November 16, 2011

Biotechnology has become the world's major industry to produce vaccines against livestock, with Pakistan importing poultry vaccines totalling INR6 billion (US$118billion) annually.

This was stated by the Vice Chancellor of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Dr. Uhammad Nawaz, while addressing at a workshop, "Molecular Diagnostics", organised by the Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

He said Pakistan could make progress by leaps and bounds through adopting new vista of research and developing sciences. He called upon pharmaceutical entrepreneurs and businessmen to join hands with UVAS with its unique project in Lahore Bio Technology Park.

Director Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Dr Masroor Elahi Baber, said molecular diagnostics facilitated the detection and characterisation of disease, drug response, identification of genetic modifiers and disease susceptibility.

He explained the importance of advancements in molecular diagnostics and its benefits to public health in the workshop.