University participates with 4 papers at the World Conference of Stem Cells in America.
King Khalid University (KKU), represented by the Stem Cell Unit of the Faculty of Medicine, participated with four scientific papers in the World Conference of Stem Cells, which was held in Atlanta City, Georgia, USA. The conference is one of the largest practical conferences in the world, in which specialized scientists from around the world participate. In this conference, the following entities participated: stem cells team in California (CIRM), Harvard University as well as many scientists from Japan and Europe.
The conference witnessed a proposal to a research on the impact of the lack of oxygen on the quality and growth of stem cells that are extracted from the umbilical cord, which is considered the main source for stem cells. In the study, samples were collected from Gynecology and obstetrics Hospital in Abha, and were compared with that which exists on the ground level. Results proved no differences with impressive value of the growth and the quality of umbilical cord cells at a high level above the ground.
The second research made a comparison between the effect of the difference in congruence between HLA on the stem cell transplant on cancer and non-cancer diseases. The research found that in non-cancerous diseases, the rate of rejection of stem cell transplantation is less than in cancerous cells, in the case of mismatches between the donor and the receiver in HLA. The third research was about a reference study for the role of transplantation of stem cells that are extracted from the umbilical cord during the formation and growth of organs. The fourth search was about the role of the proportion and number of live stem cells before planting in the success of stem cell transplantation.
It is noteworthy that the team which represented the university was comprised of Dr. Ahmed bin Musa Alhakmi, the Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, who is also the Supervisor of the Stem Cell Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Harish Chandromorvi, from the Department of Microorganisms, Dr. Ejaz Ahmad, from the Department of Physiology, as well as students, Ahmed Al-Rubei, Hussein Khariri, and Abdul Majeed Ba Junaid. The Unit of Stem Cells participated before, with a research in the previous conference held in San Diego. Furthermore, a previous research of the unit has been published on the impact of "Differentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells" in reducing the complications of diabetes on vascular. The research was published in a global magazine called, "Cell and Tissue Research" in its version No. 359. The magazine is a prestigious magazine with a highly scientific Influence (IF 3.6). Currently, the unit is seeking for support from the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology to provide a number of research Projects in addition to the support expected from the university for a number of projects that have been set up to be raised in the current year, God willing.
