Pokhran: 1974

 A Journey into India's Nuclear History

Celebrating the 105th Birth Anniversary of Sir Richard Feynman 

Fundamentals and Finality

The Life and Work of Steven Weinberg

As part of The Science Club's series on legendary physicists, a special talk titled "Fundamentals and Finality: The Life and Work of Steven Weinberg" was delivered by Prof. Sunil Mukhi on 25th September 2021.

In this deeply insightful lecture, Prof. Mukhi reflected on the life, ideas, and legacy of Steven Weinberg, one of the towering figures of theoretical physics in the 20th and early 21st centuries. The talk explored Weinberg’s foundational contributions to particle physics and cosmology — including his role in formulating the electroweak theory — as well as his broader philosophical reflections on science, rationality, and the pursuit of final theories.

The session was a fitting tribute to a scientist whose work continues to shape our understanding of the universe.

Digital Chemistry and Chemputation 

On 29th August 2021, The Science Club, IISER Pune hosted an exciting talk by Prof. Lee Cronin, titled "Digital Chemistry and Chemputation."

In this visionary lecture, Prof. Cronin introduced the emerging paradigm of chemputation — the automation and digitization of chemical synthesis through universal chemical programming. He discussed how his group is working to create a “chemputer”, a programmable chemical computer, capable of synthesizing molecules on demand, with potential to revolutionize drug discovery, materials science, and reproducibility in chemistry.

This talk was part of our ongoing effort to bring cutting-edge scientific advancements to the IISER Pune community.

Synthetic Biology

Fundamental Concepts to Applications

On 21st August 2021, The Science Club, IISER Pune hosted a fascinating talk by Prof. Pawan K. Dhar titled "Synthetic Biology: Fundamental Concepts to Applications."

In the first part of the talk, Prof. Dhar introduced the emergence of synthetic biology as a distinct scientific discipline. He outlined its foundational principles, engineering-inspired methodologies, key tools, and wide-ranging industrial applications, from biosensors to sustainable manufacturing.

The second part of the talk delved into his group’s cutting-edge research on what is often referred to as the “dark matter of the genome.” Prof. Dhar discussed the three broad categories of functional DNA:

1. Protein-coding sequences

2. Non-coding (but transcribing) RNA

3. Non-transcribing DNA

While protein-coding genes and non-coding RNAs have been extensively studied, he emphasized that the non-transcribing portions of the genome — long overlooked — may hold untapped biological potential. The talk explored the possibilities of understanding and harnessing this non-expressing genome for novel biotechnological applications.

Nature versus Nurture

How the environment shapes our genes

On 31st July 2021, The Science Club, IISER Pune hosted a compelling talk by Prof. Sanjeev Galande titled "Nature versus Nurture: How the Environment Shapes Our Genes."

In this lecture, Prof. Galande traced the evolution of our understanding of heredity — from Mendel’s foundational laws of genetics to the profound insights offered by the Human Genome Project, completed in 2003. He emphasized that while sequencing the genome was a landmark achievement, it soon became evident that genetic sequence alone is not enough to fully explain gene function or complex traits.

Prof. Galande explored how the genomics revolution and the development of high-throughput epigenetic technologies have transformed biomedical sciences. He explained how epigenetic modifications — chemical changes to DNA and histones that do not alter the underlying sequence — are influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle. These modifications can regulate gene expression dynamically, both in daily life and across generations.

The talk provided fascinating insights into how modern biology is revealing that we inherit not just genes, but also patterns of gene expression influenced by our environment. Prof. Galande also discussed technological breakthroughs in the field and their impact on our understanding of disease susceptibility, especially lifestyle-related disorders.

Symmetry

The Science Club, IISER Pune curated a multidisciplinary talk series titled "Symmetry," exploring how the concept of symmetry underpins diverse fields of inquiry, from the natural sciences to mathematics and linguistics. Each talk in the series was delivered by an expert from a different domain, offering a unique lens into the aesthetic and structural power of symmetry.

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics

The Science Club organized a special talk series throughout November focused on deep and fascinating concepts related to the foundations of quantum mechanics. The series brought together eminent physicists to explore everything from quantum measurement to black hole thermodynamics. Each session offered valuable insights for students and enthusiasts of quantum theory.

The CMS Experiment or a missing momentum microscope?  

On 21st October, 2021 (Wednesday) at 6:30 PM, the Science Club, IISER Pune organized a talk titled “The CMS Experiment or a Missing Momentum Microscope?” delivered by Dr. Seema Sharma.

In this engaging talk, Dr. Sharma introduced the audience to the cutting-edge world of particle physics at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), where protons are accelerated to energies of 6.5 TeV — moving at nearly the speed of light (0.999999990 c). These proton bunches are made to collide at astonishing rates of around 40 million times per second, with detectors like CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) and ATLAS recording the aftermath of each collision.

