RESEARCH FACILITIES

AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT AT MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH LAB

S. No.	Name of Equipment	Model	Basic Function
1	Spectrophotometer	MOLEQULE-ON Version 1.10	Used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of sample.
2	Elisa reader	SYNERGYHTX	Used for detection of All methods based on fluorescence, luminescence and absorbance.
3	Elisa Plate Washer	DIA 3000 Version 5.31	Used for Washing ELISA plates.
4	Centrifuge machine	ALLEGRA X-12 Centrifuge	Used for isolation, purification, separation of blood sample.
5	Freezer	VWR40086D	Used for sample storage(tissues, plasma, serum)
6	Distillation plant	Fistreem Cyclon WSC044.MH3.4	Used for purification of water.
7	Autoclave	Advantage-Lab AL02-14	Used for sterilization of medical instrument, biohazards waste , media preparation liquid.
8	Vortex	Labnet S0200- 230V-EU	Used for shaking purpose
9	pH meter	Winlab Data-Line pH-Meter	Used for pH detection
10	Magnetic Stirrer	Labnet	Used for stirring and heating liquid
11	De-Ionizer	Sartorius arium® pro	Used for removal of ions from water
12	Safety Chamber	LABCONCO D060387	Used for sterile studies, antibacterial activity and microbiological research
13	Pharmaceutical Refrigerator	HAIER HYC-360	Used for keeping samples at different temperature.
14	Multigene Optimax Thermal Cycler	Labnet Version 1.0	Used for DNA copying, functional analysis of gene and DNA based study
15	Gel documentation unit	Fast gene gel pic box FMMS10	Used for visualization of nucleic acid and protein in gel
16	Electrophoresis power supply	consort EV245	Used to separate and analysis of DNA
17	Electronic Balance	OHAUS PA214	Used for weighing samples
18	Refrigerated Centrifuge Machine	HERMLE centrifuge Z 360 K	Used for isolation, purification, separation of blood samples.
19	Tissue Processor	LEICA TP 1020	Used for fixation and dehydration of tissues
20	Tissue  Embedding System	LEICA ST 4020	Used for embedding
21	Computerized Microtome	PINmedical	used to cut extremely thin slices of material, known as sections.
22	Research Microscope	NIKON YS 100	To observe and examine tissues
23	Cryotome	LEICM 1860 UV	used to maintain low cryogenic temperatures of samples or devices mounted within the cryostat
24	Tissue Stainer	LEICA ST 4020	To stain tissues
25	Hematological Analyzer	MINDRAY 5000	To perform hematological parameters of blood
26	Clinical Chemistry Analyzer	LABMATE	To perform blood biochemistry
27	Coagulation machine	Sb 51 Coagulation Analyzer	To measure blood platelet levels
28	Cough model apparatus	Generic	To determine antitussive efficacy of drug
29	Plathysmometer	UGO BASILE	To evaluate the inflammatory response experimentally induced in small rodents
30	Pulse oximeter	ACCUSURE	To determine pulse
31	Digital blood pressure manual	CH-453-AC	To determine Blood Pressure
32	Soxlet Apparatus	Generic	extraction of a lipid from a solid material
33	High performance liquid chromatography	HITACHI	For quantitative analysis
34	Rotary Evaporator	LABCO	For evaporation
35	Glucometer	ACCU CHECK	To measure blood glucose
36	Real Time PCR	QAIGEN	Expression analysis of genes

 

MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH LABORATORY (MDRL)

About Us

Bahria University of Health Sciences have developed well-equipped advanced Multidisciplinary lab to achieve Excellency in medical field by delivering health services through adaptation of advanced techniques. The development of strong research skills and the provision of medical care are inextricably linked. The Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory (MDRL) provides a platform where several academic disciplines or professional specialists combine to conduct Proper form innovative research. MDRL is located on second floor of Bahria University Medical and Dental College with advanced research instruments. The main objective of MDRL is to strengthen research environment in medical college for faculty, students and researchers (undergraduates and postgraduates) by providing scientific instrumentation and technical expertise under one umbrella. With the help of MDRL, clinicians, medical doctors and scientists will be enable to explore diagnostic and various treating ways in basic and clinical research and in this way, overall health care system can be improve. The name of Bahria University of Health Sciences going to be promoted more and more highly ranked by raising international publications via doing research work on advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level from genomics to proteomics.

