DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

One of the greatest conceptual achievements in 20th century biological sciences was discovering the molecular logic of the living state how a molecule’s function arises from its structure, and realizing how information is conveyed to the rest of the cellular machinery. This is at the core of molecular and cell biology and modern biotechnology and has had a profound impact on the practice of contemporary medicine.

Biomedical sciences are progressing at an unprecedented rate, new and innovative therapies are being devised at molecular and cellular level for conditions that had poor prognosis or were considered untreatable by traditional medicine. Gene therapy, RNAi (gene silencing), Nano biotechnology (engineering of small molecule for therapeutic use) and stem cell therapy for example are on the horizon and it may not be long before these techniques become main staple of the therapeutic medicine. Also Molecular Biology has had a major impact on clinical diagnostics and is likely to further transform the field in the next decades. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based diagnostics for example has already taken a strong foothold in diagnosis of several genetic and pathogenic disorders.

A comprehensive understanding of the cell function and effects of therapeutic reagents at the molecular level would significantly improve physician’s understanding of cause and effects consequently improving their ability to effectively treat their patients. Therefore King Edward Medical University has taken on the critical task of educating the next generation of medical practitioners in molecular and cellular biosciences so have a clear and comprehensive understanding of modern biomedical sciences and are able to provide the best possible care to the patients.

The Department of Biomedical Sciences was established in 2013 to launch integrated research in basic medical and clinical sciences. Our goal is to attain excellence as an exemplary center of education in molecular medicine and cutting-edge research. The department contributes towards teaching and training of MBBS, BDS, Physiotherapy, MPhil and PhD students enrolled in KEMU. The Department promotes inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary collaborations, and facilitates the translation of basic research to clinical application.

Our current research focus in the Department includes but is not limited to:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
• Surfactant proteins research
• Obesity and metabolic disorders

(Courses/ Workshops /Seminar/ Symposium)

• PhD
• M.Phil
• MBBS
• DPT

(Works completed/ Published/ Current Projects)

