CSIR-IIIM Srinagar Branch Commences Training Workshop on Advances Techniques in Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry

BuzzBytes 01 March 2024, Srinagar:CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Srinagar, has initiated a three-day hands-on training workshop in Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry as part of CSIR-Integrated Skill Initiatives. The training program, inaugurated by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM Jammu, aims to provide participants from various institutions with practical insights into different facets of Natural Products and Medicinal Chemistry.During the workshop, participants will engage in various techniques related to the isolation and purification of natural products. These techniques include column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and flash chromatography.Dr. Zabeer highlighted the concerted efforts in preventing and treating emerging threats to human health, emphasizing the central role of natural products in obtaining new therapies. He informed participants about the therapeutic value of compounds found in plants and plant-based medicines used in alternative medicine. Dr. Zabeer underscored that natural product chemistry not only forms the scientific basis for the traditional use of medicinal plants but also plays a crucial role in drug discovery.Participants were informed about the captivating field of natural product synthesis within organic chemistry. This field focuses on the intricate construction of complex, biologically relevant molecules found in nature. Such natural products possess diverse and often remarkable pharmacological activities, making them crucial for drug discovery, agricultural innovation, and the development of novel materials.Dr. Muzamil Ahmed, Principal Scientist, provided an overview of the institution and its legacy. The training program is coordinated by Dr. Bilal Ahmad, Principal Scientist, and Dr. Syed Khalid, Scientist, under the supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Head CSIR-IIIM Srinagar (Branch). The inaugural function witnessed the participation of different scientists and scholars from the institute.