Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology to celebrate 25th Foundation Day

HYDERABAD: Is Ash beautiful? The question has already been settled forever with the queen of hearts winning the Miss World title years ago. Aishwarya Rai and what really is beautiful? These questions may well pop up at a meeting of molecular biology scientists and eminent people from the world of arts in the city soon.
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) is celebrating its 25th Foundation Day from November 25-27, 2012.As part of the celebrations, well-known scientists from both within the country and abroad will participate. Interestingly, a session on 'Art and science' is also being organised on November 26.
"Beauty is a matter of perception. There are certain things which are accepted as beautiful. But ultimately, it is something that the brain tells you that certain features, say, in a person, are acceptable to you and you would consider them as beautiful. But the same thing may not be beautiful to others," Ch Mohan Rao, director of CCMB said.
Mohan Rao told TOI that scientists and artists would deliberate on the subject in an exclusive session to be held as part of the three-day meeting. "Artists do appreciate the beauty that they are able to see but they are even more fascinated by what can only be seen under the microscope. For instance, the human cell structure in itself is amazing and beautiful. And that has caught the fascination of artists," Mohan Rao said.
Beauty may get a certain definition from artists and musicians and biology can have an interpretation. "Artistes and scientists definitely agree on what really is beautiful. Only, the terminology and vocabulary they use to describe it is different," Mohan Rao said.
Well-known people from the world of arts including Sonal Mansingh, Shaki Maira, Ronne Dods, Amita Ratnam and Semir Zeki will participate in the session on 'Art and science' during the international conference on 'Biology 2012 and beyond.'
This, however, is not the first time that the CCMB is having a brush with the world of art. The main building of the scientific institution is full of paintings.
Apart from beauty, several scientific sessions will also be held during the celebrations. Prof Samir K Brahmachari, director-general, CSIR will speak on 'Open source drug discovery as an innovative model for affordable healthcare for all.' Stephne Minger, who discovered stem cells, will talk about the 'Therapeutic and research potential of human stem cells.'
Several scientists, who did their doctoral studies at the CCMB, and came back to India, will also participate in the celebrations.