INTRODUCTION

Department of Microbiology was established in 2018 in the Faculty of Veterinary Science with the aim to generate and disseminate scientific knowledge relating to Microbiology. Microbes, minute living things such as bacteria, viruses and fungi are the most abundant species on our planet. Regardless of microscopic size, microbes affect the world of human beings in monumental ways, colonize humans, animals and sustain their physiology, ranging from infectious diseases to healthful livings and from food production to waste treatment. The solution to many of the pressing challenges at global level, such as antimicrobial resistance; the emergence of new infectious diseases and the health of our planet’s ecosystem rely upon broadening the horizon of discoveries coming from basic Microbiology research and exploration.
Our research faculty are highly productive and impactful, consisting 06 Assistant Professors, housed at the department of Microbiology. All the faculty members are outstanding Microbiologists who are making exciting discoveries in the field of Microbiology while training students in cutting edge research. To meet their mission of skill development, research, education and translational opportunity, Microbiology department is offering undergraduate i-e- B.S. Applied Microbiology program and also teaching of Microbiology courses to Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Food Science & Technology (FST) and Biochemistry students. The B.S. Applied Microbiology program covers all major areas of Microbiology such as Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Vaccinology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, Biotechnology, Biosafety & Biosecurity, Medical Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology and Public Health. The department is well equipped with modern tools of Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture and the Lab animal facilities.

VISION

• To produce highly qualified, competent and knowledgeable Microbiologists, skilled in all fields of Microbiology.
• To be the nation’s leading public academic Department of Microbiology.
• To offer outstanding diagnostic services for the diagnosis of infectious diseases of animals & birds in the city of Bahawalpur and neighboring cities.
• To aim for the production of effective vaccine and antisera for control of microbial diseases of animals.

MISSION

• Establishment of Molecular Centre and diagnostic Laboratory for Bacterial, Fungal and Viral diseases of Camel, Domestic Animals and wild life.
• Control of microbes through (a) Development of effective vaccine and antisera (b) Biological control of zoonotic microorganisms and diseases (c) Understanding of Host-Microbial Interaction (d) Integrated  strategies for control of microbial diseases under One Health umbrella (e) Effective control strategies against emerging microbes particularly viruses.
• Establishment of National Institute of Microbiology (NIM) and Training Center for Biologics Production (TCBP).  

PLAN OF ACTION

• Control of microbial diseases with respect to one health and zoonosis
• Development of commercial diagnostic tests/Kit(s) for diagnosis of pathogenic bacteria, viruses etc.
• Yielding the highly skilled Microbiologists contributing nationally and internationally to bridge the gap between Academic researchers and public Institutes.
• Finding a way to expand laboratory instruction to keep pace with enrollment demand.

STAFF POSITION

Associate Professors

• Dr. Faisal Siddique (Chairman)

Assistant Professors

• Dr. M. Moazam Jalees
• Dr. Rais Ahmed
• Dr. Kashif Rahim
• Dr. Firasat Hussain
• Dr. Waqas Ashraf

HEC Approved Supervisors

• Dr. Rais Ahmed
• Dr. Faisal Siddique
• Dr. Kashif Rahim
• Dr. Firasat Hussain
• Dr. Waqas Ashraf

Lab. Assistants

• Mr. Ejazulhaq
• Ms. SadiaMahrukh

FACILITIES:

INDEPENDENT LABORATORIES

• General Microbiology Lab
• Immunology & Molecular Biology Lab
• Bacteriology Lab
• Mycology Lab
• Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL)

RESEARCH PROJECTS
Department of Microbiology holds long term history in research and academic activities. Its conviction for high level of research and academics is evident from the No. of PhD students and the publications in the journals of international standards. Researchers/teachers conduct research to solve problems of the industries such as poultry, livestock, bioacoustics, pharmaceutics, fish, equine and ordinary dairy farmers, milk processing, exporters and importers and government issues related to livestock. In universities every postgraduate research scholar is supposed to solve one problem of the industry/farmers. To minimize the financial consternation of the students, every Ph.D. faculty every year try to win at least one research grant on competitive basis from funding agencies of the country.

RESEARCH PRIORITIES:

• Isolation and identification of the causative agents of the newly emerging microbial diseases
• Preparation and evaluation of biologics (vaccines, probiotics, antimicrobials, diagnostic reagents, etc.)
• Qualitative and quantitative detection of mycotoxins and measures to overcome mycotoxicosis in animals
• Physico-chemical factors affecting the survival of microbial pathogens (Biosecurity)
• Immunogenetics, Immunotherapy, Immunomodulation, Immunoprophylaxis Immunoregulations and Immunodiagnosis of various diseases
• Studies of the Zoonotic Diseases