LAHORE: (Monday, November 25, 2013): The 4-day international conference on “Molecular Biosciences – Challenges and Opportunities” began in Punjab University on Monday with participation of over 500 scientists from UK, USA, India, Canada, Australia, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries.

This is 11th Biennial Conference of the Pakistan Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) being held in University of the Punjab Faisal Auditorium. The theme of this four day conference is “Molecular Biosciences – Challenges and Opportunities”. During this conference the rapid advances made in the field of biological sciences during the recent years shall be presented by the scientists from abroad and within the country. The deliberations of the conference include 5 plenary lectures, 12 invited talks and about one hundred oral presentations divided over 12 concurrent sessions. The conference program also includes video lectures of scientists from India and Australia and about 150 poster presentations by younger scientists. The best oral presentation and best poster presentation from the younger scientists shall be awarded prizes. Over 500 scientists from UK, USA, India, Canada, Australia, Bangladesh and the universities and the relevant research institutions of Pakistan are participating in this Conference. The young researchers and scientists in particular are benefiting greatly from the deliberations of this conference.

Prof. Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab was the Chief Guest for the Inaugural Session of the conference. He highlighted the importance of biochemical sciences in the human welfare. He lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in promoting scientific activity in these areas. Prof. Waheed Akhtar, Chairman, Organising Committee stated that the recent advances in biochemical sciences are making to treatment of diseases like cancer, diabetes, malaria, etc. more effective. These advances are also making dramatic contributions in improving crop yields and disease resistance in plants. Applications in the sectors of bioenergy and large number of industrial processes, making these more economical and environment – friendly are becoming possible. After Inaugural session, the first Plenary Lecture was delivered by Prof. M. Iqbal Chaudhry, Director, HEJ, Karachi. During the post-lunch period three concurrent scientific sessions, in different specialized areas were held.

 The Scientific program for Tuesday 26 11, 2013 include two video lectures one from India and other from Australia. Also a dedicated symposium on “Diagnosis and therapeutics of Tuberculosis” shall be held in the afternoon . Three concurrent scientific sessions on specialized area shall be held. The Conference program continues till November 28, 2013.