College of Molecular Medicine

Introduction
Programmes
Faculty
Facilities

Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine (ZCMM) stands as a trailblazer in Pakistan, pioneering advancements in the study of diseases at the molecular and genetic levels with strong research perspective. The college offers a comprehensive array of programmes, including BS, MPhil and PhD degrees. Using advanced technologies, the college researches the molecular foundations of diseases and develops novel treatments.

The focus is to translate fundamental research findings into clinical and translational applications, ultimately aiming to enhance patient care. Beyond training young minds, ZCMM is committed to providing advanced education to clinicians, offering a unique molecular perspective on disease. By bridging the gap between physicians and scientists, the college fosters collaboration and strengthens the healthcare system’s essential pillars for optimal services.

Through this interdisciplinary approach, ZCMM promotes synergistic partnerships to propel transformative advancements in medical research and practice. Graduates emerge with a profound understanding of disease mechanisms at the molecular level, equipped with extensive hands-on training in basic and clinical research methodologies. They are prepared to play pivotal roles in developing novel therapies and driving medical innovation on a global scale.

In a World where healthcare demands continue to escalate alongside rapid scientific and technological progress, Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine stands at the forefront of basic, translational, and clinical research. The college is dedicated to harnessing the latest advances in molecular biology to revolutionise clinical medicine and advance healthcare technology.

Vision

The vision is to advance world-class molecular genetic research in medicine with translational impact, addressing clinical needs and striving for both local and global recognition while providing high-quality healthcare benefits.

Mission

The mission is to develop a deep insight into the molecular genetic mechanisms of human health and disease with innovative techniques that translate into effective tools for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases at par with international standards. We aspire to create a transformative impact by encouraging medical scientists to delve into evidence based medicine for critical health challenges and translate innovations and discoveries into optimal healthcare.

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Administrative team

RESEARCH LABORATORY

The Research Laboratories (MDRL 1 & MDRL 2) at Ziauddin University provide:

Cell and molecular biology, genomic and proteomic facilities
Services include training on all equipments, guidance on experimental design and technical assistance in all equipments operation
Cell culture facility
Imaging facility with high resolution microscopy
Immunohistochemistry facility
Nucleic acid extraction in Biosafety Level 2 cabinet
Real Time PCR
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Microbial Genomics Lab

Multi-Disciplinary Research Laboratory-1 (MDRL-1)

Molecular Biology Section

Molecular Biology Section in MDRL 1 is well equipped with the following instruments:

Agilent AriaMx Real Time PCR
Conventional Thermal cycler for PCR
Gel electrophoresis unit
Analytical balance
Refrigerated centrifuge
Gel documentation system
Multi-scan sky spectrophotometer
Fridge
-80°C Freezer
Vortex machine
Water bath
Heat block

The following experiments can be performed in the MDRL 1 lab:

Nucleic acid extraction and quantification
Conventional PCR
Agarose gel electrophoresis
Real-time PCR for gene expression, viral load, allelic discrimination, high resolution melt curve, SNP, and mutational analysis
RFLP analysis
ELISA studies
Sample storage facility
DNA, RNA, and protein estimation in various samples.

Cell Culture Research Unit

The following equipments are available in the cell culture facility of MDRL 1.

Class II Biohazard Safety Cabinet
Nikon Ts2R-Fl Microscope
CO2 Incubator
Floid cell Imaging station
Centrifuge
Automated Cell Counter
Fridge
Liquid Nitrogen Tank

With the ability to perform the following assays

Tissue culture
Revival, subculturing, and cryopreservation of cell lines.
Primary cell culture
Isolation, propagation, and differentiation of stem cells
Cytotoxicity assay
Cell migration and invasion assay
Immunocytochemistry
Apoptosis assay
Cell proliferation/viability assay

Multi-Disciplinary Research Laboratory-2 (MDRL-2)

Histology and Cell Biology Unit

A well-established Histology & Cell Biology lab was established in 2018 at Ziauddin University with the following equipment:

Nikon Ts2R-FL inverted microscope
Dissecting Microscope
Microtome
Fume hood
Magnetic stirrer
Shaking water bath
Water bath
Oven
Hybridizer

