Dr. Muhammad Khalil Chishti thanked Governor Sindh for a lot of efforts for his release.

Virologist Dr. Muhammad Khalil Chishti who returned recently after spending 20 years in jail in India, called on Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan at the Sindh Governor House The Governor said that 82-year old Dr. Chishti's expertise and experience is of great significance. He said that those who had remained Dr. Chishti's pupils are now serving at important positions in the discipline of virology. Dr. Ebad was of the view that now it is our collective responsibility to benefit from the expertise of Dr. Chishti. He said that due to absence of Dr. Chishti this area could not make the headway that it should have. However, the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Karachi, stated that after the return of Dr. Chishti the University will attain its rightful place in the realm of virology as well. He also requested Dr. Chishti to provide guidance in the discipline of virology.Dr. Chishti accepted the offer and said that he would try to come up to the expectations in this regard. The Governor said that in the past few years there have been fatalities in the country owing to viral infection. He was of the view that there is urgent need for research in this field and that Dr. Chishti was the best person for performing this task. Dr. Chishti also thanked the Governor Sindh for making a lot of efforts for his release. www.governorsindh.gov.pk www.facebook.com
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The hepatitis B and C viruses, particularly as spread through ways other than transfusion, still represent major health problems in Canada and around the world, despite significant advancements in blood-screening techniques. In Canada, it is estimated that there are 300000 carriers of each hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV). Worldwide, these numbers have reached 350 million and 170 million, respectively. Currently, there is no vaccine for HCV, and existing treatment methods only work for about half of infected patients. While there is a vaccine to prevent HBV, patients with a chronic infection often need to stay on long-term anti-viral treatments that lead to drug-resistance and ultimately end in permanent liver damage. Building on the knowledge he gained while making his breakthrough discovery of the virus that causes HCV, and his identification of the hepatitis D viral genome, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Virology Michael Houghton will work to develop low-cost prophylactic vaccines against HCV, and therapeutic vaccines against HBV. Through experimental trials using chimeric mice with human liver, as well as through woodchuck infection models, Houghton hopes to improve current HBV treatment methods and significantly reduce how long treatment takes. Another major focus of Houghtons work will be using his experience in virus discovery to investigate a potential infectious basis for various human diseases that have so far remained uncharacterized. Houghtons commitment to ...