13 th June, 2025, Bhubaneswar
In a resounding affirmation of India's growing progress in advanced biological research, ICAR-CIFA recently played host to a National Symposium on Fish Proteomics, a landmark congregation that underscored the current landscape and future aspirations in proteomics research in aquaculture. Gracing the occasion, Dr. Debasis Dash, Director of BRIC–Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar, inaugurated the symposium with a thought-provoking address. He eloquently highlighted the indispensable role of proteomics amidst the pressing realities of climate change, stressing the urgent need for convergence and collaborative effort to navigate the complex challenges ahead. Delving into the realm of brain proteomics—where approximately 82% of the human proteome is expressed—he illuminated its potential to unlock the mysteries of devastating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. His talk addressed several loopholes while dealing with novel peptide identification, using computational tools like PgxSavy, developed by his team. Former ADG (Inland Fisheries), Dr. Bimal Mohanty, provided profound insights into the nuanced landscape of aquaculture proteomics. Dispelling myths of exclusivity, he emphasized that this research frontier is no longer reserved for an elite group of workers. Rather, it is a field ripe with opportunity for all. Dr. Mohanty’s declaration of the formation of a “Bhubaneswar Proteomics Club” was met with enthusiastic acclaim, an initiative poised to foster innovation and dialogue within the scientific community. Dr. Jyotirmaya Mohanty, Organising Secretary of the symposium, journeyed through time as he narrated the pioneering strides taken by ICAR-CIFA nearly three decades ago in identifying proteins as biomarkers. He underlined the transition to comprehensive proteomics research, particularly in the realm of stress physiology, affirming the institute’s vision and leadership in this niche. At the helm of the session, Dr. Pramoda Kumar Sahoo, Director of ICAR-CIFA and President of the inaugural session, commended the dedication of scientists who have toiled relentlessly to advance proteomics. He reaffirmed ICAR-CIFA’s commitment to scientific excellence and interdisciplinary exploration. The symposium attracted a diverse and vibrant audience, including experts from BRIC-ILS, North Odisha University, ICAR-CIFE, ICAR-CICR, CCARS-Kolkata, and Novelgene Technologies Pvt. Ltd., who shared their perspectives on proteomics applications in both human health and animal sciences. The gathering also saw robust participation from undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholars, who were highly encouraged by the insightful lectures from the elite experts, affirming a bright future for young researchers in this transformative field. The day concluded with a spirited consensus to establish a national collaborative framework for proteomics in aquaculture. A visionary roadmap was proposed—one that aims to decode fish biology through multi-omics integration of proteomics with genomics, transcriptomics, and beyond. Spearheaded by the Association of Aquaculturists, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar, the symposium stood as a beacon of knowledge-sharing and scientific camaraderie, marking a new chapter in India's journey toward sustainable and informed aquaculture practices.
ICAR-CIFA organised “National Symposium on Fish Proteomics”
