27.7.2009

Opening Ceremony of International Conference on Algal Biomass, Resources and Utilization was held at 9-00 AM on Monday 27 July 2009
at St. Francis Hall, Stella Maris College, Chennai. The programme started with
the Invocation by Dr. Sr. Helen Vincent fmm. which was followed by welcome address by Dr. Sr. Jasintha Quadras fmm. Principal, Stella MarisCollege
(Autonomous), Chennai. Prof. V. Krishnamurthy, Director, Krishnamurthy Institute of Algology introduced the theme of the conference to the delegates.
“Phaeophyceae of India and neighbourhood” authored by V.Krishnamurthy & M.Baluswami was relased by Dr T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, and he also delivered the inaugural address. Sr. Susan fmm opened the exhibition.
Technical session started with an invited talk on Heavy metal bioremoval by EPS producing cyanobacteria, by Roberto de Philippis from Italy. This was followed by the Paper Session 1. - Biomass, natural resources and biodiversity

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Summary of the proceedings

Dr T Ramasami. Secretary, DST delivered the inaugural address.
He emphasized the importance algal systems asO2 providers. Algal biomass is a valuable resource for  food, feed and biofuels. Algal systems  are efficient convertors of CO2 and the  probability of using algal biomass to fuel is high. Pollution mitigation using algal systems is another important application and Dr Ramasami requested the young researchers to concentrate on these aspects of algal studies.
Session 1

Roberto De Philippis  delivered the first plenary lecture. He spoke on heavy metal bioremoval with EPS-producing cyanobacteria. He explained how EPS could be employed to bind and remove heavy metals.
Paper session 1 – Biomass, natural resources and biodiversity
This session included papers covering Mass cultivation of micro algae and effective harvesting by low cost method, Potentiality of marine coastal ecosystems of Andhra Pradesh, Biodiversity assessment of seaweeds of Orissa coast and their utilization, Phytoplankton diversity of Visapur lake, Phacus and Thorea
Session II
Paper session 2 : Algae as bio-fertilizeer
This session included papers on  Ulva lactuca extract and algal contribution in Vermicompost.
Session III
Paper session 3 – Algae as sources of pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals
Papers on Haematococcus pluvial is extract on human hepatome cell line, Nutraceutical values of seaweeds from Gulf of mannar coast, antioxidant activity of Porphyra and Gracilaria folifera – nutritive values

SESSION IV

Plenary lecture was delivered by Prof S Shanmugasundaram. He spoke on Algal nanotechnology. He explained how EPS from cyanobacteria could be successfully employed to produce nanoparticles. He also cautioned budding nano technologists not to produce nano particles without any purpose thereby generating nano waste.

Paper session 4 : Biofuels from algae
This session included papers on domestic sewage grown algae for biodiesel production and Biodiesel from algae
SESSION V -

Poster session : More than 40 posters have been presented on the following topics:

SESSION V

Plenary lecture 4 was deliverd  by Colin Moore  from  bbe Moldaenke  on The classification and differentiation of algal populations by fluorometric analysis. He demonstrated the applications of the following instruments for algae analysis:

Paper session 5 – Pollution mitigation by algae
Papers on pollution mitigation by algae which included epifloral community with reference to heavy metals and  Role of osmolytes in pesticide ( Malathion) induced oxidative stress in Anabaena variabilis were presented.
Wednesday 29th July Mid conference tour arranged to the following places:

Pics of Kambakkam visit by delegates ( Click to enlarge)- For pics of printable quality and for videos log on to: PHYCOLAB of Prof Balusami

30th July
SESION VII

Plenary lecture 5 was deliverd by Dr R Rengasami on a) Kappaphycus cultivation and b) Botryococcus braunii cultivation for biodiesel production. He projected the environmental impact assessment study undertaken by his research team in and around areas where Kappaphycus is being cultivated. Based on his observation he has given his recommendation to the government. He has also successfully cultivated Botrycoccus braunii in open raceway pond and developed low cost harvesting technology.
Paper Session 6: Phycoremediation
Papers on utilization of algal biomass for effective remediation of wide range of industrial effluents and other pollutants, CO2 mitigation, treatment of tannery effluent, heavy metal removal and  pH correction of acidic effluents from industries were presented.
SESSION VIII
Paper Session 7: Ecology
In this session papers on epifloral algae, algae as tool for pollution monitoring, biofouling by algae and distribution of pigments in macro algae were presented.
SESSION IX
Paper session 8: Algal physiology and Biochemistry
This session included papers on cell wall polysaccharides, pigments, fatty acids and heat shock proteins from marine algae.
Valedictory Function:

Dr V Sivasubramanian summarized the proceedings

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Dr G Subramanian delivered the valedictory address. He spoke on the important areas in which the young algologists should work.

He also distributed the Prizes for winners of oral and poster presentations.

Exhibition: An exhibition was also conducted as part of the conference.

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