RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
The Research Department plays a vital role in advancing knowledge, driving innovation, and addressing complex challenges in healthcare. Research is promoted through interdisciplinary collaboration and by providing opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as early-career researchers, to develop their skills and expertise in the generation of new knowledge. Moreover, evidence-based medicine is built upon research-related new developments.
Research excellence in all fields of study is central to the mission of Ziauddin University and a pinnacle priority, as the key element to the success of the University’s academic profile needs to be preserved. Education at ZU would not be complete without its vital research community. The Health Sciences Research Program encompasses several faculties and departments across ZU campuses that contribute to a rich atmosphere. A wide range of research and clinical facilities for student learning and innovation are present on different campuses with extensive interaction between the basic science and clinical faculty. The Faculty of Health Sciences and Allied Health Sciences offer unparalleled opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation in health sciences education and research. The expertise of many Health Sciences faculty covers a broad spectrum of disciplines that includes both basic science wet-lab research and clinical research in human health and disease, with a provision of expanding graduate programmes to be offered in Medicine, Pharmacy and Allied Health Disciplines. All are in the continued pursuit of ever-greater accomplishments in research through our commitment to innovation, excellence, and quality. We share new knowledge for educating and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders, as university education is all about the generation of new knowledge through research. Furthermore, ZU faculties maintain active research laboratories that are exploring existing questions, spanning from the most basic to the most translational aspects of health sciences.
VISION
To be recognised as the icon of innovative, cutting-edge basic, applied and translational research.
MISSION
Advancing research and developing the University’s reputation as the most renowned private-sector academic research-based institution. Cutting-edge clinical and translational research – bringing medical innovation to patient care and industry. Promotion of independent research projects in all fields of degree-based programmes with a drive for lifelong learning through creativity, innovative research and commercialisation. Ensuring that research meets the highest ethical and quality standards through open, transparent processes.
Research department at the Ziauddin University is a directorate to form a central hub for all research activities by the faculty of health sciences (FHS). We participate in the policymaking, governance, oversight and conduct of research processes across ZU.
Our vision is to enhance the University’s research profile with successful contributions to healthcare and education through a major impact of MPhil, MD, MS and PhD projects in addition to faculty research. Therefore, we strive to develop resources and guidelines for our research scholars with a bench to bedside and bench to industry approach. In this regard there has been a phenomenal upgradation of the multidisciplinary high technology research laboratories with a striking uplift of structured postgraduate teaching and training programmes.
The basic science research is focused on the investigation of etiopathogenetic mechanisms of diseases at molecular genetic level. We have launched MPhil programme in Molecular Medicine to promote a physician-scientist relationship and invite the clinicians to work at par with international standards. Moreover, PhD programme in Molecular Medicine is already in the pipeline.
The clinical evidence-based research is promoted to update disease trends and risk factors, generating data for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategic planning. The projects are also designed for the determination of safety and effectiveness of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment protocols.
Conclusively, we hope to pave the way to a brighter future with bold and novel solutions for national and global health challenges.
