From Cancer Microenvironments to Crop Drought Tolerance: Highlights from RNA-Seq Workshop Conducted in Collaboration with Central University of Punjab

Introduction

In collaboration with the Central University of Punjab , Bathinda, we successfully hosted a two-day online workshop on Integrative Omics and RNA-Seq Analysis. This event provided participants with insights into two transformative applications of RNA-Seq:

• Studying the role of macrophages in the cancer microenvironment.
• Exploring mechanisms of drought tolerance in crops, focusing on potatoes.

Macrophages in the Cancer Microenvironment

Participants learned how macrophages contribute to tumor progression and immune modulation. Through RNA-Seq analysis, students learnt about:

• Gene expression changes in macrophage subtypes.
• Key immune pathways influencing cancer therapies.

Drought Tolerance in Crops

Addressing the pressing issue of agricultural resilience, the workshop also explored how RNA-Seq can uncover drought-resistance genes in potatoes. Discussions included:

• Differential gene expression under water-deficient conditions.
• Insights into pathways for improving crop drought tolerance.

Participant Demographics

Our workshop attracted a diverse group of 217 participants from various departments, creating a rich environment for interdisciplinary learning.?

Attendees included faculties and students from departments such as Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Computational Sciences, Microbiology, Zoology, Botany, Biochemistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This blend of expertise added depth to the discussions, bridging perspectives from molecular medicine to computational biology and agricultural sciences.?

The workshop attracted participants from varied academic backgrounds, enriching the learning experience:

• 68.66% were Master’s students, bringing their advanced knowledge and fresh perspectives.
• 1.34% were faculty members, contributing valuable academic and institutional insights.
• 30% were Ph.D. scholars, adding extensive research expertise to the discussions.

Participant Feedback

The success of the workshop was reflected in participant satisfaction rates:

• 86.85% were impressed by the program's content.
• 87.5% rated the technical aspects of the program as outstanding.
• 76.8% felt the course offered a moderate difficulty level, making it accessible yet challenging.
• A remarkable 97.2% of participants said they would recommend our workshops to others!

Conclusion

This workshop highlighted the transformative potential of integrative omics in addressing critical challenges in cancer and agriculture. Through engaging sessions and hands-on training, participants gained tools and insights to advance their research.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, for their incredible support and collaboration. A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Ramakrishna Wusirika , Dean, In-Charge Academics; Dr. Sanjeev Thakur , Dean, School of Basic Sciences; and Dr. Saraboji Kadhirvel , Associate Professor & Head of the Department of Computational Sciences, for their pivotal roles in making this workshop a success.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Mohit Mazumder , CEO & Founder, and Preeti Yadav , Mentor from the OmicsLogic team for their unwavering commitment to delivering an exceptional learning experience.

If you are interested in organizing a similar workshop at your institution or collaborating on future educational initiatives, we would love to hear from you. Drop us an email on [email protected].

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