Nanopharmaceutics and Advanced Drug Delivery

Prof. Nayef Jarrous is Jacob Ziskind Chair in Human Biochemistry, at Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. He has completed his Doctoral degree (PhD) in Molecular Biology from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel in 1996. His research interest includes Biochemical studies of catalytic ribonucleoprotein complexes of human RNase P, Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which ribonucleoprotein complexes of RNase P controls gene transcription by RNA polymerase I and III and RNase P, DNA damage, aging and cancer. He was invited speaker at international scientific meetings and conferences.

We study the biosynthesis of transfer RNA (tRNA), which serves as the adaptor in transferring of the genetic information from mRNA to protein in the cell. Specifically, we investigate transcription of human tRNA genes by RNA polymerase III (Pol III) and subsequent processing and splicing of newly transcribed precursor tRNAs. Processing of precursor tRNA requires ribonuclease P (RNase P), an essential ribonucleoprotein enzyme. Biochemical purification analyses of nuclear RNase P from human cells have revealed that this large ribonucleoprotein complex has an RNA subunit, termed H1 RNA, and ten distinct protein subunits. We have characterized many of these protein subunits and reconstituted the endonucleolytic activity of RNase P in processing of precursor tRNA in vitro by the use of H1 RNA and recombinant protein subunits. The roles of H1 RNA and its protein subunits in RNA-based catalysis and substrate recognition are being further investigated. More recent discoveries from our laboratory reveal that a form of human RNase P is required for transcription of small noncoding RNA genes by Pol III. Pol III transcribes an expanding number of genes, including tRNA, 5S rRNA, SRP RNA, 7SK RNA and U6 snRNA genes. The noncoding RNA transcripts of these genes participate in fundamental biological processes, such as transcription, mRNA splicing and translation. RNase P associates with Pol III in initiation complexes, which are controlled by proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, and binds to chromatin of tRNA and 5S rRNA genes in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Ongoing research focuses on the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which RNase P exerts its role on Pol III transcription and how transcription and processing of precursor tRNA are coordinated in confined nuclear compartments. An emerging area of research concerns the molecular designing and use of RNase P for the inactivation of expression of human genes associated with aging and cancer. This research led to the discovery that RNase P and Pol III respond to cessation of replication progression and DNA damage that lead to mitotic catastrophe and cell death of cancer cells. Moreover, through collaborative work, we have shown that a form of human RNase P is involved in DNA repair of double stranded breaks (DSBs) via the homology directed repair pathway.

I am a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and founding director of the Engineering Biology Program at Princeton University. I received my BS at Stanford University and my PhD from the University of Wisconsin at Madison under Professor Bob Bird in l978. I have served on the executive committees of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Materials Science Division and the U.S. Society of Rheology. Currently I am the past President of the U.S. Society of Rheology. I have served as the chair of the Technical Advisory Board for Material Science Research for Dow Chemical Company, which directed Dow’s materials research programs, I was on BASF’s nanotechnology advisory committee, and I served on the Board of Directors of Rheometric Scientific Inc., which was the leading manufacturer of rheological instrumentation. My awards include the NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award, Princeton School of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Teaching Award, the Sydney Ross Lectureship at RPI, the Bird,Stewart and Lightfoot Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin, and the Midland Macromolecular Institute Visiting Professor in Midland Michigan, and the Dinesh Shah lecturer at the University of Florida. I have been the organizer and Chair of the Gordon Conference on Ion Containing Polymers, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers Forum on Stimulation Fluid Rheology, in addition to organizing numerous sessions at AIChE, ACS, and SOR meetings. I directed the Princeton-University of Minnesota-Iowa State NSF NIRT Center on nanoparticle formation. My research interests include rheology and self-assembly of complex fluids. Systems of interest are biopolymer solutions and gels, surfactant mesophases, and polymer/surfactant mixtures. The goals of the studies are to understand how weak molecular-level interactions can be used to tune macroscopic bulk properties and phase behavior. Application of the work is directed at nanoparticle formation for the drug delivery, controlled release, targeting, and imaging.

My research interests include rheology and self-assembly of complex fluids. Systems of interest are biopolymer solutions and gels, surfactant mesophases, and polymer/surfactant mixtures. The goals of the studies are to understand how weak molecular-level interactions can be used to tune macroscopic bulk properties and phase behavior. Application of the work is directed at nanoparticle formation for the drug delivery, controlled release, targeting, and imaging.

