Nobel laureate Professor Ferid Murad inaugurated the second international conference on Angiogenesis, theragnostics in cancer and cardiovascular diseases, in the KIIT University premises here on Sunday.
Eminent doctors like Bangalore of Institute of Oncology’s Director Padmashree Dr KS Gopinath, National Center for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune’s Dr Gopal C Kundu, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer, USA’s Dr Dev Mukhopadhyay graced the inaugural session.
In his inaugural lecture, Professor Murad, who won Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1998, deliberated on discovery of the nitric oxide and cyclic GMP signaling pathway and application to drug development.
He explained how nitric oxide sources such as body substances, drugs, car exhaust, cigarette smoke, fires and other combustible materials affect ozone sphere and cause earth warming.
This apart, the oxide also causes blood pressure, memory loss, brain-stroke, diabetes, esophagitis, arthritis, inflammation, angina, heart contraction, penile erection and gene regulation in humans, he said Professor Murad is presently working with George Washington University in the USA.
Dr Kundu in his address said the conference is aimed at creating awareness as well as strengthening researches in the area of Angiogenesis, which causes cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Among others, KIIT University Founder Dr Achyuta Samanta, Chancellor Professor Nl Mitra, and Director of School of Biotechnology, KIIT University Dr M Suar were present. The three-day conference being jointly organised by KIIT School of Biotechnology and NCCS, Pune will conclude on Tuesday.