Welcome

To

Muid Research Group

Team Leader

Ashfaqul Muid Khandaker, PhD

Assistant ProfessorBranch of Genetics and Molecular BiologyDepartment of ZoologyUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh https://www.du.edu.bd/faculty/faculty_details/ZOO/2282
Dr. Ashfaqul Muid Khandaker obtained his PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the Izmir Institute of Technology in the field of Mitochondrial metabolism and cell aging in 2016. Dr. Muid has been a faculty member at the University of Dhaka since 2017 where he is currently an Assistant Professor at the branch of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka.

Area of Research

DNA damage and Genotoxicity: Hundreds of chemicals used in food and agriculture are now known to have deleterious effects on cells' physiology. Some chemical substances sometime act as DNA adduct which can lead to mutation in proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes causing serious health hazard often termed as genotoxicity. Muid research group applies various molecular techniques for detecting genotoxicity. We also apply comet assay for a visual analysis with staining of DNA and calculating fluorescence to determine the extent of DNA damage.


SARS CoV-2 Genomics and pathophysiology: In the recent time, several point mutations in the whole genome sequences of SARS CoV-2 in Bangladesh were primarily detected by Muid Research Group. The sense mutations might confer the overall structure and the function of the corona virus strain. So we have generated a continuous monitoring and profiling based research, with a collaboration with medical doctors, focusing the SARS CoV-2 genome in Bangladesh, which is highly essential for the future mode of infection and therapeutic aspects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country. The effect of different seasons on the nature of mutations and pathogenicity will also be justified.
DNA repair and cell aging: All living systems undergo physiologic decline with age. Aging cell in turn starts the development of many diseases. Though Aging is universal for all life form on earth, its biological process is poorly understood. Maintaining the integrity of genome is one of the most critical functions of a cell. Thus DNA repair system in cell is doing its novel job by protecting its own genome. Despite the existence of an array of protective DNA repair systems, several forms of DNA damage accumulate with age because DNA repair response itself decline with age. So, we address the question by asking whether manipulating/overexpressing DNA repair genes can regulate/promote healthy life span.
Mitochondrial Diseases: Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” of cells producing energy for them to function and are also involved in metabolism and various other roles. Mutations in either nuclear or mitochondrial DNA result in mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to several genetic diseases, affecting nearly any tissue especially the heart, brain, muscles and gastrointestinal tract which require the most energy. We aim to target certain mitochondrial genes in order to unveil the underlying molecular mechanisms of specific mitochondrial disorders.
Dengue genomics and vector control: Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus are two highly invasive mosquito species, both are vectors of several viruses, including Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika. Recently Dengue vector/s and their relevance to human health are receiving serious attention everywhere in Bangladesh. Vector control using insecticides is the pillar of most control programs; hence development of insecticide resistance is of a great problem. Our research group plans to develop a Bio-molecular data of Dengue and Chikungunya vector/s in Bangladesh. To do so molecular profiling, gene expression pattern and sequencing of present viral genome will be performed. Our another goal is to assess some modern rapid control strategy and evaluate the genotoxicity status in order to sort out the robust but environmentally sound one.

Group Members

Dr. Miftahul Jannat Khan

Affiliation: Resident (MD phase B), Anesthesiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University( BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Research Area: SARS-CoV-2 Genomics and Pathophysiology

Major Dr. Ashiqul Arefin

Anesthesiologist Affiliation: Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Research Area: SARS-CoV-2 Genomics and Pathophysiology


Ismat Jahan Anee

MS thesis student (2018-19)Branch of Genetics & Molecular BiologyDepartment of Zoology University of Dhaka email: ismatjahan005@gmail.com
Research topic: Role of DNA repair genes on Cellular Aging

Fatema Akter Sadia

MS thesis student (2019-20)Branch of Genetics & Molecular Biology, Department of Zoology University of Dhaka email: fatemasadia03@gmail.com
 Research topic: Role of DNA repair genes on cell aging

