechnology.

Enzyme Biotechnology.

Biotechnology tool for conservation of Biodiversity in Sikkim.

Application of Biotechnology in Human Health and Agriculture.

Students along with Principal and teachers attended the programme. Students

of different schools actively participated in the programme and were interactive in each

event. The students showed keen interest in the subject and also put up many ques-

tions related to biotechnology of which they were curious. Topic such as hybridization,

genetic modification and cloning made them more curious. Positive feedbacks were

received from the Principals and Teachers of respective schools.

Teachers extended their gratitude to all the staffs of SBH for conducting such

programmes as it has made the basics of Biotechnology clear to the students and it

has made them easier to conduct further classes and practical sessions. All the schools

extended their sincere thanks to State Biotech Hub and added that they are hoping to

get more of such programme in the future which they found very beneficial for the

students and also showed their interest in practical session.

Measurable Achievement of the State Bio-

tech Hub (since its inception)

Six (6) numbers of

hands-on training on molecular biology conducted for M.Sc. And B.Sc students and for Graduate and Post Graduate Students.

Biotechnology out-reach programme conducted in 23 dif-ferent secondary and Sr, Secondary school schools.

State Biotech hub assisted and facili-tate in carrying out MSc/B.Sc disserta-tion work.

Visit of Dr. Harsh Vardhan (Union min-ister, Science & Technology)

3rd review meeting of the DBT’s over-seas Associateship programme

Workshop and semi-

nar to be conducted

for M.Sc and PhD

students.

Assay Competition to

be held for College

students

Seminar to be con-

ducted on regional

language

3

Volume No. II, Sl. No. II., JUNE 2017

Fig : Outreach programme on Biotechnology at different schools

RESEARCH WORK INITIATED

State Biotech Hub Team

Dr. B.C. Basistha, Additional

Director and Coordinator

(Editor)

Shri. K.B. Subba, Assistant

Scientific Officer and Co-

coordinator

Dr. Sushen Pradhan,

Research Associate

Miss Neelam Gurung

JRF

Miss Prerna Pradhan

JRF

Miss Pratima Ghimiray

JRF

Mr. Inchung Lepcha

Laboratory Attendant

Mr. Tika Pd. Sharma

Laboratory Attendant

Volume No. II, Sl. No. II., JUNE 2017

CONTACT US:

03592-270026, 03592– 252200 (O)

Email: stcstsikkim.btisnrt@nic.in

Sl. no Title of the project Person involved

1 Molecular taxonomic profile of Rhododendron Dr. B.C. Basistha, Additional Director, SSCS&T.

2 Molecular taxonomic profile of Bamboo Dr. Sushen Pradhan, R.A, SSCS&T

SIKKIM STATE BIOTECH HUB PARTICIPATED IN POSTER PRESENTATION

COMPETITION

SBH participated for poster presentation in INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE On Contemporary Issues

in Integrating Climate- (AGROTECH-2017) at Kalimpong on 11th and 12 th April 2017. The topic for

presentation were “Elaeagnus umbellata an underutilized horticultural crop of Sikkim Hima-

laya” ,“Molecular characterization of Citrus tristeza virus in Mandarin orchards in Northeastern Hima-

layan state Sikkim” and “In-vitro study of rhizosphere bacteria with antagonistic activity against soft

rot pathogen (Pythium spp.) of ginger field in Sikkim”. The participants were the JRF’s of SBH viz.

Prerna Pradhan, Pratima Ghimiray and Neelam Gurung respectively.

SBH CONDUCTED MSC. DISSERTATION WORK FOR THE STUDENTS OF BANGALORE

UNIVERSITY

Additional Director, Biotechnology Division, (SSCS&T) along with research scholar and 3 folk healers

of Sikkim attended the programme. The conference provided a platform for interaction among Scien-

tists, experts and research scholars, traditional healers and entrepreneurs of traditional human

healthcare system. The folk healers from different States of Northeast India were felicitated and ac-

knowledged for their services during the conference. As Sikkim is considered to be one of the poten-

tial NE State for taping its rich indigenous knowledge , Sikkim State Council of Science & Technology

is working closely with the folk healers of Sikkim as part of the ongoing Department of Science &

technology, Government of India funded project entitled “Molecular and Digital Documentation of

Ethno-traditional Knowledge of Sikkim with special focus on Folk Healing for Protection of Intellectual

Property Rights.”

SIKKIM STATE COUNCIL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (SSCS&T) TOOK PART IN PAPOTHECARY-2017

Two Students from Oxford College of Science, Bangalore University, successfully completed two

months dissertation work as a part of their academic curriculum of final year on topic “Antagonistic

study of potential rhizosphere bacteria against rhizome rot disease of Zingiber officinale

Roscoe from Sikkim Himalaya” under the supervision of Dr. B.C. Basistha (Additional Director),

Dr. Sushen Pradhan (RA), and Neelam Gurung (JRF).

Fig : Poster presentation at Interna-

tional Conference Kalimpong

Fig : Participation in Papothecary-2017