AntiBacter Research Group

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AntiBacter research group is mainly focusing the pathogenicity and zoonotic potential of various avian and bovine MDR bacterial strains and trying to devise novel antibacterial strategies to combat their infections. These novel approaches include deletion of the virulent genes via CRISPR-CAS9 genome editing system, silencing of antibiotic resistant genes via synthetic sRNAs, quenching of the bacterial quorum sensing mechanism via specialized quorum quenching enzymes and the Phage therapy to control bacterial infections by using bacteriophages.

Focus of the Lab

1. Investigation of the zoonotic potential of avian and bovine pathogenic E. coli
2. CRISRP-CAS mediated genome excision to target virulence/antibiotic resistance genes
3. Silencing of the bacterial toxins/virulent genes of E. coli via synthetic sRNA
4. Phage therapy; molecular characterization of bacteriophages to use them against bacteria

Lab Members 

PhD Scholars 

1. Amna Jalil

2. Sidra Hafeez

3. Hira Niaz

4. Bushra Rehman

MS Students 

1. Shabana Gul

2. Saleha Masood

3. Afra Atta

4. Andleeb Khizar

5. Bakhtawar Nawaz

6. Tehreem Nadeem

Research Associate 

Quratulain Farooq

Current Projects

As PI

1. CRISPR-CAS3 mediated whole genome excision of the Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC); a novel strategy to combat colibacillosis in poultry birds
2. Investigation of the antibiotic resistance and zoonotic potential of Avian Pathogenetic E. coli (APEC) and Mammary Pathogenic E. coli (MPEC) from poultry and bovine source
3. Application of phage cocktail as preventative and therapeutic approach to combat E. coli  infections​ in  human
4. Pharmacoinformatic screening of the MDR pathogenic E. coli strains and devising an antibacterial peptide based therapy against these MDR strains

As Co-PI

1. Combating biofouling in the reverse osmosis membrane via Rhamnolipids; a novel greener alternative    approach

Research Funding

1. CRISPR-CAS3 mediated whole genome excision of the Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC); a novel          strategy to combat colibacillosis in poultry birds”.  This project of  3.1 million PKR is awarded as PI  under the HEC- NRPU program by HEC, Pakistan. Grant duration 2019 to 2021.
2. Combating biofouling in the reverse osmosis membrane via Rhamnolipids; a novel greener alternative    approach”. This project of 2.7 million PKR is awarded as Co-PI under the HEC- NRPU program by        HEC,Pakistan. Grant duration 2020 to 2022.
3. Silencing of the antibiotic resistance mecA gene via synthetic non-coding RNAs in the Staphylococcus    aureus”. This project of 0.5 million PKR is awarded under the HEC- SRGP program by the HEC,          Pakistan.Grant duration 2016 to 2018.

Selected Publications

1) Qurrat ul ain, F. Adnan, Amir Ali Shah and Malik Badshah. (2019) Starved Spirodela polyrhiza and Saccharomyces cerevisiae: A Potent Combination for Sustainable Bioethanol Production” Biomass Conv Bioref doi:10.1007/s13399-019-00540-z.

2) M. Faisal, Adnan F, Ihsan ullah (2019). Tannic acid Treatment to Deter Microbial Biofouling in Flow Cell System and on RO Membrane in Drip Flow Reactor (TDWT-2019-0810.R2) submitted to Desalination and Water Treatment. Desalination and Water Treatment doi: 10.5004/dwt.2019.24767.

3) Tahir A, F. Adnan, M. Nadeem (2018). Assessment of the risk for human health of Enterovirus and Hepatitis A virus in clinical and water sources from three metropolitan cities of Pakistan. Annals of Agri. & Env. Med, doi: 10.26444/aaem/99590.

4) Syed Ali Rizwan, Hasnain Khan, Thomas A Bier, F. Adnan (2017), Use of Effective Micro-organisms (EM) Technology and Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) Technology Improved the Response of Cementitious Systems. J. Const. & Build. Mat. Vol. 152, 642-650.

5) Adnan, F., L. Weber and G. Klug, (2015) The sRNA SorY confers resistance during photooxidative stress by affecting a metabolite transporter in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. RNA biology 12:5, 569-577.

6) Nuss, A.M., F. Adnan, L. Weber, B.A. Berghoff, J. Glaeser & G. Klug, (2013) DegS and RseP homologous proteases are involved in singlet oxygen dependent activation of RpoE in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. PloS one 8: e79520.