Introduction
Microbes are driving many aspects of life on the planet. The solution to many of the pressing challenges at global level, such as antimicrobial resistance; emergence of new infectious diseases; and the health of our planet’s ecosystems, rely upon broadening the horizon of discoveries coming from basic microbiology research and exploration. We at Institute of Microbiology are committed to provide our undergraduate students with excellent quality of Education in our degree programs of BS “Applied Microbiology” and “Medical Lab Technologists”
Our research faculty are highly productive and impactful, consisting of 5 Professors, 3 Associate and 9 Assistant Professors, housed at Institute of Microbiology, UDL and WTO-Quality Operations Labs. All the faculty members are outstanding microbiologists who are making exciting discoveries in the field of microbiology while training students in cutting edge research. The department has also made significant contributions in the field of conventional diagnostics and vaccines as is evident from the fact that many students both at Ph.D. and Master level had been trained and are serving in various capacities at different private and public establishments of the country. The Department is actively engaged in teaching under- and postgraduate, deficiency and diploma courses. Training workshops for field veterinarians are also being arranged. The Department has produced quite a number of M. Phil. and Ph.D. students in the University. The Department is equipped with modern tools of Miocrobiology, Molecular biology, Cell culture and the lab-animal facilities.
Staff Position
Dean/ Pro VC
Director
Professors
- Prof. Dr. Irshad Hussain
- Prof. Dr. Tahir Yaqub
- Prof. Dr. Aftab Ahmad Anjum
- Prof. Dr. Amir Ghafoor
Associate Professor
- Dr. Ali Ahmad
- Dr. Muhammad Nawaz
- Dr. Arfan Ahmad
Assistant Professors
- Dr. Imran Altaf
- Dr. Muhammad Zubair Shabbir
- Dr. Fariha Akhtar
- Dr. RabiaTanveer
- Dr. Sohail Raza
- Dr. Fatima Ahsan
- Dr. Noreen Sarwar
- Dr. Muhammad Adnan Ashraf
- Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Shabbir
- Dr. Muhammad Suleman
- Mr. Shahan Azeem
Lecturers
- Ms. Saba Sana
- Dr. Asad Ali
- Mr. Imran Najeeb
- Mr. Hassaan Bin Aslam
- Ms. Noor-ul-Hudda [Study Leave]
- Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Riaz
HEC Approved Supervisors
- Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani
- Prof. Dr. Tahir Yaqub
- Prof Dr. Aftab Ahmed Anjum
- Prof. Dr. Aamir Ghafoor
- Dr. Muhammad Nawaz
- Dr. Arfan Ahmad
- Dr. Muhammad Zubair Shabbir
- Dr. Imran Altaf
- Dr. Sohail Raza
- Dr. Fatima Ahsan
- Dr. Muhammad Salaman
- Dr. Muhammad Abu bakr Shabbir
- Dr. Ali Ahmad Sheikh
Facilities
Principal Equipment |
Salient Features/Services |
- Fluorescent Spectroscope
- Spectrophotometer
- Refrigerated Centrifuge
- Fluorescent Microscope
- Inverted Microscope
- Class I and II Safety cabinet
- Autoclave
- Hot air oven
-
- -70 C Freezer
- -20 C Freezer
- Water distillation plant
- Vertical Electrophoresis
- Horizontal Electrophoresis
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- Sterilization
- Sterilization
- High speed centrifugation at low temperature
- Fluorescent antibody technique
- Analysis of live cells/ cell culture
- Biochemical analysis of samples
- To provide sterile area for lab work
- Storage of samples & long preservation of cultures
- Storage of samples and short preservation of cultures
- To provide triple distilled water for cell culture & routine lab work
- To run protein samples
- To run DNA samples
- Laboratory animals: Balb C/J mice colony is reared for monoclonal antibody production
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Independent Labs
- Virology
- Bacteriology
- Molecular Biology
- Genome Extraction
- Mycology
- Cell culture
- Influenza
Research Projects
Institute of Microbiology holds long term history in research and academic activities. Its conviction for high level of research and academics is evident from the No. of PhD students and the publications in the juornals of international standards. Researchers/teachers conduct research to solve problems of the industries such as poultry, livestock, bioceutics, pharmaceutic, fish, equine and ordinary dairy farmers, milk processing, exporters and importers and government issues related to livestock. In universities every postgraduate research scholar is supposed to solve one problem of the industry/farmers. To minimize the financial consternation of the students, every Ph.D. faculty every year won at least one research grant on competitive basis from funding agencies of the country. On similar basis, following grants were obtained and postgraduate scholars conducted research on the projects and completed their research as required for their postgraduate degree program.
