DOW College of Biotechnology

We are pleased to share the successful drafting of Pakistan’s first complete chromosomal genome of Wolbachia pipientis strain WMelANU-1, isolated from an indigenously bred Drosophila line.

This genome has now been reviewed and released by NCBI under the accession number CP200029.
🔗 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/CP200029.1/

Wolbachia pipientis strains are globally recognized for their role in mosquito biocontrol.

This achievement marks a step forward for Pakistan in microbial genomics, vector control research, and biotechnology advancement.

We extend our appreciation to all team members of the Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center involved in achieving this milestone.

Good Health and Well-Being | IndustryInnovationAndInfrastructure | PartnershipsForTheGoals

Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) signed an MoU with SUPARCO to strengthen collaborative research and innovation. The ceremony was graced by Vice Chancellor Professor Nazli Hossain, who also inaugurated the newly installed 2D Clinostat — a cutting-edge device designed to study the effects of microgravity on Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly).

The event was attended by Dr. Ashar Afaq (Registrar, DUHS), Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Hussain (Principal, Dow College of Biotechnology), Dr. Humera Waheed (Vice Principal, DCoB), Dr. Aliya Kashif (Deputy Chief Manager, SUPARCO), and Dr. Sheikh Abdullah (General Manager, SUPARCO).

This milestone marks a significant step forward in enhancing research capabilities and fostering scientific advancement at DUHS.

🎉 Congratulations Team Ecoplast! 🎉

We are delighted to share that Team Ecoplast has been awarded Runner-Up in the “Industrial Sustainability & Environment” category at the HBL P@SHA ICT Awards 2025, held in Lahore.

The team comprises Warisha Malik, Wareesha Atif, and Laiba Waheed, BS third-year students from the Dow College of Biotechnology (DCoB), under the supervision of Dr. Urooj Javed.

👏 Heartiest congratulations to the team for this outstanding achievement and for representing DCoB with excellence and innovation!

🎉 Congratulations Team Spiro Essentia! 🎉

We are proud to announce that Team Spiro Essentia has been awarded in the “Most Creative Idea” category at the Zindagi Prize held at Dow Medical College Campus.

The team comprises Umaima Kashif, a BS final-year student from the Dow College of Biotechnology (DCoB), under the supervision of Dr. Faiza Nadeem and co-supervision of Ms. Rouqia Fatima.

👏 Congratulations to the entire team for this remarkable achievement and for showcasing innovation and creativity at its best!

Congratulations to Dr. Anum Gul and Dr. Faiza Nadeem (Assistant Professors, DCoB) on their appointment as Program Directors for Postgraduate Studies in Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).

The DCoB faculty congratulates them and wishes them great success in their new assignment.

Congratulations to Mr. Abeer Noor Muhammad for his poster being elevated to Oral Presentation at the 46th International Conference of the Pakistan Association of Pathologists (PAP) in Lahore. Mr. Abeer is a Lab Instructor & an M.Phil. student at Dow College of Biotechnology. His research, entitled “Microbes of Big 4 Venomous Snakes,” is supervised by Dr. Humera Waheed, Prof. Nusrat Jabeen (UoK), & Prof. Mushtaq Hussain. Mr. Abeer has also been awarded travel bursaries by the conference organizers.

Congratulations to Ms. Muqaddas Shoaib Ahmed & Ms. Laiba Zehra for winning the Second Best Poster Prize at the 46th International Conference of the Pakistan Association of Pathologists (PAP) in Lahore. Ms. Muqaddas & Ms. Laiba are M.Phil. students at Dow College of Biotechnology. Their research, entitled “Drosophila melanogaster as a model for Screening Anti-Malarial Activity Compounds Targeting Hydroxyphenyl pyruvate Dioxygenase of Mosquitoes,” is supervised by Prof. Mushtaq Hussain. Ms. Muqaddas has also been awarded travel bursaries by the conference organizers.

Congratulations, Dr. Iqra Parveen, for winning the Third Best Poster Prize at the 46th International Conference of the Pakistan Association of Pathologists (PAP) in Lahore.
Dr. Iqra Parveen is an M.Phil. student at Dow College of Biotechnology.
Her poster, entitled “Cultivation & Whole Genome Sequencing of Wolbachia pipientis from Drosophila melanogaster ANU-1, a Biocontrol agent Against Mosquitoes,” is supervised by Prof. Mushtaq Hussain.
This Project is funded by Vice Chancellor Seed Funding Initiatives (VCSFI), DUHS.

On the Commencement of Space Week 2025, on 04 Oct 2025, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) handed over a 2D Clinostat to the Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, Dow College of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences. This device will enable the study of microgravity effects on fruit flies and associated flora and fauna, aiding Pakistan’s biological space research capabilities.
The Dow Fly Research Lab and Stock Center, DCoB, DUHS, is highly grateful to SUPARCO for the support and looks forward to joint research ventures with SUPARCO.

Congratulations to Dr. Sheeba Naz and Dr. Faiza Nadeem, Assistant Professors at Dow College of Biotechnology, DUHS, on their publication in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC).

Title of Publication:
"Synergistic enhancement of Cannabis sativa L. in vitro growth, metabolites production, and antioxidant activity using silver nanoparticles and plant growth regulators".

This research was supported by the Vice Chancellor Seed Funding Initiative (VCSFI), DUHS.

We extend our best wishes for their continued contributions to the advancement of biotechnology research.

Congratulations to Dr. Sheeba Naz and Dr. Faiza Nadeem, Assistant Professors at Dow College of Biotechnology, DUHS, on their recent publication in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC).

Title of Publication:
"Synergistic enhancement of Cannabis sativa L. in vitro growth, metabolites production, and antioxidant activity using silver nanoparticles and plant growth regulators".

This research was supported by the Vice Chancellor Seed Funding Initiative (VCSFI), DUHS.

We extend our best wishes for their continued contributions to the advancement of biotechnology research.

Dow College of Biotechnology is pleased to congratulate Ms. Zainab Najam, Dr. Anum Gul, and Dr. Nida Dastagir on the publication of their research article in Nanoscale Advances.

This publication is based on the M.Phil. research work of Ms. Zainab Najam, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Anum Gul and co-supervision of Dr. Nida Dastagir, titled:

“Attenuation of NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway in Human Synovial Cells using Ticagrelor Nano-formulation.”

This achievement reflects the commitment of DCoB faculty and researchers to advancing scientific innovation and contributing impactful research to the global scientific community.