HISTORY

The Honourable Rector BU, Vice admiral (Retd) Tanveer Faiz HI (M) inaugurated the Multi-Disciplinary Research Laboratory (MDRL) at BUMDC on 8 April 2016. The Director Health Sciences, Registrar, Director General BUMDC, Principal BUMDC attended the event and all heads Of Departments. The Honorable Rector visited all the units including molecular biology lab, analytical centre, sample storage room and media preparation room and appreciated the efforts of Dr. Mehreen Lateef, Head of Department, MDRL for providing all the research facilities under one umbrella.

Dr. Mehreen Lateef briefed to the Honourable Rector that Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory (MDRL) provides a platform where several academic disciplines or professional specialists combine to conduct innovative and latest research. The Principal Brig (Retd) Prof. Dr. Shaheen Moin for his continued support and enormous cooperation in the establishing presented the souvenir of MDRL to the Honourable Rector. He announced the availability of 25 million rupees for establishing histopathology and pharmacology units for next phase.

The Honourable Chief Guest, Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mrs. Saira Afzal Tarar also visited the MDRL on convocation day with DG MS. She inspected all the research facilities. Dr. Mehreen Lateef, Head of Department of MDRL explained that the main objective of MDRL is to provide scientific instrumentation and technical expertise to under and post graduate under one roof.

Principal Brig Dr. Shaheen Moin added that with the help of MDL, clinicians and scientists will be enabled to explore diagnostic and various treating ways in basic and clinical research and in this way overall health care system can be improved.

MESSAGE BY HOD MDRL

I am pleased to announce that I have been entrusted with the role of Head of the Multidisciplinary Research Lab at Bahria University of Health Sciences. This appointment marks a significant milestone in our journey towards fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence in research.

Our Multidisciplinary Research Lab is a vibrant hub where diverse fields converge, enabling us to address complex challenges with innovative solutions. As we embark on this new chapter, I am committed to ensuring that our lab becomes a leading center for cutting-edge research, where students, faculty, and researchers can explore, experiment, and excel.

I look forward to working closely with all of you to expand our research capabilities, secure grants, publish impactful studies, and create meaningful contributions to the scientific community. Together, we will cultivate a culture of inquiry, creativity, and collaboration that will propel Bahria University of Health Sciences to new heights.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Let us work together to make our Multidisciplinary Research Lab a beacon of knowledge and innovation.

MDRL RESEARCH FACILITIES

Multidisciplinary Research Lab provides laboratory resources to undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as to departments within the university and other universities, research institutes, and labs. This support aids in fulfilling academic plans and research proposals. The facility offers access to  advanced scientific instrumentation and controlled environmental conditions, along with the necessary infrastructure to process  biological samples, ensuring that research projects can be  effectively conducted.

With respect to the facilities offered, MDRL is divided into five different units including Molecular Biology lab, Analytical Centre, Pharmacology, and histopathology lab with animal house facility. Molecular Biology Lab and Analytical Centre are fully functional with cold storage room, room, PCR machines, UV visible spectrophotometer, ELISA reader, florescence spectrophotometer, cold centrifuge machine, sensitive electronic balances, autoclave machine, deionizer, centrifuge machines, gel electrophoresis.

MDRL UNITS

• MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LAB 
• ANALYTICAL CENTER
• PHARMACOLOGY LAB
• HISTOPATHOLOGY LAB

ISO CERTIFICATION

Multi-disciplinary research laboratory (MDRL) has emerged as the best leading research laboratory as compared to other medical universities in Pakistan, offering a comprehensive spectrum of research facilities and lab services under one roof with a vision to provide convenient and reliable healthcare solutions.

MDRL has successfully achieved ISO certification under the scope of “

•          ISO 9001:2008
•         ISO 9001: 2015

OUR TEAM

APPROACH AND OBJECTIVE PRINCIPLE

Multidisciplinary Research Lab Approach:

1. Focus on building communities and infrastructure

2. Provide clear separation of fixed cost vs. project costs

3. Provide for both needs driven and strategic expansion

4.Foster collaboration and industry partnerships to grow capabilities

5. Aggregate and push information to our user base 

Modular Clearly delineated line between facility responsibility and project responsibility, the facility is a basic substrate, which can be cross-purposed to suit many different project goals based upon management and strategic goals.	Flexible Our management model is flexible to allow for quick expansion into emerging fields of research. New project areas can be funded/de-funded without significantly influencing the overall lab structure.
Stable Core Labs provide a stable base of support, which the faculty can count on, the core facilities are funded, maintained and managed to support long-term project and research planning. Additionally, the labs are operated in a way that provides optimal information flow and scheduling to enable short term planning	Practical Our belief is that we must take care of the significant infrastructure investment that Bahria University of Health Sciences represents and our system provides for efficient allocation and use of resources while maximizing their usefulness and benefit to the country

