Past Events

Prof. Dr. Gautam R. Desiraju

(Professor Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science,

Bangalore, India

Winner of Alexander von Humboldt Forschungspreis, and the TWAS award

Date and Time: 11th August, 2021; 3:00 PM PKT

Abstract:

A field that was defined 30 years ago as “the understanding of intermolecular interactions in the context of crystal packing and in the utilization of such understanding in the design of new solids with desired physical and chemical properties”, and which has been identified as the central issue in structure design. The lack of a direct correspondence between molecular and crystal structure in the sequence “One → Few → Many → Nucleus → Crystal”, has now evolved into “an area of virtually unlimited scope where science funding and translation efforts could be directed in the current climate of a society that increasingly expects applications and utility products from science and technology”. Certain current concerns will be addressed in this talk.

Target Audience:

This webinar is open to academicians, scientists, and general public from all the OIC member  states.

Profile of Speaker:

            Prof. Dr. Gautam Desiraju’s work is in the subject of Crystal Engineering. He has made seminal, wide-ranging and original contributions at the top-most international level. Prof. Dr. Desiraju has developed and nurtured the subject into a modern, competitive area. He is well noted for gaining acceptance for the theme of weak hydrogen bonding among chemists and crystallographers. Through his now classical book “ Crystal Engineering, The Design of Organic Solids (Elsevier, 1989), he showed that this is a subject of vast scope. His outstanding and prolific academic record amounts at present to 475 research papers, three authored books and three edited books. Prof. Dr. Desiraju is cited nearly 50000 times in SCI journals and books, with an h-index of 90 (Web of Science), placing him among the most cited scientists in India today. He was a member of the IUPAC committee responsible for producing a modern official definition of this important intermolecular interaction (2011). He has won international awards such as the Alexander von Humboldt Forschungspreis and the TWAS award in Chemistry and was awarded the ISA medal for science of the University of Bologna for the year 2018. Dr Desiraju is a former President of the International Union of Crystallography. He is a recipient of an honorary doctorate degree of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina and of the Rayalaseema University, Kurnool. Presently he is a member of the editorial advisory boards of Angewandte Chemie, Chemical Communications and Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Poster of webinar:  Attached

Link for registration and E- certificate:

Click here for Registration

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Email: Khazima@comstech.org ; comstech@comstech.org

Dr. Mobashir Ahmed Bhatti

(MBBS, MD, Naturopath MD, Nutritionist CNC, RMP Consultant
Honorary Consul of Papua New Guinea in Pakistan)

Date and Time: June 30th, 2021; 3:00 PM PKT

Abstract:

Addressing the regional disease burden brought on by a cultural and economic shift in South Asia by providing Integrative Medical solutions based on area specific demands and needs. A dissection of the most pressing concerns in health care in South Asian countries and proposed solutions to mitigate educational and infrastructural shortcomings through a bolstering of education that encourages capacity building in healthcare professionals and education in the general populations.

Target Audience:

This webinar is open to academicians, scientists, and general public from all the member OIC states.

Profile of Speaker:

Dr. Mobashir Ahmed Bhatti is a medical doctor, who devotes his efforts to the need of forming an international team of Professionals to work as a Research and Development Group in compiling evidence-based empirical data that irrefutably establishes and documents global health issues. To encounter the health crises in third world countries, with a focus to heal humanity through integrative medical solutions and support entrepreneurs in medical field to make them successful tools for any given country.

After completing his medical education, he achieved the following to excel his Integrative Medicine Business:

• Naturopath-MD,
• Certified Nutritional Consultant,
• Master in Business Administration (MBA)

Dr. Bhatti is the founding president of Pakistan Association Integrative Medicine and executive coaching lead for South Asian Academy of Physicians and Surgeons. He has worked in over a dozen countries setting up leadership, product, research and alliance teams. As a leadership and team development expert, now he is focused specially on health care sector.

Poster of webinar:  Attached

Link for registration and E- certificate:
https://forms.gle/fgwUfdAXKXNmsJep9

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Email: Khazima@comstech.org ; comstech@comstech.org

June 23, 2021 (01:30-03:10 pm)

Program Schedule

For Speakers biography, Click here.

