Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte from the Salk Institute discussed aging and regenerative medicine at the KAUST 2019 Winter Enrichment Program. His team is combining gene editing and stem cell technologies to grow rat organs in mice and human cells in pig and cattle embryos. The Salk team is collaborating with KAUST to rejuvenate organs using noncoding RNAs and small metabolites. Why it matters: This research collaboration between KAUST and the Salk Institute explores innovative approaches to address age-related diseases and organ regeneration, with potential long-term impacts on healthcare in the region.
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.
KAUST faculty member Enrico Traversa is researching nanostructured materials for sustainable development in energy, environment, healthcare, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). His work focuses on developing next-generation SOFCs based on chemically stable proton-conducting electrolytes to reduce operating temperatures. Traversa also develops scaffold biomaterials for tissue regeneration, aiming to create heart tissue using patient-derived stem cells. Why it matters: This research contributes to KAUST's focus on energy, water, environment and food, with potential for advancements in clean energy and regenerative medicine.
Dinorath Olvera Ramos, a 2011 KAUST Chemical and Biological Engineering alumna, describes her time at KAUST as enlightening and enriching. She is currently completing her Ph.D. at Trinity College Dublin, focusing on biomaterials and tissue regeneration. Prior to KAUST, she studied at the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Mexico. Why it matters: This alumni profile highlights KAUST's role in fostering international research collaborations and talent in bioengineering, contributing to advancements in regenerative medicine.