NewzVille Desk
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), today hosted the curtain raiser event of the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026), featuring a special session on System and Synthetic Biology and their transformative potential in advancing scientific research, biotechnology and innovation in India.
The event was graced by Prof. Gobardhan Das, Member, NITI Aayog, as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished dignitaries included Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT); Dr. Dhananjay Kumar Tiwary, Scientist-H, DBT; and Dr. Ramesh V. Sonti, Director, ICGEB New Delhi.
Dr. Ramesh V. Sonti provided an overview of ESTIC 2026, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Dr. Sonti, highlighting the significance of System and Synthetic Biology, informed that DBT would be steering a session on “Systems and Synthetic Biology” in ESTIC 2026. Dr. Sonti further said that these emerging fields touch virtually every aspect of life and offer considerable opportunities for scientific advancement.
The session on System and Synthetic Biology highlighted the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding complex biological systems and engineering biological processes for applications in healthcare, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and sustainable development. These emerging fields offer significant opportunities to accelerate innovation, develop novel biotechnological solutions and strengthen India’s position in the global bioeconomy.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Dhananjay Kumar Tiwary, MD BIRAC, Scientist-H, DBT, highlighted the transformative potential of System and Synthetic Biology, emphasising their applications in healthcare, biomanufacturing and biodesign. He also underscored the role of Artificial Intelligence in accelerating biological research and highlighted the BioE3 Policy’s potential to create new opportunities for India’s biotechnology sector.
In his address, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, welcomed the participants and underscored the pivotal role of science in driving innovation and societal progress. Drawing on the discovery and large-scale production of penicillin, he highlighted that scientific discoveries achieve their full impact when they are translated into scalable solutions and made accessible to society. He emphasised the growing significance of biology as a powerful platform for innovation, noting that biotechnology is entering its second revolution, with the potential to shape multiple aspects of human development. He also stressed the need to accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into practical applications by strengthening research, development and scale-up.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Gobardhan Das, Member, NITI Aayog, highlighted India’s growing scientific capabilities and the immense potential of biotechnology to drive national development, strengthen the innovation ecosystem and address emerging global challenges.
The Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2026) is a flagship national platform organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Scheduled from 27–29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the conclave aims to bring together leading scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and deep-tech innovators to showcase scientific breakthroughs, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate the translation of research into impactful technologies.
Covering 12 key thematic areas, including System and Synthetic Biology, advanced manufacturing, energy technologies, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and advanced healthcare, ESTIC 2026 seeks to strengthen India’s science, technology and innovation ecosystem.
