KAUST signed an MoU with MISA and Novo Nordisk at the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit 2023. The agreement aims to address healthcare challenges in Saudi Arabia and develop the biotech and pharma sector through knowledge transfer and research. A key objective is to establish a Novo Nordisk Center of Excellence focused on obesity and metabolic research. Why it matters: The partnership will boost Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of creating tech-driven industries and improving health outcomes through biotechnology.
KAUST postdoctoral fellow Elisabetta Fiacco won the Best Poster Prize at the Spetses Summer School 2018 on Chromatin and Metabolism for her research on the role of carbohydrate-responsive element binding protein (ChRBP) during the onset of type 2 diabetes. Fiacco's research at KAUST, under Assistant Professor Antonio Adamo, uses human induced pluripotent stem cells to understand the epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms dysregulated in type 2 diabetes. She also gave a 15-minute oral presentation on her work at the event, which gathered over 80 participants from top global universities. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contribution to cutting-edge research in regenerative medicine and the study of metabolic disorders prevalent in the region.
KAUST's Laboratory of Stem Cells and Diseases, led by Assistant Professor Antonio Adamo, uses induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model diseases like diabetes. The lab employs a reprogramming technique to revert patient fibroblasts into iPSCs, enabling the study of disease progression in vitro. Adamo's research focuses on enzymes and disregulated transcriptional/epigenetic mechanisms to understand disease onset. Why it matters: This research contributes to regenerative medicine and offers insights into metabolic diseases relevant to the GCC region.
The Oil Sustainability Program (OSP), in partnership with PIF, SIRC, NEOM, SIKA, and ClimateCrete, has launched the "NovusCrete" Consortium to innovate in sustainable concrete solutions. The initiative prioritizes localization using materials like seawater, recycled construction waste, and fine sand, supported by entities like the American Concrete Institute (ACI). ClimateCrete, a KAUST spin-off, uses patented technology to transform fine sand into high-quality concrete sand, reducing cement use and CO2 emissions by up to 60%. Why it matters: The consortium and ClimateCrete's technology represent significant steps towards sustainable construction practices in the region, aligning with Saudi Arabia's carbon neutrality goals and fostering a deep-tech startup ecosystem.
KAUST and Janssen Pharmaceutical (Johnson & Johnson) are collaborating to research and innovate in neglected tropical diseases, focusing on dengue fever. They signed an MoU to establish a dengue fever research program and an infectious disease R&D center at KAUST's National BioPark. The partnership marks Johnson & Johnson's first university collaboration in Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This collaboration signifies a major step in localizing disease research within Saudi Arabia and leveraging KAUST's AI, genomics, and data simulation expertise to address global health challenges.
KAUST Professor Pierre Magistretti participated in the U.S.-Saudi Arabia Business Leaders Virtual Forum, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Saudi Ministry of Investment. Magistretti spoke on a panel about healthcare innovation alongside representatives from Pfizer, Abbott, and the Saudi Ministry of Investment. KAUST's Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) aims to translate scientific discoveries into clinical tools. Why it matters: This participation highlights KAUST's growing role in shaping healthcare innovation within the Kingdom and fostering international collaborations in the field.
KAUST and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) have partnered to develop a new method using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to detect adulterants in olive oil. The method aims to identify and quantify vegetable oils mixed with olive oil, addressing concerns about the mislabeling of olive oil in the Saudi market. KAUST's comprehensive suite of NMR machines was critical for the project. Why it matters: This collaboration enhances food safety and quality control in Saudi Arabia, a major olive oil importer, and helps to ensure consumers receive authentic, high-quality products.