NUST Centre of Virology & Immunology

The School The Programmes

NCVI

NUST CENTRE OF VIROLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY

A pioneering step towards a field of new opportunities
NUST Centre of Virology and Immunology (NCVI) was set up in October 2007 with a view to providing state-of theart research and teaching facilities in the fields of Virology and Immunology in Pakistan. NCVI is the first such centre in South Asia with dynamic interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aimed at preparing the entrants for research and teaching pursuits in Virology and Molecular Pathogenesis of infectious diseases and immunology. The faculty has expertise in Virology, Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Medicine, Neurology, Paediatrics, Rheumatology, Immunology and Oncology. The training programme is strengthened through research overlaps with other institutions in Pakistan and abroad. The richness and diversity of NCVI interdisciplinary programmes reflect its international standards. The focus is on understanding molecular organisation, structure and associated gene expression profile in order to arrest major virally-induced pathogenesis in the animal and plant kingdoms. NCVI has launched a worldwide search to recruit PhD DVM and MD/MBBS researchers who are involved in various aspects of virus research. We are leaving no stone unturned to disseminate the knowledge and research outcomes of NCVI for eradication of viral diseases in Pakistan.

Faculty Profile
Dr Ishtiaq Qadri, Principal
Dr Ishtiaq Qadri is a celebrated researcher and scholar of international standing in the field of Molecular Biology. He has published over 60 research articles with the total impact factor of 224 and has received over 22 honours and travelling awards. His most distinguished awards include: Amgen Young Hepatologist Award at the Liver Transplantation Meeting in Breckenridge; Most Outstanding Researcher Award from the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Science Center, USA; Kern Lipid Conference Travel Award and Travel Award Snow Mass Conference on Liver Diseases, USA. He received two Pak-US research grants under Pak-US Bioengagement programme. He also has two patents to his credit. He has worked for several years in the USA, in different capacities, in University of California and University of Colorado and has acquired broad-based knowledge in integrating various disciplines to study viruses. Dr Qadri is an active member of different well-known societies & committees including European Society of Virology, Germany, and American Society for Microbiology, USA. He is a focal person for Higher Education commission, Pakistan Science Foundation and Ministry of Health grants review process for microbiology and medical biotechnology and a reviewer of Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. He is also the editor of NUST Journal of Natural Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan (ISSN 20724659) as well.

54

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011

PhD (University of London) UK Discipline: Plant Sciences Specialisation: Cell Biology, Plant Viruses

PhD (University of Karachi) Pakistan Discipline: Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Specialisation: Designing, Synthesis and Exploration of Organic Molecules for Therapeutic Application

Dr Peter John
PhD (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Molecular Biology Specialisation: Autoimmune Diseases

Dr Attya Bhatti
PhD (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Human Molecular Genetics Specialisation: Molecular Genetics, Functional Genomics

Dr Hajra Sadia
PhD (NIBGE) Pakistan Discipline: Biotechnology/ Cancer Biology Specialisation: Immune Modulation of Leukemia

Dr Najam-us-Sahar Sadaf Zaidi

Post Doctorate (Virology) France PhD (University of the Punjab) Pakistan Discipline: Biotechnology/Molecular Biology Specialisation: Flaviviruses/Avian Influenza Virus

Dr Muhammad Tahir
PhD (University of the Punjab) Pakistan and DSMZ (GmbH) Germany Discipline: Molecular Plant Virology, Transgenic Gene Silencing Specialisation: Artificial Micro-RNAbased Gene Silencing, Pathogen-derived Resistance, Plant Transformation and Anti-bodies Production

Dr Muhammad Ali
PhD (University of Karachi) Pakistan Discipline: Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Bioorganic/Medicinal Chemistry Specialisation: Organic Synthesis Medicinal Chemistry

Dr M Ali Abdullah Shah

PhD (Nanjing Agricultural University) China DVM (University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences) Pakistan Discipline: Immunology Specialisation: DNA Type Vaccines

Dr Saadia Andleeb
PhD (Quaid-i-Azam University) Islamabad Discipline: Microbiology Specialisation: Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Medical Microbiology

Dr Sheeba Murad Mall

PhD (Medical University of Vienna) Austria Discipline: Molecular Immunobiology Specialisation: Molecular Immunobiology

