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NATIONAL SCI-TECH SCENE
AKU researchers find blood-pressure gene
The Aga Khan University’s genetic researchers claim to have traced a gene involved in the modulation of high blood pressure. It is claimed that the new finding will make it possible for experts to predict that which individuals will respond to a particular treatment better. It may also contribute to form the basis for the development of generic tests aimed at assessing an individual’s genetic susceptibility to essential hypertension.
Essential hypertension or high blood pressure with unspecific cause, has become a major health problem in the country, affecting 18 per cent of its population, aged over 15 years, and one out of every three persons above 45 years. It poses a serious risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure to the patients.
While the condition has genetic causes, environmental factors, such as diet, stress and lack of exercise also contribute to its development. This complex interplay of variable factors has so far eluded most attempts at identifying the molecular basis of essential hypertension.
While various drugs are available for blood pressure control, any one drug is effective in only 50 per cent or less of the cases, indicating a poor match between pharmacological action and the underlying mechanism of the disease.
The “Gateway markers and complex disorders research group at the AKU” claims that an individual variation in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is associated with an inherited tendency to develop high blood pressure.
The ACE gene is involved in generating the active form of the hormone angiotensin-II which plays a major role in the regulation of vascular tone and blood volume — the two key determinants of blood pressure, the group says.
One of the major problems associated with treatment of hypertension is that currently there is no effective determinant available for which drugs should be used. This research into the ACE gene has resulted in identification of a genetic marker for hypertension, which may be used as part of a genetic test for more specifically identifying patients who are likely to benefit from ACE inhibitor therapy.
The researchers say their work provides clues to the molecular mechanisms underlying hypertension and suggests that an individual’s genetic susceptibility may result from elevated ACE levels, in people inheriting a particular variant of the gene.
The work was led by Professor Philippe Frossard, director of the group and chairman, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at the AKU, and Dr Mohammed Saeed, BBS instructor, who is also the chief coordinator of the group and the director of this project. Other key scientists involved in the project were Dr Syed Osman Ali, and Kausar Saboohi.
S&T institutes planned
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) is considering establishing joint institutions of science and technology, naming Pak-China Institutes, where the facilities of exchange of skills and expertise will be provided in popular disciplines.
This was stated by Prof Attaur Rahman, minister in charge for science & technology, and Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman here earlier this week. He was talking to a delegation of China Scholarship Council (CSC).
The minister said the HEC would also establish Chinese language centres at major cities of Pakistan which would be open to all. Linkages between higher-learning institutions of Pakistan and China are increasing with every passing day and these will be further strengthened in time to come, he said.
“We are proud that we have strong friendly relations with one of the most developed countries like China and the linkages between the two countries are increasing, particularly in higher education sector,” Prof Rahman said.
HEC has initiated a number of educational programmes with the Chinese government regarding training of the faculty of public sector universities of Pakistan and other research and development activities. HEC had already launched a PhD scholarship programme for university teachers in leading universities of China. Under the programme, 35 people are studying in different universities of China for their PhD degrees, while the next badge of 50 scholars for the same degree programme is in process of selection.
“We hope that we will increase the number of scholarships in future and it is our target that at least 100 students from Pakistan do their PhDs from China annually,” Prof Rahman said. The minister appreciated the CSC efforts to accommodate Pakistani scholars in Chinese universities and resolving most of the issues mutually.
The CSC delegation, led by Li Bing from International Students Division, comprised Kang Xiulan of Dongfang International Centre for Education Exchange, Meng Li of International Students Division, Wang Su of Information Centre and Zhao Lingshan of Department of International Cooperation and Exchange.
HEC executive director Dr M. Akram Shaikh, HRD&SP member Dr Sohail H. Naqvi, HEC curriculum and training wing DG Dr Altaf Ali Shaikh, HEC project director Mohammad Ali Shaikh and representatives of public sector universities also attended the meeting. — Dawn ScienceDotcom Report
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