With the capability to perform the following experiments

Animal dissection
Tissue fixation
Tissue processing
Paraffin embedding
Thin Tissue sectioning
Hematoxylin and eosin staining
Special staining
Immunohistochemistry/ Immunocytochemistry

Bioinformatics Lab (MDRL-2)

In the spirit of the ZU for academic excellence and expansion into new areas of research, a new bioinformatics section has been established in MDRL 2 with the following aims in mind:

It will fulfill the need for molecular level research and development of highly-qualified manpower for ZU as it will have high configuration storage mandatory for Bioinformatics, which has now become a very important tool for next level investigations.
It will conduct and contribute to the cutting-edge of modern research in genomics and bioinformatics, as an additional adjunct facility.
Currently, we launched a high configuration system.
The analysis taken with this system is of high quality, hence would increase the chances of research article publication in high impact factor international journals.
The ultimate goal is to enable personalised genomics medicine to become commonplace.

Microbial Genomics (MDRL-2)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation in the scientific world has changed tremendously and since its burst, 90% of the articles published are related to SARS-CoV-2 research. Microbial Genomics played a key role in dealing with such a threatening situation, and strongly believe to make a difference in the future as well. In this demanding and changing era of open science, accessible digital and biological data is the key to the fight against challenging infectious diseases. In this regard, we took the initiative to start the active Microbial Genomics research laboratory at MDRL-2 lab, ZU, to equip ourselves to meet the challenges in the future as the infrastructure and knowledge are far more important than they were in the previous decade.

The basic infrastructure of the Microbial Genomic section is ready, for the execution of research projects.

The following equipments are available in the Microbial Genomic facility of MDRL 2.

Class II Biohazard Safety Cabinet
Thermal Shaking Incubator
Microscope
Centrifuge
Cold storage facility
Fridge

With the ability to perform the following assays

Microbial growth
Transformation
Plasmid extraction
DNA purification
Cell proliferation/viability assay

Animal House

The mission of the Animal House facility is to facilitate animal use in research at Ziauddin University in the research areas of Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, Pathology, Anatomy, Biochemistry and Rehabilitation Sciences.

It provides housing facilities of rats and mice for the researchers to conduct their animal related experiments in controlled environment

About us
Programmes
Faculty

Introduction

Ziauddin College of Dentistry started its BDS programme in January 2010, with the mission to prepare confident dental professionals. Who are committed to excellence in the field of patient care and research that widens the horizon of knowledge particularly in relation to community health problems.

At Ziauddin College of Dentistry, a student is identified as an adult learner and is expected to develop as a responsible individual taking care of community dental problems.

Principal's Message

Ziauddin College of Dentistry is now a fully functional dental institution with several graduated batches under its umbrella since 2010. This time it has gained an enviable reputation for quality of dental education and training. Every effort is made to ensure consistency in quality of student intake and our dedicated faculty work to ensure that the full potential of the student is realized. In our subsidized training clinics a strong emphasis is given to clinical skills that are essential for the dental practitioner. With time and with the development of the college and faculty, we have improved student facilitator academic interaction and added more value added clinical services. Our students are also actively involved in community oral health issues and care, participating in school and free dental camps in the low income and deprived communities around the area.

In order to help offset the paucity of specialists in oral health care the College has postgraduate M.Phil programmes in and a running MDS in various clinical and basic science disciplines. We are also recognized by the CPSP for Clinical training for the FCPS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Operative Dentistry. We hope to expand further in this field.

Mervyn Hosein
FDS RCSE (Edin.); FDS RCS (Eng.); FFDRDCSI (Irl.)
Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Principal, Dentistry

Ziauddin College of Dentistry

Mission

To develop dental health professionals from diverse groups of people as leaders, possessing virtues of dignity and humanity, with clinical excellence, to meet the primary oral health care needs. Emphasis is placed on promoting critical reasoning, self-directed and lifelong learning competencies to research, communicate and lead efficiently. Community-oriented, evidence-based, and innovative technology-enhanced teaching enables students to be ethically and socially accountable in treating patients and addressing the challenges of the dental healthcare industry.

Vision

To be recognized as a leading dental institution known nationally and internationally for providing academic excellence of the highest professional standards to enable dental graduates to be the leaders in delivering quality oral healthcare services.