Biospark Magazine (Pandemic Edition)

Draft

The Middle Land

Dr. Vanshika Lumb

Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry

Are you aware about the location of highest post office in the world? Are you aware that our
country bears the crown of this proud title?

HIKKIM, a small village in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, officiates the highest Post
office in the world at approximately 4400 meters. For a long time, this was the only means of

communication that connected the surrounding villages to the rest of the world.

It’s the reason why travelers from all around visiting this place, try to send post cards or
letters, to their home as a souvenir for this once in a life time experience. Spiti Valley also
boasts many such other titles, like hosting the world’s highest fuel pump in Kaza & world’s

highest polling station in Tashigang Village. This is one of the many unforgettable
recollections that we have perceived during our recent trip to Spiti Valley.

First thought that pops into mind after hearing the name “Spiti” is, a barren, harsh & off-beat
terrain that will test any traveler’s endurance to their limits. What most people don’t realize it

is also a land of spirituality, monks and sparsely populated yet independent villages. It’s a
world away from world.

The best part is Spiti is still Inaccessible by air, that means a “regular tourist” cannot reach it
in a flash. You will have to offer a certain dedication and effort to reach this place. That is the

reason Spiti still maintains it’s spiritual & natural charm.

We were lucky to complete “The Spiti Circuit”. A 2000 Kms drive, that took as through
multiple districts of Himachal Pradesh. Every district offers its own diversity, Shimla with
the lush green mountains, Kinnaur with sharp edged mountains having endless orchards,
Kullu with it’s Temples & Hot water springs. However, the limelight was Spiti, with cold
deserted mountains, monasteries and unique villages. A perfect connection between traditions

& adventure.

Frankly I cannot do justice in explaining Spiti Valley in one article, I have been juggling with
words to share this experience with you. It’s a journey that one has to endure themselves to
experience the same. But I guess the point here being, life is too short to spend hiding in a
shell. So, reach out, travel & explore or as my husband fondly says, “Keep Travelling, Keep

Living”

Sources:
Youtube/abventures

Instagram/ashishbhatiaventures

Anxiety

Sonal Sagar, 1st Year, Department of Biochemistry

I dreaded the darkness of the night,
For as long as the sun stayed out of my sight,
The demons who inhabited my brain would reunite,
To write about my disgrace in black and white,

Then in unison they would recite.

Childhood Memories

Sapna, 1st Year, Department of Biochemistry

Those were the unique days
Those were the ‘mellow days’
The days having fun and frolic,
Those days were the loveliest days.

Laughing at small things
Talking secretly and not saying to anyone

Cry seeing other’s cry
Found heaven in mother’s lap and sleeping in the same heaven

The world was nothing in front of that heaven
Those days were the sweetest ones.

Eating the unripe mangoes in garden and get soaked in mud
Getting praises of family members
If we do any sensible work

To walk like king lion after getting praises

The style of walking at that time was unique
Those days were the loveliest ones.

No worries ahead and no regrets behind
Those days we spent living the moment,

Those moments were different.
Those were the loveliest days.
“Memories of childhood were the dreams that stayed with you after you woke”

मुसाफिर

Eshika Awana,1st Year, Department of Biochemistry

हूं मैं मुसाफिर एक ऐसी मंूफिल का..
फिसका फसऱ्फ एक ही फकनारा है..

फिलहाल बैठा हुआ मैं यहा ...
और पता नहीूं कहा िाना है..
मंूफिल का रास्ता तक नहीूं पता..

अभी तो वो बनाना है |
सिर की शुरुआत खुदको िानने से होगी…
और खत्म सपनोंू के साथ नहींू यादोूं के साथ होगी.

अूंधेरा सा है अभी आसमान में कु छ ..
चाँाद और तारे भी साथ है..
कागज़ और कलम हाथ मंे..

और फदमाग मंे कई तरह के सवाल है ...

इस फकनारे ने भी मुझे बहुत कु छ फसखाया है..
अभी मेरी परछाई को मुझसे फमलाया है ..
फिंूदगी में कभी पूरा अाँधेरा नहीूं होगा..
एक तरह की रोशनी हमेशा साथ रहेगी ..

उसे देखने के फलए हमेशा आूंखंे खुली रखना..
वरना वो भी साथ छोड़ देगी ..

ये तारे मानो िैसे कु छ कहना चाहते हैं..
पर मंै समझू भी कै से कभी फदख रहे हैं तो कभी

गायब से हो िा रहे हंै |
ये पानी सही फदशा में बहने के साथ...

