Chandigarh, December 11
The 8th National Conference of the Indian Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ISHICON 2025), themed “Innovation Driven Transplant Immunology: Sharpening the Cutting Edge”, commenced today. Organised by the Department of Immunopathology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, the conference is being held from December 11–13.
The inaugural ceremony opened with the welcome address by Conference Chair, Prof. (Dr) Biman Saikia, followed by the Secretary’s Report by Dr Uma Kanga, the Presidential Address by Prof. Narinder K. Mehra, and the Vote of Thanks by Conference Secretary, Prof. Ritu Aggarwal, who acknowledged the contributions of Joint Secretary Dr Gaurav Sharma, Treasurer Dr Mahendra Kumar, Conference Organising Committee, Scientific Committee, and partner organisations.
Expressing deep satisfaction at the enthusiastic participation, Prof. Biman Saikia, Conference Chair, stated, “ISHICON 2025 is more than a scientific meeting—it is a collective resolve to push the boundaries of transplant immunology. As India rapidly advances in transplantation science, our ability to innovate, collaborate, and translate research into patient-centred solutions will define the next decade. This platform brings together the best minds to sharpen that cutting edge.”
An inspiring keynote address by ISHI President Prof. Narinder K. Mehra on “Evolution of Transplant Immunology in India” set the tone for the scientific deliberations.
A major highlight of the day was the Prof. Narinder Mehra Oration, delivered by Prof. Alejandro Madrigal (UK), who spoke on advanced donor-selection strategies for stem cell transplantation. International experts including Eric Spierings (Netherlands), Rob Liwski (Canada), and Raja Rajalingam (USA), along with leading national faculty, shared cutting-edge insights across the field.
A special lecture by Dr Anil Kumar, Director, NOTTO, emphasised the national importance of a coordinated organ and tissue transplant ecosystem. Young scientists also showcased innovative research through oral and poster presentations.
With nearly 110 delegates, Day 1 of ISHICON 2025 concluded on a high note, reflecting the conference’s strong momentum, robust scientific content, and collaborative spirit. Engaging sessions, enriched with innovations, case discussions, and expert interactions, are lined up for the next two days of the conference.
