2021:

International webinar on Reinfection in Endodontics: Zoom and see the tubules! - 9th of September 2021

Department of Microbiology organized an International webinar on 9th of September 2021 in Reinfection in Endodontics: Zoom and see the tubules!. Dr.Fabian Amalraj Devamani from the International Medical University at Kuala Lumpur deliberated on the topic with his expertise on the subject. Delegates from various dental institutions participated in the forum and interacted with the speaker. Mr.N.P.Muralidharan moderated the webinar and ended with a vote of thanks.

2nd MICROSUMMIT 2021: International Virtual Conference on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases in Healthcare Settings - 13th and 14th of August 2021

Department of Microbiology organized an International Virtual Conference on Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases in healthcare settings – 2nd MICROSUMMIT 2021 on 13th and 14th of August 2021 at Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, on a virtual platform. The conference was conducted in association with the Indian Association of Applied Microbiologists. 140 delegates from 23 various reputed Arts and Science colleges, Research Institutes and organizations, participated in the scientific forum. The inauguration session commenced online at 9.30 a.m on day 1 (13.8.2021) and the session was coordinated by Dr.J.Vijayashree. Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija welcomed the dignitaries, speakers and delegates. Dr.Sheeja Varghese, Dean, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Dr.Wilson Aruni, President, IAAM and Dr.N.Arunagirinathan, Secretary, IAAM, delivered the special addresses. Prof.Dr.S.P.Thyagarajan, Chancellor, Avinashilingam University, delivered the key note address with the implications of emerging diseases and Covid-19 in healthcare settings. Plenary lecture sessions were arranged on both the days with reputed speakers. Dr.Vijaykumar Velu from Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA, Dr.Vignesh from University of Malaysia, KualaLumpur, Dr.Raman Suri from IIT Ropar, India, Dr.E.M.Shankar, from the Central University of Tamilnadu and Dr.VeeraRavi Arumugam from Alagappa University delivered their lectures of expertise. Interactive sessions followed after their lectures. The forum was a grand success which was concluded with the announcement of awardees at the valedictory session by the convenor, Dr. P. Sankar Ganesh.

INTERNATIONAL WEBINAR ON BIOINFORMATICS IN MICROBIOME RESEARCH - 23rd April 2021

On the occasion of “World DNA Day”, the department of Microbiology conducted an International webinar on “Bioinformatics in Microbiome Research” on the 23rd of April 2021. Dr.J.Vijayashree introduced the speaker Dr.Gnanendra Shanmugam, Research Professor, Microbial Genomics Lab, Yeungnam University, south Korea. The speaker captivated the attention of participants by presenting a whole new dimension of oral microbiome and the application of computational tools in microbiome research. The speaker introduced the tool EzMap (Easy microbiome analysis platform) pipeline for microbiome analysis. The implication of next-generation sequencing technologies in microbiome research were also discussed. The presentation was interesting and intriguing. The queries raised by the students and faculty members were answered with great clarity by the speaker. The interactive session concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija.

WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - 24.3.2021

Department of Microbiology observed the World Tuberculosis day on 24th of December 2021 at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital premises with the motto for the year as “The clock is Ticking: To reach the TB targets 2022”. The faculties organized an awareness campaign towards the TB threat among the faculties, visiting patients, technical staff and class IV servants. Pamphlets on TB awareness were distributed for the patients and the student volunteers interacted with the patients towards the TB transmission and preventive strategies.

Workshop on “Alpha to Omega” - 19th of March 2021

Department of Microbiology conducted a Workshop on “Alpha to Omega” on 19th of March 2021 at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital. A special lecture entitled “Understanding the oral microbiota – The molecular Approach” was arranged and was deliberated by Dr. Aneesh Nair, Scientist & Head, Biozone Institute of Life Sciences. Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija gave the introductory note about the workshop and welcomed the peer group. The speaker made a vibrant note on the molecular approaches in the detection of oral pathogens highlighting the novel strategies applied in the treatment, preventive measures and the governmental policies and plans. The lecture session was highly interactive and informative and ended with the vote of thanks by Mr.N.P.Muralidharan. The lecture session was followed by the hands-on training for the delegates. The session encompassed staining and microscopy, handling of clinical or dental specimens with its microbiological processing, culture and cultivation methods, biofilm based assays, isolation of genomic DNA, PCR methods, RFLP technique, RT PCR works, ELISA and serology.

2020:

CDE on “Nanotechnology in Dentistry” on 8th of Feb 2020

Department of Microbiology conducted a CDE program on 8th of February 2020 under the theme of Nanotechnology in Dentistry. Faculty members organized a special lecture which was deliberated by Dr.G.Prathiba, Reader, Department of Microbiology, Sathyabama Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai. Dr.R.V.Geetha gave the introductory note about the scientific forum and welcomed the peer group. The lecture session was highly interactive and informative which ended with the prize distribution by the speaker to the academic toppers of the week.

