Events

Application Deadline: December 10, 2022

Prof. Dr. Keykavous Parang Professor, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, California, USA

Date: September 11, 2025, Time: 9:00 AM, (Pakistan Standard Time)

Flyer: Click Here

Abstract of the talk:

The use of doxorubicin (Dox), an anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent, is associated with cardiotoxicity and inherent acquired resistance. Thus, there is an immediate need for delivery systems to minimize toxicity and deliver Dox to sensitive and resistant cells. We have previously shown several cyclic peptides containing alternate tryptophan (W) and arginine (R) residues act as efficient molecular transporters. The peptides were conjugated with Dox via a glutarate linker to afford cyclic peptide-Dox conjugates. While the LC₅₀ values of free and conjugated Dox were comparable to those in wild-type MDA-MB-231 cells (0.45 vs. 0.56 µM, respectively), peptide-conjugated Dox was significantly more effective in both Dox-resistantMDA231R cells (LC₅₀ of 2.3 vs. 14 µM, respectively) and MES-SA/MX2 cells (LC₅₀ of 4.3 vs. 20 µM, respectively). Free Dox (5 µM) reduced the viability of the kidney (LLCP-K1, ATCC CRL-1392) and rat myocardium (H9C2, ATCC CRL 1446) cells by 85% and 44%, respectively. [R₅K]W₇A-Dox and [R₅K]W₇C-S-S-Dox showed minimal toxicity to LLCP-K1 (5-7%) and H9C2 (<9%) cells at similar or higher concentrations. Fluorescence micrographs were consistent with cytotoxicity studies, indicating minimal uptake of [R₅K]W₇A-Dox in heart cells. The total concentration of Dox (conjugated and released) in the nucleus after 4 h exposure to [W₉R₈K-β-A]-Dox was higher than free Dox. The mechanistic data indicated endocytosis independence and suggested direct trans-membrane localization. Our data show that appropriate peptide-Dox conjugates can effectively internalize into resistant cells that pump out the free drug and do not cause similar toxicity in normal non-cancerous cells.

Profile of the speaker: Click Here

For registration: Click Here

Webinar Coordinator:
M. Haseeb Ahmad
Program Officer
Haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org

28th Novemeber 2022
10.00 – 12.00 Hrs

FEBRUARY 8-11, 2023, KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Registration Link: https://bit.ly/TISLAE

Programme Schedule With Zoom Link: Click Here

Click here for: Event Flyer

Date: 28th November 2022
Time: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time)
Venue: Auditorium, COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad

Since ancient times, plants are known to be the source of cure for different aliments. The last few decades have witnessed renewed interest in the economical, safer, effective, and environment friendly herbal drugs. Most of these herbal drugs have roots in indigenous systems of medicines. Herbal medicines are known for their health promoting and disease preventing properties, and perceived as gentle and safe sources for treatment. Many OIC countries have been a historical custodian of such traditional knowledge for centuries. Countries including Pakistan and Indonesia have unbroken traditions of the use of herbal medicines, and have the potential to meet the global demand.  Interest in Herbal medicine and traditional knowledge is increasing day by day, however, to utilize this opportunity, there is urgent need for research based scientific development, and standards based quality control of herbal dugs, efficacy, safety, as well as relevant regulatory enforcement.

With this background, COMSTECH in collaboration with the Embassy of Republic of Indonesia in Pakistan is organizing a one-day seminar to discuss the following topics.

1. Use of herbal and traditional medicines in cultural and social perspectives
2. Preservation of plant genetic resources and ethno-medical knowledge for their future use
3. Safety, efficacy and standardization of herbal medicines
4. Economic and social importance of herbal medicines
5. Recent developments in the field of herbal medicine

Expected outcomes:

• Healthcare providers, young scientists and policy makers will be made aware of recent development in the field of herbal medicine and their economic and social potential as sustainable and inclusive source of medicine.
• Researchers from Pakistan, Indonesia, and other member OIC states will interact with each other and foster linkages.
• Multinational interactions will lead to the development of international collaborations, research possibilities and publications.
• Popularization, collaboration and industrial growth in the field of herbal medicines/nutraceuticals/health food manufacturing.

Join us

• In Person (for residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi only)
  Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad

• Virtually through Zoom Meeting

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/oEotNvWPodksav1N7

Registration outcome will be shared through email, therefore, please give your valid email address. Participants will receive E-certificates.

Contact persons:

Ms. Khazima Muazim, Programme Manager, khazima@comstech.org

Ms. Maham Yamin, Programme Officer, maham.yamin@comstech.org

12-14 March, 2023
Venue: University of Jordan

For Registration,

The registered/ nominated participants will get entry to scientific lectures, full sets of workshop manual, a copy of the workshop program, daily refreshments, and workshop lunches.

Participants form OIC should register using the application form at the following address: https://forms.gle/UbG5akgj1oF7nT9k7

Participants form Jordan should contact Prof. Dr. Firas Awwadi (f.awwadi@ju.edu.jo)

Deadline for registration 1^st of February 2023.

Registration fees*:
Jordanians 50 JD
Participants from OIC member country 150 JD
Participants from industrial sector 500 JD

*Registration fees includes: Attending the lectures, practical sessions, workshop bag, training material, coffee breaks and lunches.

*Limited funding to cover registration fees, accommodation and travel expenses is available for young participants nominated by their institutions before 31^st of November 2022.

