Three Day Skill Development Programme on Drug Discovery and Development begins at CSIR-IIIM
Mar 05, 2024
JAMMU: A three-day skill development programme on Basic Techniques in Drug Discovery and Development commenced here at CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu under the patronage of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM Jammu.
The advanced training program aims to equip participants with skills and knowledge in the rapidly evolving field of drug discovery and development. 15 participants from different universities are being imparted the advanced training and practical skills that envisages to effectively bridge the gaps in academic knowledge and practical skills among young scientists and researchers desirous in making substantial contributions in the field of healthcare and medicine.
The programme also aims to strengthen the skill set and capacity of the young researchers and scientists working in the field of Drug Discovery. Meticulously designed technical sessions of the programme caters to students, researchers, and professionals pursuing scientific endeavours in drug discovery, and provides an opportunity to enhance their comprehensive understanding on the dynamics of drug discovery.
Covering a spectrum of topics, from natural product research to modern drug discovery techniques, the programme addresses crucial aspects for individuals aspiring for their professional growth in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
The programme was inaugurated by Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist and Head RMBD & IST Division, who in his address welcomed the participants of the programme and informed that CSIR-IIIM Jammu, as a constituent establishment of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research has done pioneering research in pharmacology and drug discovery through gainful utilization of the novel chemical entities derived from natural products and phyto-medicines.
The Institute is undertaking dedicated initiatives to integrate traditional knowledge with advanced scientific approaches and methodology to pivot the discovery of novel therapeutic agents for drug development thereby contributing significantly to advancements in the field.
During the insightful inaugural session, Dr. Qazi Naveed Ahmed, Principal Scientist and Head NPMC Division, highlighted the importance of the skill development programme in enhancing the scientific and technical acumen of the participants to develop a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry demands. He underscored that CSIR Integrated Skill Initiatives have been significant in skilling and upskilling in different scientific and technological domains.
Dr. Parvinder Pal Singh, Principal Scientist, NPMC Division, in his remarks informed that phytopharmaceutical assume a significant importance and play a crucial role in drug discovery programmes. He specifically addressed safety considerations in the preclinical phase and outlined the objective of the training programme while emphasizing the practical applications of phytopharmaceuticals in the drug development process.
Dr. Ravindra S. Phatake, Scientist in synthetic organic chemistry delved into the challenges associated with extracting single molecules from plant organisms, providing a comprehensive perspective on the intricacies of the field. He detailed the understanding of the complexities involved in synthetic organic chemistry to the participants.
In the practical session, Programme Coordinator Dr. Bhahwal Ali Shah, Principal Scientist, NPMC Division, conducted hands-on training on practical skills and good laboratory practices to the participants.
