Islamabad, 13 February 2023 (GNP): Five research grants and six scholarships, including science projects and fellowships, totaling 52.65 million rupees are jointly supported by COMSTECH and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy. They are awarded to researchers from OIC member states.
Fellowships of three to ten months have been awarded to researchers from Cameroon, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tunisia. They will be hosted by Hungary, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Italy.
Researchers from Algeria, Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Pakistan who submitted research proposals have each received funds totaling 20,000 Euros.
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The research projects include; the Overexpression of rate-limiting enzymes, DBTNBT and DBAT, in Taxus cell suspension culture using the CRISPR-Cas9 system as a successful strategy for a substantial increase in Taxol, New 4-substituted Pyrazolidine and Isoxazolidine as potential antimicrobial agents, Insights into the resistome of healthy and mastitis camel milk microbiome, Synthesis and the heat transport mechanism of biodiesel from marine macroalgae feed stocks catalyzed by activated palm kernel shell waste towards biofuel standard specification and Optimizing root system architecture to improve phosphorus use efficiency in rice.
In order to provide a comprehensive framework for cooperation in research, education, and technology, as well as to facilitate and deepen collaboration between COMSTECH and ICGEB in the sectors of shared interest, the two organizations entered into a scientific program agreement in April 2022. The research grants, visiting scientist program, and fellowship program are the program’s key components.
While the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is an intergovernmental organization and its operations are in line with those of the United Nations common system, COMSTECH, the OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, works to advance the socio-economic development of OIC member states through the application of science, technology, and innovation.
In order to further sustainable global development, it functions as a center of excellence for research, education, and technology transfer to industry. In the same vein, both institutions cooperated and funded science projects and fellowships.