तुम्हे तैरना भी फसखाएगा ...
तो कभी ये हवाएंू तुम्हे अपने साथ उड़ा ले िाएंू गे…
और तुम्हारी मुलाकात तुम्हारी मंूफिल से कराएगी |
कहींू खो ना िाओ तुम सिर मंे ..ये बताने के फलए हर रोज़ नई सुबह आएगी |
सिर छोटा होगा या बड़ा पता नही.ंू .पर हसीन िरूर होगा..
अपनो का साथ और फवश्वास रहा तो पूरा भी िरूर होगा...
सिर कै सा भी हो पूरा िरूर करना है..खुद से खुदतक का सिर अके ले तय करना है..

इसके फलए एक मुस्कान िरूरी है…..
और सिर का बनने से पहले इसका मुसाफिर बनाना िरूरी है ..

End of Section 3

SECTION 4
"Departmental Activities"

"I'm a bit of a nerd, and my
extracurricular activity is nerd games.”

― Rich Sommer

National Conference
“Pharmacovigilance: Advancements in the safe drug development”

A National conference titled, “Pharmacovigilance: Advancements in the safe drug
development” was organized by Department of Biochemistry on 16th and 17th January 2020 at
Vivekananda auditorium, Deshbandhu College, under the convenorship of Dr. Kamana Singh,
Associate professor, Department of Biochemistry and co-convenorship of Dr. Prabha Arya,
Department of Biochemistry, Deshbandhu college. This conference was supported by UGC,
DBT star college scheme and was organized with the help of IQAC Deshbandhu college,
Delhi University. The two day conference witnessed lectures on various topics encompassing
pharmacovigilance by eminent scientists like Prof. Ramesh K. Goyal, Vice Chancellor, Delhi
Pharmaceutical Science and Research University (DPSRU), Dr. Jai Prakash, Senior Principal
Scientific Officer, Secretary-cum-Scientific Director (In-Charge) and Officer-in-Charge,
National Coordination Centre, Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, Indian
Pharmacopoeia Commission (Ministry of Health), Dr. Nilanjan Saha, Head, Centre for
Translational & Clinical Research at Jamia Hamdard, Dr. M. Wasif Khan, Evolvet Healthcare
pvt Ltd, to name a few. The conference also hosted technical sessions of oral presentation,
poster presentation by students as well as faculty members of various colleges and
universities. The event ended on a bright and vibrant note with a cultural evening wherein
students of the cultural committee of our college participated with enthusiasm!

The conference was a successful event with appreciable participation and the department
received applause for their continuous and concerted efforts.



Webinars

In March 2020, we were suddenly hit by the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic and
then the ensuing lock-down accompanied with a complete cut-off from social

interactions. Instead, social distancing became the new and necessary norm. For a
few weeks, it seemed impossible to establish contact, let alone conduct seminars and

symposia.
But as it is said, “necessity is the mother of invention”, from within the pandemic
there was the birth of WEBINARS: the amalgamation of seminar and the world
wide web or the internet. These seminars needed a web platform in order to interact
with the audience which was readily provided by Google Meet, Zoom, MS Teams

and many others.
The reach of the webinars was unprecedented. We could organize lectures and
trainings with those sitting overseas locked in their homes! What seemed impossible
physically, became a reality in this new virtual world! This silver lining in midst of
all the gloom, could help us continue and revive our scientific interactions in a new

and exciting manner.

Every year before the pandemic,The Department of Biochemistry, Deshbandhu College
organised the academic festival, Biospark, wherein seminars by researchers as well as
scientific activities for students were conducted.
This time, despite the pandemic, the department was able to bring Biospark to the students in
a different yet effective manner. We organised a total of nine of lectures in five webinar
events from Mar 2020- Mar 2021. Some of the webinars were a part of Biospark, while a
majority of these lectures, which were delivered by eminent scientist and resource persons
working in reputed universities across the world, were a part of the International Webinar
Series started by our department. These webinars helped the students and faculties to enhance
their existing knowledge and opinions regarding various biological themes, ranging from
Covid-19 to Cancer. Attended in overwhelming numbers, the webinars provided a much
needed platform to the students to interact with experienced researchers. At a time when
students are at a crossroads of what to pursue next, which field to choose and which direction
to take, such scientific discussions, guidance and deliberations acted as an anchor to the
swaying minds of the young ones. Biospark has always been about intriguing the science bug
within each one of us and through the medium of these webinars, we sure have been
successful in achieving this aim!
The department feels fortunate for the support of reputed resource persons, who agreed to
deliver the webinars and keep the flag of science flying high even during the pandemic. All
the departmental webinars and events were organised under the aegis of IQAC, Deshbandhu
College in association with DBT STAR College Scheme.



