Conference on biochemists, molecular biologists held next August

THE 27th Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) Conference is being held in Malaysia for the first time in 21 years next August.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) head of programme of postgraduate studies Prof Lim Yeng Mooi says the conference will be held in conjunction with the 44th Annual Conference of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB).

Themed “Biomolecules: Networks and Systems’, with a special symposia on “Mosquito-Borne Illnesses”, the conference will be held from Aug 19 to 22 at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

Prof Lim, who is also the Centre for Cancer Research chairperson, says the focus will be on new discoveries in genetics to better understand how biomolecular processes and human cell networks come together to form a system.

She adds that these processes affect human behaviour, cellular damage, diseases and disorders.

With this knowledge, she adds, scientists can find and create interventions for diseases and disorders.

“We mainly want to gather renowned scientists from the Asia Pacific region and Malaysia to report their findings (for issues) that cater to this region.”

She says the conference will showcase the achievements of biochemistry and biomolecular scientists in the region.

Over four days, 18 symposia sessions and three forums (Women in Science, Education and Young Career Development) will be held to discuss issues related to academia and research within the Asia Pacific region.

MSBMB is one of the oldest scientific societies in Malaysia, established in 1973 as a professional body representing local biochemists and molecular biologists.

She says the symposia will include experts from New Zealand, Spain, China, the United States, Singapore, Korea and Thailand.

One of the sub-themes of the symposia is research questions for mosquito-borne illnesses, which Prof Lim says, are a problem in tropical countries such as Malaysia.

The symposia will have prominent scientists from countries such as Taiwan and Brazil to present their findings.

Two other societies participating in the conference are the Organisation for Women in

Science for Developing World, Malaysia Chapter and the College of Pathologists, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia.

This event is supported by the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Veterinary Association Malaysia and L’oreal (Malaysia).

The conference is expected to attract more than 500 participants comprising researchers, academics, students, industry professionals and government officials from the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information, contact Dr Fazril Razif from the Malaysia Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at fazril.razif@ um.edu.my.