Cutting-edge knowledge transfer in the field of natural product-based drug discovery process is immeasurably valuable for countries like Sri Lanka which is rich in biological diversity and natural resources with greater potentials to provide clues to the mysteries of the medical sphere. Due to limited resource availability, there are gaps in this area restricting the potential use. Addressing the said, the NSF organized an online session, “The wisdom beyond Chemistry: novel technologies to expedite the drug-lead discovery process” Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya, Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry of the College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, USA being the expert contributor on 17th March 2023.
Specific branches of chemistry which associate with novel technologies leading to innovations and the potential of such processes in the context of Sri Lanka with future prospecting on career opportunities for young researchers were explained during the session. Prof. Udugamasooriya elaborated on novel drug discovery technology, and patented peptoid drug-lead compounds that have both therapeutic and diagnostic applications in cancer, COVID-19, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis and muscular degeneration developed by him during the discussion. About 86 participants comprising undergraduates from universities and Higher Educational Institutes, early career researchers who are to pursue research in the field of cancer took part in this programme getting the opportunity to establish R&D collaborative partnerships.