S.No Event Name Event Date Speaker Name Speaker Speaker Topic
1. Dr. Debojyoti Affiliation
Inaugural Lecture of 20th May, 2020 Dhar Co-founder and Gut Microbiota
2. Biospark, 2020 Director of a in today’s time-
Dr. Tavpritesh start-up, Leucine implications in
3. Theme: Understanding 21st May, 2020 Sethi Rich Bio Pvt. Ltd Health and
Human Health and Wellness
Wellness in New Dr. Aklank Jain, MBBS, PhD, Fighting the
Perspectives. Assistant Professor, Covid-19
Dr. Azeet IIIT Delhi Pandemic with
First Event of the 17th Oct, 2020 Narayan Data and
International Webinar Associate Professor Computing
Series Dr. Bishwajit and Head of the Circulating
Kundu, Department of miRNAs as
Theme : Non-invasive Zoology, Central Biomarkers for
Cancer Diagnosis and Dr. Amar Nath University of Cancer
Prognosis Kar Panjab
Associate Research Circulating
Second Event of the 29th Oct, 2020 Scientist in Tumor DNA in
International Webinar Therapeutic the Blood:
Series Radiology, Yale Challenges and
School of Opportunities as
Theme: Understanding Medicine, a Cancer
Pathophysiology and Connecticut, USA Biomarker
Therapeutic Strategies Professor, Kusuma “Structural
for Neurological School of Clues of
Disorders Biological Sciences Finding
and Associate Dean Anti-Neuropathi
(SE) c
IIT-Delhi Biomolecules”.
Research Assistant “Intra- Axonal
Professor in Mechanisms in
Neuroscience, Neurodegenrati
Department of on”
Biological
Sciences,
University of South
Carolina, USA

S.No Event Name Event Date Speaker Name Speaker Speaker Topic
12th Nov, 2020 Affiliation
4. Third Event of the Dr. Mythily Assistant Professor An interactive
International Webinar Ganapathi of Pathology and session on
Series Cell Biology, “Scientific
Theme: Interactive Columbia Communication
Session on Scientific University, Irving and Writing”
Communication and Medical Centre,
Writing New York, USA

5. Inaugural lecture of 29th Mar, 2021 Dr. Vinod Scaria Sr. Scientist Personal

Department academic Institute of Genomes to

festival: Biospark Genomics and Populations-

2021. Integrative Biology Experience

Theme: Rare Diseases: Dr. Swati Medical Science from India,
Rare Insights into the Kunduri Liaison, Chiesi Rare Diseases:
Research, Challenges Global Rare The Zebra
and Concerns Disease, Inc, Ohio, among the
Horses

USA.



Laboratory Visits

Before the beginning of the virtual life or the onset of the pandemic, students were
fortunate to experience the scientific world on a physical level with the help of some

laboratory visits early in 2020.

On 28th February 2020, our students got this opportunity to visit the laboratories of Regional
Centre of Biotechnology (RCB), Faridabad on their Open Day and attend scientific talks by
some Indian scientist like, Dr. Avinash Bajaj, RCB, on the topic "Defeating Cancer: Is India
Ready to Take the Challenge?” Ph.D students enrolled in RCB under different faculties
briefly narrated their lab work to engage the audience and develop an interest towards
research in their institute. RCB also gave a tour of a unique bio-incubator facility, BBB,
developed to foster innovation, research and entrepreneurial activities in biotechnology
related areas. The mission of BBB is to stimulate the establishment and growth of
biotechnology based start-up companies. BBB is funded by BIRAC under the BioNEST
(Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies) scheme managed and
operated by RCB which is recognized as an institute of national importance by the Parliament
of India and is a Category II centre under the auspices of UNESCO. RCB has also organized
various student centric events like Sketching Competition, on the Topic- “Biotechnological
Innovations”, Debate Competition on the Topic- “Is innovation in Biotechnology hampered
by over-regulation” and the Skit Competition on the Topic- “Biotechnological Innovations”.
The students had an enriching experience.
The students got another opportunity of a laboratory visit, when IGIB organized the monthly
outreach visits and activities for the students and faculties. A total of 23 students from B.Sc
(H) Biochemistry of IInd and IIIrd year participated in the outreach program. The visit started
with a display of some of the old instruments used earlier in genomics research like single
capillary sequencer, slab gel sequencer etc. this was followed by exhibits of their recent
research and discoveries. An interesting display of “CRISPR-Cas9 system “FELUDA”, which
can be used as a tool-box for editing, modifying, visualizing and interrogating genome. This
was followed by the guided Lab Visits in which students experienced the live demonstrations
of different scientific instruments which are not available in college and interacted with
various research scholars and eminent faculties. IGIB organized a small quiz session “How
much you understand”, in which students participated and won the token of appreciation from
the organizers. Students were judged on their ability to understand the concepts delivered by
various faculties during their lab visit. Finally the program was concluded by a research talk
from Dr Sheetal Gandotra who enlightened the students on “Host pathogen interaction in case
of Tuberculosis infection” focusing on the cross-talk between the host and mycobacterial lipid
metabolism.

