The Molecular Docking-structure based Virtual Screening for Drug Discovery course was successfully conducted from 17-18 February 2020 at the T02 Building, Bioinformatic Research Lab, Department of Biosciences-Faculty of Science. This short course was in collaboration with the Malaysian Society of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (MASBIC) & Research Unit for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuantan, Pahang.
The course aims to train the young scientists and academicians in understanding the principle of Molecular Docking (MD) and also, in optimizing problem that describes the “best-fit” orientation of a ligand that binds to a particular protein using state of the art Linux Command that will lead to drug discovery. MD has become an increasingly crucial tool for drug discovery and hot topics to be discussed due to the newly emerging disease.
On the first day of the course, Dr. Azzmer Azzar delivered a simple model of virtual screening for a solution to the coronavirus infection that has hit the world population, especially in the recent outbreak in Wuhan, China. On the second day, Dr. Khairul Bariyyah explained LINUX command for use in virtual screening for Molecular Dynamic Simulation and ideas about protein-ligand in motion that will be meaningful for scientists to see protein ligands interactions.
The short course was conducted to accommodate future drug designers from various universities, research labs and institutes throughout the country. In general, the Department of Biosciences is committed in training students to enhance their knowledge in many scientific tools which will increase high impact research output in UTM.
Previously, the Faculty of Science had conducted several short courses, and we believed that collaborations in Multidisciplinary areas of research could enhance many innovative ideas and initiate new research programmes in the future. The department of Biosciences acknowledged the committee members Professor Fahrul Huyop and Dr. Syazwani in initiating the programme with the help of other members; Dr. Nurriza, Dr. Farizal, Dr. Helmi and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roswanira.
Prepared by: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roswanira Ab. Wahab.
Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari.
