A summer school on `Modeling and Informatics in Drug Design' at National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), S A S Nagar, Mohali was inaugurated by Indian Institute of Science Eduction and Research (IISER), Mohali, director Prof. N Sathyamurthy on June 30.
During his inaugural lecture, he discussed the importance of molecular modeling and informatics in drug discovery and lead optimization. This programme will be helpful for meeting the needs of pharmaceutical research in academic as well as the industrial set up, he added. He also delivered the keynote lecture on 'Non Covalent Interactions' during the occasion and explained the importance of non-covalent interactions and how they may be estimated using computational methods. The chief guest appreciated the efforts of Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) in promoting the spread of basic science through a series of focused summer schools.
Prof. P Rama Rao, director, NIPER welcomed the guests and introduced the background of the topic and its relevance in contemporary era of science. Prof. P V Bharatam, coordinator of the summer school elaborated on the structure of the school in which 60 per cent importance is given to the hands-on session, introduced the summer school, and presented the scientific programme. Prof K K Bhutani, Dean, NIPER proposed the vote of thanks.
The summer school is being conducted from June 30 to July 18, 2008 and is a part of NIPER's endeavor in reaching out to the pharma fraternity through its continuing education programmes. On the topic related to Modeling and Informatics in Drug Design, NIPER has already conducted six workshops. SERC of Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi is sponsoring this programme.
SERC has been supporting such summer schools in various scientific disciplines for more than 25 years. During the school, the participants would get maximum exposure to hands-on training and to the available tools of the trade. This Summer School is a thorough and extensive course designed only to the Ph. D. students. All the participants are aware of one or two technical facets associated with modeling but a comprehensive understanding of the topic is required, which shall be provided by this summer school.
The main highlights of the school include several lectures presented by 30 resource persons drawn from the industries, national research laboratories and academic institutions. Scientific programme will also consist of demonstrations and practical training on the personal computers, which will help the participants in continuing the modeling work. Several state-of-the-art technologies are included during training. A few freeware were also included such that participants with limited facilities can also continue working after returning to their own places. About 70 participants are attending the school. Only Ph.D. students with minimum of one-year experience and maximum of three years experience have been selected for the summer school programme. These participants are expected to take up leadership positions in future in the field of Modeling and Informatics in Drug Design.