The centre for Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine (HGMM) has opened its door at SIUT, which will conduct researches on various diseases on the basis of genetic make up eg adult polycystic kidney disease. Another important aspect of these researches will lead us into the prediction of treatment modalities to treat chronic diseases and cancers.
For example some individuals do not respond to certain drugs and treatment become expensive and futile. Molecular techniques can unearth cost effective combination of drug treatment through pharmaco-genetics.
Dr Syed Qasim Mehdi is heading the Centre for Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine at SIUT as distinguished professor along with a group of scientists, which includes three PhD doctors as well as three PhD students. At the Institute Dr Mehdi plans to extend research on human genetics especially pertaining to kidney and liver diseases.
Since coming to Pakistan, Dr Mehdi set up three states-of-the-art research laboratories: in three centres. Dr Mehdi has laid the foundations of human medical and evolutionary genetics research in Pakistan. He has actively contributed to the International Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP), having genetically analysed thousand of Pakistani and other world populations of clinical and anthropological importance.-PR