The International Conference on Developments in Plant Biology and Biotechnology (ICDPBB 2025), jointly organized with the 16th Plant Sciences Colloquium, concluded successfully at the University of Hyderabad. The three-day event (January 29–31, 2025), organized by the Department of Plant Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, brought together leading scientists, researchers, and young scholars from India and abroad, fostering meaningful discussions on cutting-edge research in plant sciences and biotechnology. The conference featured a dynamic blend of plenary talks, invited lectures, oral and poster presentations, and interactive discussions, covering recent advancements in plant genomics, stress biology, photosynthesis, microbial interactions, metabolomics, and crop biotechnology.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. S. Rajagopal, Head, Department of Plant Sciences, followed by remarks from Prof. Anand K. Kondapi, Dean, School of Life Sciences. The Presidential Address was delivered by Prof. A. S. Raghavendra, INSA Senior Scientist, while the Guest-of-Honor, Prof. Appa Rao Podile, highlighted the importance of biotechnology-driven innovations in plant sciences. The conference hosted eminent plenary speakers, including Prof. Barry D. Bruce (University of Tennessee, USA) on protein transport in plastids, and Prof. Akhilesh Tyagi (University of Delhi) on rice genomics and gene function. Additionally, keynote lectures covered diverse topics, such as genetic insights into fruit traits and disease resistance by Prof. Umesh Reddy (West Virginia State University, USA), leaf shape and its evolution by Prof. Utpal Nath (IISc, Bangalore), adaptive responses to high carbon dioxide in oilseed crops by Prof. Baishnab C. Tripathy (Sharda University), and nitrogen-fixing symbiosis through an evolutionary lens (Prof. Maitrayee Das Gupta, Calcutta University). A few key scientists participated in the conference from abroad including Prof. Boris Zorin (Ben-Gurion University, Israel), Prof. Ifuku Kentaro (Kyoto University, Japan), Prof. Yamano Takashi (Kyoto University, Japan), and Prof. Antoni Planas Sauter (Barcelona, Spain).
The conference featured invited lectures, oral and poster presentations categorized into multiple sessions, including (i) Plant-Microbe Interactions and Signaling, wherein molecular mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions, CRISPR-based gene editing, and plant defense strategies were discussed; (ii) Photosynthesis and Physiology explored novel insights into chloroplast function, pyrenoid biogenesis, and stress physiology; (iii) Stress Biology addressed plant resilience to abiotic stress, including thermotolerance, drought response, and heavy metal toxicity; and (iv) Metabolomics and Interdisciplinary Research covered advancements in metabolomics, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics applications in plant sciences. The colloquium sessions allowed Ph.D. scholars to present their research, followed by BioSymphony, a cultural program featuring music, dance, and artistic performances by students of the Department.
On the third day, Prof. Ramesh Sonti (ICGEB, New Delhi) delivered the valedictory lecture on bacterial virulence mechanisms in rice, followed by prize distribution. Awards were given to the best oral and poster presentations. The Department recognized academic excellence in the M.Sc. Plant Biology and Biotechnology and M.Sc. Molecular Microbiology programs by awarding medals and certificates to students who have secured the highest rank in each semester. Also, prizes were awarded to students who won the Mahesh Award, Petri-Art competition and Cover page design contest. Altogether, ICDPBB 2025 reinforced its mission of fostering global collaborations in plant sciences. The organizing committee expressed enthusiasm for continuing this annual tradition, combining the Plant Sciences Colloquium with an international conference, to create a platform for scientific exchange, innovation, and collaborations worldwide.