Download Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Omran Scientific Chair Diseases p

Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Omran
Scientific Chair
Diseases prevalent in the Al-Ahsa Area
College of Medicine in Al-Ahsa
Administration of Knowledge Exchange and Cooperation
King Faisal University
(Photo of the Honorable Sheikh Omran Al-Omran)
King Faisal University wishes to acknowledge
the financial support extended by the Honorable
Sheikh Omran Al-Omran for the establishment
of the Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Omran
Scientific Chair for Research in Diseases
Prevalent in the Al-Ahsa Area.
Vision:
To be a leading national blood diseases center with recognized research,
treatment and educational programs in hemoglobinopathies and other blood
diseases prevalent in the Al-Ahsa area of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mission:
The major function of the Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Omran Scientific
Chair is to provide the optimal environment for the performance of highly
innovative basic and clinical research in hematological diseases prevalent in
Al-Ahsa and the surrounding areas. This grant will provide the means for
research which will be directly related to the improvement of the health
status of the population of Al-Ahsa and the surrounding areas. In addition, it
will support the mission of the College of Medicine in Al-Ahsa, King Faisal
University.
Objectives:
1. Transfer of technology
2. Train local health workers in the use of new technologies
3. Set the stage to ultimately introduce gene therapy
4. Conduct leading edge research in hematological diseases to
contribute toward the improvement of the health status of the
population of Al-Ahsa and the surrounding areas
Supervisor of the Scientific Chair:
Professor Ali Ibrahim Al-Sultan
(photo +CV)
Professor of the Scientific Chair:
Professor Amein K. Al-Ali
(photo +CV)
Research Faculty:
Dr. Supriya P. Phanasgaonkar
(photo +CV)
Research Assistant:
Suad Al-Ateeq
Bachelor & Master degrees in science
Technicians:
Abdulrazag Abbas Alwabarey
Bachelor degree of science (Zoology)
(photo)
Hani Hussan Alfarhan
Bachelor degree of science (Microbiology)
(photo)
Ibrahim Hiji Alsaqer
Bachelor degree of science (Biochemistry)
(photo)
Research Projects:
1. Molecular Basis of β-thalassemia Disease in Al-Ahsa
β-thalassemia is a group of heterogeneous autosomal recessive
disorders caused by the absence or reduced synthesis of the β-globin
chain. Consequently, the excess production of the α-globin chain leads
to its precipitation within the red blood cells causing ineffective
erythropoiesis. Extensive work in the last two decades has led to the
elucidation of the spectrum of these monogenic disorders. Over 200
different mutations leading to β- thalassemia have been characterized
worldwide. A varied clinical expression is exhibited by homozygotes
and compound heterozygotes. The majority of these mutations are due
to small nucleotide substitutions and deletions. However, the
mutations are population specific, and common and rare mutations are
found in each population. In the Middle East, codon 39 (C > T), IVSI110 (G > A), IVSI-1 (G > A), IVSI-6 (T > C), IVSII-1 (G >A),
codon 5 (-CT) and IVSI-5 (G > C) mutations account for more than
90% of β-thalassemia mutations in the region. However, these
mutations differ in number and frequency between the populations of
the Middle East. Over fifty different mutations have been identified in
the Arab population which reflects the heterogeneity of these
populations. In order to prevent transmission of the mutation, carriers
of β-thalassemia need to be identified since their offspring are at risk
of inheriting the mutation. Therefore, this work will be carried out to
study the spectrum of mutations of β-thalassemia prevalent in AlAhssa and the surrounding areas.
2. β-thalassemia Genotype Relation to Severity of the Disease
Patients with β-thalassemia exhibit varying degrees of clinical
manifestations and severity. This is attributed to many factors
including the type of mutation in the β-globin gene, interaction with
the alpha-thalassemia gene or over expression of the fetal hemoglobin
gene. Therefore, it is essential that a study should be conducted to
assess the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of the
disease and to determine whether these genetic determinant factors
can predict phenotype severity.
3. Oral Glutamine Supplementation in Sickle cell Anemia Patients
Sickle cell anemia is one of the most serious diseases prevalent in the
Al-Ahssa area. It is estimated that one in 500 babies born in Al-Ahssa
will develop sickle cell disease. Children with sickle cell anemia tend
to be small in stature and below normal weight. This is attributed to an
increased demand for energy as a consequence of the progress of the
disease. Therefore, it has been postulated that supplementation of
these children’s diet with compounds that lower their energy needs
will improve their weight and growth and reduce the number of
hemolytic crises and duration of hospitalization. One candidate is
glutamine. Therefore, this project will study the effect of glutamine in
patients with sickle cell anemia.