*CSIR OSDD-ACT WORKSHOP ON*
*“**Advances in Organic Synthesis*
*and its Application in Drug Discovery**”*
*held at*
*National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science & Technology,
Thiruvananthapuram, KERALA*
*On 21st & 22nd July 2011*
*Organized by*
*CSIR - New Delhi,** **National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science &
Technology,Thiruvananthapuram & Academy of Chemistry Teachers (ACT)*
* *
* *
Under the OSDD program it is being planned to initiate a unique
OUTREACH project
during the 12th Five Year Plan to impart practical training to large number
of M.Sc. Chemistry students in various universities and colleges across the
length and breadth of the country. The initiative is an enthusiastic move to
impart greater momentum to chemistry education in our country during the
International Year of Chemistry, IYC 2011. It aims at synthesizing new small
molecules in laboratories across the country by students which could be
tested for their efficiency to be drug candidates for treating tropical
diseases such as Tuberculosis & Malaria. *Chemical Sciences and Technology
Division of NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram*, Kerala* *and* Academy of
Chemistry Teachers (ACT)*, organized a *two day training cum theme setting
workshop* *at NIIST **Thiruvananthapuram**,* for teachers who are willing to
work as PIs for the CSIR – OSDD program on *21st & 22nd July 2011**. Forty
teachers from thirty three colleges in Kerala participated in the program.*
*
*
*Dr K. V. Radhakrishnan of NIIST* who is the Academic coordinator of the
program welcomed the audience. He explained the concept and the details of
the OSDD program and M.Sc. outreach Program in synthetic organic chemistry.
*
*
*Dr. Suresh Das*, The Director of NIIST, in his inaugural address promised
all support from NIIST for the successful conduct of the OSDD program in the
state. He pointed out that OSDD fits in at the interface of chemistry and
biology.
*
*
*Dr. Ramaiah*, NIIST-CSIR enlightened the gathering by giving an overview of
the R & D activities in NIIST.
*
*
*Prof. S. Pratapan* of CUSAT, Kochi elaborated the point what an organic
chemist can do in drug discovery. He gave a brief narration of the history,
development and methods of synthetic organic chemistry and also gave a
glimpse of the present scenario very elegantly. He also emphasized on
working for a greater cause free from the clutches of patent bug or pressure
for mere publishing. His inspiring talk really motivated the participants to
actively become part of the OSDD movement.
*
*
*Dr. L. Ravishankar* of NIIST presented a paper on the "Synthesis and
properties of photolabile Ceramide 1-Phosphate Analogues".
In the afternoon the participants were divided into two batches for lab
session. They were given hands-on training in the basics of synthesis,
purification and analysis of organic compounds. Dr.
*
*
*Dr. K.V. Radhakrishnan* and his research students took leadership for the
lab sessions.
The first day deliberations came to an end with an one hour discussion,
which was lead by Dr. Shibi I.G. He called upon the chemistry teachers to
put in their own contributions and expertise to this project of OSDD in
which large research problems are broken down into handy sub units to be
solved by students teachers and scientists. This would definitely make each
college as a mini research centre. During their routine learning period
itself students will be in a position to contribute to the country by
synthesizing some new chemical candidates for drug testing. This would
enable the students clearly understand the value and purpose of their
education.
On the second day D*r. K. M. Sureshan*, from IISER Trivandrum gave a
presentation on the topic “Drug Discovery: A Chemist's Role”. He explained
the hardships and responsibilities of different branches in science in drug
discovery process. He also emphasized the role organic chemist in drug
discovery. He demonstrated his contribution in solving an innocentive
challenge (InnoCentive 5636748) for designing the shortest and economical
route to PA-824, a candidate drug for tuberculosis in 2008.
*
*
*Dr. K. V. Radhakrishnan*, talked on the role of “Palladium and Ruthenium
catalysis in Organic Synthesis”. He clearly explained the simplicity and
elegance of green synthesis by utilization of organo metallic catalysts in
organic transformations towards the synthesis of pharmaceutically important
molecules.
*
*
*Dr. U.C Abdul Jaleel* of MCC Calicut demonstrated how the OSDD portal is
working and the formalities a beginner should follow to join the OSDD
community. He also explained the salient features of the beta version of the
new website to be released soon for organic chemistry group.