2019:

International Seminar on “HIV and Updates”: World AIDS DAY on 1st of December 2019

Department of Microbiology observed the World AIDS day on 30th of December 2019 at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital premises with the motto for the year as “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community”. The faculties organized an awareness campaign towards the HIV threat among the faculties, visiting patients, technical staff and class IV servants. A special lecture entitled “HIV and tuberculosis: A double trouble” was arranged and was deliberated by Dr.Sai Kollapan, Laboratory Manager, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Centre, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija gave the introductory note about the scientific forum and welcomed the peer group. Dr.Sheeja Varghese, Dean of SDC felicitated the speaker with a memento. The speaker made a vibrant note on the recent updates on HIV and the impact of TB among AIDS patients. He also highlighted on the strategies of HIV treatment, preventive measures and the novel governmental plans to stop HIV spread in the community. The lecture session was highly interactive and informative which ended with the vote of thanks by Mr.N.P.Muralidharan.

MICROSUMMIT 2019: “International conference on current research and developments in Microbiology” on 3rd of August 2019

Department of Microbiology organized and conducted an International conference on Current Research and Developments in Microbiology – MICROSUMMIT 2019 on 3rd of August 2019 under the specialized themes on Antimicrobial drug resistance, Microbial genomics, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Food, soil, and Industrial Microbiology. Nearly 300 delegates from 25 reputed arts and science colleges and Govt. universities from South India, participated in the conference and presented their research works in 5 different scientific sessions. The Inauguration was presided by our Director of Academics, Dr.Deepak Nallasamy along with the speakers of the forum Dr.Meganathan Kannan, Visiting Professor at Hemostasis and thrombosis Research Laboratory, Loyola University Medical Centre, Chicago, USA and Dr.V.Aravindhan, Visiting Scientist at the AIDS International Training and Research Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA. Dr.R.V Geetha welcomed the dignitaries and delegates for the conference. The speakers and chairpersons of the scientific sessions were felicitated and the Best research works were awarded for the faculties, research scholars and post graduates by Dr.Deepak. Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija, organizing secretary, proposed the formal vote of thanks. The Inauguration was followed by the scientific lectures by the eminent speakers under the charge of Mr.N.P.Muralidharan. The speakers awarded the best research works for the undergraduate delegates. Team Micro is grateful for the support and encouragement rendered by the management of Saveetha as the forum was a grand success.

CDE on World Hepatitis Day [28th of July 2019]

Faculties from the department organized a CDE towards World Hepatitis Day with the motto for the year, Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis. Dr.Balakrishnan, Head of the Clinical Laboratory, YRG Care, delivered a lecture entitled “Blood borne diseases and preventive measures” for the staff and students.

Seminar cum Workshop on Caries Activity on 25th and 26th of July 2019

Department staff organised a workshop on Caries activity test with a Lecture by Dr.Kesavan, Reader, Thai Moogambigai Dental College.

CDE on "In-silico drug design for oral pathogens on 12th May 2019

A CDE program with the novel information on the applications of the computational methodologies in Microbiology was organized by the faculties on 12th of May 2019. Dr.I.Kannan, Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Tagore Dental College and Hospitals delivered a vibrant and interactive lecture for the students and staff.

CDE on "Universal protocol for infection control practices I Dentistry" (CDC/ADA) - 6th April 2019

Our department organized a CDE program with a guest lecture by Dr.Sridhar, Professor of Microbiology, Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute and the Former Researcher at CDC, Atlanta. Staff, students and NABH staff attended the CDE and made it a grand success.

NATIONAL LEVEL WORKSHOP ON “Molecular Diagnosis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Oral Pathogens” [Funded by ICMR, New Delhi] - 26.3.2019 to 28.3.2019.

Department of Microbiology collaborated with Biozone Research Technologies, Chennai in conducting a 3 days workshop funded by ICMR. The workshop was initiated with the welcome address by Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija, followed by the vibrant Lecture delivered by Dr.Thangam Menon, UGC-BSR Fellow (Retd.Prof.Dept of Microbiology, DR.ALM PGIBMS, University of Madras). First day program commenced with the hands-on training given by Mr.Muralidharan, for the delegates in isolation and characterization of the drug resistant oral pathogens. Second day program successfully progressed with the lecture by Dr.Rex Arunraj, (Asso Prof, Dept of Genetic Engineering, SRM Univeristy). Hands-on training was given for the delegates in isolation of the genomic DNA together with the PCR amplification of the drug resistant genes. In-silico hands-on training was given on the third day by Dr.Aneesh (Head-operations, Biozone). The workshop ended in a grand manner with the key note address by Dr.Wilson Aruni (ProVC, Sathyabama University) followed by felicitations and vote of thanks by Dr.R.V.Geetha.

WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - 24.3.2019

Faculties of the department observed the World Tuberculosis Day on 24th of March 2019 in Saveetha Dental College campus with the motto for the year “It’s Time - to end TB”. Banners and posters were displayed by the faculties and the students in the clinical departments. Pamphlets creating awareness on TB prevention and transmission were distributed for the visiting patients.

