Centre for Applied Molecular Biology
 

Ever since the creation of living beings on this planet, humans have struggled to understand "life". Despite their efforts, the phenomenon of life has remained shrouded in mystery. Philosophers in the times of Aristotle and Omar Khayyam discussed "life" in abstract terms. However, latter breakthrough discoveries in biology such as unraveling of the structure of DNA (1953), isolation of DNA polymerase (1958), reverse transcriptase (1969) and restriction enzymes (1970), practical uses of these enzymes in DNA mapping & gene cloning (1971 ),: plant transformation (1982) and sequencing of human genome (2000) have enabled biologists to penetrate deep into the intricate web of life. As a consequence, a scientific concept of life has emerged: that biological activity is the expression of structural and functional information stored in a defined sequence of four nitrogenous bases in DNA, The study of biologically active DNA molecules is called "Molecular Biology."

Biology has been harnessed since antiquity to fulfill humanity's most fundamental needs from increasing food supplies to improving health care. The availability of new and novel methodologies has greatly expanded the scope of applications of Molecular Biology, limited only by the imagination of the people using it. The vast panorama of applications of molecular biology is just unfolding. According to various international Resource Development research firms, the economic impact of applications of molecular biology during the next decade will be equal to, if not more than, that of plastics in the 1940's, transistors in the 1950's, computers in the 1960's, electronics in the 1970's and microelectronics in the 1980's and 1990's.

In view of such glowing hopes for making large profits, it is not surprising that private DNA companies have proliferated in Europe and USA. Most of these have focused attention on the areas in which there are obvious high profits to be made. Such developments will certainly result in substantia! reductions in overall demand for primary products from developing countries with serious economic consequences for their exports of raw materials which generate most of their foreign exchange earnings. In a background of such developments taking place at the international scene, it is imperative for ~ country like Pakistan to build indigenous capability in this new and emerging field of science.

Establishment of the Centre

In order to build National capability in the, new bioscience, University of the Punjab established a nucleus Centre for Advanced studies in Molecular Biology. In 1986, the Ministry of Education upgraded the University Centre into a National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology. In April 1987, the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST) approved the establishment of a Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), located back to back with the laboratory block of the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB).

The twin component Molecular Biology Laboratory Complex is spread over 60 acres of land, with a covered area of 7000 square meters including a Laboratory Block, a Teaching Block and a Hostel for Ph.D. Research Scholars. The Laboratory Block is divided into four separate research units comprising a total of 20 Research Labs and four Conference Rooms; one Production Unit ,and one Support Facilities Unit comprising a Lab-aid Section (for washing, autoclaving and media preparation), an Animal House, an Insectary, six large Plant Growth Rooms, and storage space for research materials. The Teaching Block consists of a well equipped Library, Seminar Hall, Photocopy, Photography, Computer Rooms, a Conference Hall, Director's Office and Administration and Accounts section. There is a self-service canteen, a dining hall and 11 rooms in the research scholars hostel.

Objectives and Functions of the Centree

• Teaching and training to generate a cadre of manpower specifically trained in molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology.
• To undertake goal oriented molecular biological research on specific problems related to economic needs of the country for agriculture, health & medicine, industry, energy and environment sectors.
• To create a repository of DNA modifying enzymes, DNA cloning vectors, novel bacterial strains and other such molecular tools for ready availability and use by various
• Research groups at this Centre and other DNA research laboratories in Pakistan.
• To organize National and International seminars and conferences for detailed' discussions on scientific and technological developments, which will lead to new ideas and innovative applications of knowledge in gene cloning and recombinant DNA Technology.

 

Regular Activities

1. Training Courses
• A training workshop for police officers on "Crime Scene and modem Forensic techniques in crime investigation from October 11-12,2004 at the Centre.
• CEMB-COMSTECH (CPC) organized an international training symposium and workshop on stem cell from December 01-12, 2004 at the Centre.
• A training workshop for police officers on "Crime Scene and modem Forensic techniques in crime investigation from January 10-11.2005 at the Centre.

 

2. Equipment Purchased/Commissioned:

S.No.	Name of Equipment	Quantity
1	Mice Langedroff Apparatus	1
2	Olympus Microscope Operating Software	1
3	Microfuge	2
4	Roller Bottle for CO2 Incubator	2
5	Fermentor Facility (20 I Capacity)	1
6	Gyratory Shaker	2

 

3. Research Outcomes -Patents -Commercialization
   • Two patents (Patent # 137087) and (Patent # 137121) were submitted for processing of Biopesticide formulation.
   • Procedures for prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia, DNA typing for criminal investigation and parenthood identification, and PCR based diagnosis of infectious diseases (hepatitis B&C and tuberculosis) have been commercialized.
   • Taq polymerase enzyme and DNA markers are available on a semi commercial scale .while two enzymes are being marketed by a US Company.

