DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

Introduction
Laboratory
Academic Programs
Faculty
Career Scope

INTRODUCTION

The scope of Zoology has been expanded dramatically during recent years and there is no survival in this current age if we ignore the life research across a range of disciplines. Aim of the department is to achieve excellence in teaching as well as in various areas of research to impart knowledge and skills in students required to contribute to society as educators and researchers. Realizing this vision will result in a broad national reputation for excellence. The Department of Zoology meets the need of training persons in vast basic as well as interdisciplinary framework concerning Animal Sciences. The program provides students with the opportunity to study academically challenging and vocationally relevant subjects gaining exposure to the demands of scientific investigation. It emphasizes lab-based practical classes. As a result, students can experience many disciplines in which new technologies are making important contributions.

VISION

The Department of Zoology seeks to get excellence in academics and research at regional and international level in the light of vision and mission of the University of Mianwali, by inculcating sound acquisition of knowledge of wide disciplines of animal science through quality education and research.

MISSION

The Mission of Department of Zoology is training of the persons in basic as well as interdisciplinary framework concerning Animal Sciences. The program provides the opportunity to study academically challenging and vocationally relevant subjects like Wildlife, Biodiversity, Microbiology, Entomology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Environmental Biology, Toxicology, Biotechnology and Developmental Biology; it offers modules ranging from Conservation to Immunobiology, gaining exposure to the demands of scientific investigation. It emphasizes lab-based practical classes. As a result, students can experience many disciplines in which new technologies are making important contributions. Because of the importance of the subject and its applicability, the mission of the Department is to produce skilled graduates and post graduates in the discipline of Zoology and to expand their knowledge through research so that they can choose both research and academics as potential carrier.

Advance equipment has been commissioned in Zoology Department of UMW in June 2022. University labs are place of discovery, test, and experiment. At UMW, we foster a culture of innovation that allows our students to apply their knowledge to real world problems. UMW Labs are built for students and researchers looking for opportunities to grow, learn, challenge themselves and engage with peers.

It will open new horizons of research in the area of Microbiology, Genetics, and Advance molecular biology. Following applied research activities are currently under way for the students and research scholars and it will provide services to the private industries and institutions as well.

1. THERMOCYCLER/PCR MACHINE

Thermocycler, or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine, is laboratory instrument that is used to amplify DNA and RNA samples by the PCR by regulating temperature during cyclical programs. Thermocycler is considered as one of the most important developments in molecular biology labs. The thermocycler raises and lowers the temperature of the samples in a holding block in discrete, pre-programmed steps, allowing for denaturation and reannealing of samples with various reagents for the amplification of DNA sample. PCR was invented by Kary Mullis in 1983. He shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry with Michael Smith in 1993.

Principle of PCR

1. Denaturation

The DNA template is heated to 94° C. This breaks the weak hydrogen bonds that hold DNA strands together in a helix, allowing the strands to separate creating single stranded DNA.

2. Annealing

The mixture is cooled to anywhere from 50-70° C. This allows the primers to bind (anneal) to their complementary sequence in the template DNA.

3. Extension

The reaction is then heated to 72° C, the optimal temperature for DNA polymerase to act. DNA polymerase extends the primers, adding nucleotides onto the primer in a sequential manner, using the target DNA as a template.

Applications of PCR:

-PCR is used in analyzing clinical specimens for the presence of infection including HIV, hepatitis, malaria etc.

-PCR is used in the analysis of mutations that occur in many genetic diseases

-PCR is an essential technique in cloning procedure which allows generation of large amounts of pure DNA from tiny amount of template strand and further study of a particular gene.

2. REAL-TIME PCR

It is a technique used to monitor the progress of a PCR reaction in real-time. At the same time, a relatively small amount of PCR product (DNA, cDNA or RNA) can be quantified. It is based on the detection of the fluorescence produced by a reporter molecule which increases, as the reaction proceeds.

