The Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit (AICBU) of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura proudly hosted the transformative workshop, “Nanopore Frontiers: Revolutionizing Real-time Sequencing,” on 2nd January 2025, marking a significant milestone in advancing genomics research in Sri Lanka.
This highly interactive event, held under the expert guidance of Senior Professor Neelika Malavige and Professor Chandima Jeewandara, brought together over 100 participants, including research scientists and clinicians, creating a vibrant platform for exploring cutting-edge innovations in sequencing technologies.
The workshop featured two dynamic sessions led by global experts from Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT):
- Dr. Lakmal Jayasinghe, Chief Scientific Officer of ONT, delivered an inspiring keynote on the transformative potential of real-time sequencing.
- Dr. Dilrini de Silva, Field Applications Scientist (Bioinformatics) at ONT, provided an in-depth exploration of bioinformatics applications using Nanopore technologies.
Adding a practical perspective, Sri Lanka’s own experts showcased real-world applications:
- Dr. Dumni Gunasinghe, Dr. Dinuka Ariyaratne, and Dr. Tibutius Thanesh presented pioneering studies leveraging ONT platforms in the Sri Lankan settings, shedding light on their versatility in research and clinical diagnostics.
The discussions were enriched by the insights of Senior Professor Neelika Malavige and Dr. Bhagya Senadheera, who skillfully moderated engaging dialogues on the opportunities and challenges of integrating Nanopore sequencing into diverse fields.
The event was made possible with the generous support of Biomedite, whose sponsorship underscored the growing interest in fostering innovation in Sri Lanka’s scientific community.
As AICBU continues to lead the way in advancing allergy, immunology, and molecular biology research, this workshop, signifies a new chapter in leveraging real-time sequencing for scientific breakthroughs and clinical applications.