As part of a collaboration between IISER Pune and the University of Notre Dame, IISER Pune is hosting the following two events. Both are open to all. 

1) Drawn to Discovery, a SciComm Exhibition + Panel Discussion on science and art: This event is being held along with the CARE project (Communicating Action and Resilience for Environmental Health in India) led by Dr. Shalini Sharma from the Humanities and Social Sciences Department of IISER Pune.

Journalist Nidhi Jamwal will lead the panel discussion with 
• Dr Saurja DasGupta (University of Notre Dame) 
• Argha Manna (Artist-in-Residence, IIT Gandhinagar)
• Dr Shalini Sharma (Humanities and Social Sciences Department, IISER Pune)

Date, Time and Venue: December 16, 2025, 4:30 to 7 pm, Room 101, Lecture Hall Complex, IISER Pune campus

 

2) Research talk titled "Teaching RNA New Tricks" by Dr Saurja DasGupta from the University of Notre Dame hosted by Prof. Sudha Rajamani from the Department of Biology. 

Abstract of the talk: 

Just as Chemistry serves as the ‘central science’ by linking Physics and Biology, RNA can be seen as the central biomolecule that holds the Central Dogma together, and likely bridged the divide between the nonliving (Chemistry) and the living (Biology) worlds. Although RNA performs amazing feats in cells, from encoding and regulating genetic information to catalyzing essential reactions such as protein synthesis, its capabilities extend far beyond what biology currently uses. My lab seeks to expand the functional repertoire of RNA by making it do things it cannot do in cells using a combination of artificial evolution and ‘intelligent design’. In this talk, I will illustrate the versatility of RNA – the molecule – in three short vignettes. I will describe our efforts exploring the role of RNA in the origins of cellular life, one of the most enduring mysteries in science. I will show how we breed RNA enzymes in test tubes to make them perform functions that are alien to biology and how we are trying to leverage these new functions to build new technology to investigate hidden corners of biology. Finally, I will discuss how we are using RNA to create a new class of sensors for environmental monitoring. Together, these stories showcase how RNA can address questions as profound as – ‘How did life emerge on the Earth?’ or as mundane as –
‘Is my drinking water contaminated?’ Take your pick!

Date, Time, and Venue: December 17, 2025, 11:30 am, Seminar Room 34, Main Building, IISER Pune campus