Int’l conference on applications of Molecular Biology

Three-day International Conference on the Applications of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Agriculture started here at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) on Tuesday.

The conference is organized by the Department of Biochemistry, QAU and ISESCO Women in Science Chair, in collaboration with Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) and Pakistan National Commission for UNESCO with an objective to foster fellowship and collaboration among the biochemists, molecular biochemists and the scientists of related fields.

State Minister for Education, Training and Standards in Higher Education, Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman in his inaugural speech said that development of the Education sector is top priority of the government. He said that Prime Minister’s Youth Training Program is being launched to provide an opportunity for youth to equip themselves with practical knowledge and to get hands-on experience. He said that government has finalized a national plan of action to achieve the Millennium Development and EFA goals.

He appreciated the organizers and said that international mix of scientists, researchers and scholars from universities, biomedical and agricultural research institutions, has made the conference a perfect platform to share experience, foster collaborations and evaluate emerging technologies in molecular biology across the globe.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, Vice Chancellor QAU, said that in recent past the colossal development of the biological information is an outcome of vast advances in the field of molecular biology. These discoveries have resulted in transformation of new products or processes which have flooded world markets, therefore showering vast economic rewards on those nations which have had the courage and the vision to make Science & Technology the corner stone of their development programs.

The Vice Chancellor said that latest techniques and state-of-the –art methods in molecular biology provide researchers with a phenomenal opportunity for scientific research with new horizons. He urged the participants to deliberate all these new discoveries and should find ways to translate academic research into the socio-economic uplift of the country.

Dr. Bushra Mirza, Professor and Chairperson of the Department of the Biochemistry highlighted the objectives of the conference. She said the idea of the conference is to stimulate interest and promote research and education in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and other related fields. She said that conference is an amazing opportunity for experts and young researchers to share, exchange and discus the ongoing research projects.

>She further elaborated that conference will feature a broad range of topics including role of molecular biology in Translational medicine, Molecular diagnostics, Signal transduction, Evolutionary biology, Genetic and hereditary diseases, Medicinal plants, Environmental and agricultural sciences. She also appreciated the efforts of the organizers and resource persons who have helped in arranging this international event.