Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, addressing the participants during valedictory function

ICAR-CIFT organized a SCSP sponsored training programme on “Advanced Microbiology, Molecular Biology, and Cell culture Techniques in Food Safety from 8^th to 13^th December, 2025. The training was aimed to empower the competence level of students of SC community with advanced techniques in the field of microbiology and molecular biology. Twenty students including Master degree and Bachelor Degree of Biological sciences from various colleges and universities of three states namely Tamil Nadu, Andra Pradesh and Kerala were attended the training programme. Pre-evaluation examination was conducted before the commencement of the training programme to assess the background knowledge of the topics to be covered in the training programme. A learning kit consisting of bag, file, notepad, soft copy of the training manual and pen were distributed to all the participants. The six days training programme gave detailed insights and hands on work exposure to the students about the microbiological techniques to be carried out for the disease surveillance program, diagnosis of bacterial diseases through automated bacterial identification systems, nanotechnological approaches for bacterial control, cell culture assays, AMR profiling, purification and quantification of bacterial DNA, molecular identification, 16SrRNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting tools and bioinformatic analysis etc. Scientists and technical staffs from MFB division handled theory and practical sessions. The training concluded with post evaluation examination and feedback from all the participants. A group photo with participants along with the Director, ICAR-CIFT, Scientists, and other staff members of MFB division was arranged. Participation certificates were distributed during Valedictory function. Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin, presided over the function. Dr. T. Raja Swaminathan, Principal Scientist and Head, MFB Division welcomed the audience. Dr. Minimol V A, Scientist briefed the training report. Dr Nikita Gopal, Nodal Officer for the flagship programme and Principal Scientist& Head, EIS division of ICAR-CIFT gave a brief introduction about the various SCSP projects of the institute. Dr. Visnuvinayagam S, Course director and Senior Scientist, MFB Division proposed the formal vote of thanks.

Dr. Raja Swaminathan T, Head, MFB division & Principal Scientist handling the theory session	Practical session on microbiological identification of bacterial pathogen

Director, participants and staff of MFB, Division