NeuroBiomedical Innovations in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Research Goals and Vision:
The vision of the NeuroBiomedical Innovations in Neurodegenerative Diseases research group is to advance our understanding of the molecular, cellular, and genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, and to translate these insights into innovative diagnostic tools, therapies, and interventions. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge research, our aim is to pave the way for early detection, personalized treatment, and ultimately, the prevention of conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative disorders, improving the lives of patients and their families worldwide.
Subgroup 1: Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarker Innovations in Neurodegeneration
To elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative diseases and pioneer the development of reliable biomarkers and diagnostic technologies for early detection, progression monitoring, and therapeutic intervention.
The group is focus on understanding the fundamental processes behind neurodegenerative diseases, including protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions in axonal transport and signaling, which collectively contribute to neuronal damage and disease progression.
Develop innovative approaches to identify and validate biomarkers from biofluids, proteomic, and neuroimaging data. Use cutting-edge techniques like AI and machine learning to predict disease onset and progression with precision.
Bridge molecular research and biomarker discoveries to create a unified understanding of disease mechanisms, advancing diagnostic tools and validating their clinical effectiveness for real-world application.
This integrated subgroup strives to bridge the gap between molecular research and diagnostic innovation, enabling earlier detection, precise monitoring, and targeted therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Faculty with overlapping interests: Dr Saima Zafar, Dr Aneeqa Noor
Subgroup 2: Neuro-Genomics and Neuro-Proteomics group
This group is working on developing diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. The main focus is to assist the growing Pakistani population at risk of developing these disorders through accurate, effective and budget friendly, interventions. Our current studies use samples from humans, animal models, and cell lines. We use an array of molecular techniques to target the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic components of the cells and identify the implications of our interventions on a molecular level. The group is also actively working in developing devices for the easy diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders with the assistance of our collaborative partners in Pakistan, USA, and Europe.
Faculty with overlapping interests: Dr Aneeqa Noor, Dr Saima Zafar
Subgroup 3: Personalized Medicine and Precision Therapeutics
This initiative aims to advance personalized medicine and precision therapeutics tailored to the unique genetic, proteomic, metabolomic and environmental profiles of individuals in Pakistan affected by neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS. The group is working on the development of individualized treatment plans based on biomarkers, genetic profiles, and patient-specific data to improve therapeutic outcomes. Investigate how genetic variations affect drug metabolism and response, leading to more effective and personalized treatment regimens. Integrate multi-omics data: Use multi-omics approaches (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to create personalized therapeutic maps for each patient. Explore exosomes as natural delivery vehicles for targeted therapeutics, including RNA and proteins. Develop predictive tools to guide clinicians in selecting the most effective treatments based on a patient’s unique disease profile.