PCMD Journal Club discusses novel ideas from latest research paper

KARACHI: Lalarukh Jawaid, an M.Phil. scholar of the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, presented and discussed the research paper of the leading international scientist in a seminar held under the PCMD Journal Club. 

With an aim to discuss the novel ideas of the latest research paper of the top foreign scientist, PCMD Journal Club organised the seminar. 

Unfolding the novel ideas of the research paper, the female scholar said that proteins played essential roles in biological systems ranging from viruses to humans. They are critical players in the pathology of many diseases. Hence, the recent advancement is making use of proteins as therapeutics to treat various diseases, she added. 

It is worth mentioning here that the selected research paper for this talk was authored by a famous foreign scientist, Nan Jiang (and others), published in the Journal of Biochemical Engineering by Elsevier on the 17th of October, 2020. The title of this paper was ‘Development of a robust Escherichia coli (bacteria) – based cell-free protein synthesis application platform’. 

Some common examples of protein and peptide therapeutics are insulin and several anticancer, antiviral drugs as well as hormones and growth factors, she said, adding that the advanced research and technology in the area of protein expression addresses more efficient ways to enhance the production of proteins. 

It is also pertinent to mention here that the PCMD Journal Club was established in 2018 on the advice of Prof. Dr M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) and COMSTECH Coordinator-General. The PCMD Journal Club is an interactive platform for students to exchange the most exciting developments in chemical and biochemical sciences, including modern techniques involved in research and development in this field. The talk was followed by the question & answer session.