Vladimir P. Torchilin, Ph.D., D.Sc. is a University Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, Northeastern University, Boston. His interests include drug delivery and targeting, nanomedicine, multifunctional and stimuli-sensitive pharmaceutical nanocarriers, biomedical polymers, experimental cancer therapy. He has published more than 400 original papers, more than 150 reviews and book chapters, wrote and edited 12 books, and holds more than 40 patents. Google Scholar shows more than 52,000 citations of his papers with H-index of 102. He is Editor-in-Chief of Current Drug Discovery Technologies, Drug Delivery, and OpenNano, Co-Editor of Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and on the Editorial Boards of many other journals. Among his many awards, Professor Torchilin was the recipient of the 1982 Lenin Prize in Science and Technology (the highest scientific award in the former USSR). He was elected as a Full Member of the European Academy of Sciences. He is also a Fellow of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, and Controlled Release Society (CRS). In 2005 he received the Research Achievements Award in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery from the AAPS; in 2006 – the 2006 CRS-Baxter Healthcare Outstanding Parenteral Drug Delivery Award; in 2007 – the Research Achievements Award from the World Pharmaceutical Congress. He got also 2009 AAPS Journal Award, 2009 International Journal of Nanomedicine Distinguished Scientist Award, 2010 Controlled Release Society Founders Award, 2012 Alec Bangham Life Time Achievements Award, and 2013 Blaise Pascal Medal in Biotechnology from the European Academy of Sciences. He served as a President of the Controlled Release Society in 2005/2006 and is on the Board of Directors of the International Liposome Society. He received more than $30 M from the governmental and industrial sources in research funding. In 2011, Times Higher Education ranked him number 2 among top world scientists in pharmacology for the period of 2000-2010.

His interests include drug delivery and targeting, nanomedicine, multifunctional and stimuli-sensitive pharmaceutical nanocarriers, biomedical polymers, experimental cancer therapy.

Jean-Michel Scherrmann, Pharm. D., Ph. D. is Professor in the Department of Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, the University Paris Descartes. He has been recently promoted Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at University Paris Descartes and nominated Professor at the National Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Techniques.He received his Pharm.D. and Ph. D. in analytical radiochemistry from the University Descartes at Paris. He has led the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) from 2002 to 2013. He has mentored over 30 postgraduate and 44 doctoral students. Dr. Scherrmann has been a recipient of the 1992 Americal Academy of Clinical Toxicology Award and the 1999 French National Academy of Medicine Achievement Award. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and a member of the French National Academy of Pharmacy. He was visiting Professor at Tohoku University (Japan) Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2008 and awarded as Honoured Member of the French Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Group in 2014.

Dr. Scherrmann has made significant contributions to the development of drug radioimmunoassay, drug detoxification by immunotherapy and drug redistribution concepts in pharmacokinetics. He pioneered the first clinical application of colchicine immunotherapy in acute colchicine overdoses and is now focusing his research on the role of drug transporters in neuropharmacokinetics and on drug delivery strategies to the brain. His work has resulted in two patents, 290 scientific articles, 35 books chapters and more than 250 invited presentations. He has served on the editorial boards of several journals in the analytical and pharmaceutical sciences.

Allan Hoffmann did his BS, MS and ScD, Chemical Engineering, MIT, 1949-1957 is a Professor Emeritus of Department of Bio-Engineering, University of Washington, Dr. Hoffman is an international "ambassador for biomaterials" After joining the UW faculty in 1970, he began to synthesize polymers and hydrogels with special physical and biomedical properties. By combining these special biomaterials with drugs, enzymes and antibodies, he pioneered the applications of temperature and pH-responsive intelligent polymers and hydrogels in the fields of drug delivery, diagnostic assays and biologically-active and non-fouling polymer surfaces. Much of his research has been carried out with Department of Bioengineering collaborators Buddy Ratner, Thomas Horbett and Patrick Stayton. Dr. Hoffman is inventor or co-inventor on 273 patent applications, of which 113 were issued; several of these were licensed to industry. Dr. Hoffman continues to actively teach in short courses in the US and internationally, and to advise on research in the areas of smart polymers and hydrogels, controlled drug delivery, separations and biomaterial surface modification. Dr. Hoffman previously taught courses on surface principles, polymer structure-properties relationships, biomaterials and drug delivery systems.

