Effectiveness of herbal plants in preventing coronavirus
Nasim MT (2020)
Currently
Dr. Nasim is an Associate Professor in Therapeutics at the School of Pharmacy and
Medical Sciences, the University of Bradford, UK. He is an Executive Member,
Research and Knowledge Transfer Committee, Faculty of Life Sciences, University
of Bradford, Local Ambassador, the Biochemical Society, United Kingdom,
Adviser, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, United Kingdom, Executive
Member, Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB). He has been the
member of Editorial Boards of a number of international journals including
Journal of Bioscience, International Journal of Perception in Public Health and
acted as a Guest Editor for the journal Pain Research and Management.
His research interests focus in the broader areas of
Translational Medicine (gene identification to drug discovery). He has identified a few key genes that cause
disorders such as Pulmonary Hypertension and blood cancer and identified novel
diagnostics and therapeutics. Importantly, his discoveries are being taught at
the university level and he is the inventor of a number of diagnostic and
therapeutic patents.
His contributions to science include publications in
scientific journals, articles to local and national Bangladeshi daily
newspapers and intellectual supports to scientific community around the world.
He has published 70 articles including research papers in journals like Nature
Genetics, Nature Protocols, Nature Communications, Nucleic Acids Research,
Human Molecular Genetics. His research has been extensively highlighted in news
media across the globe as evidenced in his interviews with CBA News (USA), Labmate https://www.labmate-online.com/news/news-and-views/5/university-of-bradford/diagnostic-clues-found-for-pah/48687 (UK) and Daily Prothom-alo
(Bangladesh). He writes regularly in newspapers including the Daily New Nation (http://thedailynewnation.com/news/250850/coronavirus--our-duties-to-prevent-and-halt-the-outbreak.html), the Daily New Age (https://www.newagebd.net/article/103938/are-face-masks-effective-against-coronavirus-disease), daily Jugantor,
Daily Prothom-alo, RatdinNews (করোনা: লালমনিরহাটের বিজ্ঞানী নাসিমের নিবন্ধ)and Lalmonirhat Barta (http://lalmonibarta.com/details.php?mblogs=ODczNQ==) and edited books inaugurated by the
Prime Minister of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh.
He
has been promoting science in Bangladesh. He is the founder and Chief Adviser
of the organization called Centre for Health Agriculture and Socio-economic
Advancements (CHASA), which was incepted in 2008 at Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh.
Since its inception, CHASA has provided more than 150 scholarships to local
students at various levels from primary to college and supported research
projects at universities which resulted in a few scientific publications.
Dr.
Nasim received his Ph.D degree from the University of Manchester Institute of
Science and Technology (UMIST), UK. In his student life, he received 18
scholarships from various countries including Bangladesh, Switzerland, USA and
UK. In fact, he is the first ever Bangladeshi student who received the Swiss
Govt. Scholarship.
Dr.
Nasim was a co-recipient of the Best Scientist Award 2008 of Lalmonirhat
Municipality (Bangladesh) and received nomination for the ‘Best Non-resident
Bangladeshi Scientist-2019’ of Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists
(GNOBB).
Prospective self-funded Ph.D
students interested in pursuing their research in the broader areas of Biochemistry,
Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology, Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine are
strongly encouraged to contact me (t.nasim@bradford.ac.uk)
with a CV. Additionally, we are supporting talented post-doctoral scientists interested in our research who want to apply for their own funding.
