Dr. Shahzad ul Hussan, an outstanding researcher and teacher, has been awarded tenure at SBASSE LUMS. He is our resident biochemist and leads a strong research group on structural biology which is a nascent field in Pakistan. He investigates the structural forms of proteins on the surfaces of viruses. An accurate structural determination is often the first step in identifying cures for infections and for the development of preventive viral vaccines. 

The main tool for his research is the 600 MHz NMR spectrometer, which is the most sophisticated instrument of its kind, outside of Karachi. Shahzad helped LUMS develop this facility and was the key player rallying for its establishment, culminating in a generous gift of over a million Euros from Syed Babar Ali. 

Shahzad employs innovative techniques in biochemistry and structural biophysics to investigate proteins that encapsulate viral surfaces and proteins in host cells which are targeted by these proteins. His work primarily focuses on diseases prevalent in the Pakistani population: HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis C, dengue and more recently COVID-19. With about 5% of the Pakistani population being carriers of Hepatitis C, the potential impact of Shahzad’s work can be appreciated. 

Working with the Government of Punjab, he has also helped develop a laboratory for the AIDS program, funded by the World Health Organization.  Three of his latest representative articles are just a sample of the work that Shahzad has produced, all with PhD students and indigenously developed expertise and facilities. Articles:

Computers in Biology and Medicine 122, 103848: https://bit.ly/3faDnoU

Viruses 12 (2), 199: https://bit.ly/2Usi1K9

Medicinal Research Reviews 39 (3), 1091-1136: https://bit.ly/3f40qBz

In the coming years, we hope to see Shahzad's work expand, and in becoming a nursery for the understanding of disease and the design of therapeutic tools.