Message from the Chair

Department of Pathology and Microbiology at Aga Khan University brings together cutting edge academics and state-of-the-art technology. The Department includes highly trained personnel, including nationally and internationally recognised faculty to provide comprehensive diagnostic services across Pakistan as well as in neighbouring Afghanistan. We combine sophisticated testing capabilities of fully accredited laboratories with the resources of an academic and teaching institution in delivery of pathology services.

The Department plays a key role in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. The teaching programmes are complemented and supported by research. The goal of our research activities is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease and to apply this knowledge to medical practice. The research done by our faculty has received high recognition both nationally and internationally. Research work supported through national and international grants and linkages currently focuses in the areas of infectious diseases and cancer biology.

In infectious diseases there is emphasis on mycobacterial (tuberculosis and leprosy) research with programmes on immunology, pathogenesis and molecular epidemiology. The antimicrobial group focuses on surveillance for drug resistance, molecular analysis of resistant strains as well as infection control measures to prevent spread of resistance. Investigators in the Department are also studying arthropod borne infections including malaria and dengue. Additionally studies evaluating new diagnostic modalities for hepatic C in blood donors are ongoing.

The research programme in cancer places emphasis on molecular genetics of cancers in particular lymphomas, leukaemias and oral and breast cancer. Viral oncogenesis and novel prognostic markers in various cancers are major themes. The Department also maintains International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognised “pathology-based cancer registry” and is a major contributor to the only population-based cancer registry of Pakistan. Furthermore, faculty members are also working on genetic basis of metabolic disorders and haemoglobinopathies.

As part of a rapidly growing university and health care delivery system our activities are anticipated to expand with the establishment of new diagnostic and academic setups in Lahore and Hyderabad over the next few years. We also continue to recruit and train new talent which will be the foundation of our leading-edge diagnostic and academic programmes and contribute to strengthening pathology and microbiology within Pakistan.