The eight countries that constitute the SAARC have shared histories for thousands of years and face similar aspirations as well as problems in their efforts to achieve a healthy and prosperous lifestyle for their citizens.
South Asian University (SAU) was established in 2010 through SAARC mechanisms and has given a significant and tangible boost to the prospects of Member States working together in the real sense. SAU is a unique institution of higher education and research as it is jointly established and funded by all SAARC Member States. Students and scholars at SAU come from all South Asian countries and have a very authentic mandate to work on common problems from a South Asian perspective.
In this direction the first South Asian Biotechnology Conference (SABC) held in New Delhi in 2015 was a bold initiative of the Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology (FLSB), SAU and a new experiment to bring together biotechnologists of the region on a common platform.
Later on, SABC was circulated in other SAARC countries- SABC 2016 in Dhakha, Bangladesh; SABC 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal; SABC 2018, Colombo, Srilanka; SABC 2019, New Delhi, India. There was a break in meeting due to Covid from 2020-2022. SABC was resumed in 2023 in Dhakha, Bangladesh.
The upcoming 7th SABC-2025 will be held in the beautiful permanent campus of South Asian University in New Delhi. This conference will bring together scientists, students, industry leaders and policymakers from various areas of Life sciences and Biotechnology under one roof to learn for an intensive networking and strengthening of regional collaborations in emerging areas.
South Asian Biotechnology Conference – SABC 2025
(October 29-31, 2025)
Organized by
Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology,
South Asian University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India
And
International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
Detailed Program
Day 1: Wednesday, 29th October 2025
10:00 onwards Registration and Networking
11:00 – 13:00 SAU Campus Visit
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 to 16:30 Conference Inaugural Session
Time | Speaker | Affiliation | |
14:00 | Opening Remarks | Dr. Ravi Shankar Akundi | Associate Professor, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University |
14:05 | Welcome Address | Prof. Ritu Gaur | Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University |
14:15 | Inaugural Address | Prof. Ramesh Sonti | Director, International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India |
14:45 | Keynote Address | Dr. Rajesh Gokhale | Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India |
15:15 | Distinguished Address by Guest of Honor | Dr. Krishna Ella | Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad, India |
15:45 | Presidential Address | Prof. K. K. Aggarwal | Honorable President, South Asian University, New Delhi |
16:15 | Vote of Thanks | Dr. Ananda Mustafiz | Associate Professor, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University |
16:30 – 17:30 High Tea
18:00 – 20:00 Performance by Ustad Johar Ali Khan and Troupe
(Classical Indian Violinist and Sufi Singer)
20:00 onwards Inaugural Dinner & Networking
Scientific Sessions
Day 2: Thursday, 30th October 2025
09:00 – 11:00 Session I (Infection, Immunity & AI)
Time | Speaker | Affiliation |
09:00 | Dr. Lawrence Banks (Keynote Speaker) | Director-General, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy |
09:30 | Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya | Dean, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, India |
09:50 | Dr. Pushkar Sharma | Senior Scientist VII, National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi |
10:10 | Prof. G. P. S. Raghava | Head, Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), New Delhi |
10:30 – 11:00 Tea
11:15 – 13:00 Session II (Plant & Agricultural Sciences)
Time | Speaker | Affiliation |
11:15 | Prof. Ashwani Pareek (Keynote Speaker) | Executive Director, BRIC-National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (NABI), Mohali, India |
11:45 | Prof. Anjan Banerjee | Dean (Research and Development), and Rahul Bajaj Chair Professor, School of Biology, Indian Institute of Science & Education Research (IISER), Pune |
12:10 | Prof. N. Raghuram | Head, Centre for Sustainable Nitrogen and Nutrient Management, Indraprastha University, Delhi |
12:30 | Prof. Dhruva Prasad Gauchan | Head, Department of Biotechnology, School of Science, Kathmandu University, Nepal |
12:45 | Dr. Tahmina Islam | Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh |
13:30 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Poster Session
15:00 – 16:30 Session III (Industrial & Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Time | Speaker | Affiliation |
