Education

• Ph.D. Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
• Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Global Communicable Diseases, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
• M.Sc. Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

Research Interests/Scholastic Profile

• My research interests are protein biochemistry, molecular biology, cancer biology and molecular parasitology. Specifically, I have research experience in molecular expression and purification of recombinant protein kinase from Plasmodium falciparum, the parasitic agent responsible for malaria, to overcome present challenges of resistance to drug therapies. Furthermore, I have experience with heterologous overexpression of the phospholipase A2 in insect cells Sf9 and simultaneous characterization of this enzyme in Trypanosoma brucei; causative agent of Human African Sleeping sickness.

• I am interested in scientific education and teaching. I have instructed various courses in the basic sciences from introductory biology to students of a non-science concentration to biochemistry for medical and basic sciences students. My teaching methodology focuses on active learning approaches, including classroom discussions, group cases and presentations used to answer polls during lectures and advanced learning in labs. 

Courses Taught at Texas Wesleyan 

• CHE-4426: Biochemistry I Lecture and Laboratory
• CHE-1404: Physical Science & Environment
• CHE-1404L-A: Physical Science & Environment Lab
• CHE-1404L-B: Physical Science & Environment Lab

Publications

• Khalid, M., Zar, T., Habib, S., Siddiqui, A., Lalani. E.N. Dihydrotestosterone treatment increases stem cell like population in DAR19 prostatic cell line (in preparation)
• Bilgrami, S., Naqvi, Z., Shaikh, Khalid, Lalani, E.N., Abbas, F. MP39-17 Mecp2 Silencing In High Grade Bladder Cancer Derived Htb-5 Cell Line Affects Cellular Proliferation And Migratory Ability. The Journal of Urology (2014), 191(4), 432.
• Koopmann, R, Muhammad, K., Perbandt, M, Betzel, C, Duszenko, M. Trypanosoma brucei ATG8: Structural insights into autophagic-like mechanisms in protozoa. Autophagy (2009) 22, 5(8). 
• Denninger, V., Koopmann, R., Muhammad, K., Barth, T., Bassarak, B., Schoenfeld, C., Kilunga, B.K., Duszenko, M. Kinetoplastida: model organisms for simple autophagic pathways? Methods in Enzymology (2008) Vol. 451, Autophagy: Lower eukaryotes and non-mammalian systems. Part A. ed. Klionsky, D. J. 373-408.
• Merkel, P, Beck, A, Muhammad, K, Ali, S.A., Schönfeld, C., Voelter, W., Duszenko, M. Spermine isolated and identified as the major trypanocidal compound from the snake venom of Eristocophis macmahoni causes autophagy in Trypanosoma brucei. Toxicon (2007) Sep 15;50(4):457-69.
• Uzcategui, N-L., Bassarak, B., Muhammad, K., Schoenfeld, C., Denninger, V., Figarella, K., Duszenko, M. Looking for new strategies: Aquaporins of Trypanosomes as a vehicle for drug delivery. In: Protein Structure-function Relationship. (2007) eds. Abbasi, A. and Ali, S.A.

Presentations

• Partial characterization of Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase ABCK2 (PfABC2). University of South Florida, Research Day, Tampa, Florida (2018)
• Heterologous expression and purification of Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase (PfABCk2) as a potential drug target. University of South Florida, Graduate Student Research Symposium, Tampa, Florida (2018)
• Partial characterization of Plasmodium falciparum protein kinase ABCK2 (PfABCK2). University of South Florida, Global Health Infectious Disease Research Annual Symposium, Tampa, Florida (2017)
• Story of ATG8 - From Cloning to Heterologous expression. Advancements in Molecular Biology Research and Diagnostics, Karachi. (2014)
• Prostasphere formation in DAR19 prostatic cell line depicts stem cell like population.  Aga Khan University Health Sciences Research Assembly, Karachi (2013)                               
• Dihydrotestosterone treatment increases stem cell like population in DAR19 prostatic cell line Research Day: Pathology & Microbiology, Aga Khan Univ., Karachi (2013)                                     
• Transcriptional Expression Analysis of CD44 Stem Cell Marker in Huh-7 Cell Line. Introduction to Research Module: Aga Khan Medical College, Karachi (2013)                                   
• Transcriptional Expression Analysis of ABCG2 Stem Cell Marker in Huh-7 hepatoma Cell Line. Introduction to Research Module: Aga Khan Medical College, Karachi (2013)                                   
• Dihydrotestosterone treatment increases stem cell like population in DAR19 prostatic cell line. Aga Khan University Health Sciences Research Assembly, Karachi (2012)                           
• CD133+ sub- population of DU145 cells form prostaspheres expressing stem- like properties. Aga Khan University Health Sciences Research Assembly, Karachi (2011)
• Characterization of phospholipase A2 from Trypanosoma brucei. Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, Germany (2009)                                                                   
• Trypanosoma brucei ATG8: Structural insights into autophagy-like mechanisms in protozoa. German Society of Parasitology (DGP), 23rd Annual Meeting, Hamburg, Germany (2008)
• Isolation and identification of spermine as the major Trypanocidal compound in the snake venom of Eristocophis macmahoni and its effects on Trypanosoma brucei. German Society of Parasitology (DGP), 22nd Annual Meeting, Vienna, Austria (2006)

Certifications, Awards and Scientific memberships

• Graduate Certificate in Infection Control (GCIC), University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
• Awarded scholarship of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
• American Public Health Association (APHA)
• American Association of Cancer Research (AACR)