Dr Muhammad Yameen
PhD (China) Discipline: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Specialisation: Structural Biology/ Crystallography

Dr Sobia Manzoor
(Post Doctoral Fellow) PhD (University of the Punjab) Pakistan Discipline: Molecular Biology Specialisation: Molecular Virology (Hepatitis C)

Dr Qasim Hayat
(Post Doctoral Fellow) PhD (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Plant Sciences Specialisation: Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogenetics

NUST Prospectus 2011

www.nust.edu.pk

55

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

NCVI

Dr Muhammad Ashraf

Dr Muhammad Riaz

NCVI

Dr Hadi Bux
(Post Doctoral Fellow) PhD (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Plant Sciences Specialisation: Plant Pathology

Ms Kaneez Fatima
MPhil (University of the Punjab) Pakistan Discipline: Antiviral Therapies Specialisation: Proteases and Helicases of (+) Stranded RNA Viruses

Dr Kashif Asghar
DVM Veterinary Medicine MPhil (Biology Biotechnology & Therapeutic Research) France Discipline: Immunology Specialisation: Dendritic Cells and Cancer Biology

Ms Ayesha Masroor
MS (International Islamic University) Malaysia Discipline: Industrial Biotechnology Engineering Specialisation: Protein Engineering (Rational Design), Molecular Modelling & Simulation to Study Structure-activity Relationships of Proteins

Mr Tahir Ahmad Baig

MPhil (Government College University) Pakistan Discipline: Environmental Virology Specialisation: Enteric Viruses, Astro and Polio Viruses

Ms Sadia Tahir
MPhil (University of the Punjab) Pakistan Discipline: Molecular Immunology Specialisation: Immune Responses to Hepatitis C Virus

Dr Taimour Ashiq
MBBS (Rawalpindi Medical College) Pakistan Discipline: Stem Cell Research Specialisation: Regeneration of Hepatocytes (Liver Transplantation)

Waqas Nasir Chaudhry

MPhil (National University of Sciences & Technology) Pakistan Discipline: Molecular Virology Specialisation: Phage Therapy and Microbiology

Mr Taimoor Islam Sheikh

MPhil (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Clinical Virology Specialisation: ATP and Insulin Signalling during Viral Hepatitis

Ms Yasmin Badshah
MPhil (COMSATS) Pakistan Discipline: Microbiology Specialisation: Medical Microbiology, Viral Diagnostics

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

Ms Shama Rehman
MPhil (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Physics Specialisation: Nano-biotehnology

Mr Yasir Waheed
MPhil (NUST Centre of Virology & Immunology) Pakistan Discipline: Molecular Virology Specialisation: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Replication Schemes and its Inhibition

Ms Naghmana Kanwal
MS Biochemistry (Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Univeristy) Pakistan Discipline: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Specialisation: Hepatitis C Replication System

Mr Sohail Afzal
MPhil (NUST Centre of Virology and Immunology) Pakistan Discipline: Immunology Specialisation: Viral Immunology

56

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011

MPhil (Quaid-i-Azam University) Pakistan Discipline: Biotechnology/Molecular Biology Specialisation: Mitochondrial Mediated Apoptosis

MSc Zoology (University of the Punjab) Pakistan Discipline: Biotechnology Specialisation: Molecular Models of Viral Infection

Ms Ayesha Obaid
MSc (University of Peshawar) Pakistan Discipline: Antiviral Therapy Specialisation: Peptide Vaccination

Rehan Zafar Paracha

D-Pharmacy (Bahauddin Zakraria University) Pakistan Discipline: Drug Design Specialisation: Biopharmaceuticals

Ms Sidra Qureshi
MSc (University of Peshawar) Pakistan Discipline: Antiviral Therapy Specialisation: Protein-Protein Interactions

Fact file
Dr Ishtiaq Qadri has recently received a grant of USD 358,906 from HEC, US Bioengagement Programme, USAID and Ministry of Science and Technology to conduct research on Hepatitis B Virus.

NUST Prospectus 2011

www.nust.edu.pk

57

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

NCVI

Mr Farrukh Javed

Ms HumaTariq

NCVI

Collaborations
Besides working in partnership with some key national institutes, NCVI has active international collaborations with 20 foreign universities including centres of excellence in China, the US and Europe. These collaborations enable students to go abroad for training to acquire professional skills. Information on these collaborative initiatives is given below.

