Locally produced medicine
Researchers at Punjab University’s School of Biological Sciences have claimed producing an anti-viral and anti-cancerous recombinant protein ‘Human Interferon Alpha2B’ — the first locally prepared drug to be used for hepatitis treatment.
“We have adopted the cloning technique to develop the recombinant protein, generally used to treat critical illnesses like hepatitis,” Nasir Mahmood, a member of the research team, said last week.
He said the development of the protein locally would go a long way in cutting down the cost of hepatitis treatment in Pakistan. The masses cannot afford the treatment for the time being.
“We are sure that it is the first time a Pakistani researcher has produced an anti-cancerous protein locally. The vaccines presently being used are imported,” team leader Prof Dr Naeem Rashid observed.
“We would like the product to be commercialised so that patients of hepatitis may get the antidote at an affordable price,” he added.
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Dr A.Q. Khan institute
As many as 18 research scholars have begun working in the areas of biomedical and agricultural biotechnology at the Dr A.Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Karachi, it was reported last week.
Three wings of the institute’s buildings have been furnished with international standard equipment through a grant of Rs198 million provided by the Higher Education Commission in 2003-05. A senior instructor at the institute said it was good to see all the equipment installed and research students busy in the laboratories.
The institute at the moment has 18 students who have been registered for MPhil-PhD programme of Karachi University and six more are in the process of developing their synopses.
http://www.dawn. com/weekly/ science/science1 1.htm
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