Jamia Millia Islamia Hosts 11th ISAR Conference on Heart Disease Research
By : Sagar Reshi
The 11th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Atherosclerosis Research – Delhi Chapter (ISAR–DCCON 2026) was held on October 10, 2026, at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in New Delhi. The conference took place at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and was jointly organised by DDU KAUSHAL Kendra (DDUKK), Faculty of Life Sciences, JMI, and the Delhi Chapter of the Indian Society for Atherosclerosis Research. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The conference brought together around 400 doctors, scientists, researchers, teachers and students to discuss new developments in understanding, preventing and treating atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits, known as plaque, build up inside arteries and restrict blood flow. It is a major cause of heart attacks and strokes. In India, heart disease often affects people at a younger age than in many Western countries, making early detection and effective prevention especially important.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Bridging the Gap: From Molecular Mechanisms to Precision Management of Atherosclerosis”. Discussions focused on how laboratory research can be translated into better treatment and more personalised care for patients.
Senior Medical Expert Inaugurates Conference
Prof. Jayashree Bhattacharjee, former Director of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, inaugurated the conference as the Chief Guest. In her address, she stressed the importance of detecting heart disease early and ensuring that research findings benefit patients.
Prof. Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan, Director of DDU KAUSHAL Kendra, JMI, and Convener of the conference, welcomed the guests and delegates. Prof. Luqman A. Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences at JMI, introduced the conference and outlined its objectives.
Prof. Jagriti Bhatia, President of the ISAR Delhi Chapter, delivered the presidential address, while Dr. Harsh Vardhan Singh, Secretary of the Delhi Chapter, discussed the society’s work in promoting research into heart and blood vessel diseases.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Mohammad Zahid Ashraf, Coordinator of the conference.
Lifetime Achievement Award Presented to Dr. Rajendra K. Tangirala
One of the major highlights was the presentation of the ISAR–DC Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Rajendra K. Tangirala of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, in recognition of his contribution to atherosclerosis research.
For more than three decades, Dr. Tangirala has worked on identifying the molecular processes responsible for plaque formation and exploring potential treatments.
In his keynote address, he explained how cholesterol, oxidative stress and inflammation interact to drive the development of atherosclerosis.
AIIMS Expert Explains Advances in Heart Treatment
Prof. Rajiv Narang, Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, delivered the plenary lecture.
He explained that modern heart treatment involves more than simply opening blocked arteries. Doctors increasingly use pressure measurements and imaging inside blood vessels to assess which blockages require a stent.
These techniques, combined with powerful cholesterol-lowering medicines and follow-up care tailored to individual patients, can help improve treatment decisions.
Research Highlights Cholesterol, Vitamin B12 and Heart Attack Risks
Dr. Shantanu Sengupta, Chief Scientist at CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), presented findings from Phenome India, a health study involving more than 10,000 people across 24 cities.
He discussed findings linking vitamin B12 levels with cholesterol patterns in different ways among men and women. He also highlighted research exploring whether a father’s vitamin B12 status could influence the health of his children.
Dr. Amitabh Yaduvanshi, Chief of Cardiology Services at Holy Family Hospital, explained how advanced imaging can help doctors identify vulnerable plaques that may rupture and trigger a heart attack. Detecting these plaques could help doctors assess risks and consider treatment before a serious event occurs.
Experts Discuss New Tests, Genes and Potential Treatments
The invited lectures covered several important areas of cardiovascular research.
Dr. Preeti Gahlan of Fortis Hospital discussed blood tests that measure inflammation and harmful blood lipids, helping doctors assess a patient’s risk more accurately.
Dr. Arockiasamy Arulandu of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) presented research into new drug molecules that block LOX-1, a receptor involved in the harmful effects of LDL, often called bad cholesterol, on blood vessels. Early laboratory studies showed a reduction in plaque formation.
Dr. Archna Singh of AIIMS presented genetic findings from Indian patients with high triglyceride levels, including gene changes that had not previously been reported.
Dr. Saran Kumar of IIT Delhi discussed how protecting small blood vessels may help maintain the health of the heart and other organs as people age.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rudra Nayan Das of Shiv Nadar University explained how zebrafish models can be used to study abnormal blood vessel growth and test potential new medicines.
Special Lecture Focuses on Research Funding
Dr. Balachandar Venkatesan, Senior Scientist and Member Secretary for Health Science and Ayurvedic Biology at the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), delivered a special lecture for young researchers.
He explained national research funding opportunities, including the Advanced Research Grant, Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant, Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas (MAHA) and Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR).
He also shared practical guidance on preparing research proposals and improving the chances of securing research funding.
Experts Call for an India-Specific Approach to Heart Disease
The Vision and Guidelines Lecture Series featured three senior experts who discussed important factors affecting cardiovascular health.
Prof. Jasvinder K. Gambhir spoke about lipoprotein(a), an inherited risk factor associated with heart disease.
Prof. Harmeet Singh Rehan of Lady Hardinge Medical College explained why cholesterol-related problems among Indians can differ from those seen in Western populations. He highlighted the need for approaches to prevention and treatment that take India’s population and health needs into account.
Prof. Shridhar Dwivedi of the National Heart Institute discussed how a mother’s health before and during pregnancy can influence her child’s risk of developing heart disease later in life. He called for preventive measures to begin early.
Young Researchers Present 70 Research Papers
The Young Investigators’ Forum provided students and early-career researchers with an opportunity to present their work and exchange ideas with experienced specialists.
Young researchers delivered 16 oral presentations and 54 poster presentations covering new biomarkers, genetic research, drug discovery and clinical studies involving patients.
A panel of expert judges evaluated the presentations, and awards for the Best Oral and Best Poster Presentations were announced during the valedictory session.
Senior experts from AIIMS, VMMC, Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Hamdard, CSIR-IGIB, DRDO and JMI chaired sessions and guided discussions throughout the day.
Conference Concludes with Awards and New Appointments
The conference concluded with a valedictory session, the presentation of awards and the induction of new office-bearers of the ISAR Delhi Chapter.
The organisers thanked the speakers, session chairs, judges, delegates and students for their contributions to the event. They also acknowledged the challenges caused by traffic restrictions across the city on the day of the conference.
ISAR–DCCON 2026 provided a platform for medical professionals and researchers to exchange knowledge on atherosclerosis, explore new approaches to diagnosis and treatment, and encourage collaboration between laboratory researchers and clinicians.
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