Research Chairs including the followings:

a. Research Chair for DNA.

b. Chair of advanced proteomics and cytomics research

c. Research Chair for fetal programming.

d. KSU Mammals Research Chair.

The following is a brief summary of these chairs:

A: Research Chair for DNA:

Research Chair highlights the importance of the discovery of DNA in the molecular characterization of the genetic material of living organisms and the transfer of those properties to be valuable knowledge and impact practical help in reducing the economic costs and increase the gross national product in all sectors of production and service types. This will result in increased knowledge to design quick, effective and low cost sets of examination and analysis for living organisms or parts thereof, either alone or mixed, for  human or non-human materials, pathogens and toxic and harmful and dangerous materials of economic importance. Leading to development and improvement of experimentation techniques, thus creating opportunities for scientific publications and registration of patents, in the field of DNA, which will benefit the community to grow and progress and this chair, aims to:

• Support research in the field of DNA for the detection of DNA and genotypes of different organisms, both human and non-human pathogens and toxic, harmful, dangerous and of economic importance.
• The development of techniques for examining and analyzing DNA.
• Development and increased opportunities for patenting and commercialization of inventions in research.
• Support graduate and specialized training in the field.
• Consulting and technical services for public and private sectors.

B: Chair of advanced proteomics and cytomics research:

The research is primarily interested in studying the effects of medical and chemical extracts on laboratory models (animal, plant, bacterial) carefully selected, not only to discover new drugs for industries that manufacture the medicine in Saudi Arabia, but also to examine the analysis of some molecular and cellular complex mechanisms to access to better and deeper understanding of the cellular system which will help develop methods and modern techniques for the treatment of many diseases.

The research team includes scientific professors and researchers with outstanding scientific expertise which has been carefully selected from around the world to serve the research plan of the chair. As the diverse nationalities of the researchers vary; also their scientific and research expertise include, for example, but not limited to molecular genetics, cell biotechnology, natural materials, microorganisms, cell cultures, developmental cell, organic and analytical chemistry, spectral analysis of compounds, and others.

Furthermore, the research groups have strong ties within the King Saud University and distinguished research groups in many countries of the world such as Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Egypt, and Singapore.

This chair is designed to:

• Development of a laboratory room to clear and analyze natural and synthetic chemical compounds.
• Discovery and development of natural substances derived from living organisms like bacteria, fungi, plants and others for the purpose of discovery of new types of growth inhibitors that can be developed to resist the growth and treatment of various types of cancer cells.
• Discovery and development of novel molecular to serve as targets of new pharmaceutical drugs and then create a dynamic innovative ways of clearing the discovery of new types of drugs.
• Discovery of new types of antibiotics.
• Establishing a base for synthetic compounds (small molecules libraries) to be used to study the mechanisms of cellular systems.

C: Research Chair for fetal programming in relation to diseases:

The research in this Chair cares about studying fetal programming diseases and the impact of negative changes in the uterine environment on fetal development and how this correlates with the emergence of chronic diseases in the post-puberty. The Barker Theory indicates that the fetus is able to adapt to negative placental environmental factors, - such as lack of food- a way that maintains the continued growth and safety of the most important organs such as the brain and heart at the expense of the least important ones- progressively – such as the kidneys, lungs, liver and genitals; since the fetus is not in direct need at that stage to the kidneys and lungs, where the mother purify the blood and breathing on his/her behalf. As a result to the adaptation of the organs that have not had sufficient quantity of food during their formation during the embryonic stage, they become unable to function as normal in the post-puberty, when conditions are more difficult.

Recent studies conducted on many human societies in the developing and developed countries shows that malnutrition in pregnant women – quantity or quality – results on many chronic diseases as blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and kidney failure. The chair focuses to study the relationship between the nature of nutrition among pregnant women in Saudi society and the emergence and spread of chronic diseases in future generations. It is well known that each community’s food habits are different from other communities; so it is very important to conduct studies on Saudi society rather than the adoption of general recommendations based on the results of studies that have been applied in other societies. Therefore; the chair seeks to determine the effect of dietary patterns in Saudi Arabia (presence / absence of breakfast; eating / not eating dairy products is inadequate; eating / not eating fruits and vegetables fresh enough; fasting / non fasting of Ramadan during pregnancy ... etc.) on the programming of chronic diseases in future generations; and the exploration of early biomarkers that indicate the possibility of the emergence of chronic diseases.

The team consists of a number of scientific national and international researchers with medical specialties and vitality within and outside the university. The joining of Professor David Parker to the research team - founder of the theory of programming of embryonic diseases – is considered as a big asset to the team because of its extensive experience and reputation contributing in the delivery of scientific production of the Chair to the international research levels.

This chair is designed to:

• Support and execution of research in the areas of embryonic programming of chronic diseases with the health and economic value.
• Conduct research to highlight the role of dietary patterns of pregnant mother in the Saudi community in the programming and the emergence of diseases such as high blood pressure and other chronic diseases in future generations. Then draw the proper nutrition strategies for pregnant women in order to reduce the spread of these diseases.
• To benefit from medical databases to re-categorize and analyze the statistics for the service of scientific research at the national level.
• In collaboration with health authorities, educational and informative agencies, contribute to educate the Saudi family in general and pregnant women in particular with the negative effects of unbalanced nutrition on the health of children.
• Collaboration with international research points to the transfer of expertise and improve the quality of national research.
• Establishment of an advanced unit for the production of animal models with special emulate physiological conditions found in some patients with high blood pressure in the Saudi society for more scientific experiments.
• Provide advice and recommendations to the health sector and to help drawing national health strategies.
• Support for postgraduate courses and specialized training.

d. KSU Mammals Research Chair

Vision

Excellence in mammalian research in the Middle East.

Mission

Establishment of Centre of excellence, to keep up with the knowledge creativity system, providing cutting edge research through reaching internationally peer reviewed periodicals. Attracting outstanding researchers as well as technology transfer.

Values

Meritoriousness and Excellence.
Transparency and Accountability.
Working as one team.
Independence.

Goals/Objectives

• Bolstering genuine scientific research.
• Establishing strategic research group forming point of strength to the university and the country.
• Supporting the university 2030 strategic plan toward the knowledge based economy.
• Expanding regional and international collaboration in the field of mammalian research.
• Enriching the Arabic library through publishing and translating books focusing on Mammalogy.
• Contribution in supporting the international effort to evaluate species red lists.
• Contribution in supporting national/international initiatives toward a “ONE HEALTH” program.
• Supporting the effort of conserving endangered mammals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Supporting the Department of Zoology Museum through providing different samples from all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.