UHS-Dept

INTRODUCTION

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

Faculty

Academic Activity:

Discipline Specific Faculty Council (DSFC) Oral Biology Seminar

Description:

The University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, organized a seminar on “Integrating the Dental Landscape through Innovation in Oral Biology” on Friday, 29th August 2025, which served as an important milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernize dental education in Pakistan. The seminar highlighted the pivotal role of innovation, capacity building, and continuous professional development in shaping the future of dental sciences, particularly in bridging the gap between basic research and clinical application. The event brought together faculty members and senior academicians from a wide range of affiliated dental colleges, creating a vibrant platform for academic exchange, collaborative dialogue, and professional growth. The objectives of the seminar were multifaceted, focusing on providing participants with both foundational and advanced knowledge in oral biology, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue among faculty members from different institutions, strengthening the capacity of dental educators through exposure to innovative teaching and research practices, and promoting opportunities for continuing education and lifelong professional development.

The proceedings of the seminar included a series of presentations, discussions, and interactive sessions where speakers emphasized the importance of integrating cutting-edge research, molecular biology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering into dental curricula to enhance both learning outcomes and clinical relevance. The participants actively engaged in dialogue, sharing institutional challenges and identifying practical strategies to improve the quality and effectiveness of dental education across the country. The seminar concluded with an insightful and interactive discussion session in which participants collectively acknowledged the urgent need to revive and modernize dental education in Pakistan through innovative teaching approaches, enhanced research integration, and structured faculty development programs aimed at preparing educators to meet international standards.

In conclusion, the seminar reaffirmed UHS’s commitment to its role as a leader in advancing dental sciences and promoting innovation in both medical and dental education. By bringing together faculty members from across affiliated institutions, UHS not only facilitated meaningful knowledge sharing but also inspired participants to work collaboratively toward improving the quality, global relevance, and competitiveness of dental education in Pakistan. This initiative reflects the university’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation, research excellence, and professional development that will ultimately contribute to better oral health outcomes at both the national and international levels.

Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops Organized

  • 1st UHS International Dental Conference, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 3rd–5th October 2019.
  • 2nd UHS International Dental Conference, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 27th–29th November 2020.

    • Seminars Organized

  • Cleft Lip and Palate Clinical Cases”, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 10th January 2015.
  • Hard Tissue Management in Implant Dentistry: Respecting the Biology of Bone”, by Dr. Maher Almasri, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 12th July 2016.
  • Think Outside the Mouth: The Oral–Systemic Link, An Update”, by Prof. Khalid Almas, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 12th July 2016.
  • Tissue Engineering and Cell Culture-Based Techniques in Dentistry”, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 15th July 2016.
  • Foundations for Soft Tissue in Dental Implantology”, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 15th July 2016.

    • Lectures Organized

  • Using Stem Cells, Nano-Materials, Laser Light, and 3D Bioprinting for Tissue Engineering: Applying Biologic Regulation to Control Clinical Outcomes”, by Dr. Saeed ur Rahman (PhD, State University of New York at Buffalo), University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 13th October 2016.

    • Workshops Organized

  • Quality in Quantitative Research”, by Dr. Ansa Javed Akram, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 2nd January 2015.
  • Clinical Problem-Solving Workshop in Orthodontics”, by Dr. Ansa Javed Akram, Dental Section, Children’s Hospital, Lahore — 12th January 2015.
  • Using the Internet Effectively for Evidence-Based Dentistry Learning Purposes”, by Prof. Khalid Almas, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 18th July 2016.
  • Development of Qualitative Questionnaires for Medical Research”, by Dr. Ansa Javed Akram, University of Health Sciences, Lahore — 22nd February 2019.

Research Projects Completed

Below is the list of completed research projects and their supervisors (where provided).

  • Effect of thyroid hormone on expression of transforming growth factor-alpha of rat submandibular salivary glands (Dr. Saher Bano)
  • Changes in sonic hedgehog signaling (Shh) with teratogenic doses of Retinoic acid in the developing rat tongue tissue (Dr. Noor ul Huda Raza)
  • Salivary Irisin level and its expression in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals (Dr. Safi Ullah Khan)
  • Bone regeneration in critical size defect using novel bioactive glass fibre scaffold in a rat model (Dr. Maria Khan)
  • Comparison of histological changes and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (gsk-3β) expression in rat model of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) with and without mucoadhesive gel (Dr. Iqra Ejaz)
  • Comparison of salivary interleukin-1β and matrix metalloproteinase-8 levels in individual with chronic periodontitis before and after treatment with Nigella sativa (Kalonji) oil (Dr. Ghazala Hassan)
  • Comparisons of expressions of Dickkopf-1 and sclerostin genes in normal and ankylosed temporomandibular joints of growing wistar rats. (Dr. Muhammad Azhar)
  • Comparison of Salivary Aquaporin-5 levels in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type-I and healthy individuals (Dr. Hina Nasim)
  • Activity of Commiphora wightii gel in treatment of alveolar osteitis (Dr. Talaya Zahid)
  • Comparison of Salivary and Lacrimal Aquaporin-5 Expression in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Healthy Individuals. (Dr. Talal Ahmed)
  • Comparison of human salivary Surfactant-G levels in chronic periodontitis patients with healthy individuals (Dr. Naima Jabeen)
  • Commiphora wightii gel in treatment of oral leukoplakia like lesions (Dr. Nida Rasheed)
  • Notch 1 signalling in aphthous like ulcers (Dr. Roshan Zafar)