Smart polymers and hydrogels Polymeric biomaterials Surface energy principles Surface modification Protein adsorption Non-fouling surfaces Controlled drug delivery

Anne is a South African with a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics (North-West University) and an M.Sc. in Medical Biochemistry (Stellenbosch University). She is a professor in Pharmaceutics at the North-West University, the director of the DST/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, the founder of two for-profit companies and one incubator in drug delivery. At a national level, she was the coordinator of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (2014- 2017) and a member of the Ministerial Panel for the review of the Science, Technology and Innovation Institutional Landscape (2016 -2017). Anne has delivered PhD and MSc students and is the author/co-author of 53 peer-reviewed publications. Her passion is innovation – she is the author of 9 patents; 5 of which as main inventor.

Her research interests ranges from the design, construction and development of nanomedicinces and bioagricultural delivery systems, to the preclinical and clinical evaluation of such systems and the manufacturing processes involved.

Yvonne Perrie is Professor in Drug Delivery within the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. In 1998 she gained her PhD from the University of London investigating the role of liposomes for drug delivery. Yvonne then worked in London within a newly established Drug Delivery Company (Lipoxen Technologies Ltd) for two years, developing their liposome drug delivery platform technology prior to moving into Academia to set up her own research group. Yvonne joined Aston University in 2000 and was appointed Professor in Drug Delivery in 2007. In 2016, Yvonne moved to the University of Strathclyde as Professor in Drug Delivery as part of the Global Talent Appointment Programme. Yvonne’s research is multi-disciplinary and is focused on the development of drug delivery systems to facilitate the delivery of drugs and vaccines, thus providing practical solutions for current healthcare problems.

Drug Delivery

Nadine Millot is a Professor at the University of Bourgogne (Dijon, France). She is the principal investigator and founder of the "BH2N (Bio-)hybrid nanoparticles & nanostructures" group in the Nanosciences Department of the Institut Carnot de Bourgogne. Her group has extensive expertise in the field of synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles, particularly SPIONs used as bimodal contrast agents, and titanate nanotubes developed for the nanovectorisation of active molecules. Nadine Millot is the author of more than 60 peer reviewed publications, 1 patent, 2 book chapters, 1 educational book (Ed. Lavoisier). She has also given 30 invited oral presentations in the last five years and has supervised 11 PhD students.

Innovative nanoparticles for biomedical applications, SuperParamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, Titanate nanotubes, Soft chemistry, Hydrothermal Synthesis, Nanohybrids, Functionalization, Biocompatibility, Vectorization, Theranostic, Possible toxicity of these nanoparticles through the deployment of innovative biotests: internalization, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, ecotoxicity (Zebrafish model), biodistribution (MRI, TEP/CT, optical imaging, bimodal contrast agents).

In 1998, I gained my PhD from the University of London investigating the role of liposomes for drug delivery. I then moved to a newly established Drug Delivery Company (Lipoxen Technologies Ltd) for two years, developing their liposome drug delivery platform technology prior to moving to Academia to set up my own research group. I joined Aston University in 2000 and was appoint to Chair in Drug Delivery in 2007. I have effectively delivered in various academic and motivational leadership roles including Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, Director of the Medicines Research Unit, and Head of Pharmacy. In 2016, I moved to the University of Strathclyde at part of their Global Talent Appointment Programme where I am continuing to develop my research strategies. My research and academic leadership has been recognised in a range of fellowships and awards including membership of the Controlled Release Society College of Fellows (2015), Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (2014), Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2012), Eminent Fellow of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2012), the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Pharmaceutical Scientist of the Year (2012), the British Science Festival Collaboration in Formulation Award (2011) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Conference Medal (2007). I maintain a steady funding stream to support my research team and I am funded through a range of sources including Government Research Councils, European Framework Funding, Industrial Partners and Charities (>£3.5 million in research funding). I have supervised 22 PhD students to successful completion (< 4 years), all of whom are now further developing their careers in either Academic or Industrial positions. Externally I have numerous strategic leadership and advisory roles: I am an expert advisor for the MHRA, Chair of Pharmacy Schools Council (Jan 2014-2017) and I am Editor of the Controlled Release Society Newsletter (2004 – present). Previously I have been a Director-at-Large for the Controlled Release Society (3 years) and I completed 2 terms (6 years) as the Chair for the UK and Ireland Controlled Release Society. I am Editor in Chief of the Journal of Liposome Research and Pharmaceutics and Associate Editor for the Journal of Drug Targeting and the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.

