Archive

Fourth International Conference in Frontiers of Molecular Life Sciences: Beyond the Blueprint of Life Fourth International Conference in Frontiers of Molecular Life Sciences: Beyond the Blueprint of life was held on 26th and 27th September 2024 at IBMBB, University of Colombo.  H.E Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner and Senior professor H. D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo graced this occasion as the chief guest and the guest of honor respectively.  Dr. Sumadee de Silva and Dr. Narmada Fernando, senior lecturers from IBMBB contributed as co-chairpersons. The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Erik Bongcam-Rudloff, Professor in Bioinformatics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. Thirteen symposium lectures were delivered in six symposia sessions. Oral presentations were delivered by 31 participants and 50 poster presentations were done during the two-day sessions.  The event was sponsored by the National Science Foundation, EMBNet and several private institutes. Two pre-conference workshops were held as satellite events. Workshop on Metagenomics was held on 25th and 26th September 2024 with the presence of Prof. Erik Bongcam-Rudloff, Renaud Van Damme (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), and Dr. Kanchana Senanayaka (IBMBB, University of Colombo). The aim of this workshop was to provide basic understanding of metagenomics and analysis of metagenomic data. Fourteen participants were present and gained the practical exposure in the field of metagenomics and metagenomic data analysis. Lichens as a Spatially Transferable Bioindicaters were held on 25th September 2024. Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon (National History Museum, London, UK) contributed as the resource person for this workshop. Workshop was coordinated by Prof. Nimal Punyasiri and fourteen participants were presented and gained the exposure in the field of lichens. Post-Conference workshop on Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) Modeling for Drug Discovery was held on 28th September 2024. Dr. Arabinda Ghosh contributed as the resource person. The workshop was targeted to students, academics and researchers in the medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Twelve participants gained exposure to the Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship modeling. Dr. Kanishka Senathilake coordinated the workshop. Post-conference workshops on Immunobiotechnology for Diagnostics and Therapeutics was held on 1st October 2024. Prof. Sunil Premawansa (University of Colombo), Prof. Shiroma Handunnetti (IBMBB), Prof. Jayantha Balawardena (Chancellor, Uva Wellassa University), Dr. Nuradh Joseph (District General Hospital, Karapitiya), Dr. Rajiva de Silva (Medical Research Institute) and Dr. Dhanushka Dasanayake (Medical Research Institute) contributed as resource persons. Programme was moderated by Prof. P P S L Pathirana and 31 participants gained exposure in Immunobiotechnology in the context of diagnostics and therapeutics.

Overnight Pirith and Morning Almsgiving – 20th Anniversary Commemoration IBMBB celebrated its 20th anniversary by organizing an overnight pirith chanting ceremony that started on 27th April 2024 and morning alms giving for 15 Buddhist Priests who chanted Pirith overnight on 28th April 2024 at the IBMBB premises. The religious event was a combined effort of former as well as current staff and students of IBMBB. The objective of the program was to evoke blessings to all the staff and students of IBMBB and all future endeavors of the IBMBB.

Eye Camp -2024 Eye inspection camp was successfully conducted by Spexbay at the IBMBB on 9th April 2024 which was organized by the Welfare Society of IBMBB. 100 individuals which included staff and students from IBMBB as well as other faculties and institutes of University Colombo got their eyes examined by qualified optometrists. Following tests were conducted. Eye (Refraction) Screening Computer Vision Syndrome and Glaucoma Screening Spectacles were also offered at a discounted rate. 

Memorandum of Understanding Between University of Northumbria Newcastle, UK and University of Colombo Signing of the MoU between the two institutes took place with the presence of the Professors Andy Long, Vice Chancellor, University of Northumbria and H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo on 26th July 2023 at the Prime Minister’s office Colombo. This occasion was graced by the Prime Minister, Acting British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Vice Chancellors, University of Colombo and University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Auditor General, Governor Business Management School, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Marketing, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Director IBMBB and other distinguished guests. The scope of this agreement is to establish a relationship to corporate in a broad range of areas and to work together for their mutual benefits. The parties may seek to encourage and develop collaborative activities in various ways including the development of educational and research partnerships with a specific focus on Postgraduate taught and research studies, exchange of scholarly ideas/expertise, the support of specific discipline interaction, the development of programmes and the advanced entry to Northumbria programmes of appropriately qualified students from the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo.

Annual Scientific Session – 2023 The 12th Annual Scientific Sessions was held on 31st May 2023 at the IBMBB premises. Annual Scientific Sessions is one of the key events in the IBMBB calendar, that provides a platform for an interactive dialog among all the stakeholders in the field of Life Sciences. This year’s Annual Scientific Session primarily focused on the key issues pertaining to multidisciplinary applied research. Validation of novel molecular diagnostics, exploring novel drug leads, and execution of fundamental applied research are some of the highlights of the Conference. Annual Scientific Session 2023 was graced by Senior Professor H. D. Karunarathne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, and Prof. Rohan Siriwardena, Consultant Surgeon delivered the Prof. Stanely Wijesundara Memorial Lecture by sharing his experience in the field of liver transplant.  The sessions consisted of 27 oral presentations and 13 poster presentations.

Blood Donation Camp The blood donation camp which is annually organized by the Welfare Society of IBMBB was held on the 17th May 2013 at the IBMBB premises. Staff and students of the University of Colombo volunteered  to donate blood to the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama.      

A Bana Preaching Ceremony to Commemorate our 19th Anniversary A bana preaching ceremony for the commemoration of 19th anniversary of the IBMBB, was held on the 28th of April 2023 at the IBMBB premises.  Bana sermon was preached by Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa Thero. It was held to share merits and invoke blessings for founders of the institute, staff members and the students of IBMBB, University of Colombo. Director, staff and the students attended the ceremony. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/wb542TyIGuY

New Year Celebration The new year festival was held in the IBMBB premises on 17th April. This was jointly organized by the Staff Welfare Society and the Student Welfare Society of IBMBB. Festivities included traditional new year games which were enjoyable for both staff and students of the IBMBB. 

Eye Checkup Camp The welfare society of the IBMBB together with Spexbay Pvt Ltd. conducted an “Eye Checkup Camp” on 26th January 2023 at the IBMBB premises. Around 50 beneficiaries were screened eye disorders or diseases by a qualified Ophthalmologist. The camp was equipped with all the essential and modern medical equipment and geared to conduct a thorough eye check-up. All the staff members as well as visitors were provided with legitimate reports stating their eye health status.

Strengthening the Industry Collaborations To strengthen the institution to industry concept a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IBMBB), and Fadna Tea (Pvt) Ltd on January 17, 2023. The event took place at the College House Premises, in the presence of the Vice Chancellor Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, Director of IBMBB Professor Prasanna Galhena, Professor Sameera R Samarkoon, Director of UBL Cell Professor M.N. Kaumal, Dr Kanishka Senathilake, Ms Arani Ranasinghe, and Mr Mishal Faizan, who were representing the institution. ‘Fadna Tea’ was represented by Managing Director Mr P.M. Chamendra Somathunga, Chief Product Officer Dr D.B.T. Wijerathna, Manager R&D Dr G.P.L. Supulchandra, and Executive R&D Mr S.B.C.J. Sesath Bandara.   IBMBB is a renowned institution that conducts cutting-edge research in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology with subject-matter experts on staff. The goal of this collaboration between ‘Fadna Tea’ and IBMBB is to develop functional products such as nutraceuticals and to improve the quality of Sri Lankan products.