Under the patronage and guidance of the President of Northern Technical University, Professor Dr. Alyaa Abbas Ali Al-Attar, and under the close supervision and follow-up of the Dean of the Medical Technical Institute / Mosul, Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Fadhil Haddad, the Department of Pharmacy Techniques organized an extensive scientific course entitled: “From Natural Compounds and Medicinal Plants to Medicine: The Journey of Discovery and Development”

The course witnessed a distinguished attendance and active participation from faculty members, students, and specialists in the scientific and pharmaceutical fields. The lectures were delivered by an elite panel of experts:

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Ibtisam Nazim Hazim

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Moataz Adel Rashid

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Labib Hassoun Abdullah

• Asst. Prof. Razan Younis Qasim

• Dr. Ahmed Abdulsalam Mohammed

Biological Significance and Scientific Stages

The course explored the historical and contemporary significance of medicinal plants and natural compounds extracted from plants, fungi, and marine organisms, highlighting their strategic role in supplying the pharmaceutical industry with active components that have shaped modern medicine. The speakers reviewed the rigorous scientific phases these compounds undergo—ranging from field discovery, extraction, and purification to bio-testing, and ultimately developing safe, effective, and approved drugs for human use.

Core Objectives

The sessions focused on achieving a set of key academic goals, including:

1. Introducing natural compounds and highlighting their extraction methods using modern laboratory techniques.

2. Clarifying the essential differences between raw natural compounds and finalized, ready-to-use pharmaceutical drugs.

3. Discussing the prominent challenges facing the transformation of natural materials into approved medical treatments.

Scientific Models and AI Integration

The scientific program included a review of vital sources of natural compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and fungal-derived antibiotics. Special focus was placed on the successful case study of “Artemisinin” (extracted from sweet wormwood), which stands as an outstanding model of drug discovery that saved millions of lives globally. Furthermore, the course addressed future horizons, emphasizing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and genetic sequencing to accelerate drug research and development processes.

Sustainability and Key Outcomes

Addressing environmental dimensions, the course discussed the threats associated with the unsustainable exploitation of medicinal plants and its impact on biodiversity. The participants concluded the event by recommending the adoption of sustainable strategies to preserve rare plant species and natural resources, stressing the importance of continuing such scientific activities to serve public health and align with sustainable development goals