Past Events

Theme: Genome Editing Technologies for Agriculture
Venue: North South University (NSU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Date: 12^th – 14^th September 2025
Organized by: COMSTECH, IOFS, and NSU

Flyer: Click Here

Overview

The 3rd Youth Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology is a prestigious tripartite initiative by COMSTECH (OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation), Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), and North South University (NSU), Bangladesh. This event will bring together promising youth, researchers, and innovators from OIC member states to explore the transformative potential of CRISPR-Cas technologies in agriculture.

Genome editing holds the key to solving major challenges in agriculture—enhancing crop yields, boosting resilience against climate change, and ensuring food security. Yet, OIC member states remain underrepresented in biotechnology R&D globally. This forum aims to bridge that gap by empowering the next generation with state-of-the-art knowledge and hands-on exposure.

This prestigious forum will take place from 12^th to 14^th September 2025 at North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and will bring together youth leaders, early-career researchers, policy advocates, and innovators from across the OIC region.

Theme of the Forum:

“Genome Editing Technologies for Agriculture: Future of Agricultural Innovation in OIC Countries”

This year’s theme reflects our commitment to empowering the youth with cutting-edge knowledge in biotechnology and genome editing, with a strong focus on applications in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate resilience.

Participants will engage in keynote talks, technical sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on training, guided by leading global and regional experts in CRISPR-Cas technologies and biotechnology policy.

Forum Objectives

• Promote scientific exchange and collaboration in genome editing.
• Develop human capital and research capacity in OIC countries.
• Highlight recent advances and applications of CRISPR in crop and livestock improvement.
• Foster cross-border networking among youth researchers.

Key Topics

• CRISPR-Cas Systems and Emerging Applications
• Gene Editing for Climate-Resilient Crops
• Speed Breeding and Genetic Gain Acceleration
• Genome Selection in Livestock and Crops
• Variants of Cas Proteins: New Frontiers
• Ethical and Regulatory Considerations in Gene Editing

Target Audience

Academicians, researchers, postgraduate students, and early-career scientists from OIC member states.
Note: Participants from all OIC countries are welcome. Limited funding may be available for selected participants from specific countries.

Registration Details

• Deadline for Registration: 10^th August 2025
• Registration Fee: None
• Participation Mode: Hybrid (Physical & Virtual)
• Hospitality: COMSTECH, IOFS, & NSU will provide local hospitality for selected physical participants.

Registration Link: Click Here

Zoom Link: Will be shared with virtual participants via email.

Contact Information

Bangladesh
Dr. Hafizur Rahman

Professor, Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology                                
North South University (NSU), Dhaka-1229, Bangladesh
&  COMSTECH focal person in Bangladesh

OIC – COMSTECH, Pakistan

Ms. Khazima Muazim
Programme Manager, COMSTECH

Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), Kazakhstan

Dr. Abdelaziz Hajjaji 
Programme Manager, Plant protection, & Climate impact
Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), Astana, Kazakhstan

By: Prof. Dr. Imran H. Khan

Director of Operations, Proteomics Core Lab Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA

FOR REGISTRATION USE THE GIVEN LINK BELOW:
https://bit.ly/3MATD-SIREN

FOR REGISTRATION USE THE GIVEN LINK BELOW:
https://bit.ly/3MATD-SIREN

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.