The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has partnered with the University of Tours, France, to offer a course on Sustainable Bio-Manufacturing of high-value Phytochemicals. To be offered through the ‘Global Initiative of Academic Networks’ (GIAN) programme, the course deals with sustainable biomanufacturing of high-value plant-derived natural products using plant and microbial bio-factories, which can also conserve nature while fulfilling the increasing market demand for phytochemicals for various commercial applications, the institute said in a press release.
Researchers, industry professionals, students (BTech, MTech, MSc, PhD) in plant biotechnology/bioprocess Engineering/biotechnology, and faculty from recognized institutions can apply for the course. Applicants are expected to have a basic knowledge of plant cell and microbial technology and fermentation, the IIT added. Furthermore, there will be 30 seats available for in-person participation. Registration for the course is open till November 22, 2024. The course will be taught from December 2 to 14, 2024.
The objective of the course is to introduce to the participants, the current state-of-the-art available technologies to sustainably produce high-value plant metabolites (phytochemicals like drugs and cosmetics) as an alternative to natural plant extraction and total chemical synthesis. These techniques are based on the application of plant and microbial cell technology called ‘cell factory’ for sustainable biomanufacturing of phytochemicals, the IIT stated.
Highlighting the need for such courses, Prof. Smita Srivastava, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, said, “For India to tap on the growing demand for plant-based natural products and phytochemicals in the domestic as well as global market, and to become a global biomanufacturing hub in this niche segment, it is imperative to work around three pillars including Capacity Building, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in this specialised domain.”
Prof. Smita Srivastava, who is also the Faculty-in-Charge for IIT Madras Bioincubator, said, “Such short courses can be extremely useful to create awareness and interest among the budding researchers, industry professionals and entrepreneurs to develop such sustainable technologies for huge socio-economical impact both nationally and internationally”.
Further, Prof. Nathalie Giglioli-Guivarc’h, Director, of Biomolecules and Plant Biotechnologies Laboratory, University of Tours, France, said, “The COVID pandemic in 2020 has, among other things, highlighted the need for States such as those in Asia and Europe to secure production of certain vital medicines. Thus, the development of technologies for production of active ingredients of plant origin, such as anticancer drugs, as alternatives to growing plants in fields, and as part of a sustainable development approach, is becoming one of the major challenges of the coming decade.”
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