INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON “EMERGING ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN HUMAN HEALTH”

The Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi in collaboration with National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad and Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, Delhi organised a two day international workshop on ‘Emerging Role of Vitamin D in human health” on the 4th and 5th Oct, 2011 at the Conference Centre, University of Delhi.

The two day workshop was inaugurated by the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Delhi Prof V Suneja and declared open by the Director, Institute of Home Economics Dr K Khanna. It included a day of presentations by invited speakers on the current data available on vitamin D status, the sources of the vitamin and functional outcomes across the life cycle. This was followed by a day of deliberations with focus on identification of gaps in knowledge on the role of vitamin D, methodological challenges and future research on vitamin D production, activation, metabolism, and assessment of its status across the life cycle.

Senior scientists working in the field of vitamin D research from India and abroad enthused the audience with their latest research data in information packed presentations. The international speakers included known figures like Dr Manfred Eggersdorfer, Senior Vice President, Nutrition Science and Advocacy, DSM, Switzerland, Dr Suzanne Filteau, Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, Dr Adrian Martineau, Institute of Health Sciences Education, Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London and Dr Gail Goldberg, MRC Human Nutrition Unit, Cambridge updated the audience with the current international situation on vitamin D research. Senior Indian researchers from various Institutions in India included Dr B Sesikeren who delivered the keynote address, Dr HPS Sachdev, Dr RK Marwah, Dr Nikhil Tandon, Dr A Mithal, Dr R Goswami, Dr Radha Krishna, Dr Vijaylakshmi Bhatia and Dr Geeta Trilok-Kumar.

The workshop was an enlightening experience for the students and junior scientists who had the opportunity to be amongst a house full of experienced researchers and sharing their vast knowledge. The panel discussions addressed many unresolved issues in the field of vitamin D research and information that came out of these discussions was consolidated and the recommendations are being formulated.