OBJECTIVES

RESEARCH PROJECTS

NON- FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

1. Antioxidant and Lipoxygenase Inhibition Studies of Naturally Isolated Medicinal Plants of Cameroon
2. Effect of Vitamin C on glycemic indices in diabetes type 2 patients
3. Evaluation of C Reactive Protein in Breast Cancer Patients.
4. Biocidal effect of λ-chhalothrin  toxin on Zebra Fish
5. Effect Of Heavy Metal Exposure On Petrol Pump Workers Health
6. Transmission routes of hepatitis C In Rahim Yar Khan: Hospital based study
7. Significance of ALT as diagnostic marker in Hepatitis C Patients
8. DNA extraction of HCV samples
9. Amplification by PCR and Visualization by gel electrophoresis
10. Development of Antimicrobial activity of synthetic compounds by Disc Diffusion methods New Testing Methods
11. Detection of Chloramphenicol Residues in shrimps
12. Design android “HaKan Thalassemia App” for differentiation of Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia to discriminate between Thalassemia traits from Iron Deficiency Anemia, currently application is on Google Play.

FINAL YEAR RESEARCH PROJECTS

S. No	Name & Phone Number	Program	Research Topic	Supervisor
1.	Kainat Hamdani	BS-MLT	Role of beta trace protein involved in renal impairment in diabetic patients with chronic kidney diseases	Dr. Mehreen Lateef
2.	Maheen Waqar	BS-MLT	Role of Beta 2 microglobulin as renal biomarker to determine renal function in diabetic patients with chronic kidney diseases
3.	Dua Sarfaraz	BS-MLT	To explore the link between GDM (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus) and oxidative stress	Dr. Laraib Liaquat
4.	Noor ul Ain	BS-MLT	Role of TSH level in the early detection of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM): A Prognostic approach
5.	Hira Sadiq	BS-MLT	Effect of chemotherapy in liver function test of acute myeloid leukemia	Ms. Shabana Nasir
6.	Bushra	BS-MLT	Effect of chemotherapy in renal function test of acute myeloid leukemia
7.	Noor Ahmed	BS-MLT	Nanobiotics as a synergistic agent in combination therapy against cutaneous mycotic Infection	Ms. Hiba Saleem
8.	Isha Khan	BS-MLT	Identification and prevalence of bacterial pathogen Isolated from wound infection among the patients associated with wound conditions
9.	Muzammil Rahim	BS-MLT	Effects of smokeless and non- smokeless Nicotine on TNF alpha production causing liver damage	Ms. Shafaq Mehmood
10.	Iqra Tufail	BS-MLT	Renal Implication of Nicotine consumption: A comparative study of smokeless and Non Smokeless Methods
11.	Mahnoor	BS-MLT	Association of hypothyroidism with serum ferritin levels in adults
12.	Aniqa Aslam	BS-MLT	Double-strand DNA break(s): An effect of ionizing radiation on Human blood cells	Dr. Madiha Kanwal
13.	Elma Rahim	BS-MLT	Early detection of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU)	Mr. Adeel Ahmed
14.	Wajeeha  Rasheed	BS-MLT	Evaluating the potential effect of moringa (moringa oleifera) and Tea Tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) extract as natural anti-microbial agents against microorganism associated with wound infection.	Ms. Humaira Ghauri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postgraduate Research Projects

