LAHORE, Dec 19 (INP): The scientists at a symposium have called upon the need to do more research on developing disease and drought resistant seeds of vegetables to resolve issues in agriculture sector.

They were addressing Pakistan’s biggest three-day international symposium organized by Punjab University National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology titled “Advances in Molecular Biology of Plants and Health Sciences” at Riazuddin Auditorium here on Wednesday. PU Dean Faculty of Life Sciences Prof Dr Firdous-e-Barin, CEMB Director Prof Dr Tayyab Husnain, Dr. Razi Abbas Shamsi, Prof. Dr. Ikram ul Haq, Prof Dr Fazal-e-Majid, Four Brothers CEO Javed Qureshi, faculty members and over 100 scientists from Japan, Malaysia, Turkey, Nigeria, as well as from different prestigious institutes of Pakistan were present on the occasion.

Addressing the symposium, the scientists explained that various recent researches had explored to cure serious and ordinary diseases in human beings while research was also being done on genetic reasons behind deafness, blindness and other such diseases. CEMB Director Dr Tayyab Husnain said that CEMB was working hard to explore molecular biology in various research areas including plant biotechnology, seed technology, plant genomics, functional genomics, forensics sciences, virology, genetic diseases, stem cells and bio safety related issues etc.

He said that the CEMB has already developed Bt cotton varieties CEMB 33 and CA 12 which have been approved by Punjab Seed Council and were available in the market. He said that the idea behind this international symposium was to gather scientists; share science and search ways to collaborate. He said that the participation of such a large number of Molecular Biologists from Agriculture and Health side in this symposium was a good omen and shows the magnitude of the interest of the participants. He also thanked Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the major sponsors including Crop Life Pakistan, Four Brothers Group, Tara group, Sun Crop, Allah Din group, World Wide Scientific, Philco Pakistan for collaborating in organizing the mega event.

Prof. Dr. Firdaus-e-Bareen said researchers at CEMB were working for welfare of common man. She applauded the efforts of scientists and staff of CEMB for organizing a mega event and appreciated the productive idea of Dr. Tayyab Husnain to provide a platform for scientists to present their research. INP/AJ