15:00 | Dr. Umesh Shaligram (Keynote Speaker) | Executive Director R&D, Serum Institute of India, Pune, India |
15:30 | Dr. Shams Yazdani | Group Leader, Microbial Engineering, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi |
15:50 | Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal | Secretary, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Lalitpur, Nepal |
16:10 – 17:00 High Tea
17:00 – 18:00 Plenary Session – Presided by Prof. K. K. Aggarwal, Honorable President, South Asian University, New Delhi
Plenary Speaker – Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, India
19:00 onwards Conference Dinner & Networking
Day 3: Friday, 31st October 2025
09:00 – 11:00 Session IV (Microbes, Climate & Health)
Time | Speaker | Affiliation |
09:00 | Prof. Haseena Khan | Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
09:20 | Prof. Anjana Singh | Professor, Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal |
09:40 | Dr. Damber Nirola | Consultant Psychiatrist, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan |
10:00 | Dr. Achyut Adhikari | Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Nepal |
10:20 | Dr. Om Katel | College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Bhutan |
10:40 – 11:30 Tea
11:30 – 12:30 Oral Presentations (Young Investigators)
12:30 – 13:00 Sponsor’s Talk
13:00 – 13:30 Valedictory Function (Conference Ends)
13:30 – 15:00 Lunch
14:00 onwards Workshop – Gene Expression Analysis and RT-PCR (for selected participants only)
15:00 – 16:30 Panel Discussion (Enhancing Collaborations in the SAARC region)- Selected Delegates
Day 4: Saturday, 1st November 2025
9:00 am – 18:00 Workshop – Gene Expression Analysis and RT-PCR (for selected participants only)
Speakers
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale
Secretary
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), New Delhi, India
Dr. Ramesh Sonti
Director
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
Dr. Lawrence Banks
Director-General
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya
Dean
Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, India
Dr. Pushkar Sharma
National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi, India
Dr. Ashwani Pareek
Executive Director
BRIC-National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (NABI), Mohali, India
Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin
Director
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, India
Dr. Haseena Khan
Fellow, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences
Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal
Secretary
Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Lalitpur, Nepal
Dr. Damber Nirola
Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
Dr. Krishna Ella
Co-founder and Executive Chairman Bharat Biotech Ltd., Hyderabad, India
Prof. G. P. S. Raghava
Head, Department of Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), New Delhi, India
Prof. Anjan Banerjee
Dean (Research and Development), and Rahul Bajaj Chair Professor, Indian Institute of Science & Education Research (IISER), Pune, India
Dr. Umesh Shaligram
Executive Director R&D, Serum Institute of India, Pune, India
Dr. Syed Shams Yazdani
Group Leader, Microbial Engineering, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India
Abstract Guidelines
- All abstracts must be submitted in English.
- Each abstract should not exceed 300 words.
- Abstracts should indicate new work from the lab.
- The following structure must be followed when submitting an abstract:
- Title
- Authors and Affiliation (The presenting author must be underlined)
- Short Introduction
- Brief Methods
- Results
- Conclusions
- No Figures/tables or special characters are not allowed in the abstract.
Abstracts can be presented either in poster or oral format. Following submission, the organizing committee will confirm the mode of presentation. Due to limited session time, only few abstracts shall be selected for oral mode and the decision of the organizing committee shall be final on this.
Please submit your abstracts along with registration in the registration form.
South Asian Biotechnology Conference- SABC- 2025 will be held in the beautiful campus of South Asian University in Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.
Conference Venue
Life Sciences and Earth Sciences Building
South Asian University,
Rajpur Road, Maidan Garhi,
New Delhi-110068
Limited accommodation on payment basis will be available at the South Asian University Guest House in the campus.
Guest House Tariffs
- Room with double Bed (Single occupancy) – ₹1500/night
- Room with double Bed (Twin-sharing) – ₹1000/person/night
All participants are requested to register at the following link.
