Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with Breast Cancer Patients Benefit Foundation, holds 3rd J&K International Conference on Breast and Allied Cancers (3rd JK-IBAC-26) at Gandhi Bhawan, University of Kashmir
Srinagar, 5 October 2026: The 3rd J&K International Conference on Breast and Allied Cancers (3rd JK-IBAC-26) began today at Gandhi Bhawan, University of Kashmir. The three-day conference (5–7 October 2026) is organised by the Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Patients Benefit Foundation, and is sponsored by DBT and ANRF (Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India), JKST&IC, Govt. of J&K (UT) and J&K Bank. The conference has been approved by the J&K Medical Council for 12 CME credits.
It brings together leading scientists, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and students from across India and abroad to discuss advances in cancer biology, precision oncology, genomics, artificial intelligence, immunotherapy and translational medicine. The inaugural function began with the University Tarana, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Organizing Secretary of the conference, Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir. The programme was presided over by Chief Guest Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir. Prof. Rana Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, Gautam Buddha University, was the Guest of Honour. Prof. Fayaz Ahmad, Dean, School of Biological Sciences, and Prof. Bashir Ahmad Ganai, Dean Research, University of Kashmir, also addressed the gathering, along with Dr. Sameer Koul, Senior Consultant, Surgical & Clinical Oncology, and Coordinator, Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
Addressing the audience, Chief Guest Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, said that there should be integrated collaborations within the university and with institutions outside it to take cancer research forward. She said that funding opportunities must be increased, especially for cancer research, and appreciated the Department of Bioresources for organising the conference. Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, stressed the need for integrated collaborations, both within the university and with institutions outside it, to take cancer research forward. She said that funding opportunities must be increased, especially in the field of cancer research, and congratulated the Department of Bioresources on organising the conference. Guest of Honour Prof. Rana Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor, Gautam Buddha University, spoke on the use of DNA chips in cancer and how this technology helps in understanding the disease at the molecular level. On the occasion, the dignitaries released the Souvenir cum Abstract Book of the conference and a book titled “AI in Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Proteomics”.
As part of the conference, a Breast Cancer Screening Camp was organised for the public, in line with the conference’s focus on early detection and awareness, which was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Nilofer Khan ma’am
The technical sessions opened with a keynote lecture by Dr. Sameer Koul on “Can Humanity Outsmart Cancer? The Emerging Convergence of AI, Precision Medicine and Genetic Engineering”. He spoke on how artificial intelligence is changing cancer research and care, and how it works together with precision medicine and genetic engineering to improve diagnosis and personalise treatment. Prof. Rana Pratap Singh delivered an invited keynote on DNA chips in cancer and the transcriptomic landscape and its biological relevance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, while Prof. S. Dhanalakshmi of Gautam Buddha University presented a lead lecture on a novel small molecule inhibitor of Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase 4 for the treatment of cancer.
Prof. Bashir Ahmad Ganai, Dean Research, and Prof. Nazir Ahmad Dar, acting Dean, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir, reflected on how the University of Kashmir has contributed towards breast cancer research. They insisted on the need for departments such as Biotechnology, Bioresources and Biochemistry to jointly come up with something big that would prove beneficial for breast cancer research in general and for patients in particular.
A dedicated session on funding opportunities and grant mechanisms in cancer research featured Dr. Anamika Gambhir of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Dr. Nisha Jose of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Pramod Kumar Prasad of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), who outlined national programmes and opportunities available to cancer researchers.
The afternoon session, “Unravelling Cancer: New Insights, New Directions”, included lectures by different speakers across the country. Parallel to the lectures, poster and oral presentations were held in the Side Hall. The poster session ran from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM, while Oral Presentations (Session-1) continued from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Researchers, clinicians, scholars and students presented their latest findings on breast and allied cancers, and the sessions gave young scientists an opportunity to interact with experts and receive feedback on their work.
Dr. Reiaz ur Rehman, Head, Department of Bioresources, proposed the formal vote of thanks.
The conference will continue on 6 and 7 October with sessions on precision oncology and computational approaches, molecular profiling and targeted therapies, the cancer burden in Jammu & Kashmir, and cancer prevention, awareness and public health policy. The programme includes further oral and poster sessions, a panel discussion with experts on the current scenario of cancer in J&K, and a quiz on breast cancer awareness. The valedictory function and award distribution will be held on 7 October, with Prof. Mohammad Ashraf Ganie, Director, SKIMS, as Chief Guest.
