King Fahd Medical Research Center is a specialized center for conducting health research and providing medical and diagnostic services. It was established in 1980 at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, located in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The center aims to improve the health conditions of society by implementing a number of globally acclaimed medical research projects to enhance and promote health awareness.
Establishment of the King Fahd Medical Research Center
King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah established the King Fahd Medical Research Center as the first Saudi university to create a specialized center for medical research. This occurred on January 22, 1980, in a building adjacent to the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, to serve as the nucleus for medical research at the university. As part of the expansion plan for the College of Medicine, the university allocated specific buildings within the medical center project for the King Fahd Medical Research Center and equipped them with the latest scientific means related to medical research. The center relocated to these new facilities in 1983.
Objectives of the King Fahd Medical Research Center
The objectives of the King Fahd Medical Research Center include contributing to improving national health security and self-sufficiency by reducing economic and health burdens, developing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies, supporting innovation and creativity, and participating in enhancing the economic diversification of the healthcare field to build a knowledge-based economy.
The center's objectives also include enhancing the sustainability of local content, developing the anticipated ecosystem via transferring and localizing technology, and reinforcing research infrastructure and local skills in the Kingdom.
Research units at the King Fahd Medical Research Center
King Fahd Medical Research Center includes several research units, such as:
The Neuroscience and Aging Research Unit, the unit’s experimental research is focused on translational research, and bedside-to-bench studies, and is specifically designed to improve health outcomes. The research unit focuses on physiological, behavioral, and molecular studies and pharmacology to estimate the effectiveness and safety of different therapeutic interventions.
The Hematology Research Unit specializes in clinical and pre-clinical research to develop diagnostic and therapeutic services for blood diseases and tumors. Researchers in this unit focus on various areas of hematology, including hemoglobinopathies, hemostasis, and thrombosis.
The Embryonic Stem Cell Unit focuses on studying exosomes, cancer stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. The unit works with stem cells and convert them into cells required for use in the treatment of some diseases, whether at the experimental or medical level.
The Toxicology and Forensic Science Unit is concerned with the detection and identification of toxic compounds and addictive substances that could be found in either the environment or in the human body, using advanced technology in chromatography. The unit is committed to scientific advancement in the field of toxicology research and the publication of research with content that helps in improving the lives of the individual in Saudi society.
The Regenerative Medicine Unit is interested in how cancer develops and progresses through understanding the mechanisms underlying key processes such as cell growth, tumor metabolism, and tumor immunity. The unit specifically studies cancer stem cells, particularly those characterized by self-renew ability to replenish the growing cancer and resistance to therapeutics.
The Food, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Unit aims to develop the concept of the relationship between various diseases and dietary intake (the amount and type of consumption), and lifestyle. This is achieved through carrying out research on this field, in relation to various health conditions, and conducting interventional studies to prevent or decrease the risk of diseases related to nutrition and lifestyle.
The Infectious Agents Unit provides diagnostic services and research in the field of infectious diseases and viruses through a multidisciplinary team. The team aims to develop innovative applied research related to health issues and participate in community awareness programs about infectious diseases.
The Experimental Biochemistry Unit is based on five branches of contemporary biochemistry: immune biochemistry, molecular biochemistry, clinical biochemistry, biochemistry for nutrition, natural products, and microbial biochemistry.
The Vaccines and Immunotherapy Treatments Unit aims to become a leader in biopharmaceutical research by focusing on specialized research programs addressing specific diseases of local and international importance. The unit works on producing vaccines and viral and immunotherapies for priority diseases both locally and globally.
The Mutagens and Carcinogens Unit is interested in the detection and identification of mutagens and carcinogens in food and medicine by using many modern technologies in the field of partial genetics.
The Immunology Unit is concerned with isolating immune cells for diagnosis, treatment, and studies of programmed death of immune cells. The unit also investigates the nature of immune cells in health and disease and monitors the progression of autoimmune diseases.
Scientific facilities at King Fahd Medical Research Center
King Fahd Medical Research Center includes several scientific facilities, such as:
The Animal House Unit provides male and female researchers with different experimental animals and guides them to apply experimental animal protocols to ensure safety and control methods. The unit provides assistance in making animal models (surgical and chemical), aids in completing the practical components of animal experiments within the unit, teaching different injection and dosing methods, providing infectious tubes, and taking the required samples.
The Core Labs include the Biomedical Physics Laboratory, Liquid Chromatography Laboratory, Molecular Biology Laboratory, Flow Cytometry and Cell Isolation Laboratory, Serology Laboratory, Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Main Laboratory, General Lab, and Bioinformatics Lab.
The Support Units include: the Public Relations and Media Unit, the Information Technology Unit, the Training and Research Services Unit, the Academic Support Services Unit, the Biomedical Engineering Unit, the Public Safety and Occupational Health Unit, and the Maintenance and Operations Unit.
Contributions of King Fahd Medical Research Center
King Fahd Center for Medical Research contributes to scientific research at King Abdulaziz University and other local, regional, and international universities and institutes by adhering to global ethical standards and the principles and teachings of Islam. The center works on providing proposals and solutions to local and global health problems, conducting high-quality applied medical research, and collaborating with both governmental and private sectors, including biotech and pharmaceutical companies and startups. Additionally, the center offers educational health awareness programs to the community to enhance understanding of the nature of locally and globally prevalent diseases and epidemics. It also trains students and researchers, supervises their research, and facilitates cooperation between scientists, students, and researchers from King Abdulaziz University and other universities and research centers locally and internationally.
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