Jointly organized by

Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research
Royan Institute
COMSTECH
Mustafa(pbuh) Science and Technology Foundation
Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN)

Introduction:
Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, in collaboration with Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN) and COMSTECH regularly organizes popular lectures on the topics of general interest and need.
PCMD-Royan Institute Webinar Series (Hybrid) is being jointly organized by Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, Royan Institute, Iran, COMSTECH, MSTF, and SIREN. The webinar series is based on the current topics of Biomedical Sciences. The series will provide basic as well as advanced knowledge, skills and academic connections and expert opinions from renowned researchers of both institutes.

PCMD:
The Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) is a constituent center of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Science (ICCBS). The main objective of the Center is to is to develop an understanding regarding common diseases in Pakistan in order to develop effective diagnostic tools and affordable treatments by using molecular medicinal, chemical and computational methods and to train highly qualified manpower in the emerging new fields of molecular medicine and drug development.

Royan Institute:
The Royan Institute is an Iranian clinical, research and educational institute dedicated to biomedical, translational and clinical researches, stem cell research and infertility treatment. It is a public non-profitable organization affiliated to Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research. It was established in 1991 by the late Dr. Saeid Kazemi Ashtiani as a research institute for Reproductive Biomedicine and infertility treatments. In 1998 this institute was approved by Ministry of Health as Cell Based Research Center with over 46 scientific members and 186 lab technicians.

Seventh Webinar:
The seventh webinar of the series is entitled: ” Applications of Computational Methods in Drug Screening and Design”

Who Should Attend?
All undergraduate and graduate students as well as scientists and researchers working in the fields of molecular biomedicine, stem cells and regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and other biomedical disciplines.

Speaker’s Profile:
Prof. Dr. Zaheer Ul Haq is currently serving as the head of Computational Medicinal Chemistry group at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research. In 2002, he received his PhD in Natural Product Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman. Dr. Ul-Haq obtained his post-doctoral training in theoretical chemistry from University of Innsbruck, Austria. He is a recipient of OeAD Fellow, Austria, a Senior Fulbright Fellow, USA and Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, Germany. He has more than 20 years of research experience in Computational Chemistry and Computer Aided Drug Design. His research areas include: quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR); virtual screening; molecular dynamics simulations; and quantum mechanics. Dr. Ul-Haq has published over 200 research articles and has co-edited a book-series entitled, “Frontiers in Computational Chemistry”. Currently, he is serving as editorial board member of the Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling, and Current Computer-Aided Drug Design.

Program Schedule: November 23, 2022
Day and Time: Wednesday 11.30 am Pakistan time: 10.00 am Tehran time
For registration (free): bit.ly/3ACMDSD-SIREN
Register by: November 20, 2022
Venue for physical participation: L.E.J. National Science Information Center, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi-75270.
For more information: Email: siren.lej@gmail.com; Call: 021-111-222-292 Ext: 267, 275.
Room No. 202, 2nd floor, L.E.J. National Science Information Center, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi-75270.

 [postexpirator]

Introduction

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in collaboration with the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), the Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation (ECOSF), the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), is organizing an event in celebration of World Science Day for Peace and Development on Wednesday, 16 November 2022, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Background

The World Science Day for Peace and Development, celebrated every year on 10 November, was established by UNESCO in 2001 to highlight the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging and important contemporary issues relevant to science. The theme of World Science Day for Peace and Development on 10 November 2022 is Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. It is being celebrated within the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, which kicked off on 8 July 2022.

‘The applications of basic sciences are vital for advances in medicine, industry, agriculture, water resources, energy planning, environment, communications and culture’, affirmed the United Nations General Assembly on 2 December 2021, when it endorsed the proposal for an International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. World Science Day is contributing to the Year in 2022 by celebrating this theme.

“We need more basic science to achieve The 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals”, the United Nations General Assembly noted in December 2021. It is true that the share of domestic research expenditure devoted to basic sciences varies widely from one country to another. According to data from the UNESCO Science Report 2021 for 86 countries, some devote less than 10% of their research expenditure to basic sciences and others more than 30%.

Having a capacity in basic sciences is in the interests of both developed and developing countries, given the potential for applications to foster sustainable development and raise standards of living. 

Activity

UNESCO in collaboration with COMSATS, COMSTECH, ECOSF, PSF and PAS is organizing an event on Wednesday, 16 November, 2022.

The event will consist of remarks on the work being done by the organizing institutions in regards to promoting basic sciences followed by a panel discussion of distinguished experts from the following areas of basic sciences:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Mathematics
• Disruptive Technologies/ICT

Method and Timing

The celebration will be organized at the COMSTECH Auditorium on Wednesday 16 November 2022, and live streamed as well at 0900am (Pakistan Standard time).

Participants

Scientists, students, teachers, researchers, science communicators who work in science centres and science museums, independent science communicators and science journalists, policy makers, independent think tanks, government officials and academicians from the OIC member states, and other countries.

Registration:

Physical participation is by invitation only.

For virtual participation register at the following link: https://forms.gle/6TWDKfXQrhxcJ3Pj8

Venue:

The event will be held at the COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan. The city with the backdrop of Margalla Hills and National Park was purpose-built as the capital of sixth largest globally and second most populous (in OIC) country Pakistan in the year 1966. Pakistan, according to the Forbes magazine, is a hidden treasure for tourists with rich cultural diversity, ancient history, diverse landscape, cuisines, modern cities, and locally produced items.

For any queries:

Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
Program Officer
COMSTECH, Islamabad.
Email: Haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org
Phone: +92 51 9220681