BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar organised a DBT-sponsored guest lecture on “Plant Steroids – A New Group of Hormones” by the Department of Botany. The guest speaker was Dr. Renu Bhardwaj, Dean, Life Sciences and Professor, Department of Botanical and Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, who specializes in Plant Growth Regulation, Plant Stress Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Plant Metabolomics, Chemical Ecology and Ecophysiology, Phytoremediation and Plant Stress Physiology. Prof. Renu Bhardwaj highlighted the role of various Plant growth hormones Auxins, Cytokinins etc. She discussed the role chemical compounds emitted by plants like VOC-Volatile Organic Compounds which plays a crucial role in digitization of signals and in plant interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. She apprised the students with the latest research in plant physiology by giving specific examples of ‘Tulip app’ which is supposed to decode the signals emitted by plants in the form of VOC’s. She encouraged the students to work on plant steroids and their wider applications in agricultural fields. In addition to this, she also interacted with students simultaneously in which students participated with great zeal. Students of B.Sc Medical semester I, III and V participated in it.
Dr. Rashmi Kalia, Head, Department of Life Sciences, Mrs. Pawanjit Kaur, Mrs. Harpreet Kaur, Mrs. Kulwinder Kaur and other faculty members were also present. Principal Dr. Pushpinder Walia extended vote of thanks to Dr. Renu Bhardwaj by presenting her memento.