Chandigarh, February 10, 2026:- The Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organized the 14th Prof. R. N. Chakravarti Memorial Oration on February 10, 2026, at Lecture Theatre-1, Nehru Hospital, PGIMER.
The prestigious oration was delivered by Prof. Sathees C. Raghavan, Department of Biochemistry and Chair, Central Animal Facility, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on the theme “DNA Double-Strand Break Repair: From Mechanistic Understanding to Cancer Treatment.”
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Research), PGIMER, highlighted the pioneering and transformative contributions of Late Prof. R. N. Chakravarti to Experimental Medicine and emphasised that his legacy continues to inspire generations of medical researchers in the country.
The orator was introduced by Prof. Dibyajyoti Banerjee, Head, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, who underscored Prof. Raghavan’s seminal contributions to the field of DNA repair, particularly the development of small-molecule inhibitors of DNA repair pathways, including those discovered by his group in India.
In his lecture, Prof. Raghavan explained how cells respond to deleterious DNA double-strand breaks and discussed translational advances emerging from his laboratory. He highlighted SCR7, a potential anti-cancer molecule that inhibits non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), a key DNA repair pathway, with demonstrated efficacy in in vitro and ex vivo models. He further elaborated on the role of the immune system in chromosomal instability, DNA repair mechanisms, and cancer therapeutics.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Alka Bhatia, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology.
The event was attended by Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Sub-Dean (Academics), Emeritus professors, faculty members, researchers, students, and other dignitaries of the Institute.