Recently Concluded Events
Development
of events following the recently concluded
symposium
Dhaka, 9th Dec., 08.
Thinking that at east some
of you would be interested to know the development of events following the
recently concluded
symposium, I am sharing two imp. messages: the first
is from Distinguished Prof. Dr. Ananda Chakrabarty and the second from
Dr. Abu Siddiqui, (a Sr. Res. Scientist at Johnson & Johnson
Pennsylvania), who is not only an expert in some of the fields discussed
in the symposium but has offered his help in teaching these courses every
year during his visit to BD.
Prof. Ananda says that we need to have a dedicated and powerful political
leader of the stature of Mrs.
Indira Gandhi
to take
interest and support our
cause to build up and strengthen the
industrial and economic base of BD.
He regrets that “no politician has shown this type of
interest and dedication to help develop new technologies in BD.” We did
have a DU Prof-cum-politician in the Ministry of S&T. Unfortunately, he
failed miserably because he was not dedicated and his interest in S&T was
diluted and divided between the scientific progress of the country and his
own personal agenda. May I appeal to GNOBB members to suggest modus
operandi as to how BAS may be persuaded to “actively work to elect
only
those politicians who
have made firm commitments to promote S&T
in BD.”
More....
Dhaka 6th Dec, 08 When there was an unexpected turnout of both non-resident Bangladeshis and local biotechnologists in the April 2007 International Biotech Conference held at ICDDR,B, our hope as rekindled thinking this time the bureaucrats would consider the recommendations prepared by the panel of experts selected from the participants. Based on the consensus, the panel critically evaluated the National Biotech Policy and made its recommendations to bring the BD National Biotech policy in line with those followed in developed and advanced developing countries. The document was submitted individually to the advisers of four Ministries: S&T, Agriculture, health and forestry.
As you may recall one of the major recommendations was the creation of the National Commission of Biotechnology (NCBT) with full autonomy under the PM’s Secretariat and establishment of Public-Private partnership in order to provide adequate salaries to highly qualified NRB’s to the posts of the Director of the National Institute of Biotechnology, Heads and Principal Scientific Officers of six divisions and sufficient funding allowing researchers to carry out the approved projects uninterrupted and without hindrance. Pl sacrifice a few moments of your valuable time in this sacred month of pilgrimage which demands our sacrifice which may spend in suggesting ways and means to transform the NIB into a dynamic vibrant institute so that its quality of its research and the fruits of the results emanating from it reach the common man through commercialization. Pl. click here to read more
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International Symposium on Regulatory and Safety issues in Commercialization of Biotech Research in Developing Countries
Dhaka 5th Dec.,08. The 3-day long International Symposium on Regulatory and Safety issues in Commercialization of Biotechnology Research in Developing Countries concluded yesterday, the 4th of December on a positive note of a greater cooperation between the participating countries from Cuba to Malaysia in the field of commercialization of biotech products. The panel discussion generated a good deal of hope and enthusiasm for the future promotion and development of biotechnology in the Third World. It also revealed the frustrating nature of the current regulatory bodies that have impeded the progress of current biotechnology research and ways and means to remove these hurdles through consensus. The presence of the TWAS Executive Director of Dr. Mohamed Hassan in the first day and Prof. VS Chauhan and their assurances of generous help in capacity building and development of manpower in the Third World Countries was indeed a heartening sign and would contribute greatly toward the success of the symposium.
The day started with the session focusing on the Intellectual Property, IP Rights. and Biotechnology Capacity Building in the South followed by the Panel Discussion. Among the speakers were: Prof. Julian Kinderleler at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, Dr. Hari Subramaniam at Subramaniam, Nataraj & Associates Patent & Trademark Attorneys, New Delhi, India, Prof. Ulf Petrusson, Director, CIP, Sweden, Prof. VS Chauhan Director, ICGEB Delhi, India, Mr. Mihir Kanti Mazumder on behalf of Mr. Fazlur Rahman of Bangladesh IP Training Institute (BIPTI), Dr. Raimundo Ubieta Gómez at the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, La Habana, Cuba, Prof. Abdul Latif Ibrahim at the International Islamic Academy for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Malaysia; and TWAS Prof. Ahmed A Azad. Among the Panelists were: Prof. Julian Kinderleler, Prof. Ulf Petrusson, Dr. P S Bhattacharya, Mr. Abdul Muktadir and Dr. Hari Subramaniam. The Symposium concluded with closing remarks by Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, VC, BRAC University followed by the offer of vote of Thanks by Prof. Naiyyum Choudhury. Pl. click here to read the full story.
