A National Conference on Emerging Trends in Non Communicable Diseases: Road to Prevention and Cure was organized by the School of Biosciences on the 17th of November 2018. The objective of this conference organized by the School of Biosciences was to discuss public health issues associated with non communicable disease such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity etc. and their emerging trends, pathology, mechanisms and drug development.

It was a platform where students could meet distinguished scientists, scholars and students interested in research to reflect on the current trends as well as future prospects in basic and applied research on NCDs. Professor Daman Saluja, Director of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, Delhi University was the Chief Guest, and Dr. Vishwajeet Rohil from Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, Delhi were the Guest of Honor of the Inaugural ceremony.

Dr. Sunita Kanswal served as the Master of Ceremony and the Conference Anchor. At the beginning of the conference invited guests accompanied by Dr. Sapna Rakesh, Director-IMS University Courses Campus, and Dr. Abha Vashistha, Program Chairperson and Conference Convener offered flowers to Goddess Saraswati in a traditional custom. Dr. Sapna Rakesh, and Dr. Abha Vashistha welcomed the guests with plant saplings. Dr. Sapna Rakesh addressed the delegates. She emphasized on the role of Science and Technology in modern life and entreated everyone to use science towards the betterment of human life. Guest of Honor, Dr. Vishwajeet Rohil in his address discussed a brief history and introduction of Non Communicable Diseases. He also raised awareness about the various ways in which the NCDs can be prevented.

Chief Guest Professor Daman Saluja in her keynote address presented a research program of her own laboratory and the development of the Beacon PCR technology for leukemia diagnosis. Dr Abha Vashistha proposed a formal vote of thanks, all the guests and delegates were invited for a high tea. The technical session 1 began at 12.30 PM. Dr. Amit Kr. Singh, Assistant professor, Department of Biotechnology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, was the chairperson for this session and Mr. Akshansh Kumar, student B.Sc. Biotechnology I year, IMSUC served as a reportier.

The first invited speaker of the session, Dr. Piyush Jain, Physician & Incharge, Non-Communicable Diseases Clinic, Agra, Government Hospital, Agra UP Department of Health and Family Welfare, U.P Government spoke on "NCD - Global Epidemic and Need of Urgent Cumulative Action".
Dr. R. Suresh Kumar, Scientist D, Molecular Genetics Lab,National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Indian Council of Medical Research,Department of Health Research (Govt. of India) Noida spoke on "Epigenetics in Cancer" where he described to the audience how genes can affect the development of cancer
Dr Vinod Kumar, Scientist, Department of Biochemistry, AIIMS, New Delhi gave a talk on "Molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction by soyisoflavone in breast cancer cells"
At 2.30 the guests and the delegates were invited for a networking lunch. The second session began at 3.30 and chaired by Dr. Rishi Gupta, Director, S.V Instrument Analytica Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon .The reportier of the session was Mr. Sameer Hussain of B.Sc. II year (Microbiology), IMSUC.

The first speaker of this session was Dr. Ujjawal Sharma, Research Scientist from School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh who presented his work entitled: "Plausible role of alkaline phosphatase in renal cell carcinoma tumorigenesis: a new role explored"
Dr. Ashok Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology,Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research,(PGIMER), Chandigarh spoke about his research on "Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Kidney Disease"
Dr. Dhruv Kumar, Assistant Professor, Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research,(AIMMSCR),Amity University, Noida, presented his study entitled "Understanding the role of tumor microenvironment in Head and Neck cancer metabolism"
Dr. Jitender Gairola, Research Scientist, School of Public Health, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, presented his work on "The science of Ischemic stroke disease: Involvement of molecular pathways and potential therapeutic imperative."

Dr. Abha Vashistha and Dr. Umesh Kumar, welcomed the speakers and the chairpersons with saplings and felicitated with mementos after their respective speeches. The two technical sessions were highly productive where scientists invited from different parts of the country interacted in scientific discussions during the sessions and raised awareness about new advances in Biology about NCDs. The conference registered participants from 30 universities, institutes and colleges from the country. Selected delegates displayed their posters in the gallery. Dr. Jitender Gairola and Dr. Ashok Yadav served as judges for the poster competition. Posters were evaluated for relevance, content organization, presentation and knowledge for first, second and third positions in research and review categories. In addition, two appreciation awards were given as an encouragement gesture.

All the winners were felicitated with trophies during the valedictory session by Dr. Abha Vashistha, program chairperson and Dr. Umesh Kumar, organizing secretary. Dr Sapna Rakesh congratulated the winners. The event was concluded at 5.30 P.M. with a vote of thanks from Dr. Umesh Kumar followed by a high tea session where everyone got an opportunity to indulge in scientific discussions. The conference was a highly successful and well planned event where students and budding scientists interacted with eminent scientists from different parts of the country opening up new possibilities of collaborations and associations with IMSUC fraternity.