94th Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Chemists, India Held at University of Hyderabad
Hyderabad : The 94th Annual Meeting of the Society of Biological Chemists, India (SBCI) is being hosted at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), Telangana, with the scientific theme “Biological Communications in Disease and Development.” The conference serves as a major national and international platform for deliberations on recent advances in biological chemistry and life sciences.
About SBCI and the Annual Conference
Founded in 1930 and headquartered at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, the Society of Biological Chemists, India is among the country’s oldest and most prestigious scientific bodies, dedicated to promoting research, collaboration, and global engagement in biological chemistry.
The 94th Annual Meeting and International Conference on Biological Chemistry in Disease and Development (ICBCDD) is being held from December 17 to 19, 2025, and is expected to host over 400 delegates, including:
- Around 300 students
- Nearly 100 national and international scientists
Host Institution: University of Hyderabad
The University of Hyderabad, an Institute of Eminence established in 1974, offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across disciplines. The conference is being organized by the Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, known for its strong teaching programmes and cutting-edge research in biochemistry and allied life sciences.
Inaugural Session Sets the Academic Vision
The conference was formally inaugurated with a dignified inaugural session, attended by eminent academicians, scientists, institutional leaders, and delegates from across the country, reflecting the conference’s national stature and interdisciplinary reach.
The inaugural proceedings began with Saraswati Vandana, invoking blessings for knowledge and intellectual pursuit.
Welcome & Institutional Addresses
- Prof. Bramanandam Manavathi, Convenor of the 94th Annual Meet, delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives of the conference, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in biological sciences.
- Prof. Naresh Babu V. Sepuri, Head, Department of Biochemistry, and
- Prof. Anand Kumar Kondapi, Dean, School of Life Sciences, highlighted the academic strengths of the host institution and the importance of advancing life science research aligned with national priorities.
Vice Chancellor’s Inaugural Address
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, Prof. B. J. Rao, delivered the inaugural address, underscoring the critical role of universities in:
- Promoting scientific innovation
- Encouraging interdisciplinary research
- Creating meaningful societal impact
Presidential & Keynote Lectures
The Presidential Address was delivered by Prof. Hemalatha Balaram, titled:
“An Unusually Stable Succinimide in a Hyperthermophilic GATase: Investigations on Formation, Stability and Function”,
presenting novel insights into protein chemistry and functional stability under extreme biological conditions.
This was followed by a Keynote Address by Prof. Sandhya Visweswariah (IISc, Bengaluru), chaired by Prof. B. J. Rao. Her lecture, titled:
“Gut Reactions and Gut Instincts: The Role of cGMP”,
highlighted emerging perspectives on cyclic nucleotide signaling and gut physiology.
SBCI Award Lectures
The inaugural session also featured prestigious SBCI Award Lectures, chaired by Prof. Hemalatha Balaram:
- P. S. Sarma Memorial Award Lecture
Dr. Sanjeev Shukla (IISER Bhopal)
“A Hypoxia-Induced Epigenetic–Splicing Axis Promotes EMT in Breast Cancer” - P. A. Kurup Endowment Award Lecture
Dr. Ravishankar Ramachandran (CSIR–CDRI, Lucknow)
“Novel Mechanisms of AP-Site Recognition and Repair in DNA and mRNA: Insights from Mycobacterium tuberculosis”
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of speakers, organizers, and participants, and setting a strong academic foundation for the scientific sessions that followed.
