Dr. Ghazala Rubi
Director Central Research Lab
Dr. Ghazala Rubi is the director of central research laboratory. She holds the responsibility of section of PCR Diagnostics (HCV RNA PCR & HBV DNA PCR), research development for different Basic clinical Sciences Sections, looking into minor & major mutations lead to different diseases and establishment of new innovated Research Lab in first public sector institute also gets added in her achievement list. She is running more than 25 Research projects, 3 completed, and submitted while others in process. Also she is supervising synopsis and thesis of Postgraduate students from different sections of hospital. She has a vast experience of more than 25 years in her field. Complete Profile.
Salient Features of Lab
- To facilitate the PG teaching & training .
- As well as to improve the standards of research.
- First state-of-the art Research lab in public sector established at PGMI, PINS building.
- Therefore establishment of Central Research lab at PGMI, Lahore was an overwhelming need of the time.
- It will provide a unique interface between clinical & basic biomedical science.
- Aiming to understand the cellular basis of disease.
- 40% of our researchers are clinically active.
- It helps translate our basic research into successful clinical applications
List of Advanced Automated Equipment
- Automated DNA / RNA Extraction system
- REAL TIME PCR Machine with 6 fluorophores
- Automated FISH (Floreacent insitu hybridization)
- With 52 tumor markers, Karyotyping, Chromosomal Analysis for Prenatal & Postnatal Diagnosis.
- Automated Sterilizer
- Automated Grossing Station
- Automated Slide Stainer
- Platelet Aggregometer
- Fully automated random coagulation analyzer
- Tissue floatation bath
- Automated cryostat machine
- Automated hematology analyzer
- Fully automated chemistry analyzer & Automated ELISA
- Automated tissue microarray
- Automated Gel Electrophoresis (Hemophilia & Thalassemia)
- Automated immunoassay analyzer (110 assays)
- Automated blood culture system
- Video microscope
- Flow cytometer
- Class II safety cabinet for processing of sensitive preps & cultures
- All small equipment not mentioned in list have been installed & functional
- Automated HbALC analyzer
- Automated blood gases analyzer
- Automated electrolyte analyzer
- Automated distilled water/ RO System
- Diagnostic section
- GCV/HBV DNA / RNA Extraction
- Real Time PCR Amplification of HCV RNA & HBV DNA
- Quantitative viral load
- Research section
- Auto extractor of DNA/RNA
- Real time PCR
- DNA /RNA quantitative estimation & amplification with 6 flurophores
- FISH
- Molecular cytogenetics
- Karyotyping
- Tissue microarray
- Molecular analysis of cancer tissue samples
- SNA GEL electrophoresis system
- Analysis of extracted DNA
- Ultracentrifugation
- STEM CELL LAB
- Platelet aggregometer
- Detects inherited & acquired platelet aggregation defects
- CLAYA (LIAISON)
- Automated serotypes of all bacterial/viral infections
- GEL ELECTRPHORESIS
- Serum protein electrophoresis
- HB electrophoresis
Latest Equipments
- Automated DNA/RNA extraction system with REAL TIME PCR Machines
- FISH for Chromosomal Analysis
- Tissue Micro array
- Automated tissue processor & arrange of all automated Analyzers
COVID 19 RT-PCR Testing Lab of Central Research Lab LGH:
Lahore General Hospital (LGH) is the first public sector hospital that initiated COVID-19 Real Time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing by Dr. Ghazala Rubi Director REsearch and head of Molecular Genetics under the leadership of Principal Prof. Sardar AlFareed Zafar. The Central Research Lab of Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI)/ LGH/ Ameer-ud-Din Medical College Lahore changed the provision and established RT-PCR facility for COVID-19 testing. RT-PC R using the nasopharyngeal swab is the main stay of diagnosis. RT-PCR positivity can persist for several days even after resolution of symptoms. RT-PCR assay is the only specific and target assay for diagnosis of this novel virus as per WHO recommendations.
We have tested more than 10, 000 samples for COV-19 RT-PCR testing and not a single result has been challenged. We are doing diagnosis of 4 genes of COV-19 in our COVID-19 RT-PCR in our RT PCR testing lab LGH
As with the passage of time and due to geographical and genetic differences virus is mutating rapidly. Its 4 genes have been discovered. So, if someone once infected with one gene he/she can relapse with a different gene. According to scientists only 4% had developed antibodies as in April. In all more than 6 months investigations, only 7-9% recovered patients of COVID 19 develop antibodies IgG but these antibodies fade away after three month time. So the patient again is susceptible to COVID infection. People are unlikely to produce long lasting antibodies against this virus. Antibody based immunoassays have limited role in the diagnosis of early asymptomatic disease. Such assays may be useful for surveillance purposes. Their role in selecting the individuals that may benefit from vaccination that could be deployed into essential employment roles are being investigated. During COVID-19, the health professionals are anxious, overworked and financially unstable while planning, creating and caring for others and their families. Many of them are working alone in same areas for so long as they don’t have replacement. More than 100 doctors and medical workers in Pakistan have so far been infected with the novel Coronavirus while interacting with patients and hundreds of them have lost their lives.