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The Second Day of the Intl. symposium on Regulatory and Safety Issues
Dhaka, 3rd Dec'08.The second day of the symposium witnessed four very important mind boggling sessions. The sessions focused on an overall international and national view on Biosafety issues, field evaluation of GM crops, stories of clinical trials and on regulatory affairs of biotech products. The stories of clinical trials and field evaluation of GMOs from different countries revealed the international character of the symposium.
Among the speakers were Dr. V. Siva Reddy from ICGEB, Prof. Naiyyum Chowdhury, Mr. Solaiman Haider, Dr. P S Bhattacharya, Dr. Mark Tepfer from ICGEB, Dr. M.A. Razzaque, Prof. Haseena Khan, Dr. Bharat Kumar Poudyal from Nepal, Ms. Sharmin Jahan on behalf of Prof. Zeba Islam Seraj, Prof Glenda Gray from South Africa, Dr. Sabina Yeasmin, Dr. Abdur Rahman Sikder from the USA, Mr. Abdul Muktadir, Dr. Zahid Hossain from USA, Dr. Benzir Ahmed on behalf of Dr. Abul Kalam Azad and Dr. Akhter Hossain from Australia. Pl click here for details.
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The first Day of Intl. symposium on Regulatory and Safety Issues
Dhaka, the 2nd of Dec., ’08.The much awaited Symposium on the above subject kicked off RDEC Bhaban, Level, LGED Headquarter, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka at a simple but cheerful atmosphere amidst foreign and a large number of local scientists. Due to visa problem the delegates from Cuba and Cameroon could not arrive. On the dais at the inauguration ceremony, were seated, Dr. MHA Hassan, executive Director, TWAS, Professor Shamsher Ali, President Academy of Sciences, Jamilur Reza Choudhury VC BRAC University, Chief Guest CS. Karim, Adviser Agriculture, Mr. Manik Lal Samaddar, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser in-charge MoSICT, The conference was inaugurated by Dr. C. S. Karim after all in the dais addressed the distinguished gathering. Apart from offering vote of thanks Prof Naiyyum Choudhury introduced the foreign guests many of whom were not present due to their late arrival at Dhaka.
Of the seven speakers scheduled for the morning session all except Prof. Ananda Chakrabarty, made their presentation. Among the speakers were: Professor Kalyan Das at the Rutgers University, Dr. Firdausi Qadri, senior scientist, icddr,b , Prof. Ahmed A. Azad, TWAS Research professor, Dr. G.P.Das, country coordinator, ABSPII, Prof. R.H. Sarker, Dept. of botany, DU, Dr. Aparna Islam, biotechnology program, BRAC university and Dr. Ching-Hua Wang on behalf of Dr. Tim Osslund, California State University Channel Islands. In the afternoon session the speakers were: Dr. MHA Hassan from TWAS, Prof. Timothy Caulfield at the University of Alberta, Prof. A. S. Islam and Dr. KM Sultanul Aziz.. Pls click here to read the full story
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Dhaka, 27th Nov., ’08. Preparation for the above International Symposium is almost complete. The latest program, subject to further changes based on the arrival of expected guest speakers, will be posted here. TWAS Prof. Ahmed, the key figure who conceived the idea of this symposium and has been behind securing financial support from TWAS, ICGEB, IPT has already arrived from Melbourne for the Symposium. GNOBB take the opportunity of thanking him most sincerely. Our deepest gratitude is for Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, who along with the above organizations, Bangladeshi Academy of Sciences, INCEPTA, and MoSICT is hosting the Symposium. Our heartiest gratefulness are due to Prof. Naiyyum Choudhury, who has been working behind the scene relentlessly with the contingent of young teachers and senior students of DU and BRACU to make the forthcoming International Meet a great success. GNOBB sincerely hope that the relevant Ministries will take due cognizance of this importance of the Symposium unique in its nature and implement the recommendations to be tabled by the panel of experts drawn from the different International organizations and local experts. We heartily welcome all the guests from both overseas and home. We wish the International Meet a great success. Read more for details.
