Nexus Between academy and industry; Product launch
Innovative product development has been one of the major focuses of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, the University of Colombo catering to the emerging national needs in the field of functional foods and related products. Long collaborative commitment with FADNATea (Food & Nature (Pvt) Ltd) and the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology was a great success which led to the development of new products which were launched to the market on the 23rd of August 2022 at the College House, University of Colombo.This occasion was graced by Mr. Seenithamby Manoharan, Senior Rural Development Specialist, World Bank, Sri Lanka as the chief guest along with Senior Professor H. D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, Senior Professor Udith Jayasinghe, Vice Chancellor, the University of Wayamba as a special guest, Deans and Directors of the University of Colombo, Heads of Departments, Media representatives, Registrar and Bursar, University of Colombo, Research teams and Staff members of IBMBB. All products were commercialized under the brand name of QofL which defines the Quality of Life incorporating nature’s goodness with modern science to serve new trends for beauty and wellness. All QofL brand products are developed based on natural ingredients and scientifically proven modes of delivery to enhance the quality of the life. With the launch of the newest range of diversified products, QofL transforms this concept into an innovative solution that helps people to satisfy their ever-changing needs to live a healthier and happier life. Focusing on the three key aspects;wellness, performance enhancement, and beauty, the latest range comprises four products: SATINY, a total hair solution developed by the IBMBB; VERNOLAC a nutraceutical that enhances the quality of life for cancer patients, long-term research outcome by the IBMBB; BIO SHAPE a healthy weight management capsule improved by the IBMBB, and ORTHO-SHIELD a quick and long-lasting pain-relieving lotion specially designed for arteritis patients. The partnership with the University of Colombo strengthens the nexus between the industry and the academia, benefitting consumers in accessing value-added product rangesthat help in leading an active and happy lifestyle.Collaboration between the University of Colombo and FADNA Tea (Food and Nature (Pvt) Ltd) was supported by the University Business Linkage with the objective of transferring technologies derived from the University of Colombo into new products and services for the interest of the public. The University of Colombo being one of the leading universities in Sri Lanka has set up a platform for sustainable public-private partnerships as one of its key commitments toward the social and economic growth of the country. SATINY, with an inherent mesmerizing fragrance, developed based on the advanced aroma therapy accepted worldwide, inspireshair follicles in a biologically safer and healthier manner addressing many aspects related to the process of hair-growing. ORTHO-SHIELD, a well-refined conglomerate of natural ingredients with higher levels of pain-relieving potentials, enhances the absorption properties of active herbal ingredients stimulating and smoothening painful joints and muscles with faster and long-lasting relief effects. VERNOLAC, is a nontoxic herbal formulation developed as a nutraceutical that enhances the quality of life of cancer patients. This trailblazing nutraceutical capsule contains anti-cancer properties that help control and eliminate cancer stem cells. BIO-SHAPE also activates metabolic enzymes to enhance the fat-burning process enabling weight wellness in an effective, non-harmful, and 100% natural manner.Arresting the basics of natural metabolism and applying nature’s miraculous reactionary processes involving biologically active compounds that inhibit the excessive production of fat-forming enzymes and suppress fat formation through all-natural herbal ingredients identified and processed using advanced molecular engineering technology.
The Matriarch of IBMBB
The Matriarch of IBMBB Professor Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon is well-known to the scientific community of Sri Lanka for her dedicated contribution to various branches of science and especially to Molecular Life Sciences. Professor Tennekoon obtained her MBBS with a second-class upper division in 1979 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. In 1981, she was recruited to the Department of Physiology as a Lecturer. In 1982, having secured a Commonwealth Scholarship she proceeded to the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom to peruse her PhD. Upon her return to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, after completing her post-graduate studies, she was promoted as a Senior Lecturer. She was promoted to the post of Associate Professor in Physiology in 1995, Professor in Physiology in 2002 on merit and Professor of Physiology in 2004. She served as the Director of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB) for two consecutive terms (from 2007-2012). From 2010 until her retirement, she served as the Senior Professor of Molecular Life Sciences at the IBMBB. Professor Tennekoon is an erudite scholar, a marvelous researcher and an academic of the highest caliber. She began her research career in the field of reproductive physiology and extended her research focus into molecular genetics of cancer, mitochondrial DNA and ancient DNA, population genetics, natural product development, and identification of biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma. She has supervised numerous Master and Doctoral students and authored nearly 80 publications published in international peer reviewed journals. Her excellence in research was duly recognized Prof. Tennekoon receiving the presidential research awards in the years 2001, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016, merit awards for scientific excellence in 2011, 2013 and 2014, SUSRED award in 2016 by the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSF) and the Senate awards for research excellence in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. She has also received several research grants from national and international funding agencies. Presidential Research Award 2015 Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Award 2018 She was the guardian of IBMBB during its difficult times and her immense contribution to uplift the IBMBB is invaluable. Since she was the successor of Professor Eric Karunanayake, founder director of IBMBB, she had the responsibility in leading the family of IBMBB at very early stages. Going forwards unscathed in various difficult situations while facing criticisms, her efforts to transform IBMBB as a “Centre of Excellence” in the field of Molecular Life Sciences is highly commendable. She pioneered in research and development by strengthening infrastructure and human resources, thus facilitating a conducive environment for research at IBMBB. She was the instrumental in building a research team with vibrant research fellows, currently performing extremely well in the fields of reproductive medicine, population genetics and natural product drug developments. She was an excellent teacher as well as a mentor who nurtured young scientist in the country. Her tireless work as an administrator, teacher and a mentor during her stay at the IBMBB was a blessing for a productive outcome. At the Opening Ceremony of IBMBB Delivering Welcome Address at the ICFMLS 2014 as the Conference Chair Although she pretends to be a tough character, it is well known that she is a soft heartened person who always try to help students, colleagues and especially those who seeks her assistance. She is one of the academics who had the privilege in serving University of Colombo for a period of 40 years that enabled her to gain a wealth of experience. This lifetime training is no doubt a blessing in disguise for her personnel achievements, perhaps the success story of the IBMBB, indirectly. Dear Madam, despite the mandatory retirement, IBMBB family never accept your retirement. Simply there is no substitute whatsoever and the IBMBB eagerly looks forward to your presence for many years to come. We wish that your inspiration, intellectual prowess and passion of teaching will be invaluable assets in the future as well just as it was during the past eighteen years.´´´
Meditation program for the UOC community
Meditation program for the UOC community The meditation research group of the University of Colombo is organising a meditation program for the whole university community under the directive of the Vice Chancellor. The programme is coordinated by the research promotion and facilitation centre (RPFC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. The February meeting of the program for 2021, was held on the 19th as a hybrid event, in the Boardroom of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. We, IBMBB had joined this programme by sharing the session with the members of IBMBB. Link to the FoM Webpage Registration for the 19th March Meditation program can be done via the clicking the above link to the Faculty of Medicine, UOC webpage. More details including the agenda of the programme can be also viewed by accessing the same link.
The Inauguration Ceremony of the Masters Programme-2021
The Inauguration Ceremony of the Masters Programme-2021 The Inauguration Ceremony of the Masters Programme-2021 was held on 1st of February, 2021 at the IBMBB premises.
Free access to the University Hosted Web servers
All Internet Service Providers (ISPs) of Srl Lanka are providing free access to the University Hosted Web servers (including LMSs). That is, the connectivity to University web servers (including LMS) from your home and mobile Internet will not be counted towards your data packages (will be provided free of charge).