The Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) organised a centenary lecture on ‘Immune memory: Remembering your infections and vaccines’ on 4th December 2020 by Dr. Rafi Ahmed, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and Director, Emory Vaccine Centre, Atlanta, USA, as part of centenary celebrations of the university.The centenary lecture had lot of buzz with more than 1200 registration from across the globe including US, Canada, Germany, UK and other European countries.
The lecture was well attended by various dignitaries of the scientific world who took prominent participation during interaction with the speaker. The online talk was webcasted on Webex platform and steamed live on YouTube.Dr Rafi Ahmed emphasized on the role of India as international program partner for the design and development of vaccines against diseases like HIV, TB, Malaria and Dengue. He then explained the importance of immunological memory by T cell responses in viral infections. One of their discovery of Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) in T-cell exhaustion in chronic infection is translated into the clinical development of PD-1 directed immunotherapy for the treatment of human chronic infections and various cancer.The third part of his lecture was focussed on COVID-19 vaccines.
He explained the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the various platforms on which vaccines are prepared. He also updated on their clinical phase trials. On the one hand, Pfizer and Moderna has 90% effectivity and Oxford/Astrazeneca, the most hyped vaccine, on the other hand has overall 70% effectivity.He also discussed various important issues on vaccine distribution and durability. In the last, he addressed the fear of pandemic and fear of vaccine but he asserted that at least 70% of the population should undergo vaccination to bring the pandemic under control.
In the virtual media interaction with the print and digital media persons after the lecture Dr Ahmed addressed the concerns of the side effects of the vaccines and discussed the challenges that India will face while distribution owing to its large population size and rural settings in India.Dr Ahmed emphasized that the vaccines trials till now have not been conducted in the children as only adults and elders were enrolled in the program. Although, the observation of no serious concern of COVID-19 on children is the point of relief on this scenario. As per WHO, Dr Ahmed also consented on providing vaccines to frontline medical and health workers first followed by elderly and the individuals with serious illnesses.
The Chief Guest Prof Najma Akhtar, Vice Chancellor, JMI enlightened the participants with her thoughts on current Coronavirus pandemic and centenary celebrations and welcomed our esteemed speaker to share his remarkable scientific journey. She also shared the enthusiasm to continue the association of JMI with Dr Ahmed for his mentorship and guidance that will help the younger faculties, students and university to achieve the greater excellence and accolades in research & development.Prof. Seemi Farhat Basir, Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences concluded the lecture with vote of thanks.The Convener of the event Prof Zahid Ashraf, Head of the Department, Biotechnology expressed gratitude to eminent speaker for his company and words and thanked all the participants and the organizing committee for their enthusiasm and engagement.
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