On July 29, 2009, a "Symposium on Collaborative Research- Modern Biology and Ayurveda" was held in Ayurvedic Trust Campus, Coimbatore, India. Almost One hundred and fifty scholars of Modern Biology including Professors, Senior Lectures, Research scholars and postgraduates attended the conference. The Managing Trustee of Ayurvedic Trust, Padmasri P.R. Krishnakumar inducted the symposium and gave conceptual address on holding of the symposium. The symposium was intended to induce and discuss the possibility of Collaborative Research between Modern Biology and Ayurveda for improvising, establishing scientific validity on time tested medicines and methods of healing in Ayurveda and so. Also a panel discussion well participated by experts drew future possibilities in this aspect.

Presentations discussed and exchanged in the symposium were as follows

1. Dr. Madan Thangavelu, Research Fellow, Medical Research Council, Cambridge Univesity: Human Genomics, Genomics Variation & Environmental Modulators of Health and Disease.
2. Dr Alex Hankey, Member, Editorial Board, Ayurvedic and Mind-Body Medicine and Biological Regulation: A Modern perception of Tridosha Theory.
3. Dr Srividya Subramaniam, Senior Research Officer, AVT Institute for Advanced Research: Technology in Ayurvedic Texts. 4. Dr Pat Subramoni:
5. Dr Ignatious Davis Konnikara, Reader- Microbiology, University of Calicut: Microbial-Biotech Interface between Ayurveda and Modern Medicine.
6. Dr. Sindhu Sreejith, General Manager (Technical- R&D): A Model Study and prospective challenges for Modern Biology in Ayurveda.
7. Dr P Ram Manohar, Director of Research, Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Cbe) Ltd : Towards a New Biology: Contributions from Ayurveda.
The symposium organised by AVT Institute for Advanced Research (AVTAR) supported by Indian Council for Advanced Research (ICMR) had Delegates from Bharathiyar University and its affiliated institutions, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Avinashaligam Womens University, Karpagam University etc.

After the symposium, in the panel discussion key suggestions like need for such platforms to continue this initiative, initiating Multi-Institutional Projects, convincing policy makers in taking up research in this perspective a policy were proposed and it was felt that Coimbatore with its rich legacy of educational institutions in modern biology as well as the tradition of Ayurveda at Arya Vaidya Pharmacy could become the hub of activities that can pave the way for a new era of collaborative research linking Ayurveda and Modern Biology.