Three-day Pak-China Genomics Workshop held at Quaid-i-Azam University

Author: Staff Report

A three-day Pakistan-China Genomics Workshop was held at the National Centre for Bioinformatics (NCB), Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU).

The workshop, organised by NCB-QAU faculty was a joint effort by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The NCB is the collaborator in the One-Belt & One-Road initiative with BIG Data Centre, CAS. The objective of the workshop was to train Philosophy of Doctorate scholars and faculty in handling of BIG data related to life sciences. Under the umbrella of Global Omics Data Sharing Initiative, the workshop also aimed to study and comprehend the biodiversity in Pakistan.

In particular, the workshop highlighted the importance of DNA sequencing of whole genomes of endangered species of animals and plants.

A delegation of five eminent scientists from the Beijing Institute of Genomics (BIG) led by BIG Data Centre Director Professor Dr Yiming Bao, conducted the workshop while around 100 participants registered from different institutes of Islamabad. Extensive sessions comprised of lectures and hands on training were conducted. The Chinese delegate also held various meetings with HEC, faculty members of QAU and adviser of COMSTECH to discuss the possibilities of carrying out research activities between Pakistan and China.

This academic venture with the leading scientists of China aims to greatly encourage young graduates of Pakistan to pursue cutting edge science and be in strong collaborative position with the rest of the world. While highlighting the importance of collaboration, NCB Co-Principal Investigator Professor Dr Amir Ali Abbasi said that the three-day workshop highlighted the significance of the Global Omics Data Sharing Initiative and the effect of this project on economic front between China and Pakistan.

“The workshop has enabled PhD scholars and faculty to get insight of Next Generation DNA Sequencing Technology and its role in accelerating biological and biomedical research through the wide applications on pharmaceutical sciences, precision medicine, forensic investigations, targeted DNA sequencing and gene expression profiling of cancer patients and small RNA sequencing of infectious diseases like hepatitis and AIDS,” he added.

Published in Daily Times, July 25^th 2018.