Amity Institute of Virology & Immunology (AIVI), Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida along with Indian Immunology Society celebrated the International Day of Immunology on May 05, 2022 by organising an awareness lectures series to take immunology to the grassroots by igniting the young budding minds from schools and colleges of Delhi-NCR.
The speakers included renowned immunologists of India, Prof. (Dr.) N.K. Mehra, Honorary Emeritus Scientist, ICMR, formerly Dean-Academics, AIIMS and National Chair, AIIMS; Prof. (Dr.) Sudhanshu Vrati, Executive Director, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad and Prof. (Dr.) Amit Awasthi, Professor, Translational Health Sciences Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad.
Prof. Narayan Rishi, Advisor, AIVI welcomed the gathering and Prof. B.C. Das, Vice President, Amity Science Technology & Innovation Foundation, inaugurated the proceedings by highlighting the growing importance of immunotherapy in the treatment of many diseases. Dr. Amit Awasthi spoke about the various T-cells and their subsets which play an important role modulating immunity and whose dysfunction causes autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE etc.
Dr. Vrati spoke about the importance of vaccines in fighting infections by taking the audience through the journey of developing the Indian rotavirus vaccine, a major success story in Indian science that took the concept of ‘bench to bedside’ to a new level. The rotaviral vaccine development was a watershed event in the field of Indian immunology since it was the first time such an effort was undertaken, and it laid the foundations to make India a global vaccine producer.
Prof. Mehra took the budding minds through the challenges, development, and implementation of Covid-19 vaccines. He also detailed the history of coronaviruses and pandemics in general, detailing how only a collective approach from all stakeholders will allow us to overcome the threats posed by emerging pathogens. All speakers highlighted the importance of immunological advancements that helped the world overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Devinder Toor, Assistant Professor, AIVI, Organizing Secretary concluded the event by delivering the vote of thanks. The meeting was attended by more than 150 students in hybrid mode.