ON-GOING FOREIGN FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Sr. No. |
Project Title |
Cost (Million PKR) |
Funding Agency |
Principal Investigator |
-
|
Analyzing the spread of Anthrax in Pakistan and Jordan |
70 |
DTRA |
Prof. Dr. Tahir Yaqub |
| 2 |
Reducing the Economic and Zoonotic Impact of Avian Influenza (REZIAI): delivering novel vaccines and diagnostics from laboratory to the field. |
11.2 |
BBSRC |
Prof. Dr. Tahir Yaqub |
ON-GOING LOCAL FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Sr. No. |
Project Title |
Cost (Million PKR) |
Funding Agency |
Principal Investigator |
| 1 |
“Purification And Standardization Of Mycotoxins Extracted From Indigenous Toxigenic Fungi Under Optimized Experimental Conditions” |
3.932 Million |
HEC |
PI |
| 2 |
“Development Of Inactivated Polyvalent Vaccines For The Control Of Mastitis In Dairy Cattle” |
10.905 Million |
PARB |
(Cooperative Scientist). |
| 3 |
“Production Of Foot And Mouth Disease (Fmd) Recombinant Vaccine” |
30.91Million |
PARB |
(Cooperative Scientist). |
| 4 |
Preparation And Evaluation Of Multivalent Vaccine For Clostridium Perfringens Using Locally Characterized Toxinotypes. |
7.902 million |
HEC (TDF) |
PI |
| 5 |
The Development Of Highly Sensitive Novel Elisa Kit For Quantitative Detection Of 146s Fraction Of Fmd Virus For The Quality Production And Evaluation Of Fmd Vaccine In Pakistan |
6.709 million |
HEC (TDF) |
Co-PI |
| 6 |
Advanced Molecular Detection Of Toxoplasma Gondii: Genomics Based Laboratory Surveillance And Reference Diagnosis. |
3.014386 million |
HEC (NRPU) |
Co-PI |
| 7 |
Genetic Diversity Among Marek’s Disease Field And Vaccine Virus To Improve Prophylaxis. |
6.251913 million |
HEC (NRPU) |
Co-PI |
| 8 |
Biocontrol of Salmonellosis in chickens using bacteriophages |
Rs.13.083 millions |
Punjab Agriculture Research Board |
Dr. Ali Ahmad Sheikh |
| 9 |
Biocontrol of Brucella abortus using Brucellaphages |
Rs.3.5 millions |
NRPU-HEC |
Dr. Ali Ahmad Sheikh |
| 10 |
Isolation and Characterization of Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) Isolates from Pakistan and Their use in Production of Gene Deleted Marker Vaccine |
Rs.11.56 millions |
HEC |
Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani |
| 11 |
Characterization, development and evaluation of indigenous probiotics targeting control and mitigation of Salmonella in poultry. |
6 Million |
HEC (NRPU) |
Dr. Muhammad Nawaz |
| 12 |
Research Project “Development and Evaluation of Probiotics and plant extracts targeting increased phosphorus availability and decreased ammonia emmission in poultry” |
3.0 Million |
HEC
(NRPU) |
Dr. Muhammad Nawaz |
| 13 |
Molecular characterization of bovine pestivirus isolates from dairy animals of Pakistan and their use in diagnostic, biosecurity and biological development to control disease in Pakistani herds |
6.022 Million |
HEC |
Dr. Arfan Ahmad |
| 14 |
Development of ELISA KIT for the Detection of FMDV |
6.87 Million |
HEC |
Dr. Imran Altaf |
| 15 |
Prevalence and degradation of pesticide residues in feed and milk |
7.28 Million |
PARB |
Dr. Mateen Abbas |
| 16 |
Evaluation of anti-Campylobacter activity of indigenous probiotic lactobacilli alone and in combination with different organic acids in poultry |
