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DUBAI / WAM
H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Monday attended the inaugural session of the 7th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy (ICDDT) and 4th Biotechnology World Congress, BWC, at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah.
Held under the patronage of H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah, the 4-day international conference is being hosted by the University of Sharjah in collaboration with Eureka Science. On the occasion, the Ruler of Sharjah honoured Professors Ferid Murad, Harald zur Hausen and Jean Marie Lehn, three Nobel Laureates, and Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, co-chair of the conference, for their outstanding contributions and groundbreaking findings that have enriched the world of science.
The high-profile medical and scientific conference is being attended by more than 600 eminent scientists, medical experts, research scholars, faculty and students.
In his inaugural remarks, Hamid M K Al-Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, thanked H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah for his gracious presence on the occasion and his constant guidance and support for educational and scientific initiatives in the emirate.
He said that the scientific and medical community and researchers were constantly faced with the challenge of meeting the needs of an increasing ageing population and confronting the diseases created by modern, sedentary lifestyles in the developing and developed countries. “Curbing the spread of transmissible diseases in an increasingly interconnected world has emerged as the greatest challenge for the scientific and medical community,” he said.
The Chancellor of the University of Sharjah expressed confidence that the conference and recommendations and suggestions offered by experts as a result would have a positive impact on the future prospects of drug development and biotechnological breakthroughs.
Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Ferid Murad talked about the discovery of the first biological effects of nitric oxide and how the field has evolved. Nobel Laureate Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn explained the features of Supramolecular Chemistry and the applications of these approaches to biological systems and drug discovery. Nobel Laureate Prof. Harald zur Hausen discussed his discoveries on diabetes, obesity and related health problems.
More than 600 researchers and brightest scientific minds are to present their groundbreaking research findings and papers exploring cures for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, obesity and cancer etc.. The integrated scientific programme of the two symposia includes 170 lectures, 150 presentations and an exhibition.
The University of Sharjah intends to harness the benefits of the research and discovery presented at the conference for the welfare of the UAE community. In particular, the conference will host scientists working in the field of pharmaceuticals who will share their expertise in the advancement of biotechnology, health informatics and biomedical engineering. The increasing preference for natural drug products, known as biopharmaceuticals, will also be discussed at the conference.
The conference offers an ideal platform and great opportunity for researchers, pharmaceutical scientists, clinicians, biotechnologists, medical professionals and students to exchange ideas with some of the brightest minds and accomplished experts in their fields. It also opens avenues for professional partnerships and alliances with top international biotechnology companies, decision makers and investors etc.