Prof. Dr. Himanshu Airan stated: Self-reliant science will emerge not from imported models, but through India-centric research
Dehradun | January 19, 2026
With the objective of promoting skill development in emerging biomedical fields such as Next-Generation Molecular Diagnostics, CRISPR-Cas, and Bioinformatics, a one-week National Hands-on Training and Faculty Development Program (FDP) commenced on Monday at CRIS–DNA Labs, East Hope Town, Dehradun. The program is being conducted from January 19 to January 25, 2026.
The training is organized with the support of the Uttarakhand Council of Biotechnology (UCB), Government of Uttarakhand, and under the aegis of the Microbiologists Society of India.
The inaugural session began with Saraswati Vandana, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Narottam Sharma, Founder, Managing Director, and Scientist, CRIS–DNA Labs. While welcoming the participants, he emphasized that practical and industry-relevant training in modern biotechnology is the foremost need of the present time. He encouraged students and faculty members to actively participate in all sessions.
Thereafter, Er. Sudhanshu Matthew, Scientific Advisor and Counselor, CRIS–DNA Labs, highlighted the importance of research and scientific temperament. He stated that such training programs play a crucial role in strengthening India’s research and development ecosystem.
The Chief Guest of the program was Prof. Dr. Himanshu Airan, Vice-Chancellor, Ras Bihari Bose Subharti University, Dehradun. In his address, he stressed the need for population-centric research in India, stating:
“India must now move beyond imported models and develop research solutions based on its own ground realities. Scientific self-reliance will remain incomplete unless research laboratories are directly connected with societal needs.”
He also shared personal interactions with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and urged young researchers to adopt discipline and national interest as the core of their scientific pursuits. He described the technical training being imparted by CRIS–DNA Labs to students of Biotechnology, Microbiology, Forensic Science, Botany, Zoology, and other life sciences as highly valuable for future careers and higher education.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Himanshu Airan was felicitated with a memento and a sapling. A major highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the release of the annual calendar of the Microbiologists Society of India, unveiled by Dr. Narottam Sharma in the presence of Prof. Dr. Himanshu Airan, Er. Sudhanshu Matthew, and Dr. Negi, Head of the Department of Zoology, Government Degree College, Kotdwar.
The technical framework of the workshop was presented by Dr. Ankita Singh, Deputy Director, Junior Scientist, and Quality Manager (NABL), CRIS–DNA Labs. She informed that the seven-day intensive hands-on training includes:
Recombinant DNA technology
Preparation of competent cells
CRISPR-Cas based genome editing
Bacterial transformation and cloning
GFP-based gene expression analysis
gRNA design using bioinformatics tools
Plasmid isolation
PCR and electrophoresis
Sequence analysis
AI-based protein modeling using AlphaFold
She emphasized that the FDP represents a balanced integration of theoretical knowledge and rigorous laboratory practice.
Students from various universities and colleges across the country—including Dehradun, Kotdwar, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh, Vadodara, Patna, Jamshedpur, Roorkee, Meerut, and Haryana—are participating in the workshop.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Darshan Ambiga, Virologist, CRIS–DNA Labs, who expressed gratitude to UCB, the Microbiologists Society of India, and especially Prof. Dr. Himanshu Airan, along with all guests, speakers, faculty members, organizers, and participants.
The program coordination and management were handled by Mr. Jagjit Singh, Zoologist and Research Assistant, CRIS–DNA Labs. Several staff members were also present on the occasion, including Mr. Ritik Dogra (Deputy Quality Control Manager), Mr. Prohit Jumanani (Virologist), Mr. Vipin Nautiyal (Section In-charge, Pathology), Ms. Rashmi Bhatt, Mr. Saheb Lal, and others.
This seven-day national workshop and FDP will continue over the next six days and will conclude on January 25, 2026, with a valedictory session and certificate distribution ceremony. Participants will receive UCB-affiliated certificates, reflecting the ISO, NABL, and ICMR-compliant training standards of CRIS–DNA Labs.
