Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 30, 1429    

Islamabad—A five-day international workshop on molecular techniques in biological research commenced at Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (AAUR) here Tuesday.
The workshop is being organized by the department of Biochemistry, AAUR in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) and National Commission on Biotechnology.
Speaking as a chief guest at the inaugural session of the workshop Chairman of National Commission on Biotechnology Dr. Anwer Naseem said that workshop is a unique opportunity for teachers and scientists to share their knowledge and experiences and come up with new techniques and methodologies to find out resolution of outstanding issues in the field of science and technology.
He said the workshop will not only give broad exposure to teachers but also help in their research endeavours
Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan, Vice Chancellor, AAUR, appreciated the Department of Biochemistry for organizing the Workshop. He informed the gathering that AAUR provides a forum for open discussions on the topics of immediate national concern.
Dr. Khan said holding of such workshops is very essential as these provide an opportunity to know about in depth the main issues faced by our society and give a platform to the learned people to share their knowledge.
Dr. Khan also praised the HEC and National Commission on Biotechnology for providing financial assistants to arrange the workshop.
The workshop will train a group of scientists from various universities of the country in advanced technologies in agriculture, veterinary sciences and human health.
International as well as nationally acclaimed scientists will deliver lectures as well practical demonstrations in latest molecular technologies used in agriculture and human health sector during this training.
The workshop is part of a broader program of the Department of Biochemistry for continuously striving to modernize educational facilities in biotechnology and molecular biology research.
In the practical sessions participants will get in-hand experience with extraction, preservation of DNA/RNA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) informatics, molecular cloning and transfection technologies, RNAi, Microarrays as well as DNA and protein fingerprinting besides several other plannedlaboratory exercise.—APP