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.
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.
Researchers at KAUST and Peking University Third Hospital have created a novel blastoid model for studying early human development using extended pluripotent stem cells (EPSCs). The blastoid is a 3D cell model mimicking the blastocyst phase, avoiding ethical concerns associated with using human embryos. The team showed that blastoids can be cultured to mimic post-implantation development, offering insights into early cell lineages. Why it matters: This innovation provides a way to study human embryogenesis without the ethical constraints of using actual embryos, potentially advancing our understanding of miscarriage and birth defects.
Khaled Alsayegh at the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center is creating a Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry, with 80,000 potential donors identified. The aim is to identify universal donors, reprogram their cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and create a gene bank for matched tissue transplants. Alsayegh is collaborating with Jesper Tegnér at KAUST to create pacemaker cells using single-cell RNA sequencing. Why it matters: This initiative could revolutionize precision medicine in KSA by providing readily available, matched cells for transplants, reducing the need for patient-specific reprogramming and improving treatment outcomes.
J. Carlos Santamarina, a Professor of Earth Science and Engineering at KAUST, is researching geomaterial behavior and subsurface processes. His work focuses on energy geo-engineering, resource recovery, and geological storage of energy waste. He uses particle-level experiments, numerical methods, and monitoring systems to understand coupled thermo-hydro-bio-chemo-mechanically processes. Why it matters: This research contributes to energy sustainability and addresses global energy challenges through advanced geotechnology.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi has launched a 2-micrometer high-power fiber laser for medical and industrial applications. Developed by TII's Directed Energy Research Center, the Thulium-based laser is efficient, compact, and scalable, enabling precise interaction with water-rich materials. TII has partnered with LIMA Photonics, a German MedTech startup, to integrate the laser into clinical solutions, including urinary stone treatment and prostate surgery. Why it matters: This laser technology and partnership showcase the UAE's commitment to translating advanced research into healthcare solutions, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for medical technology innovation.
KAUST researchers are using 3D printing with a novel calcium carbonate ink to create coral support structures that accelerate coral restoration. Their approach, named 3D CoraPrint, involves printing coral microfragments onto the structure, offering a head start for reef recovery. Two methods were developed: printing a mold for reproduction and direct printing for customization. Why it matters: This eco-friendly technique provides a potentially scalable solution to combat coral reef degradation, leveraging advanced materials and fabrication for ecological conservation in the region and beyond.
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi has launched a Biofoundry to advance R&D in synthetic biology, focusing on genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and bioinformatics. The facility features high-throughput robotic systems, next-generation sequencing, and advanced computational tools. TII's Biofoundry is now part of the Global Biofoundry Alliance (GBA) to foster partnerships and address shared challenges. Why it matters: This initiative positions the UAE as a key player in synthetic biology, with potential breakthroughs across healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.