Scientists at the University of Colombo in collaboration with partners from the National University of Singapore (NUS), A*STAR's Bioinformatics Institute, and Tohoku University, are making significant strides in finding better ways to treat anxiety, depression, and related problems.  They are exploring new approaches to make medications more effective and with fewer side effects.

Traditionally, medicines for issues like anxiety and depression cause unwanted side effects because their targets affect many other physiological responses of the body, apart from the nervous system. But what if we could make medicines that only target the specific problems we want to fix? That's what the team is investigating. So, they are figuring out how to modify or bias it to only do what they want it to.

Their recent study, published in Science Signaling (https://www.science.org/toc/signaling/17/823), showed promising results in this direction.

Led by Professor Gavin Dawe, Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine), the researchers are focusing on a molecule called relaxin-3 found in our brains. This molecule helps control stress, mood, pain perception and feeding behaviours by interacting with its target RXFP3. By understanding how it works, they hope to develop drugs that only affect the parts of the brain linked to anxiety and depression, without causing other problems. Professor Dawe explains that they're using a technique called peptide stapling to make the molecule more stable and efficient in interacting with its target. This could make the medicines work better for treating anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Dr Tharindunee Jayakody, first author of the study and PhD alumna of the Department of Pharmacology at NUS Medicine is now a lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo. She is excited about their progress and believes that their work could lead to medicines that specifically target anxiety and depression, making them more effective. She is hopeful that the ongoing collaborative work between NUS Medicine and her research group at the University of Colombo would also strive to understand how proteins like RXFP3 function at a molecular level with the help of “biased stapled peptides”.

Looking forward, the team is eager to continue their research to better understand how these stapled peptide molecules work in the body. Ultimately, they hope their work will lead to new and improved treatments for anxiety, depression, and related issues, offering hope to those who struggle with these conditions. Go to the Full Paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.abl5880.

As a part of a project that explores the relationship between mathematics, algorithms and visual arts, the Centre for Mathematical Modelling has been creating artworks by using mathematical formulae and algorithms. The Swaying Equations, an exhibition of mathematical and algorithmic art, that consisted of a number of artworks generated through this project took place on 26th Jan 2024, at the first floor of MF building, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo.

Mathematical formulae and notions such as lattices, fractals, polar equations, polynomials, and tessellations serve as the foundation for creating these artworks, made by Awansika Nimuthumana, jointly with Anuradha Mahasinghe.

Awansika Nimuthumana is an instructor at the Department of Mathematics, who holds an Hons degree in Mathematical Finance, and an upcoming artist whose artworks have adorned Sri Lankan newspapers and book covers. Anuradha Mahasinghe is a Professor in Computational Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics, whose interests include recreational mathematics and art forms such as literature and visual arts.

The exhibition was held in parallel to the International Conference on Computational and Mathematical Modelling (ICCMM) 2024, organised by the Centre for Mathematical Modelling, University of Colombo. It was opened at 10AM by Senior Prof. (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, the Vice Chancellor of University of Colombo, with Prof. Upul Sonnadara, the Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Sanjeewa Perera, the Head of the Department of Mathematics, and some administrative staff members. Several foreign and local researchers and enthusiasts were seen at the exhibition, enjoying the beauty of nature formulated mathematically.

Photos of the exhibition can be found from the collection on ICCMM 2024:

More mathematical artworks and the photos of a previous event can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552404998542

The International Conference on Computational Mathematical Modeling (ICCMM-2024) held on January 25-26, 2024, at the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, organized by the Centre for Mathematical Modeling, marked a significant milestone in the convergence of global experts, researchers, and practitioners in the field of mathematical modeling. This conference aimed to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas, collaboration, and the dissemination of cutting-edge research at the intersection of mathematics and computation.

The inauguration ceremony was held on 26th January 2024 at the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo with the participation of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Senior Professor HD Karunaratne as the chief guest, the Director General of the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka, Dr Sepalika Sudasinghe as the Keynote speaker, the Dean Faculty of Science, Professor Upul Sonnadara and many distinguished guests. Marking the conference inauguration, the electronic conference proceedings were launched.

The Centre for Mathematical Modeling at the University of Colombo, known for its commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovation, played a pivotal role in organizing ICCMM-2024. As a renowned institution in the field, the center's dedication to advancing mathematical modeling through computational techniques was evident in the successful execution of this international conference.

More Photos by FOS Media: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=fosmedia&set=a.967399524745950

The Faculty of Science held its General Convocation 2022 on 6th September 2023 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo. The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne, Rector, Deans of the Faculties, Directors of Institutes, Registrar, Acting Librarian, Bursar, academic and administrative staff, and graduands and parents.

The Vice Chancellor conferred the BSc and BSc (Honors) degrees to 435 students of the Faculty of Science. Gold medals were also awarded to students of the faculty who excelled. We wish the graduating class of 2022 from the Faculty of Science the very best.

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The following students of the faculty were awarded Gold Medals for their outstanding performance:

The following students were awarded the University of Colombo Award for Academic Excellence – 2022

OPEN AWARDS – 2022

Faculty of Science, MSc programmes are now calling applications for the January 2024 intake.

Prof. Terney Pradeep from University of Ruhuna will talk about our oceans at the next edition of the Ministry of Nerds Seminar Series, organised by the Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, UoC, this Friday at 12 noon.

Prof Terney holds a PhD on Coral Ecology from the University of Kalmar, Sweden. He was the former Head of the Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology, and the former General Manager/CEO of Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA). He is a member of the UNEP Expert Advisory Panel for the Marine Litter and Microplastics, as well as an active member in the preparation of Marine Litter Management Plan for South Asian Seas (SAS) region.

Title of the Seminar: Indian Ocean: Sri Lanka’s Future Prospectus in a Blind Eye

Time: January 28, Friday 12.00 noon

Zoom Link:
https://learn.zoom.us/j/63529679150?pwd=NXJ5NzJtNzR0M1VLb1lHeGJJQTlWQT09

Meeting ID: 635 2967 9150
Passcode: SWQTb2X@

See you all on this Friday (28th) @ 12 noon!

Applications are invited for the Master of Science Degree/ Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Mathematics program for the year 2022.

Application deadline for the 2022 intake: November 30, 2021

For application and more information – MSc in Financial Mathematics 2022

For more info. click

A workshop on Basic of R Programing,  for Research.

The webinar will be on 24th of July 2021, from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.

A workshop on How to use R Programing,  for Research.

The webinar will be on 31st of July 2021, from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.

You can register for the meeting, here