The students greatly benefitted from such outreach activities organised by eminent
institutes. We look forward to better times in the future when we can organise as well as

participate in similar activities

Biochem Reconnoitre: The Journal Club

The Department of Biochemistry started their Journal club, names as Biochem Reconnoitre in
order to help students in their paper presentation skills. This BR Club, meets on Saturdays to
discuss and deliberate upon the upcoming research. This activity is co-ordinated by Dr. Astha Giri
with the help of student volunteers, Amritaparna Maity, Ist Year and Siddhant Sharma, IInd Year.

Date of Presentation Name of the Presenter Topic of Presentation
13 March 2021 Saurav
20 March 2021 Muskan Goel ANN- Based Integrated Risk
Riya Ranking Approach
27 March 2021 Syed Anas Single Cell Genomics
Zainab Genome Editing techniques and
17 April 2021 Priyanka Kumari their role in biotechnology
Chetan Drug-Drug Interaction Impeding
24 April 2021 HIV Treatment
Akreti Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
26 June 2021 Effect of Yoga on Pulmonary health
3 July 2021 Prachi Assessment of Salivary Adipokines
10 July 2021 Siddhant Sharma Resistin, Visfastin, Ghrelin as Type
17 July 2021 2 Diabetes Mellitus Biomarkers.
Swati Extreme drug tolerance of
Eshan Aggarwal Mycobacterium tuberculosis in
Casein
Nayan EV mediated communication
between glioblastoma and astrocytes
Tanya Malhotra Computational Modelling of
Anjali Sharma and Bhavya Sootha Prebiotic Reaction network involved
Pooja Kumari in life’s essential reaction;
Exploring Immunoinformatics
Peeyush Yadav approaches for designing Insilico
vaccines
Major Depression: A
neuroendocrine disorder
DE- Novo fatty acid synthesis and
related pathways as molecular
targets for cancer therapy
Unique mechanistic framework of
Catherin mediated endocytosis in
plants
Nutrients and Bioactive Molecules
in Treatment Against Covid 19
Deleting Neurons: A molecular look
at Synaptic Pruning
Biomolecules against
Coronaviruses: Molecular Aspects,
Multi-Omics and System
Pharmacology
Covid, Cancer and An emerging Era
of Nanotechnology



Section 5

"Creations by Maestros"

" "Creativity is intelligence having fun." "

- Albert Einstein

Cover illustrations by
Akanksha Rawat
IInd year

Acrylic/Oil on canvas
by Bhavya Sootha
IInd Year

Digital illustrations
by Muskan Aggarwal

IInd Year

Oil Pastel on paper by Sumit Yadav, Ist Year

Illustration and Pencil Sketch by
Pooja,Ist Year

Pencil Sketch by
Nonish Sharma,

IInd Year

Poster by Saloni,
Ist Year

Nature Photography by Eshika
Awana
Ist Year

Acrylic on canvas
by Aadya Karwal & Dr. Preeti Karwal

Watercolour on paper
by

Dr. Astha Giri

Meet the Editorial Team

Aayush Goel Amritaparna Maity Pooja Kumari Kanishk Singh
Ist Year Ist Year Ist Year Ist Year

Nonish Sharma Bhupesh Eshaan Agarwal
IInd Year IInd Year IInd Year

Dr. Astha Giri Dr. Prabha Arya Dr. Vineeta Kashyap
Asst. Professor Asst. Professor Asst. Professor
Dept. of Biochemistry Dept. of Biochemistry
Dept. of Biochemistry

Stay Safe and Stay Strong. Thank you!

Draft