Department of Biotechnology , SSITS has proudly organized a National Seminar on Recent Advances in Biotechnology (RAB 23) on 2nd November 2023. Acknowledging the significance of Biotechnology in the current scientific world. The department invited prominent speakers to the  event which was inaugurated by Dr. Chandran, ( Principal Scientist, ICAR, SBIRC, Kannur) and presided by Dr. Khaleel KM ( Principal, SSITS). The keynote address on “ Adverse effects of plasticizers on human health and immunity “ was given by Dr. Divya Lakshmannan M (Division of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yennepoya, Mangalore, Karnataka, India). The event also had three exemplary sessions by Dr. Deepak Mohan (Division of gEnetics, MCC, Thalassery, Kerala, India) on “Understanding of cancer genetics lead to paradigm shift in the cancer management”, Dr Shabeesh Balan on “Elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of Neuropsychiatric disorders: a genetic perspective” and Dr. Meera SP on “ Bioprospecting of Mangrove genes in crop improvement for salinity tolerance”

 The Keynote address by Dr. Divya Lakshmanan highlighted the adverse effects of microplastics and its effects on estrogen receptors by increase in the production of B-cells in the human body making it one of the causatives of increase in PCOS in younger females, allergic responses, autoimmune disease and cancer. She successfully created awareness among young minds on the detrimental effects of microplastics.