Nazela Ahmed Chowdhury

MS thesis student (2019-20)Branch of Genetics & Molecular Biology Department of Zoology University of Dhakaemail: nazelaahmedchowdhury@gmail.com
Research topic: Mitochondria targeted genes and human genetic diseases

Tasin Ahmed

MS thesis student (2019-20)Branch of Genetics & Molecular Biology Department of Zoology University of Dhakaemail: meemtasin@gmail.com
Research topic: Dengue genomics and vector control

Tahsin Tamanna

MS thesis student (2019-20)Branch of Genetics & Molecular Biology Department of Zoology University of Dhakaemail: tahsintamanna26@gmail.com
Research topic: DNA Mutation and Genotoxicity

Atia Shanjida Shormi

MS thesis student (2019-20)Branch of Genetics & Molecular BiologyDepartment of Zoology University of Dhakaemail: shanjidashormi66@gmail.com
Research topic: Genotoxicity

Ongoing Projects:

  1. Title: "The role of DNA repair genes on cellular life span determination”. Funding source: University Grand Commission (UGC), Bangladesh.

  2. Title: "Bio-molecular characterization, assessment and evaluation of some candidate pesticides to control Chikungunya vectors (Aedes sp.) in Dhaka”. Grant from University Grand Commission (UGC).

  3. Title: "Cloning and expression of delta-endotoxin “cry genes” into yeast system to produce a fungal biopesticide against a wide range of insects”. Funding source: Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh.

List of Publications:


2020- Khandaker AM and Koc A (2020). Mitochondrial targeted AFG3 abolishment triggers higher mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in young Yeast. Microbial Bioactives, 3(1), 120-126. https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.31003A0713270620

2020- Khandaker AM. Stem Cell Diversity and Therapeutic Aspects of Hyperglycemia. J Embryol Stem Cell Res 2020, 4(1): 000138.

2019-Ashfaqul Muid Khandaker; Onder Kimyon; Shadat Hasan Reza; Huseyin Caglar Karakaya and Ahmet Koc. (2019). Characterization of long living Yeast deletion mutants that lack mitochondrial metabolism genes DSS1, PPA2 and AFG3. Genes.706:172-180 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gene.2019.05.001

2019- Sristy Saha, Zannatul Ferdous, Hawa Jahan, Ashfaqul Muid Khandaker, Reza Md. Shahjahan and Rowshan Ara Begum (2019). Polymorphic loci analysis of 16s ribosomal RNA gene of economically important marine lizardfish Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus). Bangladesh J. Zool. 47(1): 49-57 https://doi.org/10.3329/bjz.v47i1.42020

2018- Khandaker AM (2018). The Biology and Genetics of Electric Organ of Electric Fishes. International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology. 1(5). https://doi.org/10.23880/izab-16000131

2017- Khandaker, A. M. and A. Koc. (2017). Deletion of mitochondrial inorganic pyrophosphatase gene extends life span in haploid yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). J. biodivers. conserv. bioresour. Manag. 3(2):69-76. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcbm.v3i2.36030

2014-Muid K.A., Karakaya H.Ç. and Koc A. (2014). Absence of superoxide dismutase activity causes nuclear DNA fragmentation during the aging process. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 444(2):260-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.01.056

2012-K. A. Muid, R. M. Shahjahan, R. Begum and R. A. Begum. (2012). Zinc Phosphide Induced DNA Damage in the Blood Cells of Gallus sp. using Comet DNA Assay. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences. 7( 1 ): 82-87 http://dx.doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2012.82.87

Techniques:

  1. Signaling

  2. Gene cloning, transfer and expression: Advanced Gateway Cloning system

  3. Gene expression: DNA microarray, qPCR

  4. Fluorescent microscopy

  5. Flow cytometeric analysis

  6. Enzymatic assays, Biochemical assays

  7. DNA damage and Genotoxicity: Comet assay

LOCATION and CONTACT











Contact: Dr. Ashfaqul Muid Khandaker Branch of Genetics and Molecular BiologyDepartment of Zoology University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Cell: 01759044481 email: muid.zoo@du.ac.bd