Current PhD projects:
1. Therapeutic resolution of BMPR2-mediated signalling defects in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
2. Therapeutic resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by natural products
3. Re-purposing established drugs for the resolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
4. Development of a personalized therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
5. Therapeutic resolution of coronavirus (COVID-19) diseases by natural products
6. Therapeutic resolution of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) by natural products
Apply for one of our PhD projects - Postgraduate - University of Bradford
Potential funding sources are:
Faculty for the Future Fellowship
EMBO Fellowships
Royal Society Newton International Fellowship
Human Science Frontier Programme
Marie Curie Individual Fellowships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships/)
My key research interests are as follows:
1. Investigation of BMP and TGFb signalling events to resolve pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
PAH is a devastating cardiovascular disorder caused by narrowing of blood vessels in the lungs and in the absence of therapy leads to right heart failure and death. We have established that nonsense mutations in the BMPR2 gene underlie the majority of the inherited forms of the disease. BMPR2 mutations contribute to stoichiometric imbalance in the receptor complex leading to dysfunctional signalling (Nasim et al., 2008, 2012). Mutations are also found in the SMAD family genes but they represent an infrequent cause of the disease (Nasim et al., 2011). Mutations in the BMPR2 gene potentiate TGFb signalling (Nasim et al., 2012) and prostacyclins, the commonly used therapy for severe PAH inhibit this pathway (Ogo et al., 2013). Taken together these observations suggest that agents that inhibit the overactive TGFb signalling and/or promote the BMP signalling may provide protection in PAH. We identified some small molecule agents that restore the balance between the TGFb and BMP pathways and rescued abnormal proliferation and apoptosis in cell-based models of PAH (Siddiqui et al., 2013). Structure guided virtual screening identified additional compounds which elicited anti-TGFb activity in cell-based assays. A number of ‘leads’ have been identified through a medicinal chemistry programme (unpublished data).
The major objectives of this part of research are to investigate (a) the molecular mechanisms by which the TGFb signalling is activated in PAH, and (b) therapeutic resolution of PAH by chemical agents including natural products and established drugs that restore the balance between BMP and TGFb signalling pathways.
References
M.T. Nasim, T. Ogo, H.M. Chowdhury and R.C. Trembath. Human Mol Genetics (doi 10.1093/hmg/DDS073), 2012
M T. Nasim, T. Ogo, M. Ahmed, R. Randall, et al. Human Mutation 12:1385-89, 2011
M.T. Nasim, A.G. Ghouri, B.P. Patel, et al., Hum Mol Genet (11):1683-94, 2008
M. T. Nasim, S. Jaenecke, A. Belduz, et al., J. Biol. Chem. 275: 14646-14852, 2000
T. Ogo, H.M. Chowdhury, N.W. Morrell, R.C. Trembath and M.T. Nasim. (American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology), 2013.
H.
M. Chowdhury, M. A. Sidiqui, S. Kanneganti, N. Sharmin and M. T. Nasim*. Hum Mol Genet.
27: 373-384, 2018
H.
M. Chowdhury, N. Sharmin, M. Baran, L. Long, N.W. Morrell, R. C. Trembath and
M. T. Nasim*.Hum Mol Genet Feb 2019
M.A Siddiqui, M. Ahmed, T. Ogo, M. Hossain, H.M. Chowdhury, L.Long, F. Khan, N. W. Morrell, R.C. Trembath and M.T. Nasim (unpublished).
2. Therapeutic resolution of nonsense-associated genetic disorders by promotion of translation readthrough
There are more than 3000 genetic disorders including cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and PAH caused by nonsense mutations. Agents that promote translation readthorugh may provide therapeutic intervention. We have established cell based assay system which is capable of screening drugs that promote translational readthorugh (Nasim et al., 2000, 2005, 2008 and patent applications). Using these techniques, hits have been identified through screening of a small molecule library, which are now being tested whether they rescue BMPR2-mediated cellular defects in PAH.
The major objectives of this part of research are to (a) identify agents that promote readthrough and (b) test whether promotion of readthrough by small molecule agents can provide protection in PAH and in other nonsense associated genetic disorders.
References
M.T. Nasim, A.G. Ghouri, B.P. Hum Mol Genet (11):1683-94, 2008.2.
M.T. Nasim* and R.C. Trembath. Nucleic Acids Res. 33(7): e66 (8 pages), 2005.
