ISLAMABAD, March 13: Caretaker Health Minister Ejaz Rahim on Thursday urged the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) countries to adopt new approaches and initiatives for advancement in the field of science and technology.

“The OIC memeber states should participate in various miracles which science has to offer in almost every sector of human endeavour”, said Ejaz Rahim while addressing the inaugural session of an International Workshop on Nanomedicine organised by the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Comstech), in collaboration with Higher Education Commission of Pakistan here at Comstech Secretariat building.

Nanomedicine exploits the physical, chemical and biological properties of materials at the nanometre range.

Nanomedicine research includes the development of diagnostics for rapid monitoring, targeted cancer therapies, localised drug delivery, improved cell material interactions, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and gene delivery systems.

It also refers to highly specific medical intervention at the molecular scale for curing disease or repairing damaged tissues, such as bone, muscle, or nerve, etc. Techniques towards ultra-high spatial resolution, molecular resolution and ultra- high sensitivity provide a better understanding of the cell’s complex “machinery” in basic research

Speaking at the inauguration the minister said nanotechnology was the future of science and technology and efforts made by Comstech for development of expertise and human resource in nanomedicine would go a long way in the field of medical research and development in OIC member states.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Rahman, said that thematic workshops in frontier technologies were being organized to find solutions and develop strategies to solve specific problems of economic importance in the OIC member-states.

Highlighting the importance of research in nanoscience and nanotechnology he said that by the use of nano particles in medical diagnostics, early detection of cancers for instance breast tumor or brain tumor was possible and it was in use in the advanced world.

Appraising the multicultural gathering about Comstech programmes and initiatives, he said the efforts by Comstech in developing Literature Search Service, Inter-Library Resource Network, and Directory of Active Scientist could be made a base for sharing knowledge and expertise among OIC member states.

Also speaking on the occasion Comstech Advisor Science, Dr Anwar Nasim informed the gathering of the purpose of thematic workshop series.

“The ultimate goal is to develop strategies to find solutions through the applications of frontier biotechnologies. These strategies will guide a prescribed agenda of research for various universities and research institutes in OIC region,” said Dr Nasim.

Comstech has initiated a two-year thematic workshops programme in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

The workshop on Nanomedicine: the Use of Nano Particles in Medical Diagnostics was the 10th of its series which had been organized to provide a platform for researchers from universities and research institutes of OIC member states to share their knowledge and develop collaborative research programmes in nanomedicine.

The primary objective of the workshop was to bring the forefront and cutting edge in molecular medicine to scientists from the developing parts of the world; in particular those from OIC countries.