Register here
| Registration Type | Fee | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Early bird registration: | $50 or INR 5000 | Until July 31, 2025 |
| Regular registration: | $60 or INR 6000 | Until Aug 20, 2025 |
| Late registration: | $80 or INR 8000 | Until Oct 15, 2025 |
| For Industry Delegates: | $100 or INR 10,000 |
For queries, contact sabc2025@sau.int
Hands on training in gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR and Western blotting
Gene expression analysis is crucial for understanding biological processes at the molecular level. Its significance lies in providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of disease progression, stress physiology, therapeutic response, and developmental biology.
The most widely used techniques for exploring gene expression at the mRNA and protein levels are Real-time PCR/qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. In South Asia, most molecular biology laboratories are now equipped to perform both these techniques, making training in these methods very beneficial.
In this workshop, we plan to provide comprehensive hands-on training on qRT-PCR and Western blotting to selected young researchers. Our goal is to address the nuances of these techniques, such as experimental design, selection of the correct housekeeping gene, and overall practical training. We believe that this training will greatly benefit young research scholars, including faculty and PhD students.
7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference – 2025
Advancing Health, Environment and Agriculture in South Asia
Organised by
Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, South Asian University
29th October 2025 (Day 1)
The 7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference, organised by the Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, SAU, and ICGEB, was inaugurated today on the theme “Advancing Health, Environment and Agriculture in South Asia.”
The inaugural session began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Ravi Akundi, Associate Professor, FLSB, SAU, who introduced the conference and outlined the agenda for the sessions ahead. Prof. Ritu Gaur, Dean, FLSB, SAU, welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
A Special Address was delivered by Dr. Lawrence Banks, Director-General, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy, who emphasised the importance of collaboration in scientific progress and highlighted key initiatives of ICGEB. Dr. Krishna Ella, Executive Chairman, Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad, shared insights into vaccine development and innovation in South Asia and Africa, urging young researchers to focus on solving societal problems rather than chasing monetary gains.
The Inaugural Address was delivered by Prof. Ramesh Sonti, Director, ICGEB, New Delhi, who underlined the growing global challenge of food security and discussed modern biotechnological tools such as marker-assisted selection, mutation breeding, genome editing, and transgenics as essential for sustainable agriculture.
The Keynote Address by Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, highlighted India’s remarkable journey from the challenges of the 1943 famine to becoming a global leader in millet and rice production. He spoke about the transition from the mechanisation and electrification of agriculture to the current era of digitisation, foreseeing a future led by biologisation—where bio-manufacturing will drive the next phase of progress.
In his Presidential Address, Prof. K. K. Aggarwal, Hon’ble President, SAU, congratulated the organisers for putting together an excellent academic platform and thanked the distinguished guests for their participation.
The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Dr. Ananda Mustafiz, Associate Professor, FLSB, SAU.
As part of the 7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference, South Asian University hosted a Mystical Musical Evening featuring Ustad Johar Ali Khan and his troupe. The performance beautifully blended the elegance of classical violin with the serenity of Sufi music, creating a truly captivating experience for the audience.
The event, coordinated by the Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, offered participants and guests a refreshing cultural interlude, celebrating the harmony between science and art.
30th October 2025 (Day 2)
Day two of the 7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference featured a series of insightful scientific sessions and thought-provoking discussions across key areas of biotechnology. The day began with a session on Infection and Immunity, chaired by Prof. Senthil Venugopal and Prof. Dinesh Kumar from SAU. Eminent speakers including Dr. Lawrence Banks (Director-General, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy), Dr. Debasisa Mohanty (Director, BRIC-NII), Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya (Dean, THSTI, Faridabad), and Dr. Pushkar Sharma (Senior Scientist VII, BRIC-NII) presented their research on viral infections, malignancy, and AI/ML guided computational analysis for deciphering complex immune recognition processes.
