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The University of the Punjab was formally established with the convening of its first meeting of its senate on October 14, 1882 at Shimla. It was the fourth University to be established by the British Colonial Authorities on the Indian Subcontinent. The first three universities were establish by the British rulers at their initial strongholds of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. The University of the Punjab came into existence as a result of long drawn struggle of the people of the Punjab after the war of independence in 1857. Contrary to the three previously established universities, which were only examining institutions, the University of the Punjab was both teaching as well as examining body right form the beginning.

University of the Punjab is located in the Historical and Culturally active city of Lahore. At present various on-campus teaching and research programs of the University are organized under fifty institutes, departments, constituent colleges or centers, which run over one hundred degree, diploma or certificate programs. Research leading to PhD degree is an integral part of the academic programs in many disciplines. New academic programs have been introduced recently according to the current requirements. This has gradually expanded the academic activity of the University.

It is commendable that the University of the Punjab has created a modern infrastructure to make it possible for students to update their knowledge in various scientific disciplines since modern technology has become an essential vehicle of rapid progress. At the same time, the University has been quite successful in maintaining a balance between modern trends in education and its old traditions. As Chancellor, I am confident that efforts to excel in the field of higher education and the inculcation of moral values in the students at the University Campus will continue in future with a greater zeal.

Establishment of the Centre

In order to build National capability in the, new bioscience, University of the Punjab established a nucleus Centre for Advanced studies in Molecular Biology. In 1986, the Ministry of Education upgraded the University Centre into a National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology. In April 1987, the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) approved the establishment of a Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), located back to back with the laboratory block of the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB). The twin component Molecular Biology Laboratory Complex is spread over 60 acres of land, with a covered area of 7000 square meters including a Laboratory Block, a Teaching Block and a Hostel for Ph.D. Research Scholars. The Laboratory Block is divided into four separate research units comprising a total of 20 Research Labs and four Conference Rooms; one Production Unit ,and one Support Facilities Unit comprising a Lab-aid Section (for washing, autoclaving and media preparation), an Animal House, an Insectary, six large Plant Growth Rooms, and storage space for research materials. The Teaching Block consists of a well equipped Library, Seminar Hall, Photocopy, Photography, Computer Rooms, a Conference Hall, Director's Office and Administration and Accounts section. There is a self-service canteen, a dining hall and 11 rooms in the research scholars hostel.

Objectives and Functions of the Centre

    Teaching and training to generate a cadre of manpower specifically trained in molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology.

    To undertake goal oriented molecular biological research on specific problems related to economic needs of the country for agriculture, health & medicine, industry, energy and environment sectors.

    To create a repository of DNA modifying enzymes, DNA cloning vectors, novel bacterial strains and other such molecular tools for ready availability and use by various

    Research groups at this Centre and other DNA research laboratories in Pakistan.

    To organize National and International seminars and conferences for detailed' discussions on scientific and technological developments, which will lead to new ideas and innovative applications of knowledge in gene cloning and recombinant DNA Technology.

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Regular Activities

    • a. Training Courses
      • A training workshop for police officers on "Crime Scene and modem Forensic techniques in crime investigation from October 11-12,2004 at the Centre.

      • CEMB-COMSTECH (CPC) organized an international training symposium and workshop on stem cell from December 01-12, 2004 at the Centre.

      • A training workshop for police officers on "Crime Scene and modem Forensic techniques in crime investigation from January 10-11.2005 at the Centre.

    • b. Equipment Purchased/Commissioned:

    S.No.

    Name of Equipment

    Quantity

    1

    Mice Langedroff Apparatus

    1

    2

    Olympus Microscope Operating Software

    1

    3

    Microfuge

    2

    4

    Roller Bottle for CO2 Incubator

    2

    5

    Fermentor Facility (20 I Capacity)

    1

    6

    Gyratory Shaker

    2

    • c. Research Outcomes -Patents -Commercialization
      • Two patents (Patent # 137087) and (Patent # 137121) were submitted for processing of Biopesticide formulation.

      • Procedures for prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia, DNA typing for criminal investigation and parenthood identification, and PCR based diagnosis of infectious diseases (hepatitis B&C and tuberculosis) have been commercialized.

      • Taq polymerase enzyme and DNA markers are available on a semi commercial scale .while two enzymes are being marketed by a US Company.

    • d. Seminars/S/Symposiums/Presentations
        • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin participated in the 15th meeting of the " Expert Committee on Biological Drugs" as member of the National Drug approval Committee on Ju.ly 10, 2004 at Islamabad.

        • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin participated in the 1 SI meeting of Biodiversity working group of the Ministry of Environment on July 12,2004 at Islamabad.

        • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin participated in a training course entitled " Holistic Foundations for Assessment and Regulation of Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms" in Tromso, Norway from July 25 to August 07, 2004.

        • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin visited Department of Pathology and Molecular Biology University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA to discuss progress in Stem Cell Research from August 10-17, 2004.

        • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin gave a lecture on "Genetic and Molecular basis of hearing impairment in Pakistan population" at the Centre for Molecular Genetics, Universitgy of Karachi, Karachi April, 2005.

        • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin gave a lecture on "Therapcutic potential of stem cells" at the Centre for Molecular Geneticis, University of Karachi, Karachi April, 2005.

        • Dr.Shaheen N. khan participated in the First National Conference on Health Biotechnology organized by National Commission on Biotechnology at University of Health Sciences, Lahore Jan. 27-28, 2005.

        • Dr.TayyabHusnain participated in the International Microarray workshop at the University of Arizona Tucson Arizona, USA from May 8-13, 2005.