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Golden Jubilee of the Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dhaka, the 29th Nov.,’08. The Department of Biochemistry, now known as the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is celebrating its 50th year of founding November 29-30. The Chief- and Special guests were the VC and Pro-VC of Dhaka University at the inauguration function which took place at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center. The remainder of the function took place also in the same Center.
The Department is rightly proud of its glorious record of half a century during which period it has produced graduates, Ph.D’s who have earned wide recognition through their brilliant research output. About 800 Biochemists from all over Bangladesh and four from overseas are attending this function. The distinguished Lipid scientist, Professor Konrad Sandhoff at the kekulé -institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Germany , Prof. Kozi Asada, Japan, TWAS Professor Ahmed Azad and CSA member, ICGEB from Melbourne, Australia and Dr. Nur é Kamal at New York University were among overseas guests who enriched its deliberations with their learned presentations. Apart from scientific paper- and poster presentations, get-together and socialization among old and new friends, the assembly will focus on the achievements of the Department Graduates during the last fifty years (1958-2008) in the local and global scenario as well as on the role biochemistry and the biochemists can play in the foreseeable future in the field of biotechnology, drug discovery and bioenergy.
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Round Table :
Biotechnol Dhaka, 26th Nov., ’08. A round table discussion
on, “Biotechnology in Development: World scenario and Bangladesh” was held
Nov. 25, '08 at VIP lounge of the Press club. The Yahoo group of
Young Biotechnologists under the guidance of Professors Haseena Khan and
Zeba I. Seraj, Dhaka University organized the program with the blessings
and full support of GNOBB. The main objective to hold the function in the
Press Club has been to popularize biotechnology under the patronage of Mr.
Shykh Seraj, known for his dynamic role and relentless effort to
popularize modern methods for enhanced agricultural production both in
quality and quantity. The program, first of its kind was aimed at
popularizing and presenting biotechnology in semi-technical language
and its multifarious facets and the immense potential and promise that
this technology holds for our country. Besides policymakers, the targeted
cross-sections of the society were: politicians, economists, business
entrepreneurs, academia, journalists, representatives from various
electronic media: radio and television. Pl. click here to read
more. Prof.
Maqsudul Alam Had a Series of Successful Meetings and Mind-boggling
Lectures during his Stopover in
Dhaka
Austin
March
21, ’08.
Professor Maqsudul Alam
Alam left Dhaka on the 20th Evening after having spent an extremely busy
schedule comprising five lectures at Dhaka University, Bangladesh
Agricultural Research Council, ICDDR, B, INCEPTA Pharmaceuticals and
a series of discussion meetings with scientists specializing in molecular
biology, genomics, bioinformatics as well as with Dr. Abdur Razzaque, the
Executive Chairman, BARC and Mr. Abul Muktadir, the Managing Director,
INCEPTA. Besides addressing the young biotechnologists, who came
from all over Bangladesh at their second Congress, he had question-answer
session with them. It was an extremely fruitful session where the professor
tried his best to quench their thirst for knowledge in this rapidly
developing science.
Prof.
Alam Speaks at the 2nd Congress of Yahoo Group of Young BB
Austin
March
19, ’08.
As
the Guest speaker at the Second
Congress of the Yahoo Group of Young Biotechnologists Professor Maqsudul Alam
made a special presentation today, the
19th of March at the TSC, Auditorium, DU
at 10
a.m.
