Dr. Sher Zaman Safi
Assistant Professor, IRCBM
Area of Interest: Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Cell Signaling, Epigenetics, Biomaterials and Diseases, Stem Cells, Drug Designing, Drug Delivery and Gene Expression
Tel # (Off): 111-001-007   (828)
On Leave

Dr. Sher Zaman Safi joined IRCBM, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus in 2016.  His research interests lie primarily in the area of molecular cell biology, biotechnology and biochemistry. His current research focuses on the understanding of  biomaterial-induced molecular alterations and epigenetic modifications in various cell lines and animal models. Previously he worked on virology (HCV) and immunology in his MPhil research at National University of Science and Technology (NUST). At the University of Malaya (Malaysia), his research involved “examination of beta-adrenergic receptors signaling in diabetic complications”. He investigated the effect of agonists and antagonists of beta receptors in hyperglycemic retinal and Muller cells. At National University Singapore (NUS) his other experiments dealt with evaluating the phosphorylation of genes involved in inflammatory pathways in hyperglycemic HUVECs. At Ajou University South Korea, he worked on the epigenetics of degenrative diseases. During his postdoctoral period, he worked on various projects as co-investigator. He investigated the effect of Gelam honey on the oxidative stress-induced signaling in hamster cells and STZ-induced diabetic rats. He also worked on a project "ROS production and cell membrane potential in hyperglycemic endothelial cells". Dr Safi has published his research in a range of reputed journals and sits on the editorial board of various journals. He has presented his research in many international conferences and symposia. He has been the winner of prestigious awards and scholarships such as Bright Spark Scholarship, excellence award during PhD and young scientist travel awards.

Funded Projects:

Current Projects:
1. Evaluation of molecular mechanisms of pro-angiogenic heparin containing nano- composite hydrogels: Addressing lab to clinic translational barriers (2020 - 2022) PIs: Dr. Sher Zaman Safi, Budget: PKR 4.5 million, Funded By: HEC (NRPU) .
Completed Projects:
1. Characterization and differential gene expression of diabetic neuropathy related genes (2019 - 2020) PIs: Dr. Sher Zaman Safi, Budget: PKR 0.3 million, Funded By: COMSATS University Islamabad .
2. Role of VEGF and VEGFR mediated angiogenesis in human in Endothelial cells (2017 - 2018) PIs: Dr. Sher Zaman Safi, Budget: PKR 0.5 million, Funded By: HEC (Start Up) .

Publications:

