By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 7: Some of India’s most respected voices in genomics, biostatistics, and epidemiology came together for the four-day-long ‘Workshop on Methods of Dissection of Risk of a Complex Disease’, from July 2 to 5, which served as an interdisciplinary platform for early-career researchers and medical professionals from across the Northeastern region.
This initiative was conducted by NEIGRIHMS in collaboration with Sun Pharma Science Foundation and held under the patronage of Institute’s Director Prof Nalin Mehta.
In his welcome address, Director Mehta emphasised the importance of methods for identifying, quantifying, and understanding the various factors that contribute to these complex diseases.
He further added that such workshop would help clinicians get insights into genetic predisposition, environmental influences, lifestyle factors, and their interactions in causing these diseases. He also lauded the efforts from Prof (Dr) Vandana Raphael, Dean Research and Head, Department of Pathology, and Dr Shikha Thakur, Additional Professor and In-Charge Head, Department of Dermatology & STD, who spearheaded the organisation of the workshop.
The event featured a distinguished panel of speakers whose expertise shaped the learning environment into an engaging, inquiry-driven experience.
The workshop commenced with an introductory keynote by Prof. Narendra Kumar Arora, Executive Director of The INCLEN Trust, whose address contextualized the importance of multifactorial risk dissection in modern public health strategy.
Eminent geneticist Prof Partha Majumder from John C Martin Centre for Liver Research and Innovation and Indian Statistical Institute led key sessions on probability theory, genetic risk architecture, and statistical modelling in disease association studies.
Dr Ankita Chatterjee, from the same institute, delivered incisive sessions on the technical and analytical nuances of DNA microarrays, whole-exome, and whole-genome sequencing. Prof Sharmila Sengupta, representing the Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute, offered deep insights into the application of host genomics in onco-virology and epigenomics. Prof Raghunath Chatterjee, Indian Statistical Institute, guided participants through advanced analytical tools and post-genomic functional interpretation.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory session acknowledging the commitment of all contributors and the promising potential of genomic and environmental research in reshaping the future of complex disease management in India’s diverse populations.