A two-day hands-on workshop on “Cell Culture” was successfully conducted on March 24 and 25, 2026, at JSS Dental College & Hospital, with the participation of 24 enthusiastic delegates

Day 1 commenced with registration, followed by a pre-test conducted by Dr. Rimshia Naaz to assess the baseline knowledge of participants. The academic sessions began with a lecture by Dr. Preethi G. Anantharaju, who introduced the fundamentals of mammalian cell culture, including types of cell lines and essential instrumentation. This was followed by an informative session by Dr. Divya P. Kumar on Good Cell Culture Practices, covering biosafety measures, aseptic techniques, media preparation, CO2 incubators, and contamination control

The inaugural ceremony was held mid-morning and was graced by Dr. Dhakshaini MR, Principal, JSS Dental College & Hospital, as the Chief Guest. The distinguished gathering included Dr. Joseph Kingston, Scientist F, Defence Institute of Biodefence Technology; Dr. Jai Shankar, Vice Principal; Dr. Nandala B, Professor; and Dr. M.V.S.S.T. Subbarao, Professor, CEMR, JSS Medical College, along with heads of departments, faculty members, and participants

Dr. Joseph Kingston delivered an insightful address, emphasizing the importance of cell culture in modern scientific research, particularly its applications in food research and bacteriology. His talk provided participants with a broader perspective on the interdisciplinary relevance of cell culture techniques

During the inaugural session, the workshop manual was formally released by the dignitaries. Designed as a comprehensive guide, it provides both theoretical knowledge and practical protocols, serving as a valuable reference for future academic and research pursuits

Post-break, participants engaged in hands-on training sessions led by Ms. Harshitha, Mr. Nithin Mohan, and Ms. Sushmitha, focusing on basic cell culture techniques. The day concluded with a visit to the USIC facility, followed by an interactive discussion

Day 2 began with a lecture by Dr. M.V.S.S.T. Subbarao on cell-based assays, their principles, and applications. This was followed by a session by Dr. Vidya B G, highlighting the diverse applications of mammalian cell culture in research and clinical practice. Participants then undertook hands-on training in cell-based assays

The final practical session was conducted by Dr. Preethi G. Anantharaju, focusing on data analysis and interpretation, including cell viability calculations and graphical representation. The session concluded with a post-test to evaluate learning outcomes

The valedictory function was graced by Dr. Prashanth Vishwanath, Dean of Research, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Dhakshaini MR, Dr. Jai Shankar, Dr. Nandala B, and Dr. M.V.S.S.T. Subbarao, whose continued support contributed significantly to the success of the workshop

Certificates were distributed to participants in recognition of their active involvement. Prizes were awarded to the top two performers in the Q&A session for their outstanding participation and subject knowledge

The workshop was organized and coordinated by Dr. Sushma R (Department of Public Health Dentistry) and Dr. Meenakshi S (Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge), whose dedicated efforts ensured the smooth conduct of the program

The organizers also expressed their sincere gratitude to the sponsors—Arknest India Private Limited, Aan Scientific, Sree Sapthagiri Enterprises, Eminot Life Sciences, and Mercury Instruments and Chemicals—for their valuable support in providing conference kits and facilitating the workshop

Overall, the workshop was highly informative and successful in achieving its objective of providing comprehensive training in mammalian cell culture techniques. The enthusiastic participation of all delegates, combined with expert guidance and hands-on exposure, made the program a meaningful learning experience. The event concluded with a group photograph, capturing the spirit and enthusiasm of the participants and organizers