December 08, 2006	Friday	Ziqa'ad 16, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: A molecular biotechnology method having potential for treatment of Aids and cancer was discussed at length during a two-week international thematic workshop which concluded here on Thursday.

RNA interference (RNAi) technique developed by researchers had a potential for treatment of the two deadly diseases, said National Commission on Biotechnology Chairman and Comstech Adviser (Science) Dr Anwar Nasim.

However, more research was being conducted to explore new possibilities of RNAi application to the treatment of the two diseases, he said while talking to reporters. As many as 20 participants, including nine from Bangladesh, Bosnia, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Jordan and Sudan, attended the workshop organised by the OIC Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech).

Dr Nasim said the workshop was part of a two-year Thematic Workshops Programme in molecular biology and biotechnology. The programme is jointly funded by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Comstech.

Thematic workshops in frontier technologies are being organised to find solutions to specific problems of economic importance in OIC countries. The programme will impact the ongoing programmes in biotechnology in member countries.

Dr Anwar Nasim said the Comstech programme focused on arranging specific thematic symposia and workshops. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies to find solutions through the application of frontier technologies. These strategies will guide a prescribed agenda of research for various universities and research institutes.

The workshops are being organised to benefit 200 researchers from OIC countries over a period of two years. Conducted by eminent scientists of international repute, these workshops will provide them a platform where they would share and enhance their knowledge and develop collaborative research programmes.

The aim of the workshop which concluded on Thursday was to introduce cutting edge in modern molecular biology to scientists from developing part of the world, in particular, those in the OIC countries. “RNAi is a case in point”, Dr Nasim said.

He said during the past four years, this newly-developed biological process had revolutionised research in Molecular Cell Biology and was 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 was being presently explored as a treatment regimen for life-threatening diseases such as cancer and Aids.

Dr Nasim pointed out that this year the noble prize had been awarded for RNAi research.