A two-day national conference, the Amrita Pharmaceutical Conference (APC 2014) on the topic Infectious Diseases- A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective, was organized by the departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacology at the Amrita School of Pharmacy from August 29-30, 2014. The national conference was co-sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), as well as the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). Apart from the financial assistance received from Center and State, the hosts were beneficiaries of the support from Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India, Coconut Development Board and other industries.

Dr. Bijoy Kundu, Chief Scientist, Medicinal and Process Chemistry Division, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow inaugurated APC 2014. The conference aimed to provide a platform, highlighted the role of chemistry for researchers, scientists and students and motivated them to exchange and share new ideas on emerging trends.

The proceedings started with a welcome address by Dr. Sabitha M., Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy followed by a keynote address stressing the relevance of topic in today’s scenario by Dr. Shantikumar V. Nair, Dean of Research, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Felicitations were offered by Dr. Sapna Shrikumar, President, APTI- Kerala State and Principal, Moulana College of Pharmacy, Malappuram and Dr. Sanjeev K. Singh, Medical Superintendent, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.

The conference included informative scientific lectures by eminent faculty. Dr. Bijoy Kundu spoke on the topic Drug Discovery: The Search for a Needle in Haystack. Dr. Debashis Mitra, Dean of Research, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, elaborated on the topic of Anti HIV Drug Discovery: Past, Present and Future. Dr. Asoke Banerji, Distinguished Professor, Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri shed light on the topic: Changing Scenario of Natural Product Research.

Delegates from 25 pharmacy colleges participated in the event with about two dozen posters being presented.The conference was also interactive with brainstorming sessions led by Prof. Dr. D. Sriram and Dr. P. Yogeeswari, Professors at the Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science- Pilani, Hyderabad Campus on the topic Retrosynthesis as well as senior scientists from CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute TamilNadu, Dr. Vasudevan D. and Mr. S. Radhakrishnan on the topic Structural Elucidation of Organic Compounds.

The two-day event concluded with valedictory function chaired by Dr. K. Krishnakumar, Principal, St.James College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chalakudy. The participation certificates and cash awards for the three best posters were awarded to the winners by Dr. K. Krishnakumar.

August 30, 2014
School of Pharmacy, Kochi

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Amrita Pharmaceutical Conference 2014 – (APC 2014)