A great initiative to educate youth about microfluidic-based cancer diagnosis and treatment

Networking opportunities provided during the event enabled students to establish connections with professionals, potentially leading to internships, research collaborations, and career opportunities. Ultimately, these initiatives will contribute to advancement of knowledge and developing solutions to pressing societal challenges

In India, a transformative era is underway across sectors, particularly in education. The emphasis is shifting from the concept of merely obtaining a degree to fostering huge competence levels, nay skilling up. With a significant young population, especially students, it is imperative that they are provided access to resources that promote research and interdisciplinary learning. This empowerment should be considered a fundamental right, as it will help nurture competent, productive and scientifically inclined youth so very crucial for global progress.

The School of Biosciences and Bioengineering at DY Patil International University (DYPIU) recently hosted an international symposium on ‘Microfluidics and Healthcare Engineering’.

Coordinated by Dr. Surabhi Sonam and Dr. Sumit Kumar, the two-day event was endeavoured to facilitate insightful discussions by scientists from coveted institutes like IITs, NITs and NIPER, and researchers from City University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The keynote address of Prof. Lim Chwee Teck from NUS saw the gathering of young minds in complete awe at the erudition and the motivational presentation. Students were left inspired by the works he presented on microfluidic-based cancer diagnosis and personalised cancer treatment.

Dr. Bidhan Pramanick of IIT Goa presented his work to develop a multi-disease detection CD-based microfluidic implement, specifically to aid rural populations. Dr. Kiran Raj M, of IIT Madras, spoke about the implementation of droplet microfluidics for disease detection, inspired by natural systems like lotus leaves.

Prof. Debjani Paul of IIT Bombay delved deep into the innovative work being carried out in her lab like the development of Radial Pillar Device (RAPID) among other devices. Dr. Ravi Kumar Arjun of IIT Jammu covered the vast array of microfluidic approaches used for contemporary healthcare applications like disease diagnosis and drug testing, among others.

Prof. Suman Chakraborty of IIT Kharagpur stressed that affordable and efficient healthcare accessibility should reach the less privileged across the country and shared about the numerous ingenious microfluidic-based techniques being worked on, in his lab.

Dr. Amit Asthana of NIPER, Hyderabad, spoke about affordable and reliable diagnostic methods for mineral oil detection in milk and early detection of pregnancy in cattle.

Dr. Khoo Bee Luan from the City University of Hong Kong presented her group's work in developing a highly efficient microfluidic device for detecting, prognosis, and characterisation of cancer and understanding its heterogeneity among those affected. Dr. Somnath Santra of NIT Silchar explained the nuances of the study undertaken to understand movement of red blood cells through blood vessels.

All told, the symposium was a treasure of knowledge for students and attendees aspiring to gauge the boundless potential of microfluidics and contribute to healthcare, moving ahead.

These events are driven by a shared vision to bridge the gap between academia and the Indian healthcare industry, fostering a culture of innovation and problem solving. Ultimately, these initiatives not only enrich students' academic experiences but also contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the development of solutions to pressing societal challenges.

Such initiatives serve as a catalyst for motivating students, particularly in interdisciplinary fields, nurturing a future generation of researchers. This emphasis on fostering curiosity and innovation is paramount for India's continued advancement on the global stage.

(The writers are students of B Tech Bioengineering at DYPIU, Akurdi, Pune)