The Herbal Research Group, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) hosted the 3rd Herbal Research Webinar Series 2024 on the 18th of September 2024 via Zoom. The special guest speaker for this event was Dr. Said Faroq Saiyid Moshawih, a PhD graduate from UBD who is currently working part-time at Sunway University, Malaysia. For his talk, he presented an insightful lecture on “Modern and Classical Approaches in Drug Discovery: from Empirical Methods to Computational Innovations”. A total of 55 participants joined the session including staff, students and alumni from PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Institute of Education and Faculty of Science of Universiti Brunei Darussalam as well as IBTE Agro-technology and Applied Science Campus, local hospitals and companies, Sunway University, Universiti Kuala Lumpur RCMP, Institute of Medical Research, Malaysia, Northern Marianas College, and Universitas Indonesia.
The presentation began with an introduction to classical drug discovery methods, emphasizing how these traditional approaches laid the groundwork for the scientific advancements we see today. Dr. Moshawi then explored the shift toward modern computational techniques, discussing how the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cheminformatics is transforming the landscape of drug discovery.
A key point in the presentation was the enduring significance of natural products in the search for new drugs. Dr. Moshawi underscored the importance of using bioassay-guided research to uncover novel therapeutic agents from natural sources. He also highlighted the revolutionary impact of high-throughput screening, which allows for the rapid testing of thousands of compounds. However, this method comes with challenges, such as the prevalence of false positives, which can complicate the identification of viable drug candidates.
The session also covered rational drug design, a more recent approach that enables the creation of drugs targeting specific biological structures. This method optimizes efficacy while minimizing side effects, marking a significant paradigm shift in drug development. Dr. Moshawi discussed the growing role of AI and cheminformatics in this process, noting how these technologies enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drug discovery.
In addition to the technical aspects, the presentation addressed regulatory considerations. As computational methods become more prevalent, regulatory bodies are evolving to ensure that these technologies are integrated into the drug approval process effectively.
Throughout the presentation, Dr. Moshawi emphasized the historical context of drug discovery, illustrating how traditional practices have informed modern advancements. He stressed the importance of combining empirical and computational approaches to streamline the discovery process, saving both time and resources. However, he also cautioned that high-throughput screening, while groundbreaking, requires significant resources and may yield false positives.
Looking ahead Togel Gelora4D, Dr. Moshawi noted that the integration of machine learning and other computational tools will be crucial for developing innovative and effective therapeutic candidates. Despite these technological advances, natural products continue to play an essential role in drug discovery. Lastly, he highlighted the importance of continuous learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, which are vital to keeping pace with the rapidly evolving field of drug discovery.
To conclude the webinar, a group photo was taken followed by a brief Q&A session where Dr. Moshawih had further discussed the topic and answered questions from the audience.