Applications of Real-Time PCR

Gene Quantification
Food industries
Microbial Identification
Disease diagnosis
microRNA analysis
Cancer Detection
Genotyping and quantification of pathogens

3. LAMINAR AIR FLOW

Laminar airflow refers to the flow within an air distribution system that follows the principle of laminar flow of air. When gas molecules travel in straight, parallel layers without intersecting or mixing with each other, laminar conditions are formed. In an enclosed space, the uniformity in velocity and direction due to laminar airflow provides the opportunity for creating an efficient circulation system. The circulation of the filtered air within a system is the key for keeping a sterile and contamination-free environment.

Objective

This type of laminar airflow system is usually desired in medical and biological laboratories where the unidirectional flow of clean air is desired for the utmost protection against external particles. Most air handling units achieve this by applying vertical (downflow) or horizontal (crossflow) laminar airflow regimes.

Working

The typical layout of an airflow system includes an enclosed chamber, work station, air filtration system, lights, and fan or blower. The fan or blower sucks the air, which is filtered through the filter pad. This filtered air then passes through the particulate filter, which facilitates the removal of micro contaminants such as bacteria or dust. A sterile work environment can thus be achieved within the working area with a uniform flow of air.

4. STEREO/STEREOSCOPIC/DISSECTING MICROSCOPE

It is an optical microscope variant designed for low magnification observation of a sample, typically using light reflected from the surface of an object rather than transmitted through it.

Paleontology – Paleontologists use stereo microscopes when they clean and analyze fossils.
Biological research – Stereo microscopes are used by biologists to aid in dissections.
Entomology – Used in the study of insects without having to dissect them.

Principle

Stereo microscopes use reflected light from the object being studied, compared to the transmitted light that is used by compound light microscopes. Magnification ranges from 7.5 to 75x. Opaque, thick, solid objects are ideal for study with these tools

5. AUTOCLAVE (SCI FINETECH CO.)

It is a machine which is used to carry out sterilization of the apparatus and cultural Media used in the Scientific and Industrial processes.

Temperature Range: Ambient 5 to 130 degrees of Celsius

Pressure Range: 0-3 Kg/ cm2

Time: 99hr 59mins 59sec

Principle

Make sure to close the upper cover and you would better check if the cover is fit on equipment. Manual Ventilation Valve must be closed. After that, press the on/off switch. The temperature setting of equipment would be 21 degrees Celsius and pressure would be 1.2 as well. After the appropriate temperature and pressure, timer lamp will be turned on, and then timer will be started. After finishing the pasteurization, the buzzer will be alarmed for 30 minutes and the pressure will be got rid from the equipment.

Precautions

Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) when using an autoclave.
Wear a lab coat, heat-resistant gloves, and safety glasses.
Be sure arms are covered by a lab coat and longer heat-resistant gloves to prevent burns from heat and steam.
Do not touch the power cord with wet hands.
Be careful of not to overflow the materials into the heated parts.
Do not operate at maximum heat for long hours.

6. MEMMERT INCUBATOR IN260

It is a piece of vital laboratory equipment necessary for cell culture, pharmaceutical studies, hematological studies, and biochemical studies cultivating microorganisms under artificial conditions. This incubator can be used to cultivate both unicellular and multicellular organisms. It is used to increase the growth rate of organisms, having a prolonged growth rate in the natural environment. It also provides a controlled condition for sample storage before they can be processed in the laboratory. It is also used for breeding of insects and hatching of eggs to study different embryological stages in zoology.

Principle

Incubator is an insulated and enclosed device that provides an optimal condition of temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions required for the growth of organisms.

Objective

The heating of this incubator is optimally tuned for natural convection and valuable chamber loads for research, pharmaceutics and medicine are warmed up very carefully.

Setting Temperature Range = + 20 to 80 °C

Working temperature Range = at least 5 above ambient temperature to + 80 °C