The Professor spoke on Proteomics, Genomics and Bioinformatics: A System Approach to
Understand Microbial Life at Extreme Environment in a manner that was
appreciated by all because of its lucidity, specially by the students of
universities who came from all parts of the country, Khulna, Sylhet,
Kusthia, Tangail where biotechnology and genetic engineering is taught. The theme of the
Congress was: Biopharmaceuticals: Global and Bangladesh Perspectives. An
estimated number of 200 represented the members of audience which
included, apart from large contingent of
student delegates from all over Bangladesh, distinguished
Professors, Dr. Naiyyum Chowdhury, Dr. Haseena Khan, Dr. Zeba I. Seraj and scientists of relevant departments of DU and other
universities as well as
representatives from pharmaceutical companies and news media. Prof
Alam answered a large number of questions posed by young BB on
biotechnology and bioinformatics and presented some brilliant ideas around
which future plans on biotechnology should be formulated. Click here to Read
the program
and also
the Proceedings prepared by Mustak. Austin
March,
16,'08. Prof. Maqsudul Alam presented his first mind-boggling
talk this morning, the 16th of March on, "Bacteria Sense Oxygen from
Physiology to Informatics to the Origin of Hemoglobin" in the
auditorium of the Center of Excellence, Dhaka
University. Among those present in the audience were: Prof. Yusuf Haider,
Pro-VC, DU, Profesor Anwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Biological
Science, Professor Naiyyum Chaudhury representing Bangladesh
Academy of Sciences, Professors and other staff members of the Departments
of Biochemistry and Mol. Biol. (BMB), Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology, Microbiology, Botany etc.; and research and senior students
where Mustak Ibn Ayub representing Young BB of Yahoo Group was also
present. Professor Alam's talk created a good deal of interest among the
audience. It may be mentioned here that the discovery of Prof. Alam and
his associates has been patented. Later in the afternoon, the guest
speaker spent his time at BMB.
---------------
As
scheduled, on the
17th
at 2:30 p.m. Professor Alam presented his second talk at the
BARC auditorium
on "Three
Stories of Applied Research: Blood Substitute, Herbal Extract Against
Dengue Fever and
Papaya
Genome: How We Did it and What We Have Learned. Among those who graced the
occasion were member directors of BARC, scientists from BARI, BRRI, BJRI, professors and senior
colleagues from BAU, Dhaka University, IPSA and other institutions. The
meeting was chaired by Dr. Md. Khalequzzaman A. Chowdhury, Member Director
(crops). The
lecture was followed by a stimulating discussion which among others also
covered the circumstances which led to the discontinuation of
USDA-supported papaya project. The consensus was that the papaya field
trial should start after the net house containment experiments are
duly completed with no adverse effects on the environment. Austin
March 17, '08. In
the Bigyan Projonmo section of the last Sunday's edition of Prothom
Alo, Mr. Munir Hasan
has published the life sketch of Professor Maqsudul Alam starting from his
early life; and traced it to his phenomenal rise in academic and research
career, most of which he accomplished in Russia, thereafter in
Germany and now in Hawaii. He now heads the department of Genomics,
Proteomics, and Bioinformatics, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
In an interview with Mr. Hasan, the Prof. said that jute being the
main cash crop of Bangladesh, its government and industrialists should
come forward to finance the jute genome project. The Prof.
said that unlike rice which has a huge number of varieties, jute has a
limited No. of cultivars requiring breeders to depend upon the arsenal
of the genes in jute cultivars for their improvement in fibre qualities,
lignin reduction, their use in vegetables and medicines etc.; and that is
possible only through the construction of jute genomic library. Completion
of the jute project will not only help this cash crop regain its
lost glory but also build up skilled manpower in the country and put
Bangladesh in the World Atlas of biotechnology. Read the article by clicking
here for pp. 1 and here
for pp. 2.
_________________
It may be recalled that
Professor Alam
heads a team of 85 scientists who
recently cracked the entire genomic structure of papaya and has agreed to
explore the possibility of constructing jute genomic library on a global
level of which Bangladesh will be an integral part. For the Lecture
Schedule Summary
Click
here.
Possibility of Receiving Guidance & Technical Help from
Prof. Maqsudul
Alam
Dr. R. B. Singh (RBS), the former ADG, FAO who graced the occasion as
chairman of the first session dealing with the theme of the symposium
informed the moderator that funding in the amount of $ten million is
available for promotion of biotechnology in BD. According to RBS a part of
this fund may be available for this purpose. A committee will soon be formed
with Professor Swapan Datta, Professor P. K. Gupta among others to prepare a
suitable draft.
In
this context may I appeal to those GNOBB members involved or have past
experience in Genomic library construction of any taxon to provide their
inputs to help us in preparing a well-documented write-up of a project to be
submitted to funding agencies including UNDP and FAO which have already
necessary funding available for biotech projects.