3.4 Million |
NRPU-HEC |
P.I. |
| 17 |
Development of inactivated polyvalent vaccines for the control of mastitis in dairy cattle |
10.905 Million |
PARB |
(Cooperative Scientist). |
| 18 |
Isolation and Characterization of Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BOHV-1) Isolates from Pakistan and Their use in production of gene deleted marker Vaccine |
11.56 Million |
HEC, Pakistan |
Prof. Dr. Masood Rabbani |
| 19 |
Preparation of highly specific ELISA Kit on Recombinant outer membrane protein (OMP) of Pasteurella multocida B2 to detect Post-vaccination immune response |
9.544 Million |
HEC, Pakistan
Under TDF |
Prof. Dr. Aamir Ghafoor Bajwa |
| 20 |
Preparation of live genetically engineered avirulent vaccinal strains derived from local highly pathogenic isolates of P. multocida B:2, using gene deletion method and evaluation of the vaccine by inoculating in mice and calves |
6.714 Million |
HEC, Pakistan
Under NRPU |
Prof. Dr. Aamir Ghafoor Bajwa |
| 21 |
Hydrogen peroxide based product CareOx35 effect on the health of dairy cows |
0.9 Million |
Dexon |
Prof. Dr. Aamir Ghafoor Bajwa |
NEWLY APPROVED RESEARCH PROJECTS DURING 2019-20
Sr. No. |
Project Title |
Cost (Million PKR) |
Funding Agency |
Principal Investigator |
1 |
Mapping an in-depth genetic diversity of Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) in Pakistan and development of serotype-matched recombinant IBV Vaccine |
9.04 |
HEC |
Muhammad Zubair Shabbir |
2 |
Production
and Evaluation of Recombinant Foot-and-Mouth disease Virus-like Particles (VLPs) for the Effective
Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Pakistan |
9.93 |
HEC |
Dr. Sohail Raza |
3 |
Comparative transcriptome analysis of innate and adaptive immune cells to investigates Cardiovascular complications and BCG vaccination influence over SARS-CoV-2 |
5.5 |
Qatar University Emergency Response Grant –QUERG |
Dr. Muhammad Suleman |
4 |
Capacity Building & Establishment of Safe and Secure Lab Culture in Pakistan Through the
Development of Hands-On Biorisk Management Training Video |
0.5 |
Health Security Partners (USA) |
Muhammad Ilyas Riaz |
WORKSHOPS ORGANIZED
S.# |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
Int. Poultry Nutrition Conference and Expo-15 |
3-4, November, 2015. |
2 |
Int. Human Nutrition Conference and Expo-15. |
3-4, November, 2015. |
3 |
37th All Pakistan Science Conference |
16-17, November, 2015 |
4 |
International training workshop on biosafety and risk assessment 2015 |
2015 |
5 |
Basic Laboratory techniques 2015 |
2015 |
6 |
International workshop on “Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases |
September 14-16, 2015 |
7 |
Consensus Building Workshop On Biorisk Management Guidelines |
2015 |
8 |
International Training Workshop on Biosafety and Risk Assessment |
2015 |
9 |
In Service Short Term Training of University and College Faculty |
16th -20th May, 2016 |
10 |
Molecular Diagnostics |
23-25 June 2015 |
11 |
Basic Laboratory Techniques |
03-07 Aug, 2015 |
12 |
Workshop on “Advanced Lab techniques-1 “ for Lab assistants and Lab attendants of UVAS |
July, 20-22, 2016 |
13 |