Executive Director Research & Meritorious Professor Pathology, Head Department of Molecular Medicine
Prof. Dr. Talat Mirza as Executive Director Research
The Department of Research maintains active research laboratories as commercial facilities that are exploring existing questions, spanning from the most basic to the most Translational aspects of Health Sciences research. The state-of-the-art research and diagnostic facility (MDRL 1, 2 and 3) is available at Ziauddin University with the provision of advanced instrumentation and provision of following facilities:
- Molecular Biology Unit
- Cell Culture Facility
- Tissue Processing and Sectioning Facility
- Imaging Facility with High-Resolution Microscopy
- Immunohistochemistry and Immunocytochemistry Facility
- Power Lab
- Proteomics Lab
- Microbial Genomics Lab
- Animal House Facility
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Culture
- Cell Biology & Histology
- Microbial Genomics
- Bioinformatics
- Proteomics
- Animal Research Lab (ARL)
- Diagnostic Molecular Genetics Lab
Equipment Available
- Class II Biohazard Safety Cabinet
- Live Cell Imaging Microscope
- Automated Cell Counter
- Centrifuge Machine
- CO2 Incubator
- Water Bath
- Fridge
- Liquid Nitrogen Tank
- Consumables
Equipment Available
- Real Time PCR
- Thermal Cyclers
- Gel Electrophoresis Unit
- Gel Documentation System
- Refrigerated Centrifuge
- Analytical Balance
- Fridge
- -80°C Freezer
- Vortex machine
- pH meter
- Multiscan sky Spectrophotometer
Equipment Available
- Nikon Ts2R-FL Inverted Microscope
- Dissecting Microscope
- Compound microscopes
- Fume hood
- Hot air oven
- Cold plate
- Hot plate
- Water bath
- Microtome
Equipment Available
- Nikon ECLIPs Ei Microscope
- Cryostat Machine
- Computer
Equipment Available
- Amber20
- Autodockvira
- Chimera116
- Cuda1143
- Growmacs20214
- MGLTools157
- NAMD20211211
- openmpi412
Equipment Available
- Class II Biohazard Safety Cabinet
- Thermal Shaking Incubator
- Microscope
- Cold storage facility
Ziauddin University is offering core lab services at an affordable cost to the researchers. This includes RNA isolation, DNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, Gene expression, Gene polymorphism studies, Reverse Transcription, Primer Designing, PCR, RFLP, Gel Electrophoresis, Gel Imaging, Nucleic Acid Sequence Analysis, ELISA, HPLC, Routine and Specialised Histological Techniques, along with high-resolution microscopy and advanced imaging technology. Core personnel continue to stay abreast of technological advances. It is encouraged to contact research scientists to arrange for a consultation or to provide feedback. Faculty is available to develop projects of all calibres, standard or custom assay design, and any other specialised application needs.
SERVICES LAB
- Haematology lab
- Cytopathology & Histopathology lab
- Clinical Microbiology Lab
- Molecular Genetics Lab
- Chemical Pathology Lab
Ziauddin University has started offering
- Real time PCR assays
- DNA/RNA Extraction
- Gel electrophoresis
- SNP Genotyping
- DNA Methylation Studies
- Genomic Sequencing
- RNA Quantification
- PCR Services
- Primer Designing
- ELISA
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Histological Sample Processing and Staining
- Results Interpretation of Histological and Histopathological Slides (Animal & Human Tissues)
- Immunohistochemistry/Immunocytochemistry
- High Resolution Microscopy and Imaging
- Histomorphometry Analysis
- Image Processing and Graphic Designing of Figures
The Research Department’s overarching aim in supporting international research collaboration is to maximise ZU’s contribution to and benefits from international and national research collaborations and partnerships.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
- Dr. Umar Daood, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Dr. Aftab Ahmed, Associate Professor, at the Chapman University School of Pharmacy, USA.
- Prof. Dr. Syed Abdul Aziz, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada.
- Farzana S Chaudhary MD, Consulting Pediatrician, SUNY Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York, USA
- Dr. Shadab H. Ahmed, MD, FACP, FIDA, Professor of Clinical Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook. Attending Infectious Diseases, Nassau University Medical Center, USA.
- Arshad Jahangir, MD, FACC, FHRS, FAHA, Director Center for Advanced Atrial Fibrillation Therapies. Associate Director Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Programme, Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Advocate Aurora Health Adjunct Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Milwaukee, WI 53215, USA.
- Prof. Syed Anwar Hussain, Consultant Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Sheffield University, United Kingdom.
NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), ICCBS, UoK, Pakistan.
- HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, ICCBS, UoK, Pakistan.
- Center for Bioequivalence Studies and Clinical Research (CBSCR), ICCBS, UoK, Pakistan.
- National Center for Proteomics, UoK, Pakistan.
- Jamil-ur-Rehman Center for Genome Research, ICCBS, UoK, Pakistan
- Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS)
- Agha Khan University
- To promote science and technology capacity building, Ziauddin University as its intellectual and corporate social responsibility proudly runs the internship program for the indigenous and external students. This program is targeted at students intending to pursue a career in research or higher learning by imparting knowledge and skills to inculcate analytical skills, critical thinking, wisdom and confidence in them. Our highly skilled faculty is engaged in training of scholars in the emerging fields of molecular medicine and genetics, molecular oncology, cell biology and histology, diabetology, proteomics, stem cell culture, bioinformatics and microbial genomics
- The program also offers the internees to develop their scientific writing skills and the chances to participate in the publication arising from the work performed in MDRL.