*
*
*Dr. Ibnu Saud* of MG University emphasized the need of harnessing the
vast and rich natural product resources in our country for drug synthesis.
He pointed out the utilization of regional resources for value added
products to be identified from locally available plant sources and to
exploration of Chiral pool for industrially potential molecular entities
like chiral stationary phases, chiral molecular sensors etc.
*
*
*Dr. Prasad M. Alex* summed up the two day activities of the workshop. *
Dr. IG Shibi proposed vote of thanks.*
*The major decisions taken in the workshop are as follows:*
The action plan for the successful implementation of the OSDD Outreach
program programme is as follows:
1. 1. Teachers shall take up the challenge of selecting and training
students to take up the challenge of small molecule synthesis by OSDD.
2. To make students and teachers aware of the new venture of OSDD,
Academy of Chemistry Teachers (ACT) will hold several workshops and theme
generation seminars at various parts of the state in the month of August
2011 at Christ college, Irinjalalukuda; Govt college, Pattambi, Kannur
University, NSS College, Pandalam, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam and
S.H College Thevara.
3. Some of the participants of the present workshop shall present papers
on drug synthesis in the future programs.
4. NIIST, Trivandrum shall arrange 2-3 days lab training in organic
synthesis for the interested students who wish to do organic synthesis in
M.Sc Dissertation in future.
5. Before submitting project proposals to OSDD, the PI s and students
have to present the project proposals before an expert committee from Kerala
for evaluation.
6. OSDD-CSIR, New Delhi shall distribute fund for improving the existing
facilities of the college for carrying out organic synthesis.
7. Phytochemical components already isolated by various groups in the
state may be uploaded for further screening.
8. NIIST shall also try to provide an open lab facility for outside
students to undertake wet lab synthesis (After getting formal approval from
the authorities).
9. NIIST, Trivandrum , IIRBS, Kottayam, CUSAT and Department of
Chemistry, University of Kerala expressed their willingness to allow
students doing OSDD project, for spectral and other chemical analysis in
their centres, free of cost.
*Dr. I.G. Shibi
Dr. K. V. Radhakrishnan*
General Convenor
Academic
*“**Advances in Organic Synthesis*
*and its Application in Drug Discovery**”*
*held at*
*National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science & Technology,
Thiruvananthapuram, KERALA*
*On 21st & 22nd July 2011*
*Organized by*
*CSIR - New Delhi,** **National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science &
Technology,Thiruvananthapuram & Academy of Chemistry Teachers (ACT)*
* *
* *
Under the OSDD program it is being planned to initiate a unique
OUTREACH project
during the 12th Five Year Plan to impart practical training to large number
of M.Sc. Chemistry students in various universities and colleges across the
length and breadth of the country. The initiative is an enthusiastic move to
impart greater momentum to chemistry education in our country during the
International Year of Chemistry, IYC 2011. It aims at synthesizing new small
molecules in laboratories across the country by students which could be
tested for their efficiency to be drug candidates for treating tropical
diseases such as Tuberculosis & Malaria. *Chemical Sciences and Technology
Division of NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram*, Kerala* *and* Academy of
Chemistry Teachers (ACT)*, organized a *two day training cum theme setting
workshop* *at NIIST **Thiruvananthapuram**,* for teachers who are willing to
work as PIs for the CSIR – OSDD program on *21st & 22nd July 2011**. Forty
teachers from thirty three colleges in Kerala participated in the program.*
*
*
*Dr K. V. Radhakrishnan of NIIST* who is the Academic coordinator of the
program welcomed the audience. He explained the concept and the details of
the OSDD program and M.Sc. outreach Program in synthetic organic chemistry.
*
*
*Dr. Suresh Das*, The Director of NIIST, in his inaugural address promised
all support from NIIST for the successful conduct of the OSDD program in the
state. He pointed out that OSDD fits in at the interface of chemistry and
biology.
*
*
*Dr. Ramaiah*, NIIST-CSIR enlightened the gathering by giving an overview of
the R & D activities in NIIST.
*
*
*Prof. S. Pratapan* of CUSAT, Kochi elaborated the point what an organic
chemist can do in drug discovery. He gave a brief narration of the history,
development and methods of synthetic organic chemistry and also gave a
glimpse of the present scenario very elegantly. He also emphasized on
working for a greater cause free from the clutches of patent bug or pressure
for mere publishing. His inspiring talk really motivated the participants to
actively become part of the OSDD movement.
