OWSD Pakistan: Hands-on Training Workshop on Next Generation Sequencing

A Hands-On Training Workshop on Sequencing of Vitamin D Receptor Gene (VDR) through Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) was successfully conducted at the Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi on Wednesday, April 08, 2026

The workshop was organized by KIBGE in collaboration with the Sindh Higher Education Commission-Pakistan under the supervision of the Principal Investigator Prof. Sitwat Zehra (Treasurer, OWSD Pakistan National Chapter). The lecture and hands-on training session was led by Prof. Kamran Azim, Genomics Expert and Professor at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi.

Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), including library preparation techniques and the application of bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis. The hands-on approach provided valuable practical exposure, enhancing participants’ understanding of modern molecular and genomic techniques.

The workshop concluded with a feedback session from participants, followed by the distribution of shields, in the presence of Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, Director General, KIBGE. and Vice-Chancellor, University of Karachi. This was followed by a delightful lunch break.

This initiative reflects a continued commitment to building technical capacity and advancing research skills among students and young scientists.