Journal Papers:
1. Shagufta Naz, Nida Shafique, Saima Sharif, Farkhanda Manzoor, Sher Zaman Saifi, Sabika Firasat, Haiba Kaul (2020), "Association of Interleukin 10 (IL-10) Gene with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of Its Promotor Region G/A 1082", Critical Reviews™ in Eukaryotic Gene Expression, pp: 285-289, Vol: 30, Issue: 4   
2. Muhammad Qayash Khan, Muhammad Zubair Anjum, Muhammad Adnan, Abbas Khan, Hafsa Zahid, Javed Nawab, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Ishaq Ali Shah, Atif Kamil, Abid Ali (2020), "Genetic Diversity of Schizothorax, Tor, and Mystus spp. in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Species of Economic Importance ", Pakistan Journal of Zoology, pp: 1-11, Standard: 0030-9923   
3. Mehwish Pasha, Nawshad Muhammad, Maleeha Nayyer, Jaffar Hussain Bokhari, Hina Ashraf, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Kaleem (2020), "Synthesis of an anti-cariogenic experimental composite containing novel drug-decorated copper particles ", Materials Science and Engineering: C, pp: 111040, Vol: 114   
4. Muhammad Hamza Malik, Lubna Shahzadi, Razia Batool, Sher Zaman Safi, Abdul Samad Khan, Ather Farooq Khan, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Ihtesham Ur Rehman, Muhammad Yar (2020), "Thyroxine-loaded chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose/hydroxyapatite hydrogels enhance angiogenesis in in-ovo experiments", International journal of biological macromolecules, pp: 1162-1170, Vol: 145   
5. Bushra Iqbal, Nawshad Muhammad, Abdur Rahim, Farasit Iqbal, Faiza Sharif, Sher Zaman Safi, Amir Sada Khan, Girma Gonfa, Maliha Uroos, Ihtesham Ur Rehman (2019), "Development of collagen/PVA composites patches for osteochondral defects using a green processing of ionic liquid", International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, pp: 590-596, Vol: 68, Issue: 10, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00914037.2018.1474358, Impact Factor: Impact Factor: 2.6    (External URL)
6. Zuhra Tayyab, Sher Zaman Safi, Abdur Rahim, Amir Sada Khan, Faiza Sharif, Zia Ul Haq Khan, Fozia Rehman, Zahoor Ullah, Jibran Iqbal, Nawshad Muhammad (2019), "Preparation of cellulosic Ag-nanocomposites using an ionic liquid", Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, pp: 785-796, Vol: 30, Issue: 9, DOI: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tbsp20, Impact Factor: Impact Factor: 3.51    (External URL)
7. Zia Ul Haq Khan, Hafiz Masood Sadiq, Noor Samad Shah, Arif Ullah Khan, Nawshad Muhammad, Sadaf Ul Hassan, Kamran Tahir, Faheem Ullah Khan, Muhammad Imran, Naveed Ahmad, Faizan Ullah, Ashfaq Ahmad, Murtaza Sayed, Muhammad Shafique Khalid, Saeed Ahmad (2019), "Greener synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Trianthema portulacastrum extract and evaluation of its photocatalytic and biological applications", Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, pp: 147-157, Vol: 192, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2019.01.013, Impact Factor: Impact Factor: 6.25    (External URL)
8. Sher Zaman Safi, Humaira Shah, Rajes Qvist, Priyadarshni Bindal, Marzida Mansor, Gracie Ong Siok Yan, Ikram Shah Bin Ismail (2018), "Beta Adrenergic Receptors Stimulation Attenuates Phosphorylation of NF-?B and I?Ba in Hyperglycemic Endothelial Cells", Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, pp: 1429-1436, Vol: 51, Issue: 3, ISSN: 1015-8987, Impact Factor: Impact Factor: 5.14    (External URL)
9. Tehseen Riaz, Rabia Zeeshan, Faiza Zarif, Kanwal Ilyas, Nawshad Muhammad, Sher Zaman Safi, Abdur Rahim, Syed AA Rizvi, Ihtesham Ur Rehman (2018), "FTIR analysis of natural and synthetic collagen", Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, pp: 743-746, Vol: 53, Issue: 9, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/05704928.2018.1426595, Impact Factor: Impact Factor: 5.91    (External URL)
10. Mohamed Hasif Jaafar, Sher Zaman Safi, Maw-Pin Tan, Sanjay Rampal, Sanjiv Mahadeva (2018), "Efficacy of Rebamipide in Organic and Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis", Dig Dis Sci, pp: 1250-1260, Vol: 63, Issue: 5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-017-4871-9, Impact Factor: Impact Factor: 3.19    (External URL)
11. Abdul Wahab, Syed Aleem Jan, Abdur Rauf, Zia ur Rehman, Zahid Khan, Aftab Ahmed, Fatima Syed, Sher Zaman Safi, Hamayun Khan, Muhammad Imran (2018), "Phytochemical composition, biological potential and enzyme inhibition activity of Scandix pecten-veneris L", Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE B, pp: 120-129, Vol: 19, Issue: 2    (External URL)
