Hyderabad, March 16: Tremendous strides have been made in the field of Biomedical research & this branch of scientific exploration will definitely dominate the remaining part of the century. Prof. S. E. Hasnain, eminent Biologist & Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, expressed these views yesterday while delivering Science Day Lecture at Maulana Azad National Urdu University. Prof. Mohammad Miyan, V.C. MANUU presided over the function.
Despite tremendous achievements in the field it is not possible to clone a Human being at least in near future & make a carbon copy of this ultimate creature. Describing DNA as one of the most amazing molecule, he said that DNA unifies & also diversifies. It is useful in Molecular Diagnostics and Genetic Medicine, Stem cells, Cloning, DNA Fingerprinting or Genomic profiling. Dwelling upon the Fruits of the gene technology revolution, he spoke at length about the Applications of Embryonic Stem Cells in Biotechnology and Medicine, Recombinant DNA Technology, Transgenics/ GMOs and GM Food Molecular Diagnostics and Genetic Medicine, Stem cells, Cloning, DNA Fingerprinting or Genomic profiling, etc. Having solved the jigsaw puzzle of DNA, we are now solving the differences through Comparative Genomics. Speaking about Pharmacogenomics & Primary Congenital Glaucoma (PCG), he described the later as a severe form of childhood blindness caused by developmental defect(s) of the trabecular meshwork and anterior chamber angle of the eye. This was successfully operated at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad recently. Is it possible to follow DNA in History? Yes, he replied, while referring to the mitochondrial DNA that is passed from women.
Heralding the arrival of Bio Informatics, Prof. Hasnain declared that Biological Systems are several log more complicated than Physical Systems. By giving example of Brain & Heart, can we beat the nature? He asked. Moving from a reductionist’s view of life and its function to a holistic approach is the ultimate challenge. Biology is rapidly becoming a science that demands more intense mathematical, physical and chemical analyses than biologists have been accustomed to, and such analyses will be required to understand the workings of cells in time and space. Prof. Hasnain ended the interesting lecture with a quotation of Francis Collins, “It is humbling for me and awe-inspiring to realize that we have caught the first glimpse of our own instruction book, previously known only to God”. But it is only a glimpse, He remarked. Man is not yet responsible enough nor is he adequately knowledgeable to play GOD.
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