Achievements

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Transgenic cotton plants containing double gene GUSP1 and HSP70 and LTP are developed which are tolerant against heat and drought
  • Approvals for CKC-5 (triple-gene) from Punjab Seed council and CKK (five-gene) insect-resistant and weedicide-tolerant cotton variety for field trial permission from NBC
  • Salt-tolerant and drought-resistant cotton varieties have been successfully developed and subjected to field- testing
  • Developed pest resistant potato through genome editing and subjected to field evaluation
  • Developed True Potato Seed through breeding longer shelf-life potato and pest resistant
  • Discovered novel bacteriophages indigenously, that offer significant potential to combat critical health  challenges such as infections caused by Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) Bacteria
  • miRNA-based Drug-Resistant genes silencing in cancer cell lines, were performed at molecular level
  • Conducted initial field trials of the larvicidal transgenic algae on the floating treatment wetlands (FTWs)
  •  Assessed the immunogenicity of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii expressed influenza CTB-M2e fusion protein in mice
  • Identified the potential therapeutic agents against Epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease and reported the four medicinal plants with potential anticancer activity
  • Genetic variations of 30 InDels markers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Population were identified
  • Downstream process development/optimization for the process development of Filgrastim (B
  • FMDV polyepitope vaccine protein was expressed in E. coli, leading to successful antibody production
  • The compound Reserpine has been identified as a strong liver anti-fibrotic agent. The compound Reserpine ameliorated liver fibrosis by targeting the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway
  • The potential significance of targeting MALAT1 as a therapeutic strategy for breast cancer was identified
  • The compounds Betanin and Glycine Betaine downregulated expression of dengue-2 NS3 expression.
  • Coffea arabica extract was shown to have anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effect in vitro and in vivo
  • Demonstrated that Cassia Angustifolia-primed ASCs and Plantago lanceolata and Tussilago farfara-mediated human adipose-derived stem cell therapy effectively enhance burn wound healing
  • Exosome investigation for tendon injury repair is in process
  • Developed stem cell derived exosome therapy for of liver fibrosis in rat models
  • Developed chitosan-sodium percarbonate-based hydrogels with sustained oxygen release, angiogenic and wound healing properties
  • Identification of potent senolytic drugs capable of eliminating senescent cells in in vitro diabetic cellular model
  • Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of ASCs supplemented with platelet rich plasma for diabetic foot ulcer patients in collaboration with JBRSC, Lahore, are ongoing with promising therapeutic outcomes
  • Clinical trials for Osteoarthritis and spinal cord injury patients are ongoing
  • Novel Variants identified in NAV3 gene, a neuronal morphogenesis protein, cause intellectual disability, developmental delay, and microcephaly

COMMERCIALIZATION/ INDUSTRY

  • Set up commercial facilities for DNA testing, Qubit quantification and cost-effective BRCA1/2 screening for cancers
  • A three-gene cotton variety CEMB-AAS3 was recommended by the Varietal Evaluation Committee, PCCC
  • Conducted pharmacokinetics and drug toxicity studies of Semaglutide for the biopharmaceutical industry, valued at PKR 1.6 million
  • Produced PCR Enzymes and kits for in-house use, worth PKR 4.6 million
  • Revived Molecular diagnostics laboratory for hepatitis testing

GRANTS / FUNDINGS

  • Four TDF projects: PKR 46 million; twenty-six PU Projects: PKR 5.8 million; a CPEC project: PKR 12.963 million; 1 WHO project (AP24-01787): PKR 2.5 million
  • Ongoing: European Foundation: €125,000; Islamic Development Bank: 38.36 million PKR; Turkiye industrial: USD 25,000

PATENTS/MOUs/AGREEMENTS AND COLLABORATIONS

  • 01 Patent awarded 04 submitted, Signed 10 MOUs, Agreements and several collaborations with different institutions at National & International levels

ACADEMIA

  • Produced 48 M.Phil and 12 Ph.Ds. Published 89 Research Articles (impact factor of 261.614), 10 Book Chapters.
  • CEMB organized 28 conferences/scientific events, faculty and students actively participated in national and international conferences, symposia, seminars and training workshops.
  • CEMB provided internships to 53 students from institutions all over Pakistan.