International Symposium • 11 August 2026

Nature’s Pharmacy for a Failing Heart — Plant-Derived Biomaterials in Cardiac Regeneration

Organised by the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), CUI Lahore Campus, in collaboration with the University of Strasbourg, France, under the HEC–PERIDOT bilateral research grant.

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Date
11 August 2026
Host
IRCBM, CUI Lahore Campus
Partner
University of Strasbourg, France
Funding
HEC–PERIDOT Grant
Event Report

A multidisciplinary platform for myocardial repair

The International Symposium on “Nature’s Pharmacy for a Failing Heart: Plant-Derived Biomaterials in Cardiac Regeneration” was successfully organized on 11 August 2026 by the Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, in direct collaboration with the University of Strasbourg, France. Funded under the prestigious HEC–PERIDOT bilateral research grant framework, the symposium served as a multidisciplinary platform bridging natural product chemistry, biomaterials tissue engineering, and clinical cardiology.

The event brought together international experts, cardiovascular surgeons, research faculty, and early-career scholars to present cutting-edge strategies for myocardial repair and vascular regeneration. Key focus areas included plant-derived bioactive compounds, acellular/recellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) constructs, and bioactive cardiac patches designed to induce endogenous tissue repair.

The symposium was attended by distinguished faculty members from IRCBM, along with enthusiastic participation from M.Phil and PhD students from LCWU, GCU, PU, UOL, COMSATS, Minhaj University, Kingston College Lahore and Khyber Medical University, as well as Brock University (Ontario, Canada) and participants joining from Belgium, Türkiye and China.

Programme

Speakers & Sessions

Keynote Speaker

Prof. Dr. Valérie Schini-Kerth

University of Strasbourg, France
Natural products to promote vascular and cardiac health — the significance of natural phytochemicals in the repair and regeneration of cardiac tissue and the formation of blood vessels.
Invited Speaker

Dr. Syed Raffay Ali Gilani

FCPS, FACS • Consultant Cardiac Surgeon, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore
Tissue Engineered Materials in Cardiovascular Surgery: The Surgeon’s Perspective
Principal Investigator

Prof. Dr. Faiza Sharif

Professor & Principal Investigator, IRCBM, CUI Lahore Campus
Research from the PERIDOT project on the Fabrication of Cardiac Patches to Induce Endogenous Cardiomyocyte Regeneration
Invited Talk

Dr. Hira Muzammil

PERIDOT project • visiting IRCBM in person
Reversal of Age-Related Diastolic Dysfunction in Rats by Procyanidins and Oenothein B, with suppression of eNOS-NO/ROS imbalance and reduced left ventricular remodeling and fibrosis.
Training Session

Dr. Madiha Saeed

Assistant Professor, IRCBM
Training session on research funding and the international PhD roadmap
Inaugural

Welcome & Inaugural Session

IRCBM, CUI Lahore Campus
Inaugural and welcome announcement by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yar, Prof. Dr. Anila Asif and Prof. Dr. Faiza Sharif.
Outcomes

Key Scientific Highlights

Clinical–Translational Integration

Dr. Syed Raffay Ali Gilani provided key clinical insights regarding surgical handling, suture strength, and bio-integration requirements for cardiac patches, ensuring engineering designs align with surgical reality.

Plant-Derived Bioactive Molecules

Discussions highlighted the therapeutic potential of polyphenols (procyanidins and oenothein B) in addressing oxidative stress (eNOS-NO/ROS imbalance), reducing left ventricular remodeling, and treating age-related cardiac dysfunction.

Scaffold Engineering & Regeneration

Prof. Dr. Faiza Sharif showcased progress in developing acellular matrix (AM) and recellularized cardiac patches designed to foster cardiomyocyte regeneration.

International Collaboration Growth

The HEC–PERIDOT initiative strengthened research linkages between CUI Lahore and the University of Strasbourg, establishing pathways for joint publications and student exchanges.

Organised in collaboration

IRCBM, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus — HEC–PERIDOT Project × Université de Strasbourg • 2026.

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