The Chloroplast Bioenergetics workshop, conducted on January 4-10th, 2024, aimed to shed light on the pivotal role of chloroplasts in the sustenance of life with emphasis on the significance of photosynthesis. This workshop was organized by Professor and HoD Rajagopal Subramanyam, a renowned name in the field of chloroplast bioenergetics. This workshop was financially supported by the Institute of Eminence (IOE) and the SERB-CRG grant. For the inauguration of the workshop, Prof. Appa Rao Podile (former Vice Chancellor of UoH), the Dean, Prof. Anand Kondapi, Prof. G. Padmaja and the Head of the Department of Plant Sciences, Prof. Rajagopal Subramanyam, joined along with the School of Life Science faculty colleagues. Eminent scientists and students from various regions, both within and outside India, converged to participate in the workshop, creating a dynamic platform for exchanging knowledge and hands-on training in crucial techniques.
Significance of the Workshop: The workshop focused on sharing knowledge with young researchers in India and abroad, making sure they learned the latest information in both practical and theoretical aspects of chloroplast bioenergetics. The goal was to help students understand the details of the methods by providing hands-on experience. This approach intended to prepare participants with the skills they need for their future research in chloroplast bioenergetics, ensuring a more meaningful and lasting impact on their research careers.
Participants and Keynote Lectures: The workshop attracted participants from various corners of India, creating a diverse learning environment. The Keynote lecture was delivered by renowned scientist Prof. Jian-Ren Shen, Okayama University, Japan, on the topic of “Photosystem II structure: evolution”. Students gained valuable insights into cutting-edge research from his work. Prominent Indian scientists like Prof. B.C. Tripathy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Prof. A.S. Raghavendra (UoH), Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, IICT, Hyderabad, Prof. A.R.Reddy (UoH), Prof. Anjana Jajoo, DVVU, Indore, Prof. Jos Puthur, Calicut University, Kerala, Dr. Dinakar Challabathula, Tamil Nadu Central University and Prof. Rajagopal Subramanyam gave lectures encompassing the entire spectrum of chloroplast bioenergetics covering topics from its evolution, organization and physiology. Prof. Gyozo Garab of the Biological Research Center, Hungary, delivered a fascinating talk on chloroplast structure and dynamics, which engaged the participants. At the end of the day, Prof. Appa Rao Podile, Prof. A.S. Raghavendra, and Prof. G. Padmaja joined for the valedictory function and distributed the certificates to the participants.
Networking Opportunities: One of the highlights of the workshop was the opportunity for students to interact with renowned scientists who are experts in their fields. This networking opportunity allowed students to establish connections, seek guidance, and potentially collaborate with top scientists in the chloroplast bioenergetics domain.
Hands-on Training by Prof. S Rajagopal’s Lab: Prof. S Rajagopal’s lab members led the workshop’s practical aspects. His team provided participants with in-depth training, elucidating the intricate workings of the techniques employed in their research. The techniques taught covered all aspects of chloroplast research, starting from the isolation of thylakoids followed by supercomplexes separation by BN-PAGE, its biophysical characterization using Handy PEA, IRGA, Circular Dichroism, Low-Temperature Fluorescence, and pigment quantification using HPLC. The last days of the workshop addressed molecular biology techniques like cloning, transformation, electroporation, etc. This hands-on experience covering the entire genre of research techniques proved immensely beneficial for the students, offering a practical understanding of the concepts and methodologies discussed in lectures.
Conclusion: The Chloroplast Bioenergetics workshop comprehensively explored chloroplasts’ vital role in life processes. The combination of keynote lectures, hands-on training, and networking opportunities made it a valuable experience for participants. The workshop stood out because it aimed to connect what students learn in theory with how they can use it in real-life situations. The dissemination of this knowledge is crucial for fostering the growth of young researchers, ensuring a promising future for chloroplast bioenergetics research in India. The feedback from the participants was positive and encouraging, with most of them requesting an advanced course in “Chloroplast Bioenergetics”.