Date : 26th & 27th Mar 2019
Place : University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus, Mumbai
Participants : 4-member Foldscope team from St Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai
Description : After year long research, it was time to present our Foldscope observations at the National Symposium on Facets of Life Sciences – 2019 organized by the University of Mumbai. The 2 PIs along with Life Science Masters students Ms Siddhi Parab and Ms Jeniffer Tellis presented the poster. The abstract is as below:

MAPPING MICROSCOPIC BIODIVERSITY IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS USING THE PAPER MICROSCOPE ‘FOLDSCOPE’

Jennifer Tellis ¹ , Siddhi Parab ¹ , Dr Maya Murdeshwar ¹ , Dr Sujata Deshpande ^2
1 Department of Life Science & Biochemistry, ² Department of Zoology,
St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai – 400 001.

The aim of the project is to explore the variation in biodiversity of microflora and microfauna in different aquatic ecosystems using the paper microscope Foldscope. The changes in the type and abundance of microorganisms were investigated in still water systems of a water lily pond and a rain water harvesting pond at Maharashtra Nature Park, Dharavi, Mumbai. These were correlated to parameters like pH, temperature and seasonal changes in weather conditions to guage the effect of these on biodiversity.  The Foldscope is a ‘frugal science’ tool designed by Dr. Manu Prakash, Associate Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University, USA. It is an inexpensive, portable, light-weight paper microscope, small enough to fit into a pocket, and amenable with on-site field studies. The advantages and applications of the Foldscope will also be discussed.

This project is funded by the DBT-PrakashLab Research Grant (Foldscope India Phase-I) of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

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