| News and Update |
| Snow Leopard Conservancy |
The Center for Molecular Dynamics-Nepal (CMDN) and the Snow Leopard Conservancy (www.snowleopardconservancy.org) of California, USA, has signed MoU to undertake Snow Leopard Research in Nepal.
CMDN and SLC will work to develop Non-Invasive Genomic based tools to conduct species and individual identification of Snow Leopards in Nepal which will provide valuable information to do accurate population census of the species.
|
| Support by Nepal Britain Society for HIVSC project |
Nepal Britain Society, Kathmandu has donated NRs 50,000 (Fifty thousand Nepali Rupees) equivalent to USD 675 to CMDN in support of the ongoing IBBS study on HIV among youth and street children of Kathmandu (HIVSC project). Mrs Pratima Pandey, MBE is the president of the Society which carries out social work related activities in different places in Nepal. The check for the amount was handed by the Secretary of NBS, Mr. Sanjeev Raj Pandey to Mr. Rajesh Raj Bhandari, the Finance and Administrative Director of CMDN, on 20th September 2009. CMDN wishes to thank NBS and hopes for continued support in CMDN’s future upcoming events.
|
| MOU signed with NHRC |
 |
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between CMDN and Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) to carry out health research in Nepal. The MOU was signed by Dr. Sameer M Dixit (PhD), Country Director and Dr. Mahesh Maskey, Chairperson, on behalf on CMDN and NHRC respectively on 27th August 2009. NHRC is an apex body to promote scientific study and quality research for health in Nepal. It has got mandatory authority from Government of Nepal to approve health research proposals and monitor their progress. It also aims to create a conducive environment for health research and helps the researchers and research institutions in enhancing their research capacity. It is expected that this MOU will facilitate collaborative research activities between the two organizations in the area of human health.
|
| Bilateral agreement with Trent University of Canada |
    |
CMDN (Canada) has signed bilateral agreement with Trent University of Canada to build Genomic Database of endangered Species of Nepal. We are taking initiative to start Tiger Genome Project in Nepal with effort to build Bengal Tiger’s DNA database to be used for various applications including inter and intra species identification and estimate genetic diversity. We hope to bring cutting edge research and application based tools in the field of conservation biology to Nepal.
You can find more about our Partnering Organization by visiting- www.nrdpfc.ca
|
| ABC-HN Consortium |
Realizing a need to nationally coordinate programs and policies to fight against STI, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in Nepal, five dynamic Organizations have joined hands to form ABC-HN Consortium.
ABC-HN consists of AMDA-Nepal, BR Memorial Health Foundation, CMDN, HASTI-AIDS and NHF
This consortium will be planning and implementing programs and projects that will address current challenges in the field of disease prevention, diagnosis and care and treatment.
AMDA-Nepal has strong presence in eastern Nepal with 3 hospitals, BP Memorial Health Foundation has a well established track record of providing health services to underprivileged, running mobile camps for sexual and reproductive health and experience in implementing community HIV prevention program. CMDN has a robust clinical epidemiology research expertise along with access to well equipped, ultra modern molecular diagnostic and immunology laboratory. HASTI-AIDS has proven track record of running VCTs in far western region with program implementation experiences in HIV/AIDS and STI since 1998. NHF has a long serving history of working in reproductive health, STI and HIV/AIDS in Western region, it has also worked on implementing DOTS program for fight against TB and running program to address problem with Malaria.
Each Organization’s strength, experience and expertise will be fully utilized to come up with effective programs and projects to fight against STI, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in Nepal.
Collaborators’ links:
www.amda.org.np
www.bpmhf.org.np
www.hasti-aids.org.np
www.nhfnepal.org
|
CMDN- Wildlife & Ecology Protection CMDN logo final |
CMDN and Resources Himalaya Foundation has signed Memorandum of Understanding to establish a collaborative partnership to develop and share genomic level database on endangered species and conduct genetic analysis relevant to wildlife conservation and ecology protection in the region. Resources Himalaya Foundation has been very instrumental in the conservation of wildlife and ecology in Nepal. CMDN with its expertise in molecular biology and with the accessibility of ultra modern laboratory will be able to bring new dimension in the field of wildlife biology by developing tools and technologies that will help address some of the challenges of species identification, field tracking, conservation bio-medicine and database development.
Collaborator’s link: www.resourceshimalaya.org |
CMDN- goes GREEN! |
CMDN has installed solar panels at its facilities to power backup system to allow uninterrupted electrical power to essential equipment and services. The 1200W (1.2KW) system of solar panels now provides enough power to the backup system in case of electrical blackout to run major equipment including freedge and freezer for an extented period of time. With the installation of this system, CMDN will no longer have to rely on electricity distributed via the national grid for its daily activities, regardless of current regular power outages, and in the process will be contributing to the environment by reducing usage of generators that can emit dangerous gases such as CO2 and CO. We invite interested organizations and
individuals to visit our facilities to observe this novel system in place.
|
| Collaboration with Aga Khan University-Biological and Biomedical Sciences |
| CMDN and Aga Khan University’s Biological and Biomedical Sciences has officially signed Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in various areas of disease studies.
