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Training Course in Cell Culture Techniques Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, successfully conducted the second training course in “Cell Culture Techniques” for the year 2023 from 07th to 11th August 2023 at the IBMBB premises. The training course was resourced by Prof. Kamani H Tennekoon, Prof. Sameera R Samarakoon, Prof. Prasanna Galhena, Dr. Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Dr. Kanishka Senathilaka, Ms. Sivagini Kumarasamy, Mr. Nirmal Perera IBMBB, University of Colombo Sri Lanka and Dr. Hasi Hays, Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. The Director of the IBMBB, Prof Prasanna Galhena welcomed the participants on the first day of the training course. The Participants comprised of young scientists, clinicians, medical officers, academics, science graduates, science undergraduates and an individual with GCE A/L qualifications. The training course covered practical components in basic cell culture techniques including safety precautions, media preparation, cell counting and viability determination, growth of adherent and suspension cells, maintenance of cells, freezing and thawing of human cancer cell lines, apoptosis detection using light and fluorescence microscopy and DNA fragmentation, cytotoxicity determination and exposure to anti-cancer drug screening. Isolation and maintenance of primary cells, DNA and RNA extraction from cultured cells and an overview of stem cells was also covered. The training course was a great opportunity for the participants to broaden their knowledge in the field of Cell Culture Techniques.

Training Course in Immunological Techniques A training course in Immunological Techniques organized by the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo was conducted successfully from 10th to 14th July 2023 at the IBMBB premises. The Director of the IBMBB, Prof Prasanna Galhena welcomed the participants on the first day of the training course. The training course was resourced by Prof Shiroma Handunnetti (IBMBB), Dr Rajiva de Silva (Medical Research Institute, Ministry of Health), Prof Sisira Pathirana (IBMBB), Dr Bhagya Deepachandi (IBMBB) and Ms Fatema S Abbasbhoy (IBMBB). The Participants comprised of Medical Officers, academics, science graduates, science undergraduates and an individual with GCE A/L qualifications. The training course covered practical components in cell isolating methods, in vitro culturing of leukocytes, cell counting methods, functional assays for immune cells, and immunodiagnostic assays (ELISA, IFA, Immunochromatography, SDS-PAGE & Western Blotting). The training course was a great opportunity for the participants to broaden their knowledge in the field of Immunological Techniques.

Training Course in Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Drug Discovery The Training Course in Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Drug Discovery organized by the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo was successfully held from 26th to 30th June 2023 at the IBMBB premises. The Director of the IBMBB, Prof Prasanna Galhena welcomed the participants on the first day of the workshop. The workshop was resourced by Prof. Sameera Samarakoon (IBMBB), Dr Kanishka Senathilake (IBMBB), Dr Nirupa Nagaratnam (Biodesign Center for Applied Structural Discovery Arizona State University, AZ (ASU) USA (Alumna of IBMBB)), Dr Tolulope Peter Sailu College of Medicine the University of Kentucky USA (Alumnus of IBMBB), and Dr Arabinda Ghosh (Department of Computational Biology and Biotechnology Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva University India), Mr Nirmal Perera (IBMBB), Mr Mishal Faizan (IBMBB) and Mr Kanchana Senanayake (IBMBB). The training course covered theory and practicals with hands-on experience in drug discovery, protein structure modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulations, ADMET, QSAR etc. The training course allowed the participants to broaden their knowledge of drug discovery and protein structure.

Training Course in Molecular Biological Techniques Training Course in Molecular Biological Techniques organized by the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo was successfully held from 19th to 23th June 2023 at the IBMBB premises. The Director of the IBMBB, Prof Prasanna Galhena welcomed the participants on the first day of the workshop. The workshop was resourced by Prof. Jagath Weerasena (IBMBB) and Prof Prasanna Galhena (Director, IBMBB). The training course covered theory and practicals with hands-on experience in DNA based techniques such as DNA extraction and quantification, PCR, RT-PCR, DNA probes, gel electrophoresis, restriction fragment length polymorphism and an exposure to DNA sequencing. Application of the techniques in diagnosis of pathogenic diseases, and mutation detection. The training course was a great opportunity for the participants to broaden their knowledge in the DNA based techniques.

Workshop on Advanced Chromatographic Techniques A Workshop on Advanced Chromatographic Techniques jointly organized by the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo and Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) was successfully held from 08th and 09th June 2023 at the IBMBB and ITI premises. The Director of the IBMBB, Prof Prasanna Galhena, Director IBMBB and Dr Sudharshana Somasiri, Additional Director ITI welcomed the participants on the first day of the workshop. The workshop was resourced by Prof Nimal (IBMBB), Dr Sudharshana Somasiri (ITI), Dr Kushani Mahanthila (ITI), Dr Vajira Agampodi (ITI), Dr Vimarshi Liyanarachchi (ITI), and Ms Thanuja Dissanayake (ITI). The Workshop covered theory and practicals with hands-on experience in Advanced Chromatographic Techniques. The workshop included aspects of Advanced Chromatography and practical demonstrations of IC, HPLC-DAD-FLD, LC-MS-MS and GC-MS. Future programmes on Advanced Chromatography will be carried out on demand.