 

4. Seminars/S/Symposiums/Presentations
   • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin participated in the 15th meeting of the " Expert Committee on Biological Drugs" as member of the National Drug approval Committee on Ju.ly 10, 2004 at Islamabad.
   • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin participated in the 1 SI meeting of Biodiversity working group of the Ministry of Environment on July 12,2004 at Islamabad.
   • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin participated in a training course entitled " Holistic Foundations for Assessment and Regulation of Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms" in Tromso, Norway from July 25 to August 07, 2004.
   • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin visited Department of Pathology and Molecular Biology University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA to discuss progress in Stem Cell Research from August 10-17, 2004. .
   • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin gave a lecture on "Genetic and Molecular basis of hearing impairment in Pakistan population" at the Centre for Molecular Genetics, Universitgy of Karachi, Karachi April, 2005.
   • Prof. Dr. S. Riazuddin gave a lecture on "Therapcutic potential of stem cells" at the Centre for Molecular Geneticis, University of Karachi, Karachi April, 2005.
   • Dr.Shaheen N. khan participated in the First National Conference on Health Biotechnology organized by National Commission on Biotechnology at University of Health Sciences, Lahore Jan. 27-28, 2005.
   • Dr.Tayyab Husnain participated in the International Microarray workshop at the University of Arizona Tucson Arizona, USA from May 8-13, 2005.

 

Development Activities

a.     On-going Projects completed or under execution during 2004-05.

                                i.            Objective: “Molecular Diagnosis (PCR Based) of Infectious and Genetics Diseases”

 

·        Establish PCR based clinical tests for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis.

· ·        To provide the general public with reliable, accurate, rapid and more economical diagnostic service fort most prevalent infectious and genetic diseases.

·        To develop a laboratory that will function as a referral centre for quality testing and approval of molecular testing.

 

Achievements

• Established PCR based clinical tests at commercial level for diagnosis of hepatitis (B. C & A) & tuberculosis.
• Provided the general public reliable, accurate, rapid and more economical diagnostic service on economical rates (20%-30% less than market).
• CAMB has gained nation wide reputation and is receiving samples from allover Pakistan.

 

 Progress Statistics -100 %

                               ii.            Objectives: “Studies on the Repair of Infarcted Myocardium By Regenerating Stem Cells.”

·        Develop optimal invitro growth conditions for continued and sustained production of adult derived stem cell.

· ·        Study the temporal acquisition of structural cardiac phenotype and ultimate differentiation of engrafted stem cells in infracted myocardial microenvironments and whether it leads to repair and improved cardiac function.

·        Study if stem cells can initiate repair of infarcted areas in the heart, thus restoring normal heart function.

 

Achievements s

• Optimized the in-vitro growth conditions for stem cell proliferation from bone marrow.
• Characterized stem cells with the help of cell surface markers.
• Produced mice myocardial infarction models.
•  
  2. Programme Initiated During 2004-05

  Objectives: "Cloning and Expression of Selected Human Genes for the Production of Recombinant Human Pharmaceutics" ;

  ·        To identify human genes for interferon alpha and clone them.

  ·        Transfer the clone genes into an appropriate expression vectors for the eventual large scale production of the said pharmaceutics.

  ·        To isolate bacterially expressed proteins and purify them to homogeneity

  ·        Compare biological activity/ properties of locally purified protein with internationally available standard protein to ensure that the locally produced proteins are biologically active.

  ·        Study protein modifications to improve biological activity of the isolated pharmaceutics,

  Achievements s

  • Designed and synthesized primers for the molecular studies of interferon gene.
  • Cloning of human interferon gene was successfully achieved.

  Budget Allocation (PSDP & Regular): PSDP -25.000 million, Regular 8.291million

  Provincial Representation in sanctioned poststs

  Punjab AJK     -           02                    Total    =          47

   

  New Job provided During 2004-05 5

   

  S.No	PSDP	Regularar
  1	Post Doctor Fellow – 01	Nil
  2	Research Officer – 02
  3	Research Scholars - 04

   

   Training Arranged: One Research fellow received her goal oriented training in Japan

   BOG/Council Meeting held during the year: March 5th, 2005

   

  SWOT Analysis

  Strength:         ; DNA Sequencing, DNA Typing and PCR Analysis

  Weakness: