The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), the Chennai-based diabetes research institution plans to conduct a two-day symposium on genomics and proteomics of diabetes, collaborating with Karolinska Institute, Sweden, on 1st and 2nd of April 2006.

The 'Indo-Swedish Symposium on Genomics and Proteomics of Diabetes' aims to bring the researchers, working on different topics related to genomics and proteomics of diabetes, together on a scientific platform to focus on current trends and needs of India. The symposium will discuss the research opportunities where Indian researchers could be competitive and lead at the international level, the methods it could be directed in future for translational research applications and the ways in which these developments could have significant benefits for the country, according to the organizers.

The program will discuss about the perception and long-term vision, the government, academia and the pharmaceutical industry should have, in terms of scientific developments in the field of genomics and proteomics in general, and of diabetes in particular.

"If genomics and proteomics strategies are correctly applied in clinical situations, they can predict and postpone the development of diabetic complications, especially the devastating vision-related diabetic retinopathy. Through the discussions, we are trying to identify where our nation stands in these rapidly developing areas of science and technology," Dr.M.Rema, Vice President, MDRF told Pharmabiz.

Four eminent scientists from the Karolinska Institute will be the international faculties for the symposium in which, experts from various institutions or the country like All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Institute of Micorbial Technology (IMTECH) etc will participate in discussions.

Along with the inaugural function, the 'Second MDRF award for Innovation and R&D' will be given to Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon Limited, informed Rema.