Saghir Akhtar
Encyclopedia
Saghir Akhtar is professor
in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University
, and editor in chief
of the Journal of Drug Targeting
. He was previously professor of Drug Delivery in the Welsh School of Pharmacy and Director for the Centre for Genome-based Therapeutics, Cardiff University
, UK (2002–2006). He led a team studying DNA chip technology
with a hope of combatting a form of brain cancer known as glioma
.
Akhtar obtained a First Class honours degree in Pharmacy from the Leicester School of Pharmacy and his PhD
degree from the University of Bath
. From 1990-1991, he held a post-doctoral fellowship at UNC Medical School at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He began his independent academic career at Aston University
, firstly as lecturer from 1991–1997 and then as Reader in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1997–1999). In 1997, he was a visiting fellow with Ed Southern in the Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University. He is the winner of the Lilly Prize (1996), the Pfizer Academic Award (1997), the British Pharmaceutical Conference Science Medal (1998), the Controlled Release Society (USA) Young Investigator Research Achievement Award (2001), and the Kappa Society Science Award (2005).
His current research interests include a) studying molecular pharmacology and signal transduction pathways involved in diabetes and/or hypertension-induced cardiovascular dysfunction; b)understanding the biological and pharmaceutical challenges associated with the development of gene silencing
nucleic acids (RNA interference
/ siRNA
/ antisense oligonucleotides) as potential therapeutic agents; and c) studying the toxicogenomics
of novel drugs and non-viral drug delivery systems. Akhtar has also provided health advice for fasting during Ramadan
.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University
Kuwait University
Kuwait University was established in October 1966, five years after Kuwait's independence from British Colonization. KU started with only two faculties, namely the Faculty of Science, Arts and Education; and a Women's College. The university had 418 students enrolled and 31 faculty members. By ,...
, and editor in chief
Editor in chief
An editor-in-chief is a publication's primary editor, having final responsibility for the operations and policies. Additionally, the editor-in-chief is held accountable for delegating tasks to staff members as well as keeping up with the time it takes them to complete their task...
of the Journal of Drug Targeting
Journal of Drug Targeting
Journal of Drug Targeting is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by Informa that covers research on all aspects of drug delivery and drug targeting for molecular and macromolecular drugs...
. He was previously professor of Drug Delivery in the Welsh School of Pharmacy and Director for the Centre for Genome-based Therapeutics, Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, UK (2002–2006). He led a team studying DNA chip technology
DNA microarray
A DNA microarray is a collection of microscopic DNA spots attached to a solid surface. Scientists use DNA microarrays to measure the expression levels of large numbers of genes simultaneously or to genotype multiple regions of a genome...
with a hope of combatting a form of brain cancer known as glioma
Glioma
A glioma is a type of tumor that starts in the brain or spine. It is called a glioma because it arises from glial cells. The most common site of gliomas is the brain.-By type of cell:...
.
Akhtar obtained a First Class honours degree in Pharmacy from the Leicester School of Pharmacy and his PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
degree from the University of Bath
University of Bath
The University of Bath is a campus university located in Bath, United Kingdom. It received its Royal Charter in 1966....
. From 1990-1991, he held a post-doctoral fellowship at UNC Medical School at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He began his independent academic career at Aston University
Aston University
Aston University is a "plate glass" campus university situated at Gosta Green, in the city centre of Birmingham, England.Established in 1895 as the Birmingham Municipal Technical School, Aston was granted its Royal Charter as Aston University on 22 April 1966...
, firstly as lecturer from 1991–1997 and then as Reader in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1997–1999). In 1997, he was a visiting fellow with Ed Southern in the Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University. He is the winner of the Lilly Prize (1996), the Pfizer Academic Award (1997), the British Pharmaceutical Conference Science Medal (1998), the Controlled Release Society (USA) Young Investigator Research Achievement Award (2001), and the Kappa Society Science Award (2005).
His current research interests include a) studying molecular pharmacology and signal transduction pathways involved in diabetes and/or hypertension-induced cardiovascular dysfunction; b)understanding the biological and pharmaceutical challenges associated with the development of gene silencing
Gene silencing
Gene silencing is a general term describing epigenetic processes of gene regulation. The term gene silencing is generally used to describe the "switching off" of a gene by a mechanism other than genetic modification...
nucleic acids (RNA interference
RNA interference
RNA interference is a process within living cells that moderates the activity of their genes. Historically, it was known by other names, including co-suppression, post transcriptional gene silencing , and quelling. Only after these apparently unrelated processes were fully understood did it become...
/ siRNA
Sírna
Sírna Sáeglach , son of Dian mac Demal, son of Demal mac Rothechtaid, son of Rothechtaid mac Main, was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a High King of Ireland...
/ antisense oligonucleotides) as potential therapeutic agents; and c) studying the toxicogenomics
Toxicogenomics
Toxicogenomics is a field of science that deals with the collection, interpretation, and storage of information about gene and protein activity within particular cell or tissue of an organism in response to toxic substances. Toxicogenomics combines toxicology with genomics or other high throughput...
of novel drugs and non-viral drug delivery systems. Akhtar has also provided health advice for fasting during Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
.
Awards
- 1996 LillyEli Lilly and CompanyEli Lilly and Company is a global pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly's global headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States...
Prize - 1997 PfizerPfizerPfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
Academic Award - 1998 British Pharmaceutical Conference Science Medal
- 2001 Controlled Release Society (USA) Young Investigator Research Achievement Award
- 2005 KAPPA Society Contributions to Science Award
- 2006 Muslim News Fazlur Rahman Khan Award for Excellence in Engineering, Science and Technology