National Collaborations
University/Institute University of Animal and Veterinary Science, Lahore King Edward Medical College, Lahore Scientist/ Researcher with whom Collaboration is Signed Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz Vice Chancellor UAVS, Lahore Dr Mulazim Hussain Bukhari Prof Dr Muhammad Munir Prof Dr ZafarUllah Khan Vice Chancellor KEMC Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gillani Dr Masroor Ikram Dr Mohammad Atif Dr Shamaraz Firdaus Dr Birgees Ahmad Dr Sohail Zaidi Dr Rubina T Siddiqui Project Transgenic Mice, Small Primate Model for HCV Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV)

Agha Khan University, Medical College, Karachi Pakistan Institute of Applied Engineering and Sciences (PIAES), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Islamabad National Institute of Health, Islamabad National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad

Antiviral Testing Biophotonics, Confocal Microscopy Dengue Virus Leukaemia

International Collaborations
University/Institute The Rockefeller University, USA Scientist/Researcher with whom Collaboration is Signed Dr Charles Rice, Professor, Scientific and Executive Director, Centre for the Study of Hepatitis C Project Molecular Biology of HCV Adenoviralmediated Hepatitis C Virus Chimera Production HCV-induced Fatty Liver HCV-induced Fatty Liver Human Papilloma Virus Hepatitis C Virus

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

University of Colorado at Denver Gene and Dr Jerry Schaack, Associate Professor Therapy Fitzsimons at Health Sciences Centre Aurora, USA Institute Pasteur, Lille, France Dr Jean Dubuisson, Professor

Department of Paediatrics, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Centre, Aurora, USA Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), USA University of California San Francisco (UCSF), USA

Jacob E (Jed) Friedman, Professor

Dr Sharof Tugizov, Associate Professor Dr Yasin Sheikh, Professor and Head Division of Haepatalogy/ Gastroenterology

58

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011

Department of Medicine/Endocrinology, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Centre Cancer Aurora, USA Department of Paediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Aurora, USA Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, USA

Dr Hani Abdul Hafiz, Associate Professor

Role of DNA Viruses in the Development of Breasts Steatosis and Inflammation Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) HBV

Dr Mizanoor Rehman, Assistant Professor

Aleem Siddiqui, PhD Professor

Institute of Hygiene and Applied Prof Dr Hannes Stockinger, Director Immunology, Centre of Physiology, Prof Dr Hans Goldenberg, Head Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester, UK Institute Albert Boniot, France

Autoimmunity, Allergy

Prof Dr Vaclav Horejsi, Director IMGASCR, Head, Laboratory of Molecular Molecular Immunology Immunology, Monoclonal Antibodies Prof Wanquan Chen, Deputy Director General Prof Dr Feng Lin Dr Kongming Wu, Director General Dr Yulong Zhang, President Prof Mike Sutcliffe Wheat Stripe Rust and Identification of the Pathogen Virulence Structure and Folding of MAL Proteins HCV

Dr Patrice Marche

NUST Prospectus 2011

www.nust.edu.pk

59

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

NCVI

NCVI

Student Support Facilities

Research Laboratories
fields of specialisation. Brief details are given below: NCVI has established the following laboratories, with state-ofthe-art equipment: Viral Hepatitis Laboratory Hepatitis B Virus Lab Epstein-Barr Virus Laboratory Bacteriophage Laboratory Flavivirus Laboratory Antiviral Laboratory Cancer Research Laboratory Vaccinology Laboratory Molecular Immunology Laboratory Plant Pathology Laboratory Plant Virology Laboratory Cell Sorting and Viral Immunology Laboratory Stem Cell Laboratory Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Nanobiotech Laboratory Clinical Immunology/Wound Healing Medicinal Plants Laboratory Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory Enteric Viruses Laboratory Biological/Antiviral Chemistry Laboratory Functional Genomics & Immunogenetics Laboratory Animal House Laboratory

Ms Kaneez Fatima attended a one-year training programme at University of Colorado, USA. Mr Taimoor Ashiq visited Australia to attend a training course in the field of stem cells. Mr Taimoor Islam Sheikh visited biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Toronto, Canada. Mr Yasir Waheed went to Japan on a two-week training programme. Sher Zaman Safi and Ms Rukhsana visited South Korean University, Korea for the completion of their doctorate. Ms Saadia Tahir (1 year) and Dr Sadaf Zaidi (3 months) visited France for training programme. Mr M Sohail Afzal went to Austria for a training period of two months.