Register At : https://forms.gle/7R9S1NKdnSNpgzkH9

Abstract: Tankyrases (TNKSs) are members of the poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) family of seventeen enzymes that use NAD⁺ as a source of ADP-ribose units to attach to target proteins as a regulatory post-translational modification. Target proteins of the two tankyrases include telomere repeating binding factor-1 (TRF1), nuclear mitotic apparatus protein (NuMA) (essential for separation of chromatids in cell division) and axin (a major component of Wnt / b-catenin signalling). Inhibition of TNKSs is reported to lead to decreased proliferation of cancer cells. The axin−TNKS−KIF3A complex is needed for insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane. Insulin-regulated amino-peptidase (IRAP) is also a binding partner and target protein of TNKSs. Thus inhibition of TNKSs should enhance insulin-stimulated exocytosis of GLUT4, leading to increased uptake of glucose in peripheral tissues, important in the management of diabetes.

This lecture will describe the story of how my group, with important external collaborations, explored the NAD⁺-binding site of the tankyrases through design, synthesis and biochemical evaluation of several series of isoquinolin-1-ones, quinazolin-4-ones, naphthyridinones, pyridopyrimidinones and related compounds. Crystal structures of several of these inhibitors, along with Structure-Activity Relationship studies, allowed detailed understanding of the shape and properties of the nicotinamide-binding pocket. NAD⁺ is also a substrate for many other enzymes in mammalian cells, including oxidoreductases and the other PARPs; thus the selectivity of inhibitors is important. These studies also led to an understanding of the structural basis for selectivity of inhibition of tankyrases vs. PARP1. Further elaboration of the core structure culminated in identification of two “dual-site” inhibitors binding at both the nicotinamide-binding pocket and at the adenosine-binding pocket. These final designed inhibitors showed exquisite potency (IC₅₀ vs. tankyrase-2 100 pM) and selectivity (65000× selective for tankyrase-2 vs. PARP1).

Target Audience: This webinar is open to academicians, scientists, and general public from all the member OIC states and beyond.

Research Interest of speaker: The research focus of the Threadgill group is drug design and delivery. We work on the application of medicinal chemistry (structure-based drug design, chemical synthesis, biochemical and cell biological evaluation) to developing new cancer treatments. Where the biochemistry of other diseases is similar (haemorrhagic shock, stroke, myocardial infarction, etc.), our work has branched out into these areas. We also research new synthetic methods in organic heterocyclic chemistry. Collaborations in Bath, Aberystwyth, Finland, India and Poland are important to our work.

CV of the speaker : click here

Poster of webinar:  click here

Link for registration and E- certificate:

https://forms.gle/z4jpiV8fiUpN5qf98

Procedure to join:

Zoom link for participation will be shared selected participants.

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 
Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3
Email: Khazima@comstech.org ; comstech@comstech.org

Our Programme: NTDs (neglected tropical diseases) are a major health and economic burden in Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states. The control and elimination of NTDs requires both a scale-up and integration of global mass treatment programmes, along with new tools and technologies to tackle these diseases. COMSTECH, in collaboration with A Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (known as the NTD Network, https://ntd-network.org/), is launching a virtual lecture series. for researchers across the Moslem world and beyond. Our programme draws upon expertise from both networks, and offers opportunities to gain or enhance researcher knowledge, skills and connections, all of which help to grow our shared global capacity to tackle these rapidly growing NTDs.

• The NTD Network, funded by UKRI’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), is a consortium of academic researchers from South America, Asia, and the UK, seeking new therapeutic solutions to leishmaniasis and Chagas disease

• Both COMSTECH and the NTD Network aim to promote global scientific cooperation and build researcher capacity to find new and better therapeutic solutions for NTDs

This online programme is the first of many COMSTECH-NTD Network joint activities we hope to offer via the COMSTECH platform.

Target Audience:

This webinar is open to academics, scientists and the general public from all OIC member states. The content is most relevant to scientists interested in NTDs research, and specialised in Microbiology, Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, and Pathology.

Please find attached:

• Webinar poster/flyer
• Talk abstract
• The speaker’s profile
  
  Register with us to attend this meeting:
• Register at : https://forms.gle/W1qdudBF1395wELb9

Contact us for further details:

Khazima@comstech.org;  comstech@comstech.org

Organized by COMSTECH in Collaboration with H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi

Date: 26- 27^th July 2021

Note: Due to alarming threat of 4^th Wave of COVID-19 and emergence of delta variant in Pakistan, COMSTECH in consultation with its resource persons have decided to conduct this event  on Virtual mode only  instead of Hybrid mode i.e. No physical participation.  All new interested applicants are requested to fill virtual participation form. Those who have registered for physical participation will be  considered for virtual participation. Zoom link will be shared with all registered participants. E- certificate will be given to the attendees.

Target Audience: This online meeting is designed to address the interest of scientists and research scholars from different fields including Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, etc.