Dr. Sharma explained that amidst these billions of collisions, only a rare few may signal the presence of new physical phenomena — such as the elusive Higgs boson or potential Dark Matter particles. The challenge lies in identifying these rare events within the immense volume of data. The CMS detector, as she described, functions almost like a "missing momentum microscope," allowing physicists to infer the presence of invisible particles by meticulously analyzing the imbalance of energy and momentum.

Through vivid explanations and accessible analogies, Dr. Sharma conveyed how advanced detectors and innovative data analysis techniques help physicists probe the unknown, potentially unlocking the secrets of Dark Matter and deepening our understanding of the universe at its most fundamental level.

The talk was well-received by the IISER Pune community and sparked an engaging discussion about the frontiers of experimental high-energy physics.

Excursion into the Origins of Life

On Friday, 16th October, 2021 at 6:00 PM, The Science Club hosted a talk titled “Excursion into the Origins of Life” delivered by Dr. Sudha Rajamani.

Dr. Sudha Rajamani, a leading researcher at IISER Pune, is widely recognized for her work in the field of astrobiology and the origins of life on Earth. Her research focuses on one of the most profound scientific questions: how did life emerge from non-living chemical matter? Specifically, she explores the transition from chemistry to biology on the early Earth, shedding light on the prebiotic conditions and molecular mechanisms that could have led to the emergence of primitive life.

In this talk, Dr. Rajamani took the audience on a conceptual journey through the chemical landscapes of early Earth. She discussed plausible prebiotic scenarios, the role of nucleic acids and protocells, and experimental approaches her lab uses to model early life-like systems in the lab.

This insightful session was a fascinating blend of chemistry, biology, and planetary science, offering a window into how life might have originated — not just on Earth, but possibly elsewhere in the universe. The talk attracted attendees from multiple disciplines and sparked lively discussions on the frontiers of origins-of-life research.

Taking an Online Semester in Stride 

On Monday, 17th August 2020, the Science Club, IISER Pune organized an online discussion session titled “Taking an Online Semester in Stride.”

This session was conceived as a conversation-oriented event aimed at supporting both students and faculty during the unprecedented transition to a fully online semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion featured Dr. Amrita Hazra, Dr. Anupam Singh, Dr. Devapriya Chattopadhyay, and Dr. Suneeta Vardarajan as speakers — each bringing their unique perspective and teaching experiences to the table.

The conversation addressed a wide range of concerns that emerged in the virtual classroom setting. Topics included the lack of student interaction and engagement during online lectures, the challenges of maintaining academic motivation, the difficulty in replicating classroom dynamics virtually, and the anxiety surrounding 100% weightage end-semester examinations. Faculty members also shared adaptive strategies and empathetic approaches to better navigate teaching in a digital environment.

The session fostered an open and constructive dialogue, offering reassurance and practical advice to both students and instructors trying to adjust to the new normal. It served as a much-needed forum for collective reflection and problem-solving within the IISER Pune community.

A Discussion on The Origin of SARS-CoV-2

On 28th June 2020, The Science Club, IISER Pune hosted an insightful discussion led by Prof. M.S. Madhusudhan titled “A Discussion on the Origin of SARS-CoV-2.”

In this session, Prof. Madhusudhan addressed the scientific community’s efforts to uncover the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing upon genomic data, evolutionary biology, and virological studies, he outlined the evidence supporting different hypotheses regarding the virus’s emergence—ranging from natural zoonotic spillover to speculations around laboratory-associated origins.

Prof. Madhusudhan provided a clear overview of the structure and evolutionary lineage of coronaviruses, highlighting how previous outbreaks like SARS and MERS informed early investigations into COVID-19. He discussed how genomic surveillance and phylogenetic tools have been instrumental in tracing the virus's progression and understanding its adaptations.

The talk also engaged with the broader implications of such outbreaks on global public health systems and scientific transparency. The discussion underscored the importance of international cooperation in virology, biosafety standards, and pandemic preparedness.

The session was well-attended and concluded with a robust Q&A, where participants explored scientific, ethical, and policy-related aspects of viral origin research.

Science Day 2020

Excursion into Complex Systems 

From Classical to Quantum

Excursion into Entropy of a Water Molecule

Entropy

Viewing the beginning of time from the most remote places on Earth

Nobel Prizes in Nuclear Physics

String Theory & the Experiments that Motivated It

An Internship with a difference

Representing the Apocalypse in the European Middle Ages, through a variety of motives and implications  

A Brief History of Stephen Hawking

National Science Day 2018

 TB or not TB - A diagnostic tool

Evolution of Cooperative Behaviour

Making the Sound Visible

Strange Metals and Black Holes

Strange Metals and Black Holes

Can Economics be a Physical Science?

Search For Extra-terrestrial Life

τ - Leptons at the LHC & its role in Higgs Physics