Human Molecular Genetics Research Group

The aim of our research group is the molecular elucidation of human diseases with a special focus on metabolic and autoimmune disorders. To uncover the basic mechanisms on the causes of these disorders, we work on different cell culture and animal models. We would like to understand how mutations correlate with disease, how genes are regulated and how they contribute in disease pathogenesis. By integrating genetic, molecular, biochemical and cell biological approaches, the understanding and function of these molecules and their roles in the relevant networks will be establishedto investigate new biomarkers for disease diagnosis and development of therapeutics approaches. Improved knowledge of the biological agents will help to decide them for clinical trials. We work in collaboration with national and international collaborators.

Group Members

·      Dr. Peter John (pjohn@asab.nust.edu.pk)

·      Dr. Attya Bhatti (attyabhatti@asab.nust.edu.pk)

Focus of the Laboratory:

·      Novel Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis

·      Discovery of Novel Compounds as Therapeutic Agents

Lab Equipment:

The lab is fully equipped with instruments like Chemi Doc (Western Blotting Image Analyzer with Analysis Software and Computer System), 7300 Real Time PCR, Gradient Thermal Cycler, Biophotometer, Gel Electrophoresis, Gel Doc System and a Refrigerated Centrifuge

Laboratory Members (PhD Scholars):

1. Muhammad Muaaz Aslam
2. Sidrah Jahangir
3. Sarmad Mehmood
4. Shanzay Ahmad
5. Huda Abbasi
6.  Nida Ali Syed
7. Zarish Noreen
8. Bibi Sabiha

Current Projects:

·      Identification and Characterization of Genes Involved in Rheumatoid Arthritis in Pakistani Population.

·      Evaluation of Untapped Anti-inflammatory Potential of Natural Compounds Against Rheumatoid Arthritis.

·      Molecular Screening for Genetic Susceptibility of Type 2 Diabetes in Pakistani population.

·      MicroRNAs Studies as a diagnostic agent.

·      Anti-diabetic Activities of Nano particles.

Research Funding:

·      Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan

·      National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan 

 Selected Research Publications:

1.     ​ Arif A, Bhatti A, John P; Therapeutic Potential of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Derived Selenium Nanoparticles in Arthritic Balb/c Mice. (Int J Nanomedicine 2019 Volume 2019:14 Pages 8561—8572 (IF: 4.471)

2.     Rehman Z, Fahim A, Bhatti A, Sadia H, John P. (February 2019). Co-expression of HIF-1α, MDR1 and LAPTM4B in peripheral blood of solid tumors. PeerJ 7: e6309 DOI 10.7717/PEERJ.6309

3.     Muhammad M. Aslam, Peter John, Attya Bhatti, Sidrah Jahangir, and M. I. Kamboh. Vitamin D as a Principal Factor in Mediating Rheumatoid Arthritis-Derived Immune Response (Hindawi BioMed Research International Volume 2019, Article ID 3494937)

4.     Tayyaba Sadaf, Peter John, Attya Bhatti. Comprehensive Computational Analysis of Protein Phenotype Changes Due to Plausible Deleterious Variants of Human SPTLC1 (GeneWinter 2019, Vol 8, No 1).

5.     Arooma Jannat, Peter John, Attya Bhatti and Muhammad Qasim Hayat. Tomorou Attenuates Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Alteration in ULK-1 Independent Autophagy Pathway in Collagen Induced Arthritis Mice Model. (CDDiscovery-2019 Accepted)

6.     Majeed W, Zafar M, Bhatti A, John P (2018) Therapeutic Potential of Selenium Nanoparticles. J Nanomed Nanotechnol 9: 487. doi: 10.4172/2157-7439.1000487

7.     Noreen, Z., DeJesus, J., Bhatti, A., Loffredo, C., John, P., Khan, J., … & Ghosh, S. (July 2018). Epidemiological Investigation of Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease in a Pakistani Population. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(8), 1582. (IF: 2.145)