M. T. Nasim, S. Jaenecke, A. Belduz, H. Kollmus, L. Flohe and J.E.G. McCarthy; J. Biol. Chem. 275: 14646-14852, 2000.
3. Modulation of
Splicing in human diseases
Identification of
non-canonical factors regulating tissue-specific alternative splicing
Mutations in pre-mRNA splicing signals
account for both inherited and acquired defects, are now increasingly
recognized as causes of human diseases. Improvements of our current
understanding of alternative splicing regulation may therefore provide
opportunities to counter the consequences of mutation. Although many components
of the spliceosomal complex have been identified, their roles in splicing
regulation (e.g. activator or inhibitor) are not fully understood. We and
others have reported the involvement of non-canonical proteins and micro-RNAs
(miRNAs) in regulating splicing events, which suggest that this process is
controlled by many more factors than previously thought. Hence, constructing a
genome-wide map is essential in revealing the mechanisms involved. Identification
of such factors and the characterization of ‘ex-vivo’ networks require a system
capable of screening a large number of samples. The absence of a generic
approach prompted me to develop rapid assay systems based on enzymatic and
fluorescence activities (Nasim et al., 2002, 2006, 2008, 2011). Each method
comprises two distinct signals either fluorescence or luminescence which can be
monitored in mammalian cells, providing a basis for high throughput format.
In this project, we seek to construct
a genome-wide map for splicing regulation employing these established approaches
and identify novel non-canonical factors including proteins, chemicals and
miRNAs that modulate tissue-specific alternative splicing of the human tropomyosin
3 (TPM3) gene. This study will be of substantial use to the study of
alternative and aberrant splicing of a wide range of disorders, will greatly
enhance the identification of novel drug targets and therapies as well as the
development of novel diagnostic tests.
4. Therapeutic
resolution of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by modulation of aberrant splicing
Myelodysplastic
syndromes (MDS) are the most common adult myeloloid malignancy in the UK and approximately 30% of patients will
transform to secondary acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which has a poor
prognosis. There is no cure for MDS and current maintenance therapies were all
established prior to the realisation that MDS have substantial genetic
components. Hence, there is a need to develop a novel therapy which accounts
for the biochemical consequences of such gene defects.
We have previously
demonstrated that heterozygous missense mutations in U2AF1 (encoding U2AF35, the 35 kDa
component of the heterodimeric U2 auxiliary factor), underlie the majority of MDS. We have demonstrated that these
mutations potentiate overactive splicing and alter downstream gene isoform
expression and therefore contribute to abnormal haematopoiesis. Our preliminary
data indicate that agents that inhibit this overactive splicing may provide
beneficial effects in vitro and in vivo mouse models.
The major aim of this
project is to develop a targeted chemotherapy for MDS by inhibition of
overactive splicing activity of pathogenic nonsense alleles using small
molecule agents. In this project we seek to utilise and expand on our
preliminary observations to identify small molecule agents capable of targeting
U2AF1-mediated splicing defects for selective therapy. Compounds will be
identified by means of cell-based and in
silico screening and validation will be performed in K562 myeloid cell line
models and bone marrow cells derived from MDS patients.
References
M. T. Nasim, H. M. Chowdhury and I. C. Eperon.
Nucleic Acids Res. 30: e109, 2002.
M.T. Nasim and R.C. Trembath. Nucleic
Acids Res. 33(7): e66 (8 pages), 2005.
M.T. Nasim and I. C. Eperon. Nature
Protocols 1(2):1022-1028, 2006.
M. T. Nasim, T. K. Chernova, H.M. Chowdhury, B.
Yue and I. C. Eperon. Hum Mol Genet. 12:1337-1348, 2003.
Suraweera A, Lim Y, Woods R, Birrell
GW, Nasim T, Becherel OJ, Lavin MF. Hum Mol
Genet.(18):3384-96, 2009.
