University of the Punjab.

Dr. Samia Afzal is a pivotal member of the Molecular Virology group, which plays a crucial role in advancing the treatment and management of viral hepatitis, COVID-19, Dengue and the Chikungunya virus. Dr. Samia’s group collaborates closely with healthcare professionals and patients to enhance the quality of life for individuals affected by these diseases. This is achieved through a combination of research, disease awareness initiatives, and effective disease management strategies.
The primary focus of Dr. Samia’s research group is on viral diseases. They are dedicated to studying DNA and RNA viruses that affect humans, with a specific emphasis on their prevalence in different geographical regions of Pakistan. Their research methodologies encompass structural, cell-based, molecular, and biochemical techniques. These methods are utilized to unravel essential aspects of genome replication, gene expression, virus entry, and transmission. By delving into these areas, the group contributes to a deeper understanding of vital protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, which hold key implications for life processes and the development of novel antiviral approaches. The group’s core objective revolves around strengthening research and developmental pursuits, particularly in the application of molecular biology within the field of medical virology. A prominent area of their focus lies in investigating viral epidemics at the genomic level, elucidating host-virus interactions, delineating various pathways, and developing diagnostic assays. Furthermore, their efforts extend to the exploration of vaccine candidates for potential development.
Her research interests also encompass liver cancer, with a particular focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying virus induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identifying novel molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting. They are particularly interested in the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and their involvement in key processes associated with liver carcinogenesis, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and treatment resistance. Their research aims to investigate dysregulated miRNA expression patterns in liver cancer/HCC and explore their potential as minimally invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as their utility in identifying novel therapeutic targets. This work contributes to a better understanding of the molecular basis of liver cancer and will support the development of more precise and personalized approaches to cancer management.
Dr. Samia’s group has established valuable collaborations, including partnerships with prominent institutions such as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (USA), Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Centre De Recherche, University Grenoble Alpes (France), and Queen Mary University London. These collaborations reflect the group’s commitment to global engagement and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.