Workshop on use of RNAi in Therapeutics on 25th
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with the Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH) will hold a two-week workshop on the “Use of RNAi in Therapeutics” from 25th November at COMSTECH Secretariat here.
The workshop is the third in the series of thematic symposia and workshops in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with direct relevance to economic development in Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) member countries. The project is funded by the Higher Education Commission.
The aim of this workshop is to introduce the cutting edge in modern Molecular Biology to scientists from the developing world, in particular, those in the OIC countries. RNA interference (RNAi) is a case in point. During the past four years, this newly described biological process has revolutionized research in Molecular Cell Biology and is currently the gold standard for dissecting complex biological processes in mammalian cells.
In addition, this novel technique can be harnessed for its therapeutic potential and is being presently explored as a treatment regimen for life-threatening diseases such as cancer and AIDS. The workshop will particularly address Basic Molecular Biology Techniques, Animal Cell Culture: Tissue Culture, RNA Interference: An Overview, Molecular Mechanisms of RNAi, Therapeutic Potential of RNAi, RNAi: Versatile Tool in Cell Biological Research as well as Practical Sessions - Laboratory Exercises.
Young scientists from Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Bosnia, Bangladesh and Indonesia will join10 Pakistani students in the workshop. The course includes also discussions, brainstorming activity, study visits and field trips. At the end of the course students will present selected research articles on the subject in the form of a Journal Club.
This workshop will be run by Dr. Abdalla Mohamed Jama, Associate Professor of Molecular Cell Biology Sweden, Dr. Beston Nore, Karolinska Institutet Sweden, Dr..Zhijie Chang, Professor, School of Medicine, China, Dr. Ishrat Waheed, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamabad and Dr. Shahid Mansoor, Principal Scientist (NIBGE) Faisalabad,
These thematic workshops are based on the pattern of symposia organized by Cold Spring Harbor Labs, New York, USA. These strategies will guide a prescribed agenda of research for various university laboratories. The main thrust of the proposed programmes will be on emerging sciences and technologies under the broad umbrella of biotechnology and the outcome will be to develop collaborative research programmes geared to impact national economics with in OIC member states.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) in collaboration with the Committee on Science and Technology (COMSTECH) will hold a two-week workshop on the “Use of RNAi in Therapeutics” from November 25, 2006 at COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad. The workshop is the third in the series of thematic symposia and workshops in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with direct relevance to economic development in Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) member countries. The project is funded by the Higher Education Commission.
The aim of this workshop is to introduce the cutting edge in modern Molecular Biology to scientists from the developing world, in particular, those in the OIC countries. RNA interference (RNAi) is a case in point. During the past four years, this newly described biological process has revolutionized research in Molecular Cell Biology and is currently the gold standard for dissecting complex biological processes in mammalian cells.
In addition, this novel technique can be harnessed for its therapeutic potential and is being presently explored as a treatment regimen for life-threatening diseases such as cancer and AIDS. The workshop will particularly address Basic Molecular Biology Techniques, Animal Cell Culture: Tissue Culture, RNA Interference: An Overview, Molecular Mechanisms of RNAi, Therapeutic Potential of RNAi, RNAi: Versatile Tool in Cell Biological Research as well as Practical Sessions - Laboratory Exercises.

Young scientists from Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Nigeria, Sudan, Bosnia,
Bangladesh and Indonesia will join10 Pakistani students in the workshop.
The course includes also discussions, brainstorming activity, study
visits and field trips. At the end of the course students will present
selected research articles on the subject in the form of a Journal Club.
This workshop will be run by Dr. Abdalla Mohamed Jama, Associate
Professor of Molecular Cell Biology Sweden, Dr. Beston Nore, Karolinska
Institutet Sweden, Dr..Zhijie Chang, Professor, School of Medicine, China,
Dr. Ishrat Waheed, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Islamabad and Dr.
Shahid Mansoor, Principal Scientist (NIBGE) Faisalabad,

These thematic workshops are based on the pattern of symposia organized
by Cold Spring Harbor Labs, New York, USA. These strategies will guide
a prescribed agenda of research for various university laboratories.
The main thrust of the proposed programmes will be on emerging sciences
and technologies under the broad umbrella of biotechnology and the main
outcome will be to develop collaborative research programmes geared to
impact national economics with in OIC member states.