*
*
*Dr. L. Ravishankar* of NIIST presented a paper on the "Synthesis and
properties of photolabile Ceramide 1-Phosphate Analogues".
In the afternoon the participants were divided into two batches for lab
session. They were given hands-on training in the basics of synthesis,
purification and analysis of organic compounds. Dr.
*
*
*Dr. K.V. Radhakrishnan* and his research students took leadership for the
lab sessions.
The first day deliberations came to an end with an one hour discussion,
which was lead by Dr. Shibi I.G. He called upon the chemistry teachers to
put in their own contributions and expertise to this project of OSDD in
which large research problems are broken down into handy sub units to be
solved by students teachers and scientists. This would definitely make each
college as a mini research centre. During their routine learning period
itself students will be in a position to contribute to the country by
synthesizing some new chemical candidates for drug testing. This would
enable the students clearly understand the value and purpose of their
education.
On the second day D*r. K. M. Sureshan*, from IISER Trivandrum gave a
presentation on the topic “Drug Discovery: A Chemist's Role”. He explained
the hardships and responsibilities of different branches in science in drug
discovery process. He also emphasized the role organic chemist in drug
discovery. He demonstrated his contribution in solving an innocentive
challenge (InnoCentive 5636748) for designing the shortest and economical
route to PA-824, a candidate drug for tuberculosis in 2008.
*
*
*Dr. K. V. Radhakrishnan*, talked on the role of “Palladium and Ruthenium
catalysis in Organic Synthesis”. He clearly explained the simplicity and
elegance of green synthesis by utilization of organo metallic catalysts in
organic transformations towards the synthesis of pharmaceutically important
molecules.
*
*
*Dr. U.C Abdul Jaleel* of MCC Calicut demonstrated how the OSDD portal is
working and the formalities a beginner should follow to join the OSDD
community. He also explained the salient features of the beta version of the
new website to be released soon for organic chemistry group.
*
*
*Dr. Ibnu Saud* of MG University emphasized the need of harnessing the
vast and rich natural product resources in our country for drug synthesis.
He pointed out the utilization of regional resources for value added
products to be identified from locally available plant sources and to
exploration of Chiral pool for industrially potential molecular entities
like chiral stationary phases, chiral molecular sensors etc.
*
*
*Dr. Prasad M. Alex* summed up the two day activities of the workshop. *
Dr. IG Shibi proposed vote of thanks.*
*The major decisions taken in the workshop are as follows:*
The action plan for the successful implementation of the OSDD Outreach
program programme is as follows:
1. 1. Teachers shall take up the challenge of selecting and training
students to take up the challenge of small molecule synthesis by OSDD.
2. To make students and teachers aware of the new venture of OSDD,
Academy of Chemistry Teachers (ACT) will hold several workshops and theme
generation seminars at various parts of the state in the month of August
2011 at Christ college, Irinjalalukuda; Govt college, Pattambi, Kannur
University, NSS College, Pandalam, Fatima Mata National College, Kollam and
S.H College Thevara.
3. Some of the participants of the present workshop shall present papers
on drug synthesis in the future programs.
4. NIIST, Trivandrum shall arrange 2-3 days lab training in organic
synthesis for the interested students who wish to do organic synthesis in
M.Sc Dissertation in future.
5. Before submitting project proposals to OSDD, the PI s and students
have to present the project proposals before an expert committee from Kerala
for evaluation.
6. OSDD-CSIR, New Delhi shall distribute fund for improving the existing
facilities of the college for carrying out organic synthesis.
7. Phytochemical components already isolated by various groups in the
state may be uploaded for further screening.
8. NIIST shall also try to provide an open lab facility for outside
students to undertake wet lab synthesis (After getting formal approval from
the authorities).
9. NIIST, Trivandrum , IIRBS, Kottayam, CUSAT and Department of
Chemistry, University of Kerala expressed their willingness to allow
students doing OSDD project, for spectral and other chemical analysis in
their centres, free of cost.
*Dr. I.G. Shibi
Dr. K. V. Radhakrishnan*
General Convenor
Academic
