Bhubaneswar: Finance minister Sashi Bhusan Behera on Sunday said that science and technology interventions have made significant contribution in human health, agriculture and environment management.

Releasing the annual report of the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) on its 27th Foundation Day, Behera said: "It is important that scientists and researchers communicate to the society effectively about the progress and application of technology in day to day life."

He complemented the ILS for carrying out "high-quality and outstanding research" in cancer biology, infectious diseases plant and environmental biotechnology.

Utkal University vice-chancellor S.M. Patnaik said: "Students and teachers of our university will be greatly benefited by the exposure to the cutting-edge biotechnology research conducted at ILS."

ILS director Ajay Parida said that they had published 70 research papers, produced 34 Ph.D. degrees, obtained 8 patents, organised 8 national and international events and hosted more than 700 students for hands-on training in biotechnology and life sciences in the last year.

Director of Regional Medical Research Centre Sanghamitra Pati also expressed confidence that the ILS and the RMRC together could contribute to understanding disease patterns and manage them, particularly in the tribal regions of the state.