12. Sher Zaman Safi, Mamoona Noreen, Muhammad Imran, Yasir Waheed, Muhammad Imran, Amir Miraj Ul Hussain Shah, Nawshad Muhammad (2017), "Alteration in ocular blood flow and its effect on the progression of glaucoma", International Journal of Ophthalmology, pp: 394-398, Vol: 17, Issue: 3   
13. Fayyaz Ahmed, Muhammad Atif, Muhammmad Saleem, Sher Zaman Safi, Zareen Fatima, Ahmed Bilal Waqar (2017), "Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected People Who Inject Drugs in Lahore, Pakistan", Viral immunology, pp: 1-5, Vol: 00   
14. Sana Mansha, Muhammad Imran, Amir Miraj Ul Hussain Shah, Muhsin Jamal, Fayyaz Ahmed, Muhammad Atif, Muhammmad Saleem, Sher Zaman Safi, Zareen Fatima, Ahmed Bilal Waqar (2017), "Hepatitis B and C virus infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected people who inject drugs in Lahore, Pakistan", Viral immunology, pp: 366-370, Vol: 30, Issue: 5   
15. Muhammad Imran, Yasir Waheed, Ayesha Ghazal, Sajjad Ullah, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhsin Jamal, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Atif, Farman Ullah (2017), "Modern biotechnology-based therapeutic approaches against HIV infection", Biomedical Reports, pp: 504-507, Vol: 7, Issue: 6   
16. Yasir Waheed, Sher Zaman Safi, Muzammil Hasan Najmi, Hafsa Aziz, Muhammad Imran (2017), "Prediction of promiscuous T cell epitopes in RNA dependent RNA polymerase of chikungunya virus", Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, pp: 760-764, Vol: 10, Issue: 8, Standard: 1995-7645   
17. Yasir Waheed, Muzammil Hasan Najmi, Hafsa Aziz, Hasnain Waheed, Muhammad Imran, Sher Zaman Safi (2017), "Prevalence of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs in the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan", Biomedical Reports, pp: 263-266, Vol: 7, Issue: 3   
18. Yasir Waheed, Mehreen Tahir, Hasnain Waheed, Sher Zaman Safi (2017), "Recent advances on Ebola virus", Asian Pac J Trop Dis, pp: 65-67, Vol: 7, Standard: 1995-7645   
19. Sher Zaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Gracie Ong, Hamed Karimian, Muhammad Imran, Ikram Shah (2017), "Stimulation of ß-adrenergic receptors plays a protective role via increased expression of RAF-1 and PDX-1 in hyperglycemic rat pancreatic islet (RIN-m5F) cells", Archives of medical science: AMS, pp: 470, Vol: 13, Issue: 2   
20. Kousar Parveen, Uzaira Rafique, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf (2016), "A novel method for synthesis of functionalized hybrids and their application for wastewater treatment", Desalination and Water treatment, pp: 161-170, Vol: 57, Issue: 1   
21. Hoda Hosseinpour Nasirmahaleh, Sher Zaman Safi, Mohammad Reza Sazegar, Rajes Qvist, Ikram Shah Bin Ismail, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, NANN Malek (2016), "Adsorption of amoxicillin on surfactant modified zeolites and their antibacterial activity", Research Journal of Biotechnology Vol, pp: 75-78, Vol: 11, Issue: 9, Standard: 0973-6263   
22. Sher Safi, Rajes Qvist (2016), "Beta adrenergic receptors stimulation attenuates hyperglycemia-induced inflammation and apoptosis via NF-?B and I?Ba in endothelial cells: 185", Clinical Endocrinology, pp: 24-25, Vol: 84   
23. Sher Zaman Safi, Kalaivani Batumalaie, Rajes Qvist, Kamaruddin Mohd Yusof, Ikram Shah Ismail (2016), "Gelam honey attenuates the oxidative stress-induced inflammatory pathways in pancreatic hamster cells", Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol: 2016, Standard: 1741-427X   
24. Sher Zaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Karuthan Chinna, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Darishiani Paramasivam, Ikram Shah Ismail (2016), "Gene expression profiling of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of offspring of one type 2 diabetic parent", International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, pp: 407-419, Vol: 36, Issue: 4, Standard: 0973-3930   
25. Faryal Mateen, Iqra Javed, Uzaira Rafique, Noshabah Tabassum, Maliha Sarfraz, Sher Zaman Safi, Ismail Yusoff, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf (2016), "New method for the adsorption of organic pollutants using natural zeolite incinerator ash (ZIA) and its application as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective adsorbent", Desalination and Water treatment, pp: 6230-6238, Vol: 57, Issue: 14   
26. Hamayun Khan, Syed Aleem Jan, Mehwish Javed, Rabia Shaheen, Zahid Khan, Aftab Ahmad, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Imran (2016), "Nutritional composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of selected wild edible plants", Journal of food biochemistry, pp: 61-70, Vol: 40, Issue: 1, Standard: 1745-4514   
