AI and translational science are redefining the future of drug discovery: Dr. Muzafar Macha
KD NEWS SERVICE
AWANTIPORA, June 8: The Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCCMM), School of Health Sciences, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), successfully concluded its week-long national workshop titled “Advanced Workshop on AI-Driven Drug Discovery and In Vitro Validation for Translational Research: Towards Viksit Bharat @2047”, held from June 1 to June 8, 2026. The intensive programme brought together leading scientists, clinicians, academicians, industry professionals, and research scholars from premier institutions across the country to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI), computational biology, and translational medicine in shaping the future of healthcare and therapeutic innovation.
The workshop emerged as a significant national platform for interdisciplinary learning and scientific exchange, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of how emerging technologies are revolutionizing the drug discovery landscape. Through expert lectures, practical training sessions, and collaborative discussions, the programme highlighted the growing importance of integrating computational approaches with experimental validation to accelerate the development of safe and effective therapeutics.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST, who served as the Chief Patron and Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, Prof. Romshoo underscored the critical role of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex healthcare challenges and emphasized the immense potential of artificial intelligence and data-driven biomedical research in transforming modern medicine. He noted that AI-powered approaches are increasingly becoming indispensable for accelerating drug development, advancing precision medicine, and improving healthcare outcomes.
The inaugural session was attended by Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs, IUST; Dr. Aabid Shalla, Dean Research, IUST; and Mr. Sameer Wazeer, Finance Officer, IUST, who appreciated the efforts of the organizers in creating a vibrant and intellectually stimulating platform for scientific engagement, innovation, and collaboration.
The workshop was organized under the leadership of Dr. Muzafar A. Macha, Organizing Secretary and faculty member at the Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine. Dr. Macha conceptualized the programme with the vision of equipping young researchers, scholars, and healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and practical skills in AI-assisted drug discovery and translational medicine. Through meticulous planning and coordination, he brought together a distinguished panel of experts from academia, research institutions, healthcare organizations, and industry, creating a unique interdisciplinary learning environment.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Dr. Macha emphasized that integrating artificial intelligence with biomedical research is crucial for addressing contemporary healthcare challenges and fostering innovation in therapeutic development. Participants and invited speakers alike commended Dr. Macha and his organizing team for the workshop’s scientific depth, seamless execution, and successful integration of computational and laboratory-based components of drug discovery.
The scientific programme featured a diverse lineup of keynote lectures, expert talks, and intensive hands-on training sessions designed to provide participants with both conceptual understanding and practical expertise. The workshop commenced with an insightful lecture by Prof. Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences on the theme “Emerging Landscape of Drug Discovery in the Era of AI.” His lecture explored the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in modern therapeutic development and highlighted emerging opportunities in data-driven pharmaceutical research.
Adding further depth to the discussions, Dr. Fayaz A. Malik, Scientist-F at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Srinagar, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Natural Products to Clinical Candidates: A Tale of Drug Discovery.” He outlined the complex journey of transforming bioactive natural compounds into clinically relevant therapeutic agents and shared valuable insights from contemporary drug development programmes.
The workshop also featured a lecture by Dr. Manzoor A. Mir, Associate Professor, Department of Bioresources, University of Kashmir, who discussed innovative approaches to targeting mutant p53 in breast cancer. His presentation highlighted the therapeutic significance of this crucial molecular target and its potential implications for future cancer treatment strategies.
Addressing the role of artificial intelligence in pharmaceutical innovation, Dr. Assif Assad, Associate Professor at the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, IUST, delivered an engaging lecture on “Artificial Intelligence for Next-Generation Drug Discovery.” He demonstrated how machine learning algorithms, predictive modelling, and big-data analytics are transforming traditional drug discovery workflows and enabling researchers to identify promising therapeutic candidates with unprecedented efficiency.
A major component of the workshop focused on hands-on skill development. Dr. Nisar A. Dangroo, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, IUST, conducted specialized training sessions on molecular docking, lead identification, and prioritization. Participants gained practical exposure to modern computational tools used in structure-based drug design and candidate screening.
The importance of transparency and interpretability in AI-driven biomedical research was highlighted by Dr. Aga Basit Iqbal, Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IUST, who delivered a lecture on “Explainable AI in Drug Discovery: Bridging Complex Algorithms and Biological Understanding.” His session emphasized the need for making AI-generated predictions more understandable and trustworthy for researchers and clinicians.
Another major attraction of the programme was an intensive practical module conducted by Dr. Basharat A. Bhat, Assistant Professor, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, SKUAST-K. The session focused on RNA-Seq data analysis and differential gene expression-based drug molecule mapping. Participants received hands-on training in analysing transcriptomic datasets and applying bioinformatics approaches for therapeutic target identification and drug discovery.
One of the defining features of the workshop was its emphasis on translational research through the integration of computational predictions with laboratory-based validation. Participants were introduced to in vitro validation strategies and experimental workflows that demonstrated how AI-generated hypotheses can be translated into biological evidence. This integrated approach provided valuable insights into strengthening the drug discovery pipeline from computational identification to potential clinical application.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory function attended by eminent scientists, clinicians, and academic leaders. Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST, served as the Chief Guest and congratulated the organizers and participants for the successful completion of the programme. He praised the university’s continued efforts to promote cutting-edge research and advanced scientific training in emerging fields.
The valedictory ceremony was also graced by Dr. Showket Hussain, Scientist-E at the ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida, and Prof. (Dr.) M. R. Attri from the Department of Surgery, Government Medical College Srinagar, as Guests of Honour. The dignitaries highlighted the growing need for collaboration among clinicians, biologists, computational scientists, and data experts to accelerate healthcare innovation and ensure meaningful translational impact.
Participants representing universities, research institutes, medical colleges, biotechnology organizations, and healthcare institutions from across India highly appreciated the workshop for its scientific rigor, practical orientation, and opportunities for direct interaction with leading experts. Many described the programme as a unique and enriching experience that successfully bridged the gap between artificial intelligence, computational biology, and experimental biomedical research.
The successful completion of the workshop marks another significant milestone for the Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine and IUST in advancing research excellence, innovation, and scientific capacity building. Beyond strengthening professional networks and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, the programme reaffirmed IUST’s growing stature as a leading hub for advanced training and research in AI-enabled healthcare, translational medicine, and next-generation drug discovery.
As India moves toward the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, initiatives such as this workshop are expected to play a pivotal role in nurturing scientific talent, promoting technological innovation, and accelerating the translation of research discoveries into real-world healthcare solutions.
