MAHENDERGARH, 17.06.25-The Central University of Haryana (CUH), Mahendergarh under the guidance of its esteemed leadership, inaugurated a three-day hands-on workshop on Precision Genome Editing for Crop Improvement. Hosted by the Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with the Research and Development (R&D) Cell, this workshop is running until June 18, 2025, and aims to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge in the rapidly advancing field of genome editing.
The event kicked off with the warm support of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, and Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Pawan Kumar Sharma. Their dedication to advancing biotechnology research and fostering a culture of innovation at the university made this event possible. Their leadership continues to inspire cutting-edge scientific research that has global implications in various domains, including agriculture, which remains a key area of focus.
Prof. Neelam Sangwan, a distinguished figure in the field of biotechnology, was the chief guest for the inauguration. In her inaugural address, Prof. Sangwan emphasized the pivotal role of genome editing technologies in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. She highlighted the potential of these technologies to revolutionize crop breeding, enabling scientists to create crops that are more resilient to environmental stress, resistant to pests, and capable of providing improved nutritional value. Her insightful speech set the stage for the intensive learning sessions that followed.
The first technical session was delivered by Prof. Rupesh Deshmukh, a renowned expert in genetic engineering. His talk on Multiplex Genome Editing captivated the participants, providing them with an in-depth understanding of the advanced techniques in genome editing. Prof. Deshmukh’s discussion included CRISPR/Cas9-based systems and other emerging gene-editing technologies, demonstrating their vast potential in improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. His comprehensive presentation allowed the students to appreciate the scope of multiplex editing in crop improvement. The workshop began with a lively and engaging introduction by anchor Geetanjali Joshi, who set the tone for the proceedings, introducing the expert speakers and providing an overview of the topics to be covered. The workshop attracted nearly 40 students from various educational backgrounds in biotechnology.
After a short break, the workshop resumed with focused sessions led by research scholars Badal Mahakalkar, Pawan Kumar, and Ms. Pragati Singh. These sessions delved deeper into the technical aspects of gRNA design, vector selection, and media preparation, all crucial for effective genome editing. The scholars provided participants with essential tools and strategies to design and execute genome editing experiments successfully.
In the afternoon, Dr. Sreeja S. S. took the stage for an in-depth tutorial on In Silico Construct Preparation using the widely used software SnapGene. Dr. Sreeja’s session highlighted the importance of computational tools in designing custom genetic constructs, allowing participants to learn how to visualize and plan their genome editing projects with precision. The program was made possible by the meticulous efforts of Akash Maurya and Ashutosh Verma, who handled all the logistical arrangements for the workshop. Their dedication ensured the smooth running of the event, contributing to the overall success of the program.