Flyer click here

For Programme click here

Registration Process:

Step 1: Fill the online application form.

Click Here to fill online form for Virtual Participation.

Step 2: Selected candidates will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails regularly.

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad 

Phone No. : +92 51 9220681-3

Contact Persons:

Dr. Hina Siddiqui  ( hinahej@gmail.com )

Ms. Khazima Muazim ( khazima@comstech.org )

Click here for more detail.

For flyer, click here.

A. Background

To explore the topic of tropical medicine and natural products, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in collaboration with COMSTECH (OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation) will conduct an International Workshop on “Tropical Medicine and Natural Product” on 2^nd June, 2021. This workshop will be divided into 2 sessions to discuss about biodiversity exploration for traditional medicine and natural products, and also natural products and industrial applications. Furthermore, we are also expecting potential collaboration between countries, especially OIC member states to conduct research related to tropical medicines and natural products for the treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

As a OIC member state, Indonesia is currently developing potential vaccine candidates. The vaccine, Vaksin Merah Putih, developed jointly National Research and Innovation Agency, Ministry of Health, Bio Farma, Eijkman, and universities in Indonesia. Along with vaccine development, many research institutions in Indonesia are working on compounds from herbal ingredients that have the potential to treat Covid-19. Based on the research that has been done, some local Indonesian plants are predicted to be candidates for COVID-19 inhibitors. Previously, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) had found Immunomodulator, an immune-enhancing supplement derived from red ginger, Cordyceps, Sambiloto, meniran and sembung leaves. This herbal medicine is medicinal and increases the body’s immune system to fight viral infections. Immunomodulators have been tested at the Emergency Hospital for Covid-19, Wisma Atlet Kemayoran, Jakarta on June 8, 2020.

Natural products from plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms, are the richest source of drug candidates. Currently over 40% of clinically used drugs have natural origin. Nature is the sustainable source of biologically active molecules, and recent developments in chromatography and spectroscopic techniques made it possible to fully utilize their potential. This COMSTECH-LIPI joint workshop is aimed to discuss most recent developments in this field, and to foster productive collaboration between the researchers in OIC member states. 

B. Objectives

1. To identify and explore the biodiversity potential of traditional medicine and natural product in health and disease management.
2. To encourage and strengthen collaboration among OIC member states in research, innovation, and development of various therapeutic products.
3. To provide affordable biotechnology products for OIC member states.

C. Speakers and Moderator

Speaker

1. Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
2. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General COMSTECH as well as a Director ICCBS – Pakistan
3. Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Jantan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
4. Prof. Dr. Andria Agusta, Research Center for Chemistry, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
5. Mr. Kilala Tilaar, CEO of Martha Tilaar Group
6. Dr. Nadeem Khalid (CEO at Herbion Pakistan)
7. Prof. Dr. Edi Meiyanto, Gadjah Mada University (UGM)

Moderator

1. Dr. Delicia Yunita Rahman, Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
2. Dr. Anggia Presetyoputri, Research Center for Biotechnology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI)

D. Participants

Open for public, this international workshop is targeted to be attended by OIC member state, researchers, academia, related Ministries/Institutions, Universities, Media and general public.

E. Date and Venue

The webinar will be held on Wednesday, 2 June 2020, 09.00-12.35 PST Time and/or 11.00-14.35 GMT +7 via Zoom meeting and YouTube Live Streaming on COMSTECH & LIPI channel

Please kindly register to http://bit.ly/registrationLIPICOMSTECH2021

F. Contact Details

Address: COMSTECH Secretariat, 33-Constitution Avenue, G-5/2, Islamabad

Phone No. : 92 51 9220681-3

Email: Khazima@comstech.org  ; jahan_pcmd@yahoo.com  comstech@comstech.org

G. Tentative Agenda

        TENTATIVE AGENDA

COMSTECH – LIPI International Webinar on Tropical Medicine and Natural Products

09.00 AM PST/11.00 AM IDN, June 2^nd, 2021

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology is organizing the 3rd International Workshop on Functional Reverse Engineering of Machine Tools (WRE 2021) on 13–14 November, 2021. The Workshop has the technical sponsorship of IMechE (UK) and IEEE (USA), and the financial sponsorship of the Directorate General of Science and Technology, Government of KP.

WRE 2021 invites original book chapters to be published by CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group, USA). Book chapters accepted after a double-blind review process will be published by CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group, USA) as a book series (Computer in Engineering Design and Manufacturing Series). 