- The program is based on observer ship and apprenticeship at Multi-Disciplinary Research Laboratory (MDRL) I and II with nominal charges to provide research environment and generate the popularity of our research lab and infrastructure, and revenue generation for research infrastructure support with no expenditures from the university.
RESEARCH FACILITATION AT ZU-FHS
Following Research Committees operate for the supervision, monitoring, and advocacy of research.
- Graduate Examination Committee (GEC)
- Clinical Research Committee (CRC)
- Ethical Review Committee (ERC)
RESEARCH AND LABORATORY FACILITATORS
Department of Research and College of Molecular Medicine
Dr. Talat Mirza
MBBS, MPhil, PhD
Executive Director Research & Meritorious Professor
Dr. Ambrina Khatoon
MSc, PhD
Professor; PhD Coordinator; In-charge, MDRLs
Dr. Abdul Hameed
MSc, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
Associate Professor; PhD Deputy Coordinator; In-charge Histopathology Section
Dr. Shumaila Usman
MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor; BS Coordinator; In-charge, Stem Cell Research Section
Dr. Rehan Imad
MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor; In-charge MDRL-1
Dr. Aisha Ishaque
MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor; BS Deputy Coordinator
Dr. Yamna Khursheed
MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor (Adjunct)
Mr. Moazzam Ali Shahid
MSc, MPhil, PhD Scholar
Senior Research Officer; FHS PhD Faculty
Patent (in Process)
- Shumaila Usman has established a human oral submucous fibrosis cell line for the 1st time in Pakistan at Ziauddin University.
- This cell line is not available commercially Worldwide
- We have applied for the patent and working on the commercialization of the cell line,
Research Supervision
Total no. of students supervised & co supervised by the Research faculty at ZU: 75
Publications
International HEC recognized journals including
- Cells (IF 7.6)
- Virology (IF 5.0)
- Experimental Cell Research (IF 4.1)
- Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry (IF 87)
- Metabolic Brain Diseases (IF 3.68)
- Molecular Biology Reports (IF 2.7)
Total No. of Publications from 2018-2023 are: 125
Honors & Awards
| Title of Award/ Honour | Forum/ conferring authority/ organisation name, contacts | Any award/ prize/ certificate or relevant received | Brief details of work honoured |
| Dr. Yamna Khursheed | EMBO | Travel Grant to attend EMBO Practical Course: The fundamentals of high-end cell sorting, Heidelberg, Germany, 30 Oct – 4 Nov 2022 | Full funding for the practical training, poster and oral presentation |
| Dr. Abdul Hameed, Best Research Presentation Award | Primary Care Diabetes Association (PCDA) Confernce 2022 | Shield for token of appreciation/Cash prize/Certificate/fully funded | Best oral presenter award in the field of diabetic research |
| Dr. Abdul Hameed, Best Research Presentation Award | 3rd Physiology Resonates and Ozonises Biological Existence (PROBE), by Department of Physiology during February 21-23, 2022, Karachi, Pakistan. | Shield for token of appreciation/Certificate/fully funded/Registration | Best oral presenter award in the field of diabetic research |
The Department of Research is routinely organising workshops to promote the professional development of the faculty and students with capacity building in research, enhanced productivity, and improved university ranking on the following topics:
- Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
- Research Methodology
- Molecular Biology Techniques
- Fundamentals of Cell Culture
- Advanced Histology & Microscopy
- Care & Use of Small Lab Animals
“Conferences Conducted by the Research Department
- 3rd International Conference on “Rehabilitation: Translational, Clinical and Research Perspectives” from 22nd to 24th of February 2018.
- 4th International Conference on “Challenges in Drug Discovery and Therapeutics” from the 6th & 7th of December, 2019.
Prof. Dr. Talat Mirza
Fariha Anum
Ms. Saba Farooq
Moazzam Ali Shahid
Saviya Kashif
Dr. Areeba Patel
Aamir Khalil
Muhammad Tayyab
Pakistan
Tel: 92-21-35862937-9, Fax: 92-21-3586294
Email: [email protected]
Ext: 2366
MDRL-1: 2361
MDRL-2: 2263-2362-2364
