Improving livestock: Experts talk advancement in molecular techniques

Participants from different countries attend session

LAHORE: The Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, in collaboration with Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB) and Higher Education Commission (HEC), organised a two-day International Conference on Omics for Animal Sciences: Opportunities and Challenges on Tuesday, a press release issued stated.

Minister for Labour and Human Resources Raja Ashfaq Sarwar presided over the inaugural session while UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, experts from different countries, including Malaysia, China, India, Brazil, Turkey and others attended the conference.

The objective of the conference was to devise ways of advancement in molecular techniques for improvement of livestock and replacing the previous methodologies.

While speaking on the occasion, the UVAS VC said the conference on animal omics will bring important issues to the table to be discussed so that technologies can be devised and suggestions made to improve the system.

“Such conferences would be effective for developing strategies and also for the growth of livestock and the agriculture sector.”

He lauded UVAS and its leadership for being ranked among the top ten universities of Pakistan and for the quality of its education. He urged women students to join their respective professions to serve the society and humanity and contribute to the uplift of the national economy.

The vice-chancellor highlighted the history of UVAS, its faculties, departments and various disease diagnostic facilities, vaccine production and other areas.

Talat Naseer maintained that UVAS was achieving the milestones of need-based research, multi-level education and talent development institution by using its knowledge, resources and skills.

He pointed out UVAS had been ranked among the top Asian universities. He continued that the varsity mainly focused on applied research for the enhancement of milk and meat production to meet the growing need of population.

He said with the help of Punjab government, the university and livestock department recently launched a camel milk programme throughout the province.

Speaking about the conference objectives, Dr Wasim Shahzad said that the conference focuses on learning about the genomics methodologies for improving livestock capabilities. He added the conference will prove effective in detecting variant in DNA, RNA or protein that could be associated with economically important traits in livestock and conceptual interaction and thoughtful discussion with the livestock genetics and stakeholders etc.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2018.