My research is multi-disciplinary and is focused on the development of drug delivery systems to facilitate the delivery of drugs and vaccines, thus providing practical solutions for current healthcare problems. I am an internationally recognised researcher with a strong track-record of high impact publications (current h-index 30), with approximately 100 peer reviewed manuscripts and 5 textbooks. To ensure the effective knowledge exchange and application of my research, I have generated 5 patents.

Prof. Nayef Jarrous is Jacob Ziskind Chair in Human Biochemistry, at Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, IMRIC, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel. He has completed his Doctoral degree (PhD) in Molecular Biology from Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel in 1996. His research interest includes Biochemical studies of catalytic ribonucleoprotein complexes of human RNase P, Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which ribonucleoprotein complexes of RNase P controls gene transcription by RNA polymerase I and III and RNase P, DNA damage, aging and cancer. He was invited speaker at international scientific meetings and conferences.

We study the biosynthesis of transfer RNA (tRNA), which serves as the adaptor in transferring of the genetic information from mRNA to protein in the cell. Specifically, we investigate transcription of human tRNA genes by RNA polymerase III (Pol III) and subsequent processing and splicing of newly transcribed precursor tRNAs. Processing of precursor tRNA requires ribonuclease P (RNase P), an essential ribonucleoprotein enzyme. Biochemical purification analyses of nuclear RNase P from human cells have revealed that this large ribonucleoprotein complex has an RNA subunit, termed H1 RNA, and ten distinct protein subunits. We have characterized many of these protein subunits and reconstituted the endonucleolytic activity of RNase P in processing of precursor tRNA in vitro by the use of H1 RNA and recombinant protein subunits. The roles of H1 RNA and its protein subunits in RNA-based catalysis and substrate recognition are being further investigated. More recent discoveries from our laboratory reveal that a form of human RNase P is required for transcription of small noncoding RNA genes by Pol III. Pol III transcribes an expanding number of genes, including tRNA, 5S rRNA, SRP RNA, 7SK RNA and U6 snRNA genes. The noncoding RNA transcripts of these genes participate in fundamental biological processes, such as transcription, mRNA splicing and translation. RNase P associates with Pol III in initiation complexes, which are controlled by proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, and binds to chromatin of tRNA and 5S rRNA genes in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Ongoing research focuses on the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which RNase P exerts its role on Pol III transcription and how transcription and processing of precursor tRNA are coordinated in confined nuclear compartments. An emerging area of research concerns the molecular designing and use of RNase P for the inactivation of expression of human genes associated with aging and cancer. This research led to the discovery that RNase P and Pol III respond to cessation of replication progression and DNA damage that lead to mitotic catastrophe and cell death of cancer cells. Moreover, through collaborative work, we have shown that a form of human RNase P is involved in DNA repair of double stranded breaks (DSBs) via the homology directed repair pathway.

Marjo Yliperttula received her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1993 (University of Helsinki, Finland). She served as Group Manager of Physical Chemistry, PK Simulations, and Early ADME at Orion Pharma. She has also served as Professor and Head of Division of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Pharmacy. Dr. Yliperttula has obtained international research experience as a post-doctoral fellow (Centre d'Etudes de Atomique Moleculaire, Saclay, France) and visiting professor (Riga Technical University, University of Padova, and Harvard Medical School). Professor Yliperttula recently joined CDR at the University of Helsinki, where she heads studies and teaching of Biopharmaceutics. Professor Yliperttula has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and numerous patents. She is particularly active in product R&D and collaboration with industrial partners. In 2010, Dr. Yliperttula sold the innovation “Nanofibrillar cellulose as cell culture matrix” to UPM (Finland). This technology has enabled development of the commercially available GrowDex® cell culture matrix. Marjo Yliperttula has received numerous scientific awards including: • Scientific Breakthrough Award, Tekes Functional Materials program (2013) • Young Scientist of the Year, Finnish Chemical Society (1988) She has served as referee of the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Journal of Controlled Release, and for many other international journals. Professor Yliperttula has evaluated grant applications for scientific funding organizations within Finland and abroad.