S. No	Name	Program	Department	Research Topic	Research Supervisor
1.	Dr. Laraib Liaquat	Faculty	MLT	SRGP	NA
2.	Dr. Afsheen Zehra	MPhil	Biochemistry	_	Prof. Dr. Hassan Ali
3.	Dr. Zahra Tapal	MPhil	Physiology	MPhil Thesis	Prof. Dr. Shazia Shakoor
4.	Dr. Khushboo	MPhil	Physiology	MPhil Thesis	Prof. Dr.  S.A. Saeed
5.	Dr. Allah Baksh	MPhil	Biochemistry	Genetic Expression analysis of BCL2 in patients of Alzheimer’s disease	Prof. Dr. Mehreen Lateef
6.	Dr. Anum Baqar	Faculty	Dental	Comparison of Microbial and Mechanical properties of conventional acrylic denture after incorporation of silver Nano-particles	Dr. Anum Baqar
7.	Dr. Faiza Rasheed	MPhil	Biochemistry	Association of EGF Gene polymorphism rs 444903 with Diabetic Foot Ulcers	Prof. Dr. Mehreen Lateef
8.	Dr. Maria Ali	MPhil	Pathology	MMP-8,IL-IB,IL-6: the most promising salivary biomarkers for early diagnosis of periodontitis	Prof. Dr Yasmeen Taj
9.	Dr. Aimen Gul	MPhil	Biochemistry	Association of vitamin and minerals with inflammation and oxidative stress in migraine patients	Dr. Sara Ahmad
10.	Dr. Mohsin Saeed	MPhil	Microbiology	Antibiofilm forming activities of natural products and probiotics against staph aureus and strep pyogenes	Prof. Dr Naveed Faraz
11.	Dr Muhammad Saeed	MPhil	Physiology	Association of PIVKA II with HCC	Prof. Dr Shazia Shakoor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT

1.	Sehar Khan	PhD KIBGE	Expression Analysis of BCHE Gene in progression of Alzheimer’s Disease	Prof. Dr. Saima Saleem
2.	Dr. Muhammad Saeed	PhD Baqai Medical	Insulin like Growth factor binding  protein- i gene DNA methylation in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus linking with Diabetic Nephropathy, neuropathy and retinopathy in Karachi Pakistan	Prof. Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed
3.	Naba, Shahama, Faryal, Alishba	BS Ziauddin university	Photo catalytic dyr degradation and antimicrobial analysis of silk fabric functionalized with TiO2/ nanocellulose nanocomposite	Dr. Syeda Bushra Zafar
4.	Syeda Zubia Naqvi	MPhil KIBGE	Genetic Variations in brain tumors	Prof. Dr Saima Saleem
5.	Hareem Abdullah	MPhil KIBGE	Genetic Variations in Rheumatoid Arthritis	Prof  Dr. Sitwat Zehra
6.	Khanam Sibghat	MPhil KIBGE	Analysis  of TUSC gene in hemophilia patients	Prof Dr. Saima Saleem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERNSHIP OFFERED AT MDRL

Internships in multidisciplinary research lab at Bahria University of Health Sciences in Karachi, offer a unique opportunity for students and young professionals to gain hands-on experience in various fields of health sciences. These internships are design to provide exposure to a collaborative research environment where participants can work alongside experienced researchers and professionals from different disciplines.

6 Week Internship in Multidisciplinary Research Lab (MDRL)

The 6-week Summer Internship Program, held from June 6 to August 10, 2024, was a remarkable initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of laboratory professionals. Specifically designed for students from Ziauddin University, this program highlighted the institution's commitment to fostering practical skills and professional development.

Participants were provided with an extensive, multidisciplinary experience that covered crucial subjects within laboratory sciences. The thoughtfully designed curriculum offered comprehensive training in Microbiology, Histopathology, Chemistry, Hematology, Phlebotomy, and Molecular Biology, ensuring students gained both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise across these fields. This program was instrumental in preparing students for successful careers in clinical laboratories and related fields.

KEY ASPECTS OF THE INTERNSHIP

Multidisciplinary Approach

Interns work across various health science disciplines, such as, biotechnology Microbiology, Histopathology, Chemistry, Hematology, Phlebotomy, and Molecular Biology, and public health, gaining a well-rounded experience through projects requiring diverse knowledge.

Hands-on Training on SOPs

The program provides detailed hands-on training on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of each lab department. Interns learn the specific protocols and workflows in departments like microbiology, histopathology, chemistry, hematology, phlebotomy, and molecular biology, ensuring they understand the essential procedures and safety measures required in each area.

Mentorship and Guidance

Experienced mentors, including faculty members and senior researchers, guide interns, offering insights into lab operations, refining their practical skills, and providing career advice.

Skill Development

The program focuses on developing essential skills like research methodology, data analysis, critical thinking, and scientific communication, crucial for careers in research or academia.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Interns connect with professionals from various fields, opening doors to future collaborations and academic opportunities.

ANIMAL HOUSE

The Animal House at Bahria University Health Sciences Campus Karachi began operations on September 21, 2021. This facility is equipped with a dissection room and all necessary instruments for animal research. It can accommodate up to 250 rats and 500 mice at a time, ensuring proper hygienic disposal of dissected and deceased animals. Since its inception, the Animal House has successfully completed four research trials on models of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and obesity.