A session on Plant and Agricultural Sciences, co-chaired by Dr. Ananda Mustafiz (FLSB, SAU) and Dr. Sneh L. Singla-Pareek (ICGEB), brought together Prof. Ashwani Pareek (Executive Director, BRIC-NABI, Mohali), Prof. Anjan Banerjee (Dean – R&D, IISER Pune), Prof. N. Raghuram (GGSIPU, Delhi), Prof. Dhruva Prasad Gauchan (Kathmandu University, Nepal), and Dr. Tahmina Islam (University of Dhaka, Bangladesh), who spoke on enabling sustainable crop improvement, nutrient efficiency, and genome editing in plants. Further sessions on Industrial and Pharmaceutical Sciences, chaired by Prof. Ritu Gaur and Dr. A. K. R. Gobinath (FLSB, SAU), included talks by Dr. Shirshendu Mukherjee (Wadhwani Innovation Network), Dr. Shams Yazdani (ICGEB, New Delhi), and Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal (NAST, Nepal), focusing on environment for a Resilient World, Converting Agri-waste into renewable fuels and chemicals, and sustainable development.
The day also witnessed over 40 oral and poster presentations by researchers and scholars from across South Asia, showcasing innovative ideas and ongoing research in diverse fields of life sciences and biotechnology.
The 7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference at South Asian University (SAU) featured an enlightening Plenary Session presided over by Prof. K. K. Aggarwal, Honourable President, South Asian University.
The highlight of the session was a thought-provoking lecture by Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), New Delhi, on “Precision Medicine for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)”. Dr. Sarin elaborated on how precision medicine is transforming the landscape of liver disease management by integrating genomics, diagnostics, and targeted therapies. His talk emphasized the urgent need for collaborative research and innovation in addressing metabolic and lifestyle-related disorders across South Asia.
The session brought together distinguished scientists, faculty members, and young researchers, sparking engaging discussions on the role of personalized medicine in improving public health outcomes. This plenary marked one of the key highlights of the conference, reaffirming SAU’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and fostering meaningful regional collaboration in life sciences.
31st October 2025 (Day 3)
The final day of the 7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference witnessed a rich exchange of ideas and interdisciplinary discussions on the intersection of microbes, climate, and health. Sharing the glimpse of the session chaired by Dr. Rinkoo D. Gupta and Dr. Yuba Raj Pokharel (FLSB, SAU), featuring distinguished speakers from across South Asia. Prof. Anjana Singh (Tribhuvan University, Nepal) presented her research on Bacteroides fragilis and carbapenem resistance in surgical site infections in Eastern Nepal. Dr. Damber Nirola (Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan) shared findings from a smartphone-based EEG study in Bhutan. Dr. Achyut Adhikari (Tribhuvan University, Nepal) explored medicinal plants as sources of bioactive drug leads, while Dr. Om Katel (Royal University of Bhutan) discussed the role of biotechnology in developing smart and sustainable cities, highlighting the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.
The 7th South Asian Biotechnology Conference came to a successful close with a grand finale that showcased the region’s brightest minds in biotechnology. The event’s final day featured a session of oral presentations (Flash Talks) chaired by Dr. Sumit Kumar and Dr. Sonam Dhamija, where young researchers presented their cutting-edge research in life sciences and biotechnology.
The Valedictory Session and Award Ceremony followed, recognizing outstanding research and participation. Each winner received a cash prize of ₹5,000 and a certificate. The proud winners were:
Best Poster Presentations:
– Dr. Yogavel Manickam, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
– Ms. Arushi Jain, South Asian University
– Ms. Zohra Hashmi, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute
Best Oral Presentations:
– Dr. Rakhi, South Asian University
– Dr. Bodhana Dhole, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
– Dr. Monika Singh, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
Congratulations to all the award winners and participants!
The conference proved to be a platform for fostering new collaborations and inspiring dialogue on advancing biotechnology in the region.
