Name of faculty involved

Dr. Pragya Kulkarni, Dr. Rekha Gupta, Mrs. Neetu Das, Ms. Mrinalini Sono and Ms. K. K. Yashoda

Students’ participation

M.Sc. Sem II, M.Sc. Sem IV and research scholars

Brief report

A two-day workshop on Oyster mushroom cultivation was conducted under the guidance of Mrs. Laleeta Kurre. The workshop covered an overview of cultivable mushroom varieties, their nutritional significance, and the step-by-step process of cultivating Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.).

During the session, the resource person demonstrated the pretreatment and processing of paddy straw as a substrate for mushroom growth. The spawning process was carried out in layers, followed by substrate bag packing. The bags were then incubated in a dark environment for 15–20 days to allow mycelial growth. Once the mycelium had fully colonized the substrate, the bags were opened to facilitate mushroom sprouting.

Additionally, the workshop included practical demonstrations on product quality management, processing, and preservation techniques to ensure optimal yield and shelf life.

Out come

A two-day workshop on Oyster mushroom cultivation was successfully conducted for skill enhancement of PG students of Microbiology. The session provided participants with comprehensive knowledge on the types of cultivable mushrooms, their nutritional value, and the step-by-step cultivation process of Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.).
Participants gained theoretical and practical insights into mushroom cultivation, including substrate preparation, spawning, and incubation techniques.
The workshop included a live demonstration of mushroom cultivation under controlled conditions, ensuring practical learning.
Attendees learned about the mycelial spread phase and the conditions required for successful fruiting of mushrooms.
Techniques for maintaining product quality, processing, and preservation were demonstrated, equipping participants with skills to enhance the shelf life and marketability of the produce.
The workshop encouraged participants to explore mushroom cultivation as a sustainable livelihood option, fostering interest in commercial production.

The workshop proved to be highly beneficial for participants, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to start their own Oyster mushroom cultivation. The interactive demonstrations and practical sessions significantly enhanced their understanding and confidence in the process.

Number of students Benefitted

51

Name of faculty involved

Dr. Pragya Kulkarni, Dr. Rekha Gupta, Mrs. Neetu Das, Ms. Mrinalini Sono and Ms. K. K. Yashoda

Students’ participation

M.Sc. Sem II and M.Sc. Sem IV

Brief report

The Department of Microbiology organized a two-day Workshop and Dry Lab Exercises on Bioinformatics from 11th to 12th January 2025 to introduce postgraduate students to the fundamental and applied aspects of bioinformatics. This initiative aimed to bridge theoretical microbiology with modern computational biology tools. The sessions were coordinated by the faculty members of the department and enriched by the insights of Dr. Anubhuti Jha, St. Thomas College, Bhilai, who served as the resource person. Her expertise and guidance provided students with a deeper understanding of computational biology and sequence data analysis. The workshop covered essential topics such as database search techniques, sequence alignment (using BLAST), genome analysis, and phylogenetic tools. Students were trained through interactive dry lab sessions, enabling hands-on experience with widely-used bioinformatics platforms like NCBI and UniProt.

The enthusiastic participation and engagement of students made the workshop a productive and insightful academic activity.

Out come

· Students gained practical skills in bioinformatics tools and database navigation.

· Enhanced their capability to analyze molecular data and interpret sequence alignments.

· Improved their understanding of computational applications in microbiology.

· The workshop fostered research aptitude and interdisciplinary academic development.

Number of students Benefitted

48

Name of faculty involved

Dr. Pragya Kulkarni, Dr. Rekha Gupta, Mrs. Neetu Das, Ms. Mrinalini Sono and Ms. K. K. Yashoda

Students’ participation

M.Sc. Sem II, M.Sc. Sem IV and Research Scholars

Brief report

The Lecture Series commenced on 14th January 2025 with the traditional lighting of the lamp and Saraswati Vandana in the Undergraduate Laboratory at 11:00 a.m. The inaugural session featured Dr. Ajay Kumar Manhar, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Govt. P.G. College, Vaishali Nagar, Bhilai, who delivered an insightful talk on “Career Opportunities and the Future of Microbial Sciences.” This was followed by Dr. Loknath Deshmukh, an alumnus of the department and currently an Assistant Professor of Microbiology at ITM University, Raipur, who spoke on “From Petri Dish to Profit: Navigating the Journey of Lab-to-Market and Passion.”