Professor Yliperttula's main research fields include nanoparticles and drug delivery, 2D and 3D cell culture, and label-free detection technologies.

I graduated in Biology at the University of Padua, Italy, in 1983. After a short post-graduate period at the University of Verona, Italy, in 1990 I became PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Pathology, University of Padua, Italy. In 1991 I became a researcher of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua and in 1993-1994 I was fellow scientist of the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology, University College of London, UK. In 1998 I moved to the University of Bari, Italy, as an associate Professor of General Pathology. From 2001 to present I am associate professor and PI at the University of Padua, Department of Biomedical sciences, where I teach Immunology, Immunological Biotechnology and Nanobiotechnology. I started to work on the biocompatibility and nanomedical applications of nanoparticles in 2008. I am author of ~ 93 publications (H index ~ 36) and inventor in 2 patents.

I am presently interested in the functional role of serum or plasma nanoparticle-interacting proteins in the phagocyte clearance mechanisms and in the immune cells-mediated proinflammatory effects, including the coagulation and the complement systems and their cross-talk. The possible modulation of nanoparticle adverse reactions by pathogens or commensals PAMPs is also intriguing me. My ambition is to provide critical information for the rationale design and improvement of nanoparticles for biomedical use.

Prof. Dimitris Drikakis is Professor of Engineering Science, and Executive Director of Global University Partnerships at the University of Starthclyde, Glasgow, UK. Prior to his present positions, he was the Executive Dean (Engineering) and Associate Principal and at the University of Strathclyde, (2015-2017) and Head of Aerospace Sciences and Professor of Fluid Mechanics & Computational Science at Cranfield University (2003-2015). His expertise is in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), fluid mechanics (particularly compressible flows), and micro/nanoscale processes at fluid-solid interfaces. He has also worked on the topic of the Effects of Shock Waves on Drug Delivery through Biological Membranes. He has received the William Penney Fellowship Award by AWE Plc in recognition of his contributions to compressible fluid dynamics and the Innovator of the Year Award (2014) by the Innovation Institute for a new generation gas filtration nano-technology. To date, he has co-authored two books in the field of computational fluid dynamics and has published about 400 papers/book chapters in the above technical areas

His expertise is in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), fluid mechanics (particularly compressible flows), and micro/nanoscale processes at fluid-solid interfaces. He has been active in both fundamental and applied research across Engineering and Applied Physics, including Aerospace, Mechanical, Nuclear (Defence and Fusion), and Oil and Gas Applications. His work has directly influenced areas as diverse as improved understanding of complex aerodynamic and gas dynamic flows, turbulent mixing in inertial confinement fusion, and novel gas filtration nanotechnologies using carbon nanotubes.

Rangel Vazquez is a professor research at Technological Institute of Aguascalientes (ITA) in the Department of Metal-mechanical in the Materials Engineering program. I have served as a reviewer for several journals: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Materials Letters, Carbohydrate Polymers, Thermochimica Acta, Journal of Molecular Structure, Journal of Surface and Coatings Technology, World Journal of Engineering and Physical Sciences (WJEPS), Annual Research & Review in Biology, Journal of Applied Physical Science International and International Journal of Nanomedicine. I have worked in the Organizing of International congress such as: 2016 Spring World Congress on Engineering and Technologies, 2nd Conference International of Surface and Interface on Materials; The 2nd Int'l Conference on Biomaterials and Applications, The 3rd Int'l Conference on Surface and Interface of Materials. I am on the Editorial Board of several journals I am Editor In Chief of BAOJ Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Journal of Pharmaceutics & Drug Development, respectively.

Nanotechnology applied to controlled drug delivery systems. In particular, skin and brain cancer, diabetes mellitus, antifungical, Design and preparation of oral solid (tablets and capsules) dosage forms, Analysis of drugs in pure forms, formulations and biological matrices, Bioadhesive drug delivery systems, especially hydrogels, polymers, biopolymers and IPNs, respectively.