The main focus of WRE 2021 is Machine Tools: An Industry-4.0 Perspective, 

including, but not limited to, the topics titled below.

• Digital Twining of Machine Tools
• Industrial Internet of Things at SMEs
• SERCOS III/Industrial Ethernet Functionality
• Cybersecurity in Discrete Manufacturing
• Big Data at Manufacturing Enterprises
• Cloud Computing for Modern Enterprise
• Additive Manufacturing – Current trends
• Smart Sensors Fabrication
• Classic and Modern Control
• Process Monitoring and System Performance
• Sustainability at SMEs
• Promoting Small and Medium Enterprises

For further details and submission guidelines please visit: https://giki.edu.pk/wre2021

September 08- 09, 2021

Venue: International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi

Deadline for Applications: August 25, 2021

Introduction

The Islamic world is vast and diverse, comprising of mainly developing countries, which are in various stages of socio-economic development, S&T, and innovation capacity. As science progresses, the current research topics touch many fields of expertise requiring interdisciplinary skills. In this scenario, researchers and scientists working in all fields of natural sciences have to indulge themselves in research and development to produce products for national needs.

Incorporating the most recent changes in healthcare, regulations, standards, and technology, the field of biomedical engineering seeks to close the gap between engineering and medicine by combining the design and problem-solving skills of engineering with medical biological sciences in order to advance health care treatment. This includes diagnosis, monitoring, therapy as well as equipment manufacturing, standardization, routine testing, and preventive maintenance.

Realizing the importance of biomedical devices and healthcare services, COMSTECH in collaboration with International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi has planned a two-day exhibition in September 2021.

Objective

The objective of this exhibition on ” Innovative Biomedical Devices and Healthcare Solutions ” is to highlight the role of modern-day tools and equipment, which are commercially available, or developed as prototypes for commercialization. This international exhibition will bring a unique platform for innovators, technology developers and service providers, who are eager and ready to share experience and professional skills with participants of common interests in science, technology and innovation.

The international exhibition is designed to project technologies and innovations in the realm of biomedical engineering and healthcare services. It is a showcasing of next generation technologies, solutions and strategies from all over Pakistan and OIC Countries, and an opportunity to explore and discover the practical and successful implementation of such technologies in healthcare sector. The exhibition will incorporate meetings between potential end users and commercial partners with R&D professionals and scientists.

Target Audience:

Scientists, researchers, innovators, healthcare professionals, computer scientists, young entrepreneurs, industrialists, and officials of relevant Ministries from Pakistan and other OIC countries.

Key Areas:

The exhibition will cover the following topics:

1.Biomedical Devices/ Medical Equipment

• Health Monitoring Devices
• Image Processing
• Sensor Technology
• Wearable Health Devices
• Radiography
• Laboratory Equipment/Diagnostic Testing
• Diagnostic Kits and Reagents
• Robots

2. Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

• Telemedicine/ e-Health Programmes
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Big Data/ Data Analytics
• Cyber Security
• IT Systems and Solutions
• Hospital Management Systems
• Tracing / Tracking Systems for Global Pandemics
  

3. Pharmaceuticals

• Drug Delivery Systems
• Medical/ Surgical Equipment

Registration Fee:

A nominal registration fee of Rs. 5,000 will be charged from all the exhibitors. COMSTECH will cover the cost of accommodation, food, and exhibition space for selected exhibitors. No registration fee will be charged from participants or visitors.

Travel & Local Hospitality:

ICCBS, Karachi will arrange local hospitality for all selected exhibitors. No travel support will be provided to exhibitors and participants. All exhibitors/participants are expected to get their travel funding from their parent organizations/country of origin.

Registration Process:
Step 1: Open online registration form, Visitors

Step 2: : Read instructions in the application form carefully and submit a properly filled form along with your CV. Foreign participants must submit a scanned copy of passport.

Step 3: Selected exhibitors will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails regularly.

Venue:

The exhibition will be held at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi (www.iccs.edu), in the business hub of Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan along the beautiful coast of Arabian Sea.

Exhibition Coordinators

• Dr. Reaz Uddin
  Associate Professor
  Computational Biology
  ICCBS, University of Karachi

• Dr. M. Sadiq Ali Khan
  Associate Professor
  University of Karachi.

• Muhammad Haris Akram
  Programme Manager, COMSTECH
  Tel: +92-51-9220681-3
  Email: haris@comstech.org
  
• Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
  Programme Officer, COMSTECH
  Tel: +92-51-9220681-3
  Email: haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org

Deadline for Applications: July 12, 2021