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Department of Immunology
Introduction
Immunology is a branch of biomedical sciences that deals with the functioning and malfunctioning of the immune system.
Department of Immunology is an integral part of the basic medical sciences division at the University of Health Sciences that consists of faculty with expertise in basic and clinical immunology. It has an interest in host pathogen interactions, particularly those pathogens that impact health and wellbeing in the country. The Department offers MPhil and PhD degree programs.
The mission of the department is:
Create new standard of high quality teaching and research in the various areas of basic and clinical immunology. Develop collaborative interactions with scientists conducting cutting-edge research within as well as outside the country. Train students in modern principles of research and provide an encouraging and stimulating environment to foster learning in the discipline of immunology. Disseminate up-to-date knowledge of immunology by organizing journal clubs, seminars and symposia.
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Dr. Nadeem Afzal
Assistant Professor & Senior Consultant
MBBS, M.Sc (Medical Immunology) London, UK
Member of European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology
E-mail : immunology@uhs.edu.pk
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Working
Specializations: teaching, training and research
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Basic Principles of Immunology
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Vaccine development
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Host-pathogen interaction
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Immunotherapy
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Development of immunologic diagnostic methods
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Autoinmmune Disorders
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Inflammatory Cells
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Regulatory Cells
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Immunoglobulins
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Cytokines
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Cells involved in immune responses
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Cell-mediated immunity
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Immunoregulation
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Immunization
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Major histocompatibility comples-genetics and role in transplantation
- Tolerance and autoimmunity
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Tumor Immunology
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Immunodeficiencies
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Genotyping
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Facilities
Department of immunology has sufficient laboratory space for the research work of postgraduate students. Currently the laboratory is equipped with modern research facilities such as Flow cytometer, ELISA, Real time-PCR, Immunofluorescent microscopy, Gel documentation system, electrophoresis apparatus, inverted microscope, spectrophotometer, biological safety cabinet etc
Scientific Collaboration
In addition to a meaningful interaction with other departments of basic and clinical sciences within UHS and its affiliated colleges and institutions, the department will coordinate and collaborate in training and research activities with other national biomedical institutions (with common and complementary interest) like:
- Childern Hospital and Institute of Child Health CH & ICH Lahore
- Sheikh Zed Hospital Lahore
- Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Lahore
- Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) Lahore
- Gulab Davi Hospital Lahore
- Shalimar Hospital Lahore
Further, linkages are being developed with foreign institutions both for collaborative research and for short term training of personnel in specialized techniques and procedures.
Future Plans
The state-of-the-art Immunology laboratory shall house core facilities for research involving
- PCR (Quantitative and Genotyping)
- Tissue Culture
- Monoclonal Antibodies
- Vertical Electrophoresis
- Western Blotting
- Pulsed Field Electrophorsis
Research Activities
The postgraduate program at UHS aspires to higher education and research training in selected areas of Immunology. All students will carryout independent and original research under the supervision of faculty advisor.
Research Projects Completed (M.Phil Immunology)
- Association of Interleukin-4, IgE and LDL Oxidation in atherosclerosis
- Polymorphism in methicillin resistance gene (mecA) of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from Lahore and sero differences among different groups
- Ability of different Staphlococcal aureus isolates to induce selected metabolites in human polymorphonuclaer leucocytes
- Frequency of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells in males versus females
Research Projects Completed (M.Sc MT)
- Frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes in blood of tuberculosis patients.
- Level of interferon in the blood of tuberculosis patients.
- Determination of CRP and IL-6 in HCV positive and HCV negative patients of chronic renal failure on dialysis.
- Determination of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrulinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Determination of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrulinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Frequency of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody and anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody in glomerlonephritis patients.
Research Projects Ph.D (Ongoing)
- Role of genetics and immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.
Research Projects M.Phil (Ongoing)
- Normal range of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ and CD56+ lymphocytes in selected Pakistani population.
- Quantification of immunoglobulin levels in selected population
- Association of lL-9 and lL-13 levels with increased low density lipoproteins in atherosclerosis
- Frequency of CD4 +CD25+ T regulatory cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Role of IL-17 in hepatitis C positive patients with rheumatic manifestations