The two Organizations will be collaborating in such areas as molecular epidemiology of HIV and HPV. This will greatly benefit the regional cooperation and collaboration between the two countries-Nepal and Pakistan, in understanding prevalent diseases.
Collaborator’s link: www.aku.edu
|
| MOU signed with HASTI-AIDS |
| A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between CMDN and Himalayan Association against STI-AIDS (HASTI-AIDS) on 16th October 2008. The MOU proposes collaboration between the two organizations on epidemiological research aided by diagnostic services on HIV and other current diseases in Nepal. Dr. Ranga Dhungana, Executive Director, HASTI-AIDS (www.hasti-aids.org.np) and Sameer M Dixit, PhD, Country Director, CMDN signed the MOU on behalf of the two organizations. |
| CMDN Fundraising Event Toronto Canada |
CMDN Fundraising Event Toronto Canada
Fundraising event was held at the University of Toronto,Canada to bring awareness to the issue of street children and also raise funds to do HIV prevalence study on these children.
Photogallery |
| CMDN Presents "Daughters of Everest” |
CMDN Presents "Daughters of Everest” (2004, 56 min.)
By: Sapana Sakya & Ramyata Limbu
The event is a fundraiser for the Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal (CMDN).
PROCEED GOING TO PREVALENCE STUDY OF HIV/AIDS in the Street Children of Kathmandu, Nepal.
ADDMISSION: FOR MORE INFORMATION: (905) 997-2462 WEB: www.cmdn.org.np
TIME: 3-5PM DATE: Saturday May 31, 2008 VENUE: University of Toronto, Bahen Centre, Information Tech Room 1130, 40 St. George Street , Toronto
|
|
| Brian Gallaway's visit |
| Mr. Brian L Galloway, Research Scientist and Lab Manager as Harvard Medical School visited CMDN from 13th February 2008 to 13th March 2008 for training purposes. Mr Gallaway is involved at CMDN as an International Advisor and also provides technical advice to CMDN pvt ltd, a biotechnology company that provides laboratory based services to CMDN. During his stay, Mr Galloway trained over 30 undergraduate and graduate students as well as CMDN based laboratory associates and resident experts on immuno- and molecular- tools such as PCR, RT-QCR, ELISA among others. He also gave presentation on current molecular technologies used in diagnostics at a private undergraduate college in Kathmandu as well as at Department of Livestock under Nepal Government. CMDN looks forward to future technical advise from Mr Brian Gallaway in the near future. |
|
| CMDN meets Dr. Susan |
Dr. Susan L. Santangelo, Associate Professor of Psychiatry Harvard
Medical School and member of CMDN advisory board recently met with CMDN
team in Kathmandu. During this meeting held on 26th June at Central
Veterinary Laboratories, Dr. Santangelo introduced herself and her work
to the Team and discussed possible research areas that CMDN could
undertake in the future. Mr. Binoy Lama, Team Leader, Program/Policy,
gave a presentation on HIV epidemiology in Nepal on behalf of CMDN.
Dr. Santangelo is currently undertaking research at Jiri, Nepal to
study endophenotypes associated with schizophrenia in a genetic isolate
in Nepal. Her epidemiology expertise in predictive genetic modeling of a
number of psychological conditions will help CMDN formulate projects of
similar nature in Nepal. CMDN has the expertise to carry out molecular
studies aided by bioinformatics and as such, Dr. Santangelo's expertise
will be of immense importance to the institution. CMDN wishes her all
the best on her current research undertaking in Nepal and looks forward
to working together with Dr. Santangelo in the near future. |
|
| CMDN program held at Central Veterinary Lab |
Dr. Bhaju Tamot, an expert on Avian Influenza and our international advisor gave a talk recently at a CMDN program held at Central Veterinary Lab, Kathmandu, Nepal on 28th May. His talk, “Detection and Identification of H5N1 virus” provided insights into molecular methods used in North America (Canada, USA) for Avian Influenza A virus detection and identification. The audience, mainly consisting of Nepali scientists working in the area of viral diseases found the talk useful, and informative. Nepali laboratories have limited access to latest molecular and immunological tools for disease diagnosis, which necessitates informative seminars such as this one.
CMDN will continue to invite experts in various fields of biotechnological and related area of research with the aim of educating local scientists and students in cutting edge technology used in developed nations. CMDN would like to thank Dr. Tamot for accepting the invitation to come to Nepal and give his presentation. |
|
| |
Home 
Close this window