Scientific Research
Human Resource Development:
• Trained one hundred and nineteen M.Phils and thirty Ph.Ds.
• Trained 240 scientists/teachers from Pakistan, and more than 50 post M.Sc. researchers from neighbouring countries of OIC & SAARC (Bangladesh, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordon, Libya, Malaysia, Philippine, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sri-Lanka, Syria and Turkey) through short specialized training courses.
Laboratory Research :
• Studies on calcium kinetics in sheep during pregnancy, lactation and ageing demonstrated, in unequivocal terms, that high nutritional demands for calcium during physiological stresses are met through resorption of the skeleton. When the physiological stresses disappear during weaning, skeletal calcium losses are replenished by increased absorption of dietary calcium.
• Isolated and highly purified three repair endonucleases, five glycosylases and three methyl transferase enzymes, involved in the repair of UV radiation damage and alkylation damages in Cellular DNA. These researches have greatly contributed to the understanding of molecular events leading to eventual repair of Cellular DNA modified as a result of interaction with ultraviolet radiation and alkylating chemicals.
• Discovered Forty-five new Type-II restriction enzymes that has greatly expanded the choice of DNA cutting enzymes to improve upon the existing powers and to achieve greater precision in recombinant DNA experiments. All the new restriction enzymes are entered in the International Restriction Enzyme Data Bank.
• Developed repository isolates of B. thuringiensis exhibiting larvicidal action against a wide range of lepidopteral, dipteral, coleopteral and even sucking insects to use them as source material in transgenic plant technology.
• Synthesized four Bt pesticidal genes with optimized codon usage and cloned them in plant expression vectors containing upto four genes.
• Transformed indica rice Basmati 370 and gossypium cotton MNH-93 and CIM443 with pesticidal Bt crystal protein genes [CryIA(b), cryIA(c) and CryIIA] to breed resistance against leaf-folder and stem-borer on rice and against Heliothis armigera in cotton .
• Identified four genes and eight loci linked to recessive deafness, and thirty pathological mutations, causing deafness in Pakistani consanguineous families. Identified three rare (unreported so far in Asian population) b -Thalassemia mutations, one rare a -hemoglobin variant in Pakistani population. These studies have led to the development of prenatal diagnostic procedures.
Applications of Laboratory Research:
• Developed Bt bioinsecticides against a variety of agronomically important insects.
• Bt transgenic rice and cotton are being tested in the field for insect resistance and biosafety issues; expected release to the farmer in year 2003
• DNA Enzymes are being produced to save foreign exchange and to promote molecular biology work in Paksitan (one enzyme is being marketed by a US company which pays royalty to the Centre).
• Developed DNA Typing procedures that are being used in parenthood identification and crime investigation.
• Procedures developed for prenatal diagnosis of b -Thalassemia are being used by gynecologists in Pakistan .
Developmental Work
At Home
• Established the first molecular biology research laboratory in Pakistan at the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture & Biology, Faisalabad .
• Conceived and established a Centre for Advanced teaching and research in Molecular Biology at University of the Punjab , Lahore , as the first DNA technology laboratory in the country. Conceived CAMB as a modern, well-equipped centre of excellence for research and development work on the applications of molecular biology to agriculture, health, industry and energy sectors. The Centre's research programmes are carried out in collaboration with scientists at the University of Cincinnati, USA; University of Washington , Seattle , USA and Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium , under the advice of a panel of experts comprising Prof. L. Grossman (Distinguished Service Professor), Prof. H.O. Smith (Nobel Laureate), and Professor R.J. Roberts (Nobel Laureate).
• Organized six international symposia participated by scientists of exceptional eminence including J.D. Watson (Nobel Laureate), H.O. Smith (Nobel Laureate), R.J. Roberts (Nobel Laureate) and several members of US Academy of Sciences and Fellows of Royal Society, London.
• Organized eight regional and international laboratory-training courses to help create a cadre of specifically trained manpower in Pakistan and neighbouring countries.
• Prepared a paper on “Status and prospects of plant biotechnology in Pakistan –presented at the FAO Regional Expert Consultation on the Role of Biotechnology in Crop Production, Bangkok , Thailand , 18-21 June, 1991.
• Invited Expert in “International Consultation on Rice Biosafety in Southeast Asia ” – jointly organized by Rockefeller Foundation, The World Bank and US Department of Agriculture; in Jomtien, Cholburi , Thailand , September 1-3, 1992 .
• As Chairman Sub-Committee of National Biosafety Expert Committee, prepared National Biosafety Guidelines to regulate laboratory work, field trial and commercial release of GMO's and products thereof.
• Represented Pakistan in the “Fifth Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety” – August 17-28, 1998 , Montreal , Canada .
• Represented Pakistan in “Meeting of Technical Experts on the Biosafety Clearing-House” – September 11-13, 2000 , Montreal , Canada .
• Represented Pakistan in “Meeting of Technical Experts on Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identification of Living Modified Organisms (Article 18 of the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol) – June 13-15, 2001 ; Paris .
Abroad
• Conceived and prepared (in collaboration with eight internationally renowned scientists) a project document for the establishment of International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (UNIDO Publication No.IS 253). Prepared a proposal for "Centres for the Production of DNA Enzymes" (UNIDO Publication No.IS 271).
• Worked as member of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Committee of Experts for the evaluation of various chemicals for their mutagenic/carcinogenic risks to humans (IARC Monograph Vol. 31).
• Prepared a project document on capability building in biotechnology and genetic engineering in developing countries (UNIDO Publication No. IS 608).
• Organized laboratory training workshops in Bangladesh , Malaysia and Tunis to help create specifically trained manpower in the Third World .
• Organized a symposium workshop in Jakarta , Indonesia sponsored jointly by COMSTECH and Government of the Republic of Indonesia .
• Prepared a two-year plan for “building biotechnology capability” of the Muslim world, on the request of COMSTECH for submission to the Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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