UAN:111-000-010
GC University, Lahore
info@gcu.edu.pk

GCU Faculty

Back
Dr. Muhammad Asif

Dr. Muhammad Asif

Assistant Professor
Department: Microbiology
Email: m.asif@gcu.edu.pk
Research Interests: Phage Therapy, Bacterial and viral Genomics, protein engineering, Antimicrobial resistance, Medical Microbiology, Diagnostic Pathology
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
2023  PhD in Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, Institute Of Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, University Of The Punjab Lahore
2016  Masters in Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, Institute Of Microbiology And Molecular Genetics, University Of The Punjab Lahore
2013  BA/BSc(Hons) in Medical Lab Technology, University Of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan
1. One-year Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Lab Technology, Shoukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Lahore (2013-2014).
2. Eight-month Responsible Research Fellowship by Health Security Partners, USA (2023-2024)
3. Google Project Management diploma via Coursera (6 courses with 30 modules equivalent to 6 Months).

Teaching Areas

Medical Microbiology
Molecular biology
Bacterial Genetics
Antimicrobial Drugs
Microbial Genomics
Pathology
Molecular Techniqus
Experience
From To Designation Firm/Institution
Nov 2023 Continue Assistant Professor Microbiology Department Of Microbiology, GC University, Lahore
Sep 2023 Nov 2023 Assistant Professor Medical Lab Technology National Skills University, Islamabad
Jun 2017 Sep 2023 Lecturer Medical Lab Technology Department Of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore
Aug 2013 Sep 2017 Medical Technologist Department Of Pathology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital And Research Centre, Lahore

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, 10 (2), 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, 329 , 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, 12 (1), 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, , 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, 129 , 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, 12 , 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., 165 (6), 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, 165 (2), 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, 11 , 1249-1260. | Impact Factor: 3.4