Meeting Report
SIRCON 2018: Conference report
A report on the conference of the Society of Inflammation Research- SIRCON 2018 held at API Bhavan, Bengaluru, on 19th August 2018.
IJIR. 2018;2(1):MR2 DOI: 10.15305/ijir/v2i1/277
Published: 4 September 2018
© IJIR
The second day of the SIRCON 2018 conference brought together eminent researchers from various part of the country. It also served as a stage for further cooperation and networking among clinicians and basic scientists. The researchers shared their ideas and thoughts through brainstorming discussions and presentations.
Inauguration
The official inauguration ceremony of SIRCON 2018 was conducted by lighting the lamp. In the inaugural speech, the president, Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Director, Uveitis & Ocular Pathology Department, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, highlighted that collaboration is the key to research. While addressing the gathering, Dr. Renukaradhya J. Gourapura, Professor, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio University, USA, the chief guest of the conference reported that it is a major milestone to bring both clinicians and basic scientists under one roof. Dr. Ramnath Misra, Dean, Professor and Head, Department of Clinical Immunology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, guest of honor of the conference, released the conference book. Inauguration ceremony was concluded by the vote of thanks given by Dr. Padmamalini Mahendradas, HOD, Uveitis and Ocular Immunology, Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru.
Session 1
The opening lecture by Dr. Amit Awasthi, Associate Professor, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Faridabad briefed the checks and balance in inflammation, and the underlying pathology of autoimmunity and autoinflammation. Dr. Dipankar Nandi, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, IISc, Bengaluru explained the factors involved in sepsis and the role of nitric oxide during sepsis based on the study conducted using mice model of infection -induced sepsis in Salmonella Typhimurium. Subsequent lecture by Dr. Dipyaman Ganguly reported that TLR9 activation and the induction of type IIFNs have been linked to insulin resistance, adipose tissue inflammation and hepatosteatosis.
Oration lecture
The oration by Dr. Renukaradhya concluded swine as an ideal animal model system to conduct preclinical intranasal flu vaccine trials and the potential of vaccination strategy in mitigating inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Session 2
This session dealt with a debate on ‘Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus- Is it an inflammatory disease?’. Dr. Pramila Kalra, Endocrinologist, M. S. Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru, discussed several evidence substantiating diabetes as an inflammatory disease. Dr. Lily Rodrigues, General Physician, Suraksha Multi-Specialty and Diabetes Hospitals, Hyderabad, debated against the categorization of diabetes mellitus as an inflammatory disease. Moreover, she highlighted that most of the anti-inflammatory trials are underpowered.
Session 3
This session witnessed a hot debate on the topic ‘current strategies in managing autoimmune disease need a revision’. Dr. Chandrashekara S, Medical Director, ChanRe Rheumatology and Immunology Center & Research, Bengaluru, underscored the need of novel strategies for managing the disease, while Dr. Ramnath Misra, contradicted the need for changes in current therapeutic interventions. Dr. Chandrashekara won the debate with majority votes from audience.
Session 4
The session 4 was mainly focused on oral presentations by young researchers. Scientists from various institutes presented their research findings and the experts have given their guidance on way forward on the research and modifications required. The following abstracts were presented during the session.
Session 5
Dr. Nagasuma Chandra, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, IISc, Bengaluru, detailed how they developed a computational pipeline for profiling the underlying networks in chronic inflammation. This was mainly intended to identify blood-based biomarker signatures for profiling chronic inflammation. Subsequent oration by Dr. M. S. Ramakrishnan, Vice President, Biologics Drug Development, Biocon Research Centre, Bengaluru, discussed newer drugs available in market and in pipeline for the management of inflammation. Dr. Shridhara. B. S, Joint Director, Dept. of AYUSH, Govt. of Karnataka reported the perception of inflammation in the field of Ayurveda.
Closing remarks
Dr. Biswas conveyed his gratitude to all participants, particularly session moderators and presenters. He also congratulated the delegates on the extensive networking that had taken place, which he hoped would continue going forward.