A Faculty Member at University of Basrah Wins Gold Medal at the Iraqi Inventors Exhibition
Dr. Najwa Mohammed Jameel Ali, a faculty member in the College of Science, received the gold medal at the Third Applied Conference and Exhibition for Patents, organized by the Middle Technical University. The event, held in collaboration with the Technical Institute in Baqubah, featured wide participation from inventors across Iraq.
Dr. Najwa explained that her participation involved a patent titled "Laboratory Production of Carotenoids as Antifungal Agents Using Two Strains of Colored Yeasts in Iraq."
The study involved the isolation, purification, and genetic characterization of yeasts from the soil, as well as the purification of two carotenoids and the testing of their antifungal efficacy. These compounds exhibited a high inhibitory effect against clinical isolates, particularly those resistant to antifungal treatments.
This study is considered the first of its kind in Iraq in terms of using purified beta-carotene from colored yeasts as antifungal agents, representing a novel approach in developing new drugs to combat resistant fungal strains.
Department of Media and Government Communication
