Microbiology

Tuberculosis Research Group

FOCUS

Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Molecular epidemiology

Research focus includes pathogenesis of mycobacterial diseases, understanding of host-cell mechanisms, patterns and mechanism of antimicrobial resistance in M. tuberculosis  strains, molecular epidemiology of M. tuberculosis strains.

RESEARCHERS

  • Dr Rumina Hasan
  • Dr Zahra Hasan
  • Dr seema Irfan
  • Dr Kausar jabeen
  • Dr Sadia Shakoor
  • Dr Joveria Farooqi
  • Dr Salima Qamar
  • Kiran Iqbal
  • Akbar Kanji
  • Mussarat Ashraf
  • Muniba Islam
  • Sana Jafri

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Surveillance of pyrazinamide and flouroquinolone resistance amongst Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates.
    World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. (2013 – 2014 ), $ 178,883. 4
  • Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity, rapidity and cost of broth micro-colony detection method for microbiological monitoring of multi-resistant Tuberculosis treatment.
    University Research Council (Funded 2012-2014), US$25,000.
  • Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity of GenoType MTB DRplus Line Probe Assay in Rapid Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion.
    University Research Council (Funded 2013-2015), US$23,000.
  • Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity, rapidity and cost of broth micro-colony detection method for microbiological monitoring of multi-resistant Tuberculosis treatment
    University Research Council (2012-2014 ), US$23,000.

FUTURE PROJECTS

  • Technical assistance and support by TB Supranational Reference Laboratory (SRL) in Karachi, Pakistan, to TB laboratory strengthening and to drug resistance surveillance (DRS) activities in countries
    (2014-2015), $ 127,837
  • Clinical and Experimental Studies on the role of SOCS3 and STAT3 proteins in Tuberculosis
    Swedish Research Links. (2014-2016), SEK 322,000.
  • Rapid diagnosis of childhood TB using MTB GeneXpert TB/RIF assay.
    University Research Council, AKU, Pakistan TDR/EMRO, Small Grants Scheme, Switzerland. (2014-2015 ),  $ 10,000

COLLABORATORS/PARTNERS

  • Dr. Martin Rottenberg, Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
  • World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • London School of Hygiene & Tropical medicine, UK.
  • National TB Control Program, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  • Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre, Karachi, Pakistan.

FOR FUNDING, COLLABORATION AND QUERIES, CONTACT:

Dr Zahra Hasan