Fact file
NCVI faculty members and scholars published 49 research papers in reputed journals on various topics in the fields of Virology and Immunology between 2009-10 while 11 NCVI papers await publication.
NUST Journal of Natural Sciences
For efficient dissemination of information about molecular biology, biotechnology and virology/immunology, NCVI is contributing the biennial publication of a Journal by the name of NUST Journal of Natural Sciences.

Library
NCVI library is well-stocked with books, journals and magazines. The library database is remotely accessible. The library can arrange reading material from other libraries when required.

Events
NCVI holds weekly seminars where our faculty and students present their research papers. The centre also invites renowned scientists from other organisations from within and outside Pakistan. The following scientists visited us in 2010-11:

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

Dr Patrice Marche (France) gave impressive talks on HCV, nano-medicine and endogenous retroviruses. Dr Shoaib Ahmed (Commandant Armed Forces Institute of Pathology) delivered a lecture on Molecular Diagnosis of Thalassemia Dr Rob W Briddon (NIBGE) gave a comprehensive overview of The Emergence and Control of the Cotton Leaf Curl Disease Complex Dr Johannes Schmid from Austria highlighted the Application of Flow Cytometer/ Prospects of Collaboration in Future. Dr Schmid also conducted a Workshop on the use of Imaging Techniques in Biological Sciences Dr N Matthew from USA conducted a seminar on Use of Veterinary Model to Develop Treatment for Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Student Societies
Currently, the following societies are functional at NCVI NCVI Art and Culture Society NUST Horticulture Society

CONTACT US
Website: www.ncvi.nust.edu.pk Telephone: Students Affairs: Fax: +92-51-90856118 +92-51-90856102

Our researchers get ample opportunities to visit foreign universities of repute to receive training in their respective

Address: NUST Centre for Virology and Immunology (NCVI) NUST, H-12 campus, Islamabad, Pakistan

60

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011

The country currently needs thousands of virologists and immunologists both in the public and private sectors to fight deadly viruses. NCVI itself needs around 400 professionals to work on its projects. Several government organisations (NIH, NARC, PARC, etc.) and almost all universities and medical colleges need viral researchers focusing on vaccine development, stem cell research, biomedical engineering, gene therapy, etc. New biotech companies are emerging in the market. NCVI itself is setting up two companies in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. We plan to make and test vaccines for several major viruses in the country and each virus vaccine requires around 50 trained professionals.

BS Virology and Immunology Programme Description Medicine and Applied Biosciences

NCVI is determined to deliver rigorous and inspiring education in the field of applied biosciences. The curriculum for BS V&I is designed to promote innovative learning styles and a solid foundation in applied biosciences. Courses for the BS V&I programme are structured to meet the needs of tomorrows virologists and immunologists. These courses are dynamic, internationally aligned and evolve with the changing requirements of industry.

Research
The BS Honours programme lays solid foundation for future virologists and immunologists to study Pakistani and regional DNA and RNA viruses, their life cycles, structure/gene expression, replication, assembly, attachment, entry, the development of antiviral therapies, use of viral antigens as vaccines and viral vectors for gene delivery. The programme additionally focuses on the application of different data sources towards integrated bio-defence and the identification of novel epidemic indications and warnings, together with research in the field of remotely-sensed epidemic surveillance. It envisages developing cost-effective and sensitive assays to rapidly detect the presence of viruses in blood, semen and saliva of infected individuals in Pakistan. The curriculum also includes immunology-based investigations by way of providing novel clues in combating the complications of strain specific viral-induced pathogenesis, auto-immune diseases, type 1/2 diabetes, leukaemia, lymphoma and solid tumour.

