Ph.D. Level Hybrid Course (01 Credit-hour) entitled, “Biologics (Protein Biopharmaceuticals)”

INTRODUCTION:

The Sindh Innovation, Research, and Education Network (SIREN) working under the auspices of the Government of Sindh, and the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) is organizing a hybrid course (01 credit hour) entitled, “Biologics (Protein Biopharmaceuticals)”. All research scholars, student scientists, and faculty of SIREN universities are cordially invited to attend this important lecture. For video Conferencing parameters are: [email protected]

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

* Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the differences between Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceuticals (Biologics).

* Explain how biologics are manufactured and analyzed using biochemical and biophysical techniques.

* Describe; the basis of various biochemical methods for separation and characterization (down-stream processing) of biologics.

* Understand how to select different analytical protein characterization tools in the laboratory workflow.

TARGETED PARTICIPANTS:

This hybrid course is designed for attendees with a life sciences background, with fundamental knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology. Researchers having research interests include protein purification, characterization, and amino acid sequencing. (1) Primary structure of hemoglobin to understand interspecies relationship at the molecular level. (2) Proteins and peptides profiling of plants based in folk medicine from Pakistan. Participation is open for researchers from academia, R&D institutions, OIC members, and industries.

INSTRUCTOR’S BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Aftab Ahmed earned his Ph.D. in protein chemistry from HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan in 1989. He completed a part of his Ph.D. thesis from Max-Plank Institute of Biochemistry, Germany. He conducted his post-doctoral studies at Max-Planck Institute in 1988 and at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Maryland in 1989 where he worked on the characterization of Carnivore hemoglobin and retroviral proteins. In 1992, he joined University of California Irvine as researcher and later established a Biomedical Sequencing and Synthesis Core Facility.

Dr. Ahmed also has industrial experience, working in biotechnology companies. He joined Cyto Therapeutics Inc., Rhode Island in 1996, and tissue engineering company, Organogenesis Inc, Massachusetts in 1998 as a protein chemist and Staff Scientist. Dr.Ahmed moved to academia and joined University of Rhode Island (URI) in June 2003, as a Coordinator. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at the ICCBS, University of Karachi, Pakistan. He is conducting collaborative research projects related to bioactive proteins and peptides from various spices used as folk medicine in Pakistan. Dr. Ahmed has authored 24 peer-reviewed publications and 15 meeting abstracts.

 PROGRAM SCHEDULE: December 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24, 2022

DAY AND TIME: Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (10:00 – 13:00 Hrs.)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  05th December 2022 (Free)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course aims to broaden the student's research experience and familiarize them with different research techniques frequently employed in biomedical research and biopharmaceutical industries. This course consists of both in-class and online (hybrid format). The lectures focus on the fundamentals and explain the scientific and practical basis of the various analytical methods in interactive class sessions with in-class quizzes, in-class assignments, or group work. The students will analyze and discuss the previously recorded experimental data and submit reports in the form of a scientific manuscript according to an assigned scientific journal style.

The course grade will account for in-class participation, in-class quizzes, and a final Exam. On-line participants will receive certificate of attendance.

Course Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Atia-tul-Wahab

Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research,

International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences,

University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan.

Coordinator SIREN

Mr. Nadeem Ahmed Khan

Manager, SIREN

[email protected]