Training of young faculty members of SBBUVAS (Sakrand) for two weeks |
July, 17-30, 2016 |
14 |
In-service training for university and college faculty for Faculty of Bio-Sciences, UVAS, Lahore |
August, 1-5, 2016 |
15 |
In-service training for university and college faculty for Institute of Microbiology, FVS, UVAS, Lahore |
August, 3-5, 2016 |
16 |
Teaching methodologies and resource management of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology courses |
October, 3-7, 2016 |
17 |
Two days training on Skills Enhancement of Teaching Staff of LSTCs/Training Institutes |
March, 30-31, 2017 |
18 |
International workshop on “Devise strategies to control emerging viral hemorrhagic fever in Pakistan” |
14th to 16th November, 2016 |
19 |
2nd workshop for Biosafety Officers |
13-14 April, 2018 |
20 |
1st workshop for Biosafety Officers |
12 April, 2018 |
21 |
International training course poultry viral diagnostics |
05-12 March, 2018 |
22 |
Three-day workshop on “Advanced Lab Techniques |
10-12 January 2018 |
23 |
Awareness Level Biosafety Workshop |
18th June, 2019 |
24 |
One Health Approach to Control Rabies |
12-07-2018 |
25 |
Advanced Level Biosafety Workshop |
26th, November,2018 |
26 |
Awareness Level Biosafety Workshop |
8th August, 2018 |
27 |
One Day Workshop on Influence Without Authority |
16-02-2019 |
28 |
Cell culture techniques for production of biologics |
24th Oct 2018 |
29 |
Advanced Detection of Food Borne Pathogens |
28 November 2019 to
29 November 2019 |
30 |
2nd Awareness Seminar on Field Biosafety |
7-Dec- 2019 |
31 |
Two day Hands on training workshop on Molecular Detection of Food borne Pathogens |
26 - 27 December, 2019 |
32 |
Writing a competitive grant proposal |
21 January 2020 to
23 January 2020 |
33 |
One Day Hands on Training on Food Safety |
31-Jan-2020 to
31-Jan-2020 |
34 |
One Day Awareness Seminar on Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) |
04-Feb-2020 |
35 |
One Day Awareness Seminar and Hands on Training on The Use of Personal Protective Equipment For Novel Coronavirus (2019-Ncov) |
17-Feb-2020 |
36 |
Working in BSL-3 Laboratory “AT BSL-3 LABORATORY FOR EMERGING PATHOGENS, Department of Microbiology, UVAS, Lahore |
08 – 10 April,2020 |
37 |
Diagnosis of COVID-19 using RT-PCR” AT BSL-3 LABORATORY FOR EMERGING PATHOGENS, Department of Microbiology, UVAS, Lahore |
13 – 14 April,2020 |
38 |
General Aspects Of Biorisk Management |
08-May-2020 |
39 |
Laboratory Biosafety, equipment Maintenance and waste disposal for laboratory assistants of L&DD,Punjab at Institute of Microbiology, UVAS, Lahore |
13 – 15 October,2020 |
Research Priorities |
- Isolation and identification of the causative agents of the newly emerging microbial diseases
- Preparation and evaluation of biologics (vaccines, probiotics, antimicrobials, diagnostic reagents, etc.)
- Qualitative and quantitative detection of mycotoxins and measures to overcome mycotoxicosis in animals
- Physico-chemical factors affecting the survival of microbial pathogens (Biosecurity)
- Immunogenetics, Immunotherapy, Immunomodulation, Immunoprophylaxis Immunoregulations and Immunodiagnosis of various diseases
- Studies of the Zoonotic Diseases
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