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The University Inaugurates the Second Conference on Research and Applications in Biotechnology in Palestine
Date:
Sun, 26/09/2010
On September 26th 2010, under the auspices of the University President, Prof. Rami Hamdallah, the University inaugurated the Second Conference on Research and Applications in Biotechnology in Palestine. The Conference was held at the Korean Palestinian IT Institute of Excellence at the New Campus and attracted a large number of audiences from national, regional and international communities. Attendees included Dr. Sulaiman Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University, Mr. Omar Abdel latif, Representative of Jawwal as well as a number of researchers, experts and scientists in the field of biotechnology from the different Palestinian, Arab and international universities.
In the opening session, Prof. Hamdallah delivered a speech in which he welcomed the participants and thanked those who came to share their ideas with their colleagues in Palestine. He said that the conference is a vital step towards reinforcing and supporting scientific research in the country. The importance of this event is represented by the fact that it brings together different researchers and experts from the different parts of the world to share their ideas and expertise. The President also mentioned that the University has always been concerned with the development of scientific research through continuous support such as rewards and scientific awards. The University also seeks to provide its researchers with the needed equipments and devices that facilitate their work and increase the effectiveness of their research.
Through its support of the research movement in Palestine, the University has obtained outstanding ranks among other universities in the region and worldwide such as the recent ranking it received by the Webometrics which placed it first in Palestine, fifth in the Arab world and number 1160 internationally.
Prof. Hamdallah also emphasized that the organization of the conference in Palestine gives the country a unique status among other academic institutions inside and outside Palestine and brings it closer to the world’s top universities which are considered a hub for scientific research. It is an important event to rise with the level of biotechnology in Palestine and to come up with significant recommendations and results. This conference is an appropriate atmosphere for young researchers to exhibit their expertise and widen their knowledge through contacting other experts in the field of biotechnology.
The President concluded by calling upon the concerned to pay more attention to biotechnology in Palestine and to work on establishing a national committee that would focus on developing the field of biotechnology further. He also recommended holding this event annually and to implement what the conference recommends on ground so as to provide adequate support for researchers and experts working in this field. Considering the vital role that this field of science plays in the development of scientific research in Palestine, Prof. Hamdallah emphasized the University’s commitment towards holding similar events in the future.
Dr. Khalil then spoke about the importance of the subject that was discussed in the conference which is biotechnology. He explained that biotechnology is closely related to other fields such as agriculture, medicine, industry and economy, therefore, it is a vital tool that would facilitate the development of those fields. He also thanked the University Administration for providing the appropriate environment for discussing such issue.
The conference included a number of sessions and work papers each of which discussed a particular subject in the field of biotechnology. Topics included: Genetic determinants’ role in resisting salinity in water and drought in plants, reducing the danger of having transmitted genes continue to stay in the genetically engineered crops and prevent them from being transmitted to plants that are not genetically engineered, biotechnology, the chemical diversity of secondary receptors in plants, the production of potato seeds using meristem fabric in the growth point of the plant, the use of HC and Pro to study the symptoms that accompany the use of genetic inhibitors, and the production of secondary metabolic compounds from the Red Henna plant.
Other topics included genetic basis regarding plants’ water consumption efficiency, the use of molecular biology to determine 6 types of fungi that infect insects, the use of molecular biology to determine and study different types of plant viruses. The participants also discussed the isolation of certain type of aerobic bacteria from the surrounding soil, and the use of nano-sized molecules in biological applications.