Chiasma 2024
Chiasma is a student-led science fest organised by the Biological and Life Sciences division of the School of Arts and Sciences that provides students from all over the country a chance to benefit from the rich curriculum of Ahmedabad University and receive hands-on experience of its facilities. Using an amalgamation of instructive workshops, informative talks, and stimulating competitions, Chiasma is a pivotal platform for students to delve into the realm of Life Sciences. The fundamental objective is to intervene in the disparity between scientific exploration and the complexity of everyday life.
For seven years, Chiasma has marked a tremendous success in enriching students nationwide with the knowledge of life sciences and its interdisciplinary applications. The 7th edition of Chiasma brings to you exciting workshops that will ignite your curiosity, transform you into a critical thinker, and nurture a problem-solving mind. Join us to embark on an exhilarating journey that unleashes your hidden scientist. Explore the field of Life Sciences through fun-filled learning and exciting social events.
Socials
Calling all science enthusiasts! Get ready to ignite your curiosity and forge lasting connections at CHIASMA, a celebration of all things science. CHIASMA is more than just workshops. It's a vibrant festival where students, scientists, researchers, and anyone with a passion for science come together.
Deepen your knowledge by participating in engaging workshops led by experts, delving into diverse scientific fields. This year, CHIASMA socials aims to build a community of curious minds. Expand your network by mingling with fellow science enthusiasts, share ideas, and build valuable connections at the mixer. Discover your potential and let your curiosity run wild during our interactive social evenings, designed to spark creativity and exploration.
This year, CHIASMA is back and bigger! We've got new exciting events and performances planned, plus the return of popular favorites like volleyball tournament and DJ night. Whether you're a seasoned science buff or just starting your journey, CHIASMA has something for you.
Ready to join the adventure? We are! Don't miss out on this chance to be intertwined with curiosity at CHIASMA.
For any queries, please contact:
Fathema Rushnaiwala: +91.9725201874
Ananya Bhat: +91.7795283403
Workshops
The Forensics Workshop
Who said science can’t be thrilling? The Forensic Science workshop at Chiasma explores the world of crime-fighting and connects it with the excitement of practical science.
In our workshop, where science meets suspense, students will be exposed to realistic crime scenarios and will engage in solving the mystery by themselves. They experience hands-on training in various intriguing practical tests performed by actual forensic investigators like Blood Spatter Analysis and Dactylography (Fingerprinting Tests).
Join us to fulfil those detective desires and experience nothing less than being in a CID episode at the Forensic Science Workshop at Chiasma 2024!
Workshop Itinerary:
- Dactylography - Scientific Study of Fingerprints
- Blood spatter
- Intended writing and forgery
- Crime scene investigative techniques
AEKTA BAROT
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
DHRUVI MEWADA
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
ANKITA SHRIVASTAVA
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
World at Nanoscale
Nanotechnology has been increasingly gaining popularity because of its wide variety of applications ranging from forensic studies, cancer therapies, drug delivery systems, and more. The broad range of unique properties that elements display at the nanoscale is fascinating and the basis of several upcoming research studies. The workshop will enable students to take the first step into this field and see the endless possibilities - even at such a nanoscale!
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) has revolutionised imaging techniques, allowing us to delve deeper into the nanoscale and, thus, expand the scope of nanotechnology. The workshop aims to introduce students to nanotechnology and nanoparticles, their analysis, and their visualisation.
Workshop Itinerary:
- Learning about the working principles of SEM followed by a hands-on visualisation activity
- Learning about the working principles of TEM followed by demonstration
- Synthesising Gold nanoparticles and Analysing the prepared sample using DLS
VIDHI PAIDA
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
DIYA JAJOO
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
Deciphering Life
Proteins, also known as the building blocks of life, are present in our body in various forms. From enzymes that catalyse metabolic reactions to antibodies that defend against foreign antigens, the list is unending. This makes studying proteins crucial for understanding fundamental biological processes, drug discovery, and other innovations in the field of biology.
This workshop gives students hands-on experience with basic techniques and instruments for molecular biology experiments. In particular, they will be familiarised with experiments associated with the analysis of proteins.
Workshop itinerary-
- Protein isolation- Isolation of proteins from bacterial cells.
- Bradford's Assay- Quantification of the isolated proteins.
- SDS PAGE- Separating the proteins based on their molecular weights via gel electrophoresis.
- Western blot- Understanding how a particular protein is identified from a group of isolated proteins via targeting by antibodies.
VIDHI OZA
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
SANJANA SHAH
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
Life in Bytes
Biological research generates a vast amount of data like genome and protein sequences and information on biological molecules and organisms. Bioinformatics brings together people across the field of biology, physics, chemistry and computer science to devise computational methods to manage, analyse and derive useful interpretations out of this data. The data generated in the labs are in raw form, and the tools of bioinformatics and computation help us analyse and understand the data to use it for further research purposes.
The aim of the workshop is to give a basic introduction to bioinformatics tools through problem-solving.
Workshop Itinerary:
- Handling databases
- Pairwise and multiple sequence alignments
- BLAST
- Primer designing
- Homology modelling
- Visualising proteins using Chimera
GARGI MUKHERJEE
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
ISHITA TUNDIYA
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
A Trip Down Memory Lane: the Psychology Workshop
This will be a comprehensive learning experience that delves into the intricate interplay of psychological and biological aspects that shape human memory. Participants will gain a profound understanding of memory processes through specific experiments, exploring cognitive and neural mechanisms.
Throughout the workshop, participants will develop a solid grasp of fundamental psychological theories and models related to memory, including encoding, storage, and retrieval. A unique emphasis will be placed on bridging the gap between psychological concepts and their biological foundations, providing participants with insights into how brain structures and functions contribute to memory functions.The hands-on element of the workshop will involve practical sessions using Psychopy, a versatile tool for creating psychological experiments. Participants will gain practical skills in designing and implementing memory-related experiments, offering them firsthand experience in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. From constructing stimuli to collecting and analysing data, participants will navigate the entire research process, honing both their theoretical understanding and practical research skills.
KHUSHI CHAUHAN
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
SHARANYA NAYAR
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
WildMinds Ethology
The ethology workshop dives into the fascinating world of animal behaviour! Join us for an early morning bird walk, exploring the intricacies and diversity of avian life. Students will engage in discussions and hands-on experiments that unravel the mysteries of animal psychology across various species.
This workshop promises a comprehensive exploration of ethology, providing a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the interconnected world of animal behaviour. Join us for a journey where each moment uncovers new layers of knowledge in the captivating realm of ethology.
Workshop Itinerary:
- Learning concepts like sexual size dimorphism, mating systems and modes of communication
- Insights into Tinbergen’s 4 questions, ecological niches, ethograms and dynamics of fish aggression
NAIDILE KULKARNI
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
ZEUS SETHNA
Integrated MS
School of Arts and Sciences
For any queries, please contact:
Srutisri Kalyana Sundaram: +91.9789028376
Aarohi Desai: +91.9925519187
Nikita Amresh: +91.7259009230
Or email us at [email protected]
