Biography

Dr. Asif is a skilled professional with expertise in the field of phage biology, focusing particularly on microbiological and molecular characterization of bacteria, phage isolation and characterization, NGS data handling, molecular cloning and expression, CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing, and animal models of infections. He also has extensive working experience in diagnostic laboratory work and clinical testing.
Dr. Asif's research focus includes, but is not limited to, isolation, characterization, and genome analysis of bacterial pathogens and their viruses; cloning and expression of phage-encoded lytic proteins; CRISPR-Cas-based genome editing of phages to enhance their host range and efficacy; immunological aspects of phage therapy; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of phages as therapeutic agents; uses of phage cocktails as sanitary agents; and establishment of a phage bank for phage therapy. He has interests in clinical microbiology, including bacterial genomics and proteomics.

Education

• PhD in Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, Institute Of Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, University Of The Punjab (Lahore) 2023
• Masters in Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, Institute Of Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, University Of The Punjab (Lahore) 2016
• BA/BSc(Hons) in Medical Lab Technology, University Of Health Sciences (Lahore, Pakistan) 2013

Teaching Areas

Experience

Journal Papers

• Khan, F., Naseem, F., Asif, M., Alvi, I.A., Rehman, S.U., and Rehman, Abdul (2025). "Bacteriophages RCF and 1-6bf can control the growth of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli." Poultry Science , Vol. 10 (2) , pp. 104790. DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.104790 | Impact Factor: 4 [Link]
• Asif, M, Alvi, IA, Basit, A, Waqas, M, Raza, F.A, Rehman, S-U (2023). "A K-17 serotype specific Klebsiella phage JKP2 with mature biofilm reduction potential." Virus Research , Vol. 329 , pp. 199107. | Impact Factor: 6.28 [Link]
• Tabassum, R., Basit, A., Alvi, I.A. and Asif, M, Rehman, S-U (2022). "TSP, a virulent Podovirus, can control the growth of Staphylococcus aureus for 12 h." Scientific Reports , Vol. 12 (1) , pp. 1-12. | Impact Factor: 4.38 [Link]
• 10. Alvi, I.A., Asif, M. and Ur Rehman, S (2021). "A single dose of a virulent bacteriophage vB PaeP-SaPL, rescues bacteremic mice infected with multi drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.." Virus Research , pp. 198250. DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198250 | Impact Factor: 3.3
• Asif, M, Naseem, H, Alvi, IA, Basit, A, Rehman, S-U (2021). "Characterization of a lytic EBP bacteriophage with large size genome against Enterobacter cloacae." APMIS , Vol. 129 , pp. 461– 469. | Impact Factor: 3.2 [Link]
• Basit, A., Karim, A.M., Asif, M., Ali, T., Lee, J.H., Jeon, J.H., Ur Rehman, S. and Lee, S.H. (2021). "Designing Short Peptides to Block the Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 and Human ACE2 for COVID-19 Therapeutics." Frontiers in Pharmacology , Vol. 12 , pp. p.2310. | Impact Factor: 5.8 [Link]
• Alvi, IA., Asif, M., Tabassum, R., Aslam, R., Abbas, Z. and Rehman, SU (2020). "RLP, a Podoviridae Bacteriophage Rescued Mice from Multi-drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteremia." Archives of Virology. , Vol. 165 (6) , pp. 1289-97. | Impact Factor: 2.57
• Asif, M., Alvi, I.A., Tabassum, R. and Rehman, S.U (2020). "TAC1, an unclassified bacteriophage of the family Myoviridae infecting Acinetobacter baumannii with a large burst size and a short latent period.." Archives of Virology , Vol. 165 (2) , pp. pp.419-424.. | Impact Factor: 2.57
• Asif, M., Alvi, IA. and Rehman, SU., (2018). "Insight into Acinetobacter baumannii: pathogenesis, global resistance, mechanisms of resistance, treatment options, and alternative modalities." Infection and Drug Resistance , Vol. 11 , pp. 1249-1260. | Impact Factor: 3.4