CEMB Centre of Excellence in
Molecular Biology University of the Punjab
Applied and Functional Genomics Lab team photo at CEMB

Research at CEMB

Applied & Functional Genomics

The lab studies the molecular basis of cancer and infectious disease — HCV, dengue and SARS-CoV-2 — searching for biomarkers, therapeutic targets and antiviral or anticancer compounds from medicinal plants.

Laboratory overview

From biological discovery to practical solutions.

Research defines molecular interactions between viral proteins and cellular targets, addressing viral persistence and antiviral resistance, while screening medicinal plants for antiviral and anticancer activity and studying their mechanisms at both coding and non-coding RNA levels as a route to new, cost-effective therapies.

Cancer & infectious disease genomicsBiomarker discoveryPhytomedicine

Research programme

What the lab works on

The programme spans discovery, laboratory validation and the development of tools and formulations for real-world use.

  1. 01

    Viral disease genomics

    Molecular studies of HCV, dengue and SARS-CoV-2, including viral persistence and antiviral resistance.

  2. 02

    Cancer biomarker discovery

    Biomarker identification and expression studies in breast, liver and pancreatic cancer.

  3. 03

    Phytomedicine screening

    Screening medicinal plants for antiviral and anticancer bioactivity, with in silico drug prediction.

  4. 04

    Functional genomics & models

    Functional genomics validated in vitro and in vivo models toward prophylactic and therapeutic applications.

Funding

Research grants

  • Hepatoprotective role of flavonoids and saponins in liver fibrosis and cirrhosisPI, HEC NRPU · Rs 4.2 million
  • SARS-CoV-2 spike/protease cell culture system to screen medicinal plants and plant-based compoundsPI, PHEC · Rs 8.00 million
  • RNAi as molecular scissors against dengue virus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoPI, NIH-HRI · Rs 2.7 million
  • Regenerative medicine combined with Ayurvedic plants for injury-induced arthritisCo-PI, HEC NRPU · Rs 6.321 million
  • Screening of cyclopeptides as anti-HCV therapyHEC SRGP · Rs 0.325 million
  • Role of lncRNA in the metastatic ability of invasive breast cancerHEC SRGP · Rs 0.49 million

Research group

Meet the team

Contact the Director, group lead or a co-investigator directly, or reach a doctoral researcher by email.

Doctoral researchers

  • Ayesha MalikDoctoral Researcher
  • Mariam NaveedDoctoral Researcher
  • Aleeza NawazDoctoral Researcher
  • Huda BarkullahDoctoral Researcher
  • Muhammad SafdarMPhil Student
  • Zohaib FayyazMPhil Student
  • Ukasha KhalidMPhil Student
  • Hamza ShaahbazMPhil Student

Connect with CEMB

Need more information?

Contact the right team