• Bashir M. M., M. Sohail, A. Bashir, F. A. Khan, S. N. Jan, M. Imran, J. Ahmad and M. S. Choudhery. 2018. Outcome of Conventional adipose Tissue Grafting for Contour Deformities of face and Role of EX Vivo Expanded Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cells in Treatment of Such Deformities. The journal of craniofacial surgery. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000004367. [Epub ahead of print]
• Mehboob R., M. Kabir, N. Ahmad, and J. Ahmad. 2017. Towards Better Understanding of the Pathogenesis of Neuronal Respiratory Network in Sudden Perinatal Death. Frontiers in Neurology. 8:320
• Fatima F., F. J. Ahmad, Tafweez R, Mahmood S Choudhery. 2016. Cord Blood Serum Can Be Used As An alternative To Fetal Bovine Serum Journal of Stem Cells and Regenerative Biology. 2(3): 1-6
• Mehboob R., M. Samiullah, M. Zoya, S. Obaidullah and J. Ahmad. 2016. Deranged Biochemical and Hematological Profile of Septicemia Patients in Mayo hospital Lahore. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 31: 87-93
• Mehboob R., A. Tanzeel and J. Ahmad, 2015. A Tale of Dengue Virus infection. NAYS e-magazine. Issue 7: 11-18
• Mehboob R., I. Tanvir, R.A. Warraich, S. Perveen, S. Yasmeen and J. Ahmad. 2015. Role of Neurotransmitter Substance P in progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Pathology Research International. 211 (3): 203-207
• Mehboob R., S. A. Shahzad, N. Chaudhary and J. Ahmad. 2014 Founder Effect Analysis of disease haplotypes in DFNB23/ USH1F linked Pakistani families. Healthmed. 8(2):161.
• Hassan A.K., M. Mohammad, H. Kausar, S. Naeem, K. Ahmed, F.J. Ahmad, R. Mehboob. 2014. Prevalence, Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern and Demographic Factors Related to Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Lahore, Pakistan. International Journal of Microbiology & Advanced Immunology. 2:301
• Mehboob R., A.S. Syed, A.M. Hashmi and J. Ahmad. 2014 Vertebrate specific oncogenic TAC1 has unconventional networking properties. Healthmed.8(7):843-849.
• Baas P.W., and J. Ahmad. 2013 Beyond taxol: Microtubule-based treatment of disease and injury of the nervous system. Brain. 136: 2937-2951.
• Birlea S.A., J. Ahmad, R.A. Uddin, S. Ahmad, S.S. Pal, R. Begum, N.C. Laddha, M. Dwivedi, M.S. Mansuri, Y. Jin, K. Gowan, S.L. Riccardi, P.J. Holland, S. Ben, P.R. Fain and R. A. Spritz. 2013. Association of Generalized Vitiligo with HLA Class II Loci in Patients from the Indian Subcontinent. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. (co-first author) 133: 1369-1372.
• Mehboob R., M. Munir, A. Azeem, S. Naeem, M.A. Tariq and J. Ahmad. 2013. Low platelet count associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever. Int. J. of advances in chemistry. 1(1): 29-34.
• Uddin R.A., M. E. Babar, A. Nadeem, T. Hussain, S. Ahmad, S. Munir, R. Mehboob and J. Ahmad. 2013. Genetic Analysis of the Prolactin gene in Pakistani cattle. Molecular Biology Reports. 40(10): 5685-9
• Munir M., R. Mehboob, M. Salman, S. Ahmed, I.H. Qureshi, T.H. Cheema, A. Sultan, A. Laeeq, A.A. Khan andJ. Ahmad. 2013. Serotype distribution and demographics of dengue patients in a tertiary hospital of Lahore, Pakistan during the 2011 epidemic. Walailak Journal of Science and Technology. 10(3): 305-314.
• Parveen S., R. Mehboob, A.A. Khan, M.H. Bukhari and J. Ahmad. 2013. Novel strategy to diagnose and grade hepatocellular carcinoma. Natural Science. 5(1): 22-30.

Research Projects.

1. Comparison of Cord Blood serum and fetal bovine serum for M Phil Proliferation and differentiation of Mesenchymal stem cells (M.Phil)
2. Bioengineering of skin equivalent using mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (M. Phil).
3. Study of Osteogenic potential of Human Dental plup stem Cells (M Phil)
4. Comparison of outcome of undifferentiated Mesenchymal stem cell and skin graft with skin graft/flap in management of traumatic heel flap injuries of children (MS Surgery)
5. Preconditioning of Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal stem Cells to Enhance Their Anti-aging Effect (PhD)
6. Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cell Based Hair Regeneration Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia (PhD)
7. Preconditioning of Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal stem Cells to Enhance Their Anti-aging Effect (PhD)
8. Strategies to enhance the potential of stem cell derived dopaminergic neurons. (PhD)
9. Effect of prolonged exposure to Isoflurance and Sevoflurance on survival and regenerative potential of adipose tissue derived Stem Cells(PhD)
10. Hypoxic Preconditioning to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Diabetic Mesenchymal Stem Cells, HEC NRPU grant, received in 2017 amount Rs. 4.38407 million.
11. Effects of Metformin on Regenerative Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (PhD)
12. Use of autologous stromal vascular fraction for hair regeneration.
13. Use of platelet rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia patients
14. Differentiation of Umbilical cord Tissue Mesenchymal stem cells into skin like cells.
15. Osteogenic potential of dental pulp derived stem cells
16. Cord tissue is a continuous source of stem cells

Hypoxic Preconditioning to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Diabetic Mesenchymal Stem Cells, HEC NRPU grant, received in 2017 amount Rs. 4.38407 million.

• Stem Cell Culturing
• Sequencing, Genotyping & HID by Genetic Analyzer A & 3500