27. Darishiani Paramasivam, Sher Zaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Imran Bin Zainal Abidin, Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi, Karuthan Chinna (2016), "Role of PPARG (Pro12Ala) in Malaysian type 2 diabetes mellitus patients", International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, pp: 449–456, Vol: 36, Issue: 4   
28. Hamed Karimian, Mehran Fadaeinasab, Soheil Zorofchian Moghadamtousi, Maryam Hajrezaei, Mahboubeh Razavi, Sher Zaman Safi, Mahmood Ameen Abdulla, Hapipah Mohd Ali, Mohamad Ibrahim Noordin (2015), "Chemopreventive Activity of Ferulago angulate against Breast Tumor in Rats and the Apoptotic Effect of Polycerasoidin in MCF7 Cells: A Bioassay-Guided Approach", PloS one, pp: e0127434, Vol: 10, Issue: 5   
29. Priyadarshni Bindal, Wen Lin Chai, Umesh Bindal, Sher Zaman Safi, Zahidah Zainuddin, Andreas Lionel (2015), "Dental treatment and special needs patients (SNPs): Dentist's point of view in selected cities of Malaysia", Biomedical Research-India, pp: 152-156, Vol: 26, Issue: 1   
30. Quratulan Ahmed, Farzana Yousuf, Maliha Sarfraz, Qadeer Mohammad Ali, Mansour Balkhour, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf (2015), "Euthynnus affinis (little tuna): fishery, bionomics, seasonal elemental variations, health risk assessment and conservational management", Frontiers in Life Science, pp: 71-96, Vol: 8, Issue: 1   
31. Sher Zaman Safi, Kalaivani Batumalaie, Marzida Mansor, Karuthan Chinna, Hamed Karimian, Rajes Qvist, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Syam Mohan, Garcie Ong Siok Yan (2015), "Glutamine treatment attenuates hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial stress and apoptosis in umbilical vein endothelial cells", Clinics, pp: 569-576, Vol: 70, Issue: 8   
32. Sher Zaman Safi, Kalaivani Batumalaie, Marzida Mansor, Karuthan Chinna, Hamed Karimian, Rajes Qvist, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Syam Mohan, Garcie Ong Siok Yan (2015), "Glutamine treatment attenuates hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial stress and apoptosis in umbilical vein endothelial cells", Clinics, pp: 569-576, Vol: 70, Issue: 8   
33. Sher Zaman Safi, Kalaivani Batumalaie, Marzida Mansor, Karuthan Chinna, Hamed Karimian, Rajes Qvist, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Syam Mohan, Garcie Ong Siok Yan (2015), "Glutamine treatment attenuates hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial stress and apoptosis in umbilical vein endothelial cells (vol 70, pg 569, 2015)", Clinics, pp: 827-827, Vol: 70, Issue: 12   
34. Sher Zaman Safi, Humaira Shah, YAN GRACIE ONG SIOK, Rajes Qvist (2015), "Insulin resistance provides the connection between hepatitis C virus and diabetes", HEPATITIS MONTHLY, Vol: 15, Issue: 1, Standard: 1735-143X   
35. Hamed Karimian, Mehran Fadaeinasab, Soheil Zorofchian Moghadamtousi, Maryam Hajrezaei, Maryam Zahedifard, Mahboubeh Razavi, Sher Zaman Safi, Syam Mohan, Shaden AM Khalifa, Hesham R El-Seedi, Mahmood Amin Abdulla, Hapipah Mohd Ali, Mohamad Ibrahim Noo (2015), "The Chemopreventive Effect of Tanacetum Polycephalum Against LA7-Induced Breast Cancer in Rats and the Apoptotic Effect of a Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactone in MCF7 Cells: A Bioassay-Guided Approach", Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, pp: 988-1003, Vol: 36, Issue: 3   
36. Oral Presentors (2014), "15th Asia-Oceania Congress of Endocrinology (AOCE 2014) ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS", Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, pp: 199-199, Vol: 29, Issue: 2, Standard: 08571074, 2308118X   
37. Priyadarshni Bindal, Umesh Bindal, Sher Zaman Safi, Kashif Hussain, Aishay Radzi, Hilman Safwan (2014), "Dental Students’ Perceptions on patients with HIV or Hepatitis B infection", Annual Research & Review in Biology, pp: 3645-3655, Vol: 4, Issue: 24, Standard: 2347-565X   
38. Sher Zaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Gracie Ong Siok Yan, Ikram Shah Bin Ismail (2014), "Differential expression and role of hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress in epigenetic regulation of ß1, ß2 and ß3-adrenergic receptors in retinal endothelial cells", BMC medical genomics, pp: 1-13, Vol: 7, Issue: 1   
39. Selva Kumar, Sher Zaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Ikram Shah Ismail (2014), "Effect of agonists of adenosine receptors on inflammatory markers in human Muller cells", Current Science, pp: 582-586, Vol: 106, Issue: 4   
