SRINAGAR, JUNE 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday called for harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence in immunology and prioritising climate-linked immunity research to address emerging global health challenges, while delivering the keynote address at the Annual Conference of the Indian Immunology Society, IMMUNOCON-2026, in Srinagar.
The conference, organised by the Advanced Centre for Human Genetics at SKIMS under the theme, “Beneath the Grandeur of Chinar: Illuminating Mysteries from Fundamentals to Translational Frontiers in Health,” brought together leading scientists, researchers, clinicians and policymakers from across the country.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor highlighted the growing significance of immunology in shaping biomedical innovation and strengthening public healthcare systems. He stressed that scientific discoveries must translate into effective public health interventions to improve vaccine efficacy, combat infectious diseases and ensure better healthcare delivery.
Describing the human immune system as one of nature’s most remarkable and complex structures, Sinha said sustained innovation in immunological research is essential to prepare societies against future health emergencies and emerging disease threats.
Emphasising the transformative potential of precision medicine, he termed it a defining shift in modern healthcare and urged experts from diverse disciplines to collaborate in developing solutions capable of revolutionising medical science.
The Lieutenant Governor identified three priority areas requiring immediate attention from the scientific community. He called for the development of “Immuno-AI Fusion” platforms that utilise Artificial Intelligence to generate immune profiles across different age groups and populations. He also underscored the importance of advancing climate immunity research to understand and address health risks arising from environmental changes and future pandemics.
Further, he stressed the need to strengthen translational medicine by bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient care, ensuring that advanced diagnostics, innovative therapies and medical technologies become accessible within the public healthcare system.
Expressing appreciation for the contributions of immunologists worldwide, Sinha commended the global scientific community for its unwavering commitment to protecting human life and expanding the frontiers of medical knowledge.
He observed that hosting the Indian Immunology Society’s annual conference in Jammu and Kashmir reflects the region’s rich legacy as a historic centre of learning, scholarship and scientific pursuit.
Among those present on the occasion were Prof. G.P. Talwar, Founder Director of the National Institute of Immunology; Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director SKIMS; Prof. Amit Awasthi, President of the Indian Immunology Society; Prof. Anil Kaul, Vice Chancellor of Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth; Dr. Bashir A. Fomda, Dean Medical Faculty SKIMS; Prof. Dil Afroze, Head of the Advanced Centre for Human Genetics at SKIMS, besides scientists, researchers, industry representatives and senior officials.(KNC)
