PESHAWAR: Professor James Knowles, chair of Cell Biology at the State University New York, and Dr Mohammad Ayub, professor of psychiatry at Queen’s University Canada, visited the University of Peshawar here on Tuesday.

An official statement said both scholars delivered speeches at the Sahibzada Abdul Qayum Auditorium to create awareness of their subject areas.

They are in Pakistan for collaborating with the UoP Department of Pharmacy on genetics of schizophrenia in Pakistan research project.

In this study, 10,000 patients of schizophrenia and 10,000 normal controls will be enrolled to understand the genetics basis of schizophrenia, especially in Pakistani context,

where more than half of married couples are cousins.

Prof Knowles, a noted scientist in the field of psychiatric genetics, is currently leading numerous studies on bipolar disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, addiction and anxiety, while Dr Ayub has a vast experience in genetics of developmental disabilities in leading autism and intellectual disability.

The two interacted with teachers and university officials and exchanged ideas to expand current collaboration towards other projects.

Prof Knowles delivered a talk on current research techniques in genetics of complex diseases at the department as well.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2018