Katiyar S, Maria A, Covarrubias Y,
Casimiro M.C, Zhou J, Jaio X, Hyslop T, Nasim T, Fortina P,
Pestell R. Cancer Research; 72(4):1023-34), 2012.
T. Graubert, D Shen, T. Nasim, D. Link, M. Tomasson, P. Westervelt, J.
DiPersio, E. Mardis, T. Ley, R. Wilson, and M. Walter. Nature Genetics 44(1):53-7, 2012.
M. Brioschi, S. Lento, S.
Barcella, M.T. Nasim, S. Ghilardi, S.
Barbieri, E. Tremoli and C. Banfi. Data Brief. ;
25;3:117-9, 2015
§ S. Lento, M. Brioschi, S. Barcella,
M.T. Nasim, S. Ghilardi, S. Barbieri, E.
Tremoli and C. Banfi. J Proteomics.;119:75-89, 2015
5. Breast cancer gene function study of Bangladeshi population
Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, with an estimated 1.7 million cases and > 0.5 million deaths per year. BC is the most common cancer in Bangladeshi women and is predicted to be an increasingly important cause of morbidity and mortality in the next 20 years. To date, no population-based cancer registries or a central registry with comprehensive national cancer data is available. For Bangladeshi women with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) negative patients (~25%) have no effective targeted therapies. In addition, it is currently not known whether these patients carry mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes as there is no genetic screening system available in Bangladesh. Mutations in other genes such as TP53, PTEN and CASP8 are also found in BC patients worldwide but their penetrance in Bangladeshi populations remains unknown. The major objective of this research is to determine the genetic landscape of Bangladeshi BC patients to inform better diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and counselling.
Current Research Collaborations:
Dr. Klaus Pors, Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (University of Bradford)
Dr. Steve Shnyder, Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (University of Bradford
Prof. Paul Loadman, Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (University of Bradford)
Prof. Tim Palmer, School of Pharmacy (University of Bradford)
Prof. Colin Wright, School of Pharmacy (University of Bradford)
Prof. Richard Trembath (Queen Marry London, UK)
Prof. N.W. Morrell (Cambridge, UK)
Prof. Ian Eperon (Leicester, UK)
Prof. Lan Zhao and Prof. Martin Wilkins (Imperial College, UK)
Prof.. Matt Walter (Washington University, USA)
Dr. Yi-Tao, (Rochester University, USA)
Dr. Christina Bunfii, (IRCCS, Milano, Italy)
Dr. Hao Jiang, (University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA)
Nasim MT (2020)
Nasim, MT (2020)
Nasim, MT (2020)
Brioschi M.;Lento S.;Barcella S.;Nasim M.;Ghilardi S.;Barbieri S.;Tremoli E.;Banfi C. (2015) Data In Brief. 5
Maria Osei-Wusuansa;Nura Mohammed;Damilola Makanjuola;Khaled Habas;Sila Ozlem Sener;Khaled H. Assi;Rateep Nasim;sadaf nawaz;Raj Gopalan;Colin Wright;Md Talat Nasim (2024) Targets.
Sila Sener;Rateep Nasim;Md Talat Nasim (2024) BioChem., 236-251.
Haddad F;Mohammed N;Gopalan RC;Ayoub YA;Nasim MT;Assi KH; (2023) Pharmaceutics. 15
CC Nganwuchu, K Habas, N Mohammed, M Osei-Wusuansa, D Makanjuola, K Assi, RC Gopalan, MT Nasim (2021) Journal of Biosciences. 29
(2021) Journal of Bio-Science., 31-42.
Sharmin N;Nganwuchu CC;Nasim MT; (2021) Trends in Pharmacological Sciences.
Habas K;Nganwuchu C;Shahzad F;Gopalan R;Haque M;Rahman S;Majumder AA;Nasim T; (2020) Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy. online
Chowdhury H.;Sharmin N.;Yuzbasioglu Baran M.;Long L.;Morrell N.;Trembath R.;Nasim M. (2019) Human Molecular Genetics. 28, 2161-2173.
