Lorestan University of Medical Sciences

Department of Virology carries out both basic and applied research, concentrating on the molecular biology and immunology of several kinds of viral infections, as well as the antimicrobial properties of herbal extracts. Moreover, this Department is investigating the epidemiology of viral diseases in the population at molecular levels. A remarkable part of our activities is dedicated to the university teaching, where the Department’s specialism is mirrored in distinct sections of the medical curriculum. The training encompasses the entire aspects of virology, and includes lectures, practicals, special seminars, elective courses and dissertations. In accordance with the interdisciplinary nature of virology, natural science students (e.g. microbiology, genetics, and molecular biology) write their dissertations and theses within the Department.

Basic education in virology is organized for undergraduate students of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacology, as well as BSc in medical laboratory sciences, nursing, midwifery and other disciplines of medical and health education.

Postgraduate degree programs in medical virology: The Department also organizes postgraduate studies (Master and PhD) in medical virology. Furthermore, we provide supervision and research facilities for the accomplishment of theses and dissertations carried out in other universities, i.e. Islamic Azad Universities, that would like to utilize our Department and supervisors.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department undertook the responsibility to expand coronavirus diagnostic tests in the community. A new virology diagnostic lab was set up in the Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital, Khorramabad, and our academic members undertook the task of expanding the tests in a wide range of the community.

The Viral Diagnostics Laboratory is in the Hepatitis Research Center located in the Shirkhargah district of Khorramabad. There are special services offered by the Department, including the COVID–19 Diagnostic Laboratory, one of which has been extensively used by the external customers (hospitals, laboratories, registered doctors) as well as research partners in the context of many research clinical studies. 

The main themes of virology research include:

·                  Molecular diagnostics and pathogenesis of COVID-19 infections

·                  Diagnostics, molecular epidemiology, disease association and pathogenesis of Viral Hepatitis

·                  Pathogenesis and innovative diagnostics of novel DNA and RNA virus diseases

·                  Papillomaviruses and cervical cancer

·                  Molecular interactions between viruses and their host cells, specifically in relation to cell signaling, viral evasion of host defense mechanisms, and the effects of microRNA.

·                  Antiviral drugs, particularly herbal drugs

Head of the Department:

Dr. Gholam Reza Talei (associate professor of medical virology)

Technical support: Miss Mania Safey (BSc. and MSc.)

 Contact Us:

Address: Department of Virology, the second floor, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Science, Kamalvand Campus, Khorramabad, Iran.

Phone Number: +98-066-33120133