The Second Conference on Biotechnology Research and Application in Palestine Concludes its Works

On September 27th 2010, the Second conference on Biotechnology Research and Application in Palestine concluded its sessions with a number of recommendations and suggestions and called for the establishment of an international consultative committee that consists of the international experts and researchers who took part in the conference. The participants also agreed on having the third round of the conference to be held at Al-Quds University in 2012 and the fourth one to be held in 2014 at the Arab American University in Jenin.
 

 

They also called for the establishment of a national committee for biotechnology that consists of the heads of biology and biochemistry departments of the different Palestinian departments, encouraging research cooperation between experts in biotechnology, establishing a periodical that is dedicated to news and updates in the field of biotechnology, building a special website dedicated to the publication of the conference's works, provide necessary support to conduct research in biotechnology, maintaining cooperation with international universities that take part in the conference in order to expand the participants' expertise and share new ideas.

 

The conference which lasted for two days has covered a variety of topics in the field of biotechnology and its applications. The participants presented work papers and studies on the cases of hearing loss in the Palestinian society, the production of IgG3 Antibodies, discovering of glycoproteins that are attached to the cell's wall and the study of its role in the relationship between the host body and the causative organism as well as the lack of Vitamin B12 in the Palestinian society.

  

 

The researchers also discussed Pathogens of E. Coli Bacteria that infect birds, the genetic basis related to plants' efficiency in water consumption, the anti-oxidation property of a material taken from the seeds of the Papaya plant, the molecular and serological diagnosis of Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma Bacteria in children and the classification of the types of bacteria that cause this illness. Other subjects included the discussion of a Palestinian plant that increases the rate of glucose disposal by musculoskeletal cells that were planted in the laboratory and the role of the Hepatocyte Growth Factor (c-Met) in regulating the CMV Virus's multiplication in the human body. The participants also discussed 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.

 

Dr. Sulaiman Khalil, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University, said that the conference was a success and has fulfilled its goals. He added that the conference has opened the door for researchers and experts in biotechnology to sit with regional and international peers and discuss new ideas and experience in this vital field of science.