College of Molecular Medicine
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.
Undergraduate Programmes
Postgraduate
Prof. Dr. Talat Mirza
Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine Executive Director, Research, ZU Meritorious Professor of Pathology
Dr. Shumaila Usman
(Molecular Medicine) Associate Professor, Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine
Dr. Ambrina Khatoon
(Biotechnology) Associate Professor, Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine
Dr. Abdul Hameed
(Molecular Medicine), Post Doc (Molecular Medicine) Associate Professor, Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine
Dr. Rehan Imad
Ph.D. (Molecular Medicine) Assistant Professor, Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine
Dr. Aisha Ishaque
Assistant Professor, Ziauddin College of Molecular Medicine
Mr. Moazzam Shahid
Ms. Urfa Kiyani
Ms. Laiba Jawed
Administrative team
Ms. Saba Farooq
Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman
RESEARCH LABORATORYÂ
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
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 electrophoresisÂ
- 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 UnitÂ
The following equipments are available in the cell culture facility of MDRL 1.
- Class II Biohazard Safety Cabinet
- Nikon Ts2R-Fl Microscope
- CO2Â Incubator
- Floid cell Imaging station
- Centrifuge
- Automated Cell CounterÂ
- 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
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 MicroscopeÂ
- Microtome
- Fume hood
- Magnetic stirrer
- Shaking water bath
- Water bath
- Oven
- Hybridizer
With the capability to perform the following experimentsÂ
- Animal dissectionÂ
- Tissue fixationÂ
- Tissue processing
- Paraffin embeddingÂ
- Thin Tissue sectioningÂ
- Hematoxylin and eosin staining
- Special staining
- Immunohistochemistry/ Immunocytochemistry
Bioinformatics Lab (MDRL-2)Â
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.Â
- 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.Â
- The ultimate goal is to enable personalised genomics medicine to become commonplace.
Microbial Genomics (MDRL-2)Â
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.Â
The basic infrastructure of the Microbial Genomic section is ready, for the execution of research projects.Â
The following equipments are available in the Microbial Genomic facility of MDRL 2.
- Class II Biohazard Safety Cabinet
- Thermal Shaking IncubatorÂ
- MicroscopeÂ
- Centrifuge
- Cold storage facilityÂ
- Fridge
With the ability to perform the following assays
- Microbial growth
- Transformation
- Plasmid extraction
- DNA purification
- Cell proliferation/viability assay
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.