Professor Dr. Nasrallah M. Deraz is Professor of Advanced Nanomaterials Chemistry and Catalysis at National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. He received B. Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Physical Chemistry (Solid State, Surface Chemistry and Catalysis) in 1990, 1996 and 1999, respectively, from College of science, Zagazig University, Egypt. However, he received B. Law in 2005 from College of Laws, Zagazig University, Egypt. He joined Physical Chemistry Department, Laboratory of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt, since 1992 till now. He was awarded a Post- doctoral fellowship in 2004 to Institute of Materials Science, Structure Research, Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany. He joined Chemistry Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since 2009 till 2013.Deraz has published more than 80 papers in refereed journals. He has supervised M.Sc. and Ph.D. thesis in Egyptian universities. He is a member of the various scientific societies. However, he is reviewer and member of editorial board for different international scientific journals. In addition, Deraz’s papers had cited in many papers in different journals.

Professor Deraz's research focuses on various aspects of solid state, surface chemistry and catalysis. One topic of research is solid-state chemistry and nano-structured materials. The second topic is surface chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis. The third topic is science and technology of advanced nano-materials.

Mustafa Culha is Professor of Department of Genetics and Bioengineering at Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey. He has completed his Doctoral degree (PhD) in Chemistry from University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA in 2002. His research focuses on Applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering in cancer diagnosis and clinical pathogen detection and identification, Synthesis, self-assembly and applications of novel nanomaterials and nanocarriers for delivery of cancer therapeutics, Nanomedicine and nanomaterial surface chemistry nanotoxicity relationship.. He was invited speaker at international scientific meetings and conferences and serves as reviewer for several scientific international journals and also as Editorial/Advisory board of various journals.

• Applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering in cancer diagnosis and clinical pathogen detection and identification. • Synthesis, self-assembly and applications of novel nanomaterials and nanocarriers for delivery of cancer therapeutics. • Nanomedicine and nanomaterial surface chemistry nanotoxicity relationship.

Dr. Gopal Natesan is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Director (Students Experience) at MAHSA University, Kuala Lumpur and also Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA) United Kingdom. He has completed his Doctoral degree (PhD) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India in 2000 His research focuses on the synthesis of newer small chemical entities, quinazolinones heterocyclic pharmacophore and their preliminary screening in both in-vivo and in-vitro models mainly focusing on pain & inflammation and also for newer microbial agents. He has published >40 articles in indexed journals and presented >80 papers in conferences and received number of honors including “Edward Kennedy Memorial Award” in 2017 by Malaysian Medical Association, Malaysia and BioGenesis Health Cluster, India and “Young Scientist Award” in 2013 by International Society of Nature & Health Care Inc, USA and University of Colombo & University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He was invited speaker at international scientific meetings and conferences and serves as reviewer for several scientific international journals and also as Editorial/Advisory board of various journals.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Mohamed Eddouks is Professor at Moulay Ismail University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Errachidia, Morocco. He is a researcher in Physiology and Pharmacology with a Master Degree in Metabolic and Molecular Endocrinology from University of Paris vi, a specialized certificate in Endocrine Pharmacology from University of Paris vii and PhD degrees in Physiology and Pharmacology from University of Liege, Belgium and Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco. After his post-doctoral fellowship at Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of Montreal, Canada, he is working for the last 16 years on medicinal plants. His work on antidiabetic and antihypertensive plants is well recognized globally. His research focuses on ethnobiological as well as pharmacological issues in the use of Moroccan medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension. His contribution to this field includes four international books and more than 80 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters of international repute. He is Guest Editor of American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Lead Guest Editor of an annual special issue published by Evidence-Based and Complementary Alternative Medicine, Regional Editor of the Following journals: American Journal of Food Technology, Journal of Applied Sciences, Trends in Applied Sciences Research and Singapore Journal of Scientific research, Member of Editorial Board of several international journals. He has been honored with the first Prize of Scientific Research in 2008 by the Moroccan Association of Research and Development and the first Prize of the Federation of Arab Scientific Councils in 2016. He has been the Dean of Polydisciplinary Faculty of Errachidia from 2008 to 2012.

His research focuses on ethnobiological as well as pharmacological issues in the use of Moroccan medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension.He is a researcher in Physiology and Pharmacology.