Chowdhury, H.M.; Sharmin, N.; Yuzbasioglu Baran, M.; Long, L.; Morrell, N.W.; Trembath, R.C.; Nasim, Md. Talat (2019)
Chowdhury H.;Siddiqui M.;Kanneganti S.;Sharmin N.;Chowdhury M.;Nasim M. (2018) Human Molecular Genetics. 27, 373-384.
Chowdhury, H.M.; Siddiqui, M.A.; Kanneganti, S.; Sharmin, N.; Chowdhury, M.W.; Nasim, Md. Talat (2017)
Hu, J.; Khodadadi-Jamayran, A.; Mao, M.; Shah, K.; Yang, Z.; Nasim, Md. Talat; Wang, Z.; Jiang, H. (2016)
Brioschi, M.; Lento, S.; Barcella, S.; Nasim, Md. Talat; Tremoli, E.; Banfi, C. (2015)
Lento, S.; Brioschi, M.; Barcella, S.; Nasim, Md. Talat; Ghilardi, S.; Barbieri, S.S.; Tremoli, E.; Banfi, C. (2015)
Ogo, T.; Chowdhury, H.M.; Yang, J.; Long, T.; Li, X.; Torres Cleuven, Y.N.; Morrell, N.W.; Schermuly, R.T.; Trembath, R.C.; Nasim, Md. Talat (2013)
Graubert, T.A.; Shen, D.; Ding, L.; Okeyo-Owuor, T.; Lunn, C.L.; Shao, J.; Krysiak, K.; Harris, C.C.; Koboldt, D.C.; Larson, D.E.; McLellan, M.D.; Dooling, D.J.; Abbott, R.M.; Fulton, R.S.; Schmidt, H.; Kalicki-Veizer, J.; O'Laughlin, M.; Grillot, M.; Baty, J.; Heath, S.; Frater, J.L.; Nasim, Md. Talat; Link, D.C.; Tomasson, M.H.; Westervelt, P.; DiPersio, J.F.; Mardis, E.R.; Ley, T.J.; Wilson, R.K.; Walter, M.J. (2012)
Siddiqui, M.A.; Ogo, T.; Nasim, Md. Talat (2012)
Nasim, Md. Talat; Ogo, T.; Chowdhury, H.M.; Zhao, L.; Chen, C-n.; Rhodes, C.; Trembath, R.C. (2012)
Nasim, Md. Talat; Ogo, T.; Ahmed, Mohammed I.; Randall, R.; Chowdhury, H.M.; Snape, K.M.; Bradshaw, T.Y.; Southgate, L.; Lee, G.J.; Jackson, I.; Lord, G.M.; Gibbs, J.S.; Wilkins, M.R.; Ohta-Ogo, K.; Nakamura, K.; Girerd, B.; Coulet, F.; Soubrier, F.; Humbert, M.; Morrell, N.W.; Trembath, R.C.; Machado, R.D. (2011)
Nasim, Md. Talat; Ghouri, A.; Patel, B.; James, V.; Rudarakanchana, N.; Morrell, N.W.; Trembath, R.C. (2008)
Nasim MT;Trembath RC; (2005) Nucleic Acids Research. 33
Nasim MT;Eperon IC;Wilkins BM;Brammar WJ; (2004) Molecular Microbiology. 53
Nasim MT;Chernova TK;Chowdhury HM;Yue BG;Eperon IC; (2003) Human Molecular Genetics. 12
Nasim MT;Chowdhury HM;Eperon IC; (2002) Nucleic Acids Research. 30
Nasim MT;Jaenecke S;Belduz A;Kollmus H;Flohé L;McCarthy JE; (2000) Journal of Biological Chemistry. 275
Shahzad F.;Nasim M.T. (2020) Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science.
Durham G.;Williams J.;Nasim M.;Palmer T. (2019) Trends in Pharmacological Sciences.