Estb. 1882

University of the Punjab

Dr. Sameera Hassan


Associate Professor
Dr. Sameera Hassan
I have joined the CEMB in June 1997 after my Masters in Zoology from University of the Punjab in Lahore. I was selected through national competition for the research job. During my research endeavor I have worked on phage display of Bacillus thuringiensis protein where the expression of whole fragment of Cry 1 Ac toxin and domains II III were separately displayed as translational fusion with gene III in pDAN3 phagemid system. This study involved different Molecular Biological Techniques like cloning, sub-cloning, SDS PAGE analysis, Dot Blot, Western Blotting, PCR, Plasmid and Genomic DNA Isolation, Colony hybridization, DNA Sequencing and analysis through Chromas software.  Different Microbiological techniques included Streaking, colony inoculum, Glycerol stock and different media preparations.
In mammalian tissue culturing learnt cryo preservation of different cell lines. I have practical research experience in standardization of STR loci while working in Forensic DNA Typing.
I have also worked on the expression of recombinant human erythropoietin (hEPO) gene in prokaryote by transformation in Eschericiacoli (BL21DE3) and in eukaryote by transient and stable transfection in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. The protein was purified by using Affinity and ion Exchange Chromatography from cell culture supernatants.
I have also worked on multi drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRDSA) from Bovine mastitis dairy samples and isolated 8MRDSA after screening through different microbiological media like Muller Hinton agar, Sheep Blood agar and Baird Parker agar. In 2010, I got enrolled in M. Phil leading to PhD. In M. Phil studied the effect of different NaCl concentration for comparative salinity stress tolerance on two varieties FDH 786 & FDH171 of our local desi cotton. Thus FDH 786 was established salt tolerant which led us to use it as a source for gene pool against salinity.
The PhD research title was “Cellular Characterization, Cloning & Expression of Universal Stress Protein Gene (GUSP1) in Cotton and its Role in Drought Tolerance”. In this study the GUSP1 gene was cloned in frame with GFP in plant expression vector and transgenic American cotton plants were raised through Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation. The expression of the said gene was confirmed in transgenic American cotton plant tissue through different biochemical, physiological and molecular analysis. Moreover, the GUSP1 was also localized in spongy mesophyll, midrib, trichome, and in stomata of leaf tissue of transgenic American cotton plants via GFP fluorescence. This led the abscisic acid (ABA) based drought tolerance mechanism of GUSP1 gene. To date I have supervised four M. Phil scholars and two are enrolled.
I am enthusiastic on the basis of research endeavor my greatest strength is research and teaching skill which enables me to permanently betterment of my institute as well as to enhance my professional skill.
Designation:- Associate Professor

Contacts

Department