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Biosafety Training Course under the FAO Sponsorship
Dhaka 27th Nov,
’08. An FAO-sponsored 2-week course from 21st
November through 30th
on, "Assistance in the formulation of
enabling regulatory measures for research and sustainable application of
biotechnology" is underway in Rajendrapur. The courses cover the following
topics: a) Genes: Structure and Function by Z. Dhalmini; b)
Potential
Benefits of biotechnology by Z. Dhlamini;
c) Biology of conservation of genetic resources by E. Hodson; d) Good
laboratory practices by D.
Hautea; e) The process of risk analysis: Risk management by D. Hautea;
f) Post-release monitoring:
introduction; V. Prabhu; g) Monitoring of imports of GM plants and plant
materials by V. Prabhu; h) The international framework: WTO, IPRs by S. Bala
Ravi; i) The international
framework: WTO, IPRs by S. Bala Ravi; i) Survey of the national legal framework
by
The last day saw him busy with a 6-hour long meeting with the
concerned scientists which included staff members from IT department, DU
at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, DU, trying
to prepare a road map for construction of genomic library of one of the
jute species.
The whole BD community of Bangladesh Biotechnologists and GNOBB members
offer their highest sense of gratitude for the yeoman service Prof. Alam
has been rendering to our country trying to promote and develop
biotechnology and bring Bangladesh in this emerging science at par with
other advanced developing countries of the world.
It may be recalled that
Professor Alam
headed a team of 85 scientists who
recently cracked the entire genomic structure of papaya and has agreed to
explore the possibility of constructing jute genomic library on a global
level of which Bangladesh will be an integral part. For the Lecture
Schedule Summary
Click
here.
__________________
As announced earlier Professor also spoke in the afternoon at
ICDDR,B on "In
silico High Throughput Drug Screening and and Development of Leads Against
Dengue Virus Proteins DEN2 and NS2B/NS3." Professor
Maqsud is expected to leave Dhaka on the 20th evening.
_____________________________
On the 18th morning, Prof.
Maqsud is scheduled to meet Dr. Abdur Razzaque, the Executive Chairman of
BARC to discuss about the papaya genomic project. The meeting between the
two great visionaries took place in a conducive atmosphere. Later in
the day Prof. Maqsud visited Bangladesh Jute Research Institute and called
on DG and met the directors and concerned scientists.
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Austin
March, ’08.
During his stopover in Dhaka starting from the 16th of March, Prof.
Maqsudul Alam will have a busy schedule delivering a number of talks
including those in ICDDR,B, Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Council, and Dhaka University. He is also expected to meet Mr. Abul
Muktadir, MD. INCEPTA. Dr. Maqsud's presentation in Dhaka University
will take place on the 16th
at 11 a.m.
on "How Bacteria Sense Oxygen from Physiology to
Informatics to the Origin of Hemoglobin, while
at
BARC
Auditorium he will speak on the
17th
at 2:30 p.m. on "Three
Stories of Applied Research: Blood Substitute, Herbal Extract Against
Dengue Fever and
Papaya
Genome: How We Did it and What We Have Learned." On
the 18th
Prof.
Maqsud will meet with Mr. Abul Muktadir, the MD, INCEPTA at
10 a.m. and thereafter will speak in their Meeting Room on, "High
Throughput Virtual Screening and Identification of Herbal Leads Against
Dengue Virus" and also confer with Incepta's MD, Mr. Abul Muktadir
about the possibility of manufacturing novel drugs to contain Dengue
virus.
On the 19th, the Professor will be the Chief Guest at the Second
Congress of the Yahoo Group of Young Biotechnologists to be held at the
TSC Auditorium, DU
and inaugurate the function at 10 a.m. and
talk on, "A System Biology Approach to
Understand Microbial Life at Extreme Environment."
On the same day; i.e., the 19th
of
March at 3.00 p.m., he will
speak at the HSID
Conference Room, ICDDR,B on, "In
silico High Throughput Drug Screening and and Development of Leads Against
Dengue Virus Proteins DEN2 and NS2B/NS3."
Dhaka, January 29, 08. GNOBB members
will be pleased to know that Dr. Maqsudul Alam, Professor and Director of
Advance Studies,
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Construction
of Jute Genomic Library: Proposal for a Consortium
Dhaka Jan. 16, ’07. Among a number of recommendations, the one on the
establishment of a Consortium for construction of genomic library of jute
was approved at the concluding session of
the International Symposium on Jute and Allied Fibres Production,
Utilization and Marketing which concluded on the 12th, January.
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