Career Opportunities Biotechnology firms Pharmaceutical manufacturing units Research and diagnostic domains Academic Institutions
NUST Prospectus 2011 www.nust.edu.pk

61

NCVI

Academic Programmes

NCVI

BS Virology and Immunology

Year-1
Semester I Course Code HU-140 CMB-130 VIRO-100 CMB-131 CMB-132 HU-141 HU -142 Course Title Communication & InterpersonaI Skills Biochemistry General Virology Cell Structure & Function General Genetics Pakistan Studies Islamic Studies Total Credits 2-0 2-1 2-1 3-0 2-1 2-0 2-0 18 Total 18 Semester II Course Code VIRO-101 VIRO-102 CMB-133 IMM-120 BITO-110 BITO-111 Course Title Credits Taxonomy and Phylogeny of 3-0 Viruses Bacteriophages & Phage Therapy Molecular Biology General Immunology Basic Microbioiogy Biotechnology 3-0 2-1 2-1 3-0 3-0

Year-2
Semester III Course Code CMB-234 VI RO-203 VIRO-202 BITO-212 TOX-243 CMB-235 Course Title Protein Chemistry Environment &Virus Molecular Virology Biopharmaceuticals Toxicology Molecular Techniques in Diagnostics Total Credits 2- 1 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 18 Semester IV Course Code CMB-236 WSP-244 BITO-213 BITO-214 CMB -237 BITO-215 Course Title Techniques in Cell Culture Western Scientific Process & Muslim Philosophy Safe Handling and BioSafety Experimental Therapeutics Molecular Cloning & Gene Expression Bioinformatics Total Credits 3-0 3-0 3-0 3 -0 3-0 2-1 18

Year-3
Semester V Semester VI Course Title Mathematical Biology Viral Vectors Virological Laboratory Techniques Biosensors & Molecular Probes Medical Microbiology Cell Signalling Total Credits 3-0 3-0 2-1 3-0 3-0 3-0 18 Course Code MAJ-350 MAJ-351 VIRO-306 BIS-345 BITO-318 BITO-319 Course Title Virology/Immunology/ Biotechnology Virology/lmmunology/ Biotechnology Cell-Virus/CelI-Cell Interaction-I Biostatistics Vaccinology Computational Biology Total Credits 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3 -0 3-0 18

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

Course Code CMB-338 VIRO-204 VIRO-305 BITO-316 BITO-317 CMB-337

62

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011

Year-4
Semester VII Course Code VIRO-406 Maj-352 CMB-438 BITO-419 Maj-353 CMB-439 Course Title Cell- Virus/Cell- Cell Interaction-II Virology/Immunology/ Biotechnology Genomics Gene Therapy Virology/Immunology/ Biotechnology Plant Molecular Biology Total Grand Total Credits 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 18 Semester IV Course Code BCT-447 HU-448 HU-446 Maj-454 SEM-445 RW-499 Course Title Biological Control, Clinical Trails & Ethics Research Methodology Technical Report Writing Virology/Immunology/ Biotechnology Seminar Research Work Total Credits 3-0 2-0 1-0 3-0 1-0 0-6 16 142

Major: Virology
Course Code VIR-I-000 VIR-I-001 VIR-I-002 VIR-I-003 VIR-I-004 Course Title Viral Diseases of Fruits, Citrus, Vegetables & Ornamentals Viral Diseases of Cash and Woody Crops Applied Plant Virology Antiviral Approaches Human/Animal Viral Diseases Credits 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0

Major: Immunology
Course Code IMM-021 IMM-022 IMM-023 IMM-024 IMM-025 Course Title Molecular Immunology Immunochemistry Immunohistopathology Techniques in Immunology Clinical Immunology Credits 2-1 2-1 3-0

2-1

Major: Biotechnology
Course Code BIT-I-010 BIT-I-011 BIT-I-012 BIT-I-013 BIT-I-014 Course Title Application of Biotechnology Fermentation Technology Environmental Biotechnology Biological Applications of Nanotechnology Stem Cell Research Credits 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0

NUST Prospectus 2011

www.nust.edu.pk

63

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

3-0

NCVI

NCVI

MPhil Leading to PhD in Virology and Immunology

Programme Description
The Virology and Immunology programme provides students a unique opportunity to study all aspects of pathogenesis using a spectrum of cutting-edge molecular and cellular techniques that look at effects, treatment and cure at the level of the organism. The programme provides an opportunity to tailor coursework and research activities to fit the career goals of individual students.

