Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research

The Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, located at King Abdulaziz University in the King Fahd Medical Research Center, is a specialized center in genomic medicine sciences. The center offers research programs in this field and attracts researchers and individuals interested in activities and research programs related to the center.

The center operates specialized research programs such as: the Cancer Genomics Research Program, the Genomic Screening Research Program, the Neurogenomics Research Program, the Pharmacogenomics Research Program, the Stem Cell Genome Research Program, and the Functional and Developmental Genome Research Program.

The Cancer Genomics Research Program at the center aims to conduct multidisciplinary genetic research using high-throughput production techniques alongside cellular and animal models, proteomic analysis, understanding the biological mechanisms involved in disease progression, and how to leverage these mechanisms to develop new therapies and test them, among other objectives that serve the program.

The Genomic Screening Research Program at the center identifies the causes of prevalent molecular genetic diseases in the Kingdom by establishing a set of relevant biomarkers that aid in early diagnosis, diagnosis during disease progression, treatment stage, and identification of genetic diagnostic applications for a number of complex traits, such as coronary artery disease, familial cancer, and adult-onset diabetes.

The Genomic Research Program for Neurological Disorders at the center of excellence works on identifying the genes responsible for various neurological and muscular disorders, enhancing studies related to cognition and behavior, including sleep, memory, and learning disorders. It strengthens the discovery of targeted gene segments for the development of effective therapeutic interventions, and other objectives that serve the program.

The Stem Cell Genome Research Program at the center conducts research to find ways to expand HSC derived from UCB to a level that can serve as a basis for transplantation from a single donor of HSC derived from UCB in cases of blood cancer and other disorders. It provides a platform specializing in stem cell research, including technological products to support specific stem cell research projects. This includes high-throughput cell analysis and sorting, an animal and tissue irradiation unit, and a facility for experimental animals.

The Pharmaceutical Genome Research Program at the center provides a research platform to study the impact of genetic variations on responses to anti-cancer drugs in the Saudi population. It aims to build a system to develop a patient and disease profile and treatment plans for diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases. Additionally, it establishes a robust research platform for anti-cancer drugs to discover new cancer treatments using natural and synthetic compounds, nanotechnology, and biotechnology.

The Functional and Developmental Genomics Research Program at the center uncovers the molecular mechanisms involved in reproduction and embryonic growth, using advanced molecular techniques available at the Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR) in the field of developmental genomics. This aims to understand the cellular signals occurring during embryonic development.