2018:

CDE on WORLD AIDS DAY: GUEST LECTURE AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN - 1.12.2018

Department of Microbiology observed the World AIDS day on 1st of December 2018 at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital premises with the motto for the year as “Know your status”. The faculties organized an awareness campaign towards the HIV threat among the faculties, visiting patients, technical staff and class IV servants. Banners and posters were displayed at various places in the college with the information about the motto for the year 2018, pathogenesis, treatment regimens, incidence rates and preventive measures for HIV. The faculties arranged a guest lecture on HIV awareness and epidemiology with a Guest Lecture by Dr.R.Rajan, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Mohammad Sathak College of Arts and Science, Sholinganallur. Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija gave the introductory note about the scientific forum and welcomed the peer group. The speaker made a vibrant note on the recent updates on HIV and Dentistry related to the strategies of HIV treatment, prevention measures and the novel governmental plans to stop HIV spread in the community. The highly interactive and informative session was ended with the vote of thanks by Mr.N.P.Muralidharan and Dr.R.V.Geetha felicitated the speaker with a memento.

Awareness campaign on WORLD HAND HYGIENE DAY: Deliberations and demonstrations by the faculties on 5th May 2018.

Department of Microbiology observed the World hand hygiene day on 5th of May 2018 in the Saveetha Dental College and Hospital premises with the motto for the year 2018 as “It’s in your hands. Prevent sepsis in health care”. The faculties Mr.N.P.Muralidharan, Dr.R.V.Geetha and Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija met the clinicians, laboratory technicians, nursing staff, students, interns and class IV servants with deliberations on the issues with improper hand hygiene and emphasized the need for proper hand hygiene. Special lectures for interns were arranged in the concerned clinical departments. Posters were displayed at all the clinics to create awareness about the hand washing methods and hygienic protocols to be followed in the dental wards. Demonstrations on proper hand washing methods were also portrayed by the faculties.

CDE program on “Genetics based research in Dentistry” on 21st of April 2018.

Department of Microbiology organized a CDE program pertained to Genetics in dentistry to emphasize the role of gene based research among students on 21.4.2018. Dr.Vijayashree Priyadharsini M.Sc.,M.Phil.,Ph.D, Scientist – III, Central Research Laboratory, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research [MAHER], deliberated a lecture on “How can I help you? Role of geneticist in Clinical Research”

The concepts of Genetics were made more palatable for the students by the speaker. The real time projects carried out by the researcher was described briefly. Novel techniques for analysing DNA damage, cell culture methods, mutation and genotype analysis, gene expression analysis, drug resistant gene studies, and recombinant DNA analysis were discussed.

We hope that her experiences would have provided our students clues for designing their own projects in the near future.

CDE program on 24th of March 2018 towards the World Tuberculosis Day with the Motto: Wanted Leaders for a TB free world. [Speaker: Dr.Bella Devaleenal, Scientist C, NIRT].

Department of Microbiology observed the World TB day on 24th of March 2018 in the Saveetha Dental College and Hospital premises with the motto “Wanted: Leaders for a TB free World. You can make history. End TB”. The faculties organized an awareness campaign towards the tuberculosis threat among the faculties, visiting patients, technical staff and class IV servants. Banners and posters were displayed at various places in the college with the information about the motto for the year 2018, pathogenesis, treatment regimens, incidence rates and resistant scenario of TB.Deliberation:

The faculties arranged a guest lecture on TB awareness and epidemiology with a Guest Lecture by Dr.Bella Devaleenal,MBBS,DLO,MPH, Scientist, National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis [NIRT-ICMR]. Dr.A.S.Smiline Girija gave the introductory note about the scientific forum and welcomed the peer group. The speaker made a vibrant note on the recent strategies of TB treatment, prevention measures and the novel governmental plans to stop TB spread in the community. The highly interactive and informative session was ended with the vote of thanks by Mr.N.P.Muralidharan and Dr.R.V.Geetha felicitated the speaker with a memento.

Faculties started the awareness program by interacting with the faculties/dentists, interns and non-teaching staff of various clinics. A booklet was issued to each clinical department which portrayed the history of World TB day and the purpose of organizing the event.

2017:

CME programme on “Anaerobic infections: Current Challenges and Newer Approaches”, IAMM Tamilnadu chapter meet at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Jan 10; 2017.

Hands-on Workshop on "Dental Caries activity tests" by Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, April 22; 2017. 

Guest Lecture on "Trends in Microbial Diagnosis" by Dr. V. Gopalakrishnan from University of Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine, Malaysia on May 12; 2017.

Guest Lecture on  "Influenza - seasonality, mutations and seroepidemiology" by Dr. G. Nandhini Post Doctoral Fellow, JIPMER, Pudhucherry on May 13; 2017. 

CONFERENCE ORGANIZED:

 "International BDS students seminar on Basic Medical Sciences" - Past 11 years

Conferences and Workshops attended - More than 60

CME/CDE attended - 7