Research
The NCVI interdisciplinary research programmes reflect the richness and diversity of our research endeavours. NCVI programmes focus on understanding the molecular organisation, structure and associated gene expression profile of viruses. This understanding can help curb major viral pathogenesis in the animal and plant kingdoms because the hallmark of all viruses is to induce molecular gene expression leading to aberrant cellular alterations, the cause of over 500 major viral diseases.

Career Opportunities
Our degree programmes fully meet employers needs and so our graduates enjoy excellent career prospects. Our graduates are well-equipped to tap the vast opportunities available in academia, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry and research and diagnostic domains.

MPhil Coursework
Core Courses (Only five)
Course Code MVI-800 MVI-810 MVI-830 MVI-814 MVI-811 MVI-856 Course Title General Virology Molecular Biology General & Molecular Immunology Research Techniques in Molecular Biology Cell Biology - I Molecular Genetics Credits 3 3 3 3 3 3

Elective Course (Any three)

Course Code MVI-804 MVI-816 MVI-820 MVI-831 MVI-834 MVI-850 MVI-870 MVI-880 MVI-891 MVI-899 MVI-930 MVI-952 MVI-960 Course Title Bacteriophage Biology Recombinant DNA Techniques Microbiology Clinical Immunology Immune Pharmacology Signal Transduction Vaccinology Molecular & General Toxicology Biopharmaceuticals MPhil Thesis Research Biosafety and Bioethics Advances in Plant Virology Viral Pathology Total Credits 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 3 3 3 30

64

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011

Programme Description
The Virology and Immunology programme provides students a unique opportunity to study all aspects of pathogenesis using a spectrum of cutting-edge molecular and cellular techniques that look at effects, treatment and cure at the level of the organism. The programme provides an opportunity to tailor coursework and research activities to fit the career goals of individual students.

Research
The NCVI interdisciplinary research programmes reflect the richness and diversity of our research endeavours. NCVI programmes focus on understanding the molecular organisation, structure and associated gene expression profile of viruses. This understanding can help curb major viral pathogenesis in the animal and plant kingdoms because the hallmark of all viruses is to induce molecular gene expression leading to aberrant cellular alterations, the cause of over 500 major viral diseases.

Career Opportunities
Our degree programmes fully meet employers needs and so our graduates enjoy excellent career prospects. We have excellent resources for teaching. In addition to the standard provision you would expect of a top-class university, we have many specialist facilities applicable to this field of study. These facilities coupled with a world class curriculum and research facilities equip graduates from NCVI with all the necessary skills to tap the vast opportunities available in academia, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry and research and diagnostic domains.

PhD Coursework
Core Courses
Course Code MVI-815 MVI-851 MVI-802 MVI-833 Course Title Advances In Mol Biology Medical Genetics Advances In Virology Advances in Immunology Credits 3 3 3 3

Elective Courses (Any two)

Course Code MVI-840 MVI-852 MVI-861 MVI-910 MVI-940 MVI-950 MVI-812 MVI-813 MVI-901 MVI-952 MVI-999 Course Title Trends in Pharmacology Immunogenetics Molecular Mechanisms of Disease Stem Cell Studies Experimental Therapeutics Plant Virology Cell Biology - II Genomics & Promotics Bioinformatics Advances in Plant Virology PhD Thesis Project Total Credits 3

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 30 48

NUST Prospectus 2011

www.nust.edu.pk

65

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

NCVI

PhD in Virology and Immunology

NCVI

Fact file
NCVI has established international collaboration with 14 universities of repute in USA, China and European countries. It has active linkages with 6 reputed universities in Pakistan. A state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory at NCVI is rendering community services based on the philosophy that no one should be denied adequate healthcare due to lack of means. Special discounts ranging between 40 to 50% are available on the already reduced prices for each test. NCVI plans to add new programmes to its already impressive portfolio such as Forensic Biology, Cancer Biology, Organ Transplantation, Plant Virology and Medicinal Plant Biology.

66

Medicine and Applied Biosciences

www.nust.edu.pk

NUST Prospectus 2011