On 16th January 2025, Dr. Pratima Gupta, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, delivered a lecture on “Clinical and Industrial Applications of Microbes,” highlighting the diverse roles of microbes in medicine and industry. The session continued with Dr. D.L.S.V.G.K. Kaladhar, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology and Bioinformatics, Atal Bihari Bajpayee Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, who provided an in-depth perspective on “Microbial Biological Systems,” an advanced and emerging field in microbiology.

On 21st January 2025, Dr. Shivendra Singh Dewhare, Assistant Professor, School of Studies in Life Sciences, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, presented a balanced view on “Genetic Engineering,” exploring its benefits and ethical considerations. In the second session, Dr. V. Shanthi, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, St. Thomas College, Bhilai, elaborated on “Synthetic Biology in Microbiology,” discussing how microbes play a crucial role in synthesizing valuable biological products.

The series concluded on 22nd January 2025 with a lecture by Dr. Swetlana Nagal, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Govt. Matakarma Girls' College, Mahasamund. She emphasized the significance of Actinomycetes characterization and identification in combating antimicrobial resistance. The final session featured Prof. Khageswar Prasad, who discussed the bioremediation of soil pollutants, focusing on the environmental impact of Bisphenol A.

Out come

The Lecture Series, held from 14th to 22nd January 2025, featured a total of eight insightful lectures, successfully brought together experts from various institutions to share their insights on emerging trends and applications in microbiology. The sessions provided a platform for students and faculty members to enhance their understanding of the subject, explore career prospects, and gain exposure to cutting-edge research. The sessions enriched participants with valuable insights, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical applications, and fostering professional growth. Enhanced Academic Knowledge, Career Awareness & Opportunities, Exposure to Emerging Fields, Practical Applications & Industry Relevance and Interactive Learning & Research Encouragement.

Number of students Benefitted

51

Name of faculty involved

Dr. Pragya Kulkarni, Dr. Rekha Gupta, Ms. Mrinalini Sono and Ms. K. K. Yashoda

Students’ participation

M.Sc. Sem II and M.Sc. Sem IV

Brief report

The postgraduate students of Microbiology, accompanied by faculty members, visited Mokshit Natural and Organic Farm in Ganj Para, Durg, on 01.02.2025. Spanning 46 acres, the farm is dedicated to organic vegetable cultivation, completely avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The owner, Shri Shashiraj Kumar, provided insights into year-round vegetable production and demonstrated multi-layered farming techniques. This method optimizes land use by incorporating underground crops, herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers simultaneously. The farm also includes medicinal plants and relies on organic fertilizers made from agro-waste, applied through drip irrigation. Soil mulching is used to retain moisture and minimize water loss. Instead of synthetic pesticides, natural alternatives are prepared by fermenting cow urine with neem leaves, whey water, and jaggery for up to 30 days. Green manure, produced through the fermentation of green weeds, is enriched with whey water and jaggery before application. Shri Shashiraj emphasized the farm’s zero-waste approach, ensuring all produce is either utilized or recycled to enhance soil fertility. Dry turmeric leaves were used to make pillows, blended with cotton, and were believed to be beneficial for individuals suffering from migraines and high blood pressure. He also introduced unique potato varieties—black, red, and white—known for their antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties.

Out come

The visit provided an enriching hands-on learning experience for the students, offering valuable insights into modern farming techniques, sustainable agricultural practices, and the dedication required to cultivate organic produce. The detailed explanations and the owner's willingness to share his expertise made the visit both informative and inspiring. This experience was truly eye-opening for our students, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. The time and effort invested in educating was sincerely appreciated.

Number of students Benefitted

36