40. Sher Safi, Rajes Qvist, Gracie Ong (2014), "Glutamine treatment attenuates hyperglycemia induced mitochondrial stress and apoptosis in umbilical vein endothelial cells: A relevance in severe sepsis: 141", Cytokine, Vol: 70, Issue: 1   
41. SherZaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf, Ikram Shah bin Ismail (2014), "HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) AND ITS WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION", International Journal of Science Inventions Today, pp: 399-403, Vol: 3, Issue: 5, Standard: 2319-4316    
42. Sher Zaman Safi, Rajes Qvist, Selva Kumar, Kalaivani Batumalaie, Ikram Shah Bin Ismail (2014), "Molecular mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, general preventive strategies, and novel therapeutic targets", BioMed research international, pp: 18, Vol: 2014   
43. Kalaivani Batumalaie, Sher Zaman Safi, Kamaruddin Mohd Yusof, Ikram Shah Ismail, Shamala Devi Sekaran, Rajes Qvist (2013), "Effect of gelam honey on the oxidative stress-induced signaling pathways in pancreatic hamster cells", International Journal of Endocrinology, Vol: 2013   
44. SZ Safi, R Qvist, S Kumar, ISB Ismail (2013), "Molecular mechanisms of Diabetic Retinopathy, general preventive strategies and novel therapeutic targets", Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, pp: P109, Vol: 121, Issue: 3, Standard: 0947-7349   
45. Muhammad Sohail Afzal, Sadia Anjum, Mamoona Noreen, Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Ashraf, Ishtiaq Qadri (2012), "Influence of IL-10 polymorphism on the development of coronary artery disease in Pakistan", Asian Biomedicine, pp: 159-165, Vol: 6, Issue: 2   
46. Muhammad Ashraf Sher Zaman Safi, Yasir Waheed, Joharia Sadat, Solat-Ul Islam, Sadia Salahuddin, Umar Saeed (2012), "Molecular study of HCV detection, genotypes and their routes of transmission in North West Frontier Province, Pakistan", Asian Pac J Trop Biomed, pp: 532-536, Vol: 2, Issue: 7   
47. Yasir Waheed, Sher Zaman Safi, Ishtiaq Qadri (2011), "Role of Potash Alum in hepatitis C virus transmission at barber's shop", Virology journal, pp: 211, Vol: 8, Issue: 1   
48. Sher Zaman Safi, Muhammad Sohail Afzal, Yasir Waheed, Umer Javed Butt, Kaneez Fatima, Yousaf Parvez, Ishtiaq Qadri (2011), "Seroprevalence of hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses in blood donors of northwestern Pakistan", Asian Biomedicine, pp: 389-392, Vol: 5, Issue: 3   
49. Yasir Waheed, Umar Saeed, Sher Zaman Safi, Waqas Nasir Chaudhry, Ishtiaq Qadri (2010), "Awareness and risk factors associated with barbers in transmission of hepatitis B and C from Pakistani population: barber’s role in viral transmission", Asian Biomedicine, pp: 435-442, Vol: 4, Issue: 3   
50. Sher Zaman Safi, Yasmin Badshah, Yasir Waheed, Kaneez Fatima, Sadia Tahir, Alamgir Shinwari, Ishtiaq Qadri (2010), "Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes, hepatic steatosis and their correlation with clinical and virological factors in Pakistan", Asian Biomedicine, pp: 253-262, Vol: 4, Issue: 2   
51. Yasir Waheed, Talha Bin-Rahat, Sher Zaman Safi, Ishtiaq Qadri (2010), "Epidemiological patterns and risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus in Pakistani population", Asian Biomedicine, pp: 547-554, Vol: 4, Issue: 4   
52. Tahir Ahmad, Yasir Waheed, Sadia Tahir, Sher Zaman Safi, Kaneez Fatima, Muhammad Sohail Afzal, Ishtiaq Qadri (2010), "Frequency of HEV contamination in sewerage waters in Pakistan ", The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, pp: 842-845, Vol: 4, Issue: 12, Standard: 2036-6590    
53. S Zaman Safi, R Kosar, I Safi (2010), "PP-160 Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in blood donors of North-Western Pakistan", International Journal of Infectious Diseases, pp: S74, Vol: 14   
54. Yasir Waheed, Talha Shafi, Sher Zaman Safi, Ishtiaq Qadri (2009), "Hepatitis C virus in Pakistan: a systematic review of prevalence, genotypes and risk factors", World journal of gastroenterology: WJG, pp: 5647, Vol: 15, Issue: 45, Standard: 1007-9327   

Qualification

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Sep 2015 to Sep 2016
   
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Malaya, Malaysia
Jan 2015 to Jun 2015
   
PhD
Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Jun 2012 to Jun 2015
   
MPhil
National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
Feb 2008 to Mar 2010
   
MSc (Masters)
Quaid I Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
Sep 2005 to Jul 2007
   
BSc
Islamia College, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Sep 2002 to Sep 2004
   
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