Research Projects
Details of our Researches and ProjectsCurrent Research Projects
We apply a scientific approach to improvement, employing robust measures and rigorous data-collection methods that can be broadly disseminated and sustained. Browse all of the research projects still underway or completed. Learn more about the research questions guiding each study, the lead researcher for each, and when the Research Center anticipates releasing completed product(s) under each project.
Identification and evaluation of a cost-effective genetic testing protocol for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation in breast and ovarian cancer Genomics Labs, KIRAN
Identification and evaluation of a cost-effective genetic testing protocol for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation in breast and ovarian cancer Genomics Labs, KIRAN
Onco profile 70 gene panel by NGS
Onco profile 70 gene panel by NGS
Role of PSMA in non-prostate malignancies
Role of PSMA in non-prostate malignancies
Tc-MDP & Tc-PSMA efficacy in prostate cancer bone mets
Tc-MDP & Tc-PSMA efficacy in prostate cancer bone mets
Added value of hybrid F-18 FDG PET CT imaging in breast cancer
Added value of hybrid F-18 FDG PET CT imaging in breast cancer
Diagnostic accuracy of SPECT-CT in sentinel lymph node scintigraphy for Ca breast patients
Diagnostic accuracy of SPECT-CT in sentinel lymph node scintigraphy for Ca breast patients
MR-Only Based SRS in Brain: Dosimetric Evaluation of MR Based Synthetic CT Using Tissue Segmentation Method
MR-Only Based SRS in Brain: Dosimetric Evaluation of MR Based Synthetic CT Using Tissue Segmentation Method
SARS-CoV-2 Variants
The COVID-19 pandemic has been evolving in Pakistan with the emergence of the United Kingdom, South African, and Brazilian variants. These variants of concern (VOC) are known for increased transmissibility and can also be responsible for avoiding immune responses. The gold standard to detect VOC is sequencing, however routine genomic surveillance in resource-limited countries like Pakistan is not always readily available. The inadvertent detection of the B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom) VOC by a target failure due to the key deletion in spike ?69-70 by commercially available PCR assay helps to understand target failures as an alternative approach to detect variants. In pursuit of VOC it was further discovered that a deletion in the ORF1a gene (ORF1a ?3675- 3677) is common in B.1.1.7, B.1.351 (South African), and P.1 (Brazilian) VOC. The Real- Time Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay can distinguish target failures and can discriminate SARS-CoV-2 VOC. The study uses positive samples archived in respective labs. Samples were divided into two groups. Group I constitutes 261 positive samples out of total of 16,964 (1.53%) performed from August till September 2020, while group II consists of 3501 positive samples out of a total of 46,041 (7.60%) performed, from November 2020 till January 2021. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that no VOC was present in positive samples of group I. However, a staggering difference in results was noted in group II where the positivity ratio increased exponentially and the VOC started appearing in significant numbers (53.64%). This concludes that the third wave in Pakistan is due to the importation of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Pharmacological screening of natural products froms Seaweeds for use as future drugs.
Presently available drugs for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases lack complete healing traits while exhibiting deleterious side effects, for instance weight gain, sexual dysfunction, refractoriness, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems. Therefore naturally occurring drugs with greater efficacy and minimum side effects is required. Since ancient times in Asia seaweeds have been consumed in great quantities as food and as food additives (Fleurence, 1999). This work aims to assess the neuropharmacological activity of selected seaweeds extracts in rats. To understand the mechanism underlying the antidepressant-like, anti-anxiety and memory enhancing activity of seaweeds, monoamoines in the brain and plasma were examined in different experiments using HPLC-ECD and the phenomenon of neuroprotection was explored.