Vellore Workshop Explores Plant-Based Biomanufacturing for Vaccines and Therapeutics
Thiruvalluvar University's Department of Biotechnology has organised a five-day national workshop titled 'Molecular Pharming: Research and Innovations in Vaccines, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics' at its campus in Sekkadu village near Katpadi in Vellore. The workshop, sponsored by the Department of Health Research of the Indian Council of Medical Research (DHR–ICMR), brings together delegates from academia, healthcare industries, research institutes, and regulatory bodies.
Molecular pharming refers to the use of plants as bioreactors to produce pharmaceutical proteins, such as vaccines, therapeutic enzymes, and diagnostic reagents. This approach offers potential advantages including lower production costs, scalability, and reduced risk of contamination compared to traditional mammalian cell culture systems. The workshop aims to provide participants with theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on experience in techniques for producing such biologics, with a particular focus on plant-based expression systems relevant to global health applications.
The event was inaugurated by J. Senthil Velmurugan, Registrar, Thiruvalluvar University, in the presence of R. Babu Janarthanam, Controller of Examinations of the university. According to a press release, the five-day programme is designed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial application, enabling participants to understand the entire pipeline from gene construction to protein purification and formulation.
Experts note that molecular pharming has gained renewed attention in recent years due to its potential for rapid and cost-effective production of vaccines and therapeutics, especially in low-resource settings. For instance, plant-made vaccines and antibodies have been explored for diseases such as Ebola, dengue, and COVID-19. The ICMR sponsorship underscores the significance of this field for India's public health preparedness and its commitment to fostering research in advanced biomanufacturing platforms.
Workshop sessions are expected to cover a range of topics, including vector design for plant transformation, expression optimisation, downstream processing, regulatory pathways, and quality control. Participants will also engage in laboratory exercises to gain hands-on familiarity with techniques such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and transient expression systems.
The initiative aligns with the government's broader push towards self-reliance in healthcare manufacturing and supporting indigenous innovation in biotechnology. By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, the workshop aims to encourage collaborations that can translate academic findings into viable products for public health benefit.
Thiruvalluvar University, located in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, has been actively promoting research in biotechnology and allied fields. This workshop is part of the department's ongoing efforts to enhance research capacity and train the next generation of scientists in emerging areas of biopharmaceutical production.
As the workshop progresses over the five days, participants will have the opportunity to deliberate on challenges and opportunities in molecular pharming, including regulatory frameworks, biosafety concerns, and the path from laboratory to market. The organisers hope the event will serve as a catalyst for future research collaborations and contribute to strengthening India's capabilities in this promising field.
