BIOTECHNOLOGY UNIT
BIOTECHNOLOGY UNIT
Biotechnology has been recognized as one of the newly advanced technologies that led to designated changes in the agricultural sector. It has been employed tremendously towards exploitation of biological organisms and biological processes through modern techniques to the benefit of mankind in agriculture, animal husbandry and environmental health. Genes, the basic biological units of all life forms are the basic tool in the hands of biotechnologists. As genes are responsible for shaping characters of plants, animals and microorganisms, they became the focus of biotechnology researchers in terms of modification, manipulation and transfer across species to produce desired results.
|
|
In agriculture, biotechnology has proven to be capable of solving some complex agricultural problems. Genetic engineering was used successfully to produce commercial varieties resistant to insects. Production of drought and salt tolerant crop varieties are close to be achieved. Another application of biotechnology in agriculture is the use of molecular markers for the detection and selection for specific traits. Molecular markers technique has been employed successfully for speeding-up breeding programs. For example, a good quality rice variety was produced by using molecular marker related to quality traits. Biotechnology is also playing an important role in biodiversity. Genetic diversity analysis using molecular markers has improved the characterization and conservation of economically important crop germplasms. The impact of advanced biotechnologies (such as DNA micro-array) on genetic resource assessment and utilization is beginning to emerge.
|
|
The Biotechnology unit is fairly new. It was established in 2004 to provide to the King Saud University, other governmental agencies, and the private sector, high quality, cost effective, state-of-the-art technology in agriculture-related areas of biotechnology.
Objectives
- To provide graduate students with educational opportunities to maximize access and effective use of the available technologies for conducting their research
- To develop and implement research programs that helps in tackling major problems facing the agricultural sector
- To Provide facilities and expertise for university faculty members in biotechnology related aspects
- To offer workshops, training and other educational opportunities for university students, national and private sectors
Team Members
|
|
|
|
 |
alsadon@ksu.edu.sa |
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
Facilities
Currently, the biotechnology unit is composed of one laboratory. The Plant Production Department is planning to expand the unit to meet the increasing demand for using laboratory facilities. The Biotechnology lab. is well equipped with modern machines to conduct research and services.
|
Conventional PCR Machine |
Real-time PCR |
Autoclave |
Current Research Projects
Several research projects are currently underway. These include:
· Studying genetic diversity between inbred lines of wheat.
· Genetic finger-printing of newly developed wheat inbred lines.
· Genetic transformation of tomatoes for drought tolerance.
· Application of biotechnology in faba bean improvement.
· Production of drought tolerant plants.
· Utilization of genetic diversity in local wheat varieties.
· Studying genetic diversity in natural population of some range plants for conservation purposes.
· Diagnosis of food-borne pathogens.
· Detection of genetically modified processed food.
· Detection of genetically modified fishes.
Graduate Students
MSc. Graduate Students Conducting Their Research Work in Biotechnology Laboratory.
|
Name |
Main Field |
Comments |
|
|
Khaled Hozaly |
Genetic diversity |
Completed |
2007 |
|
Turky Al Abdelatif |
Genetic diversity |
Completed |
2007 |
|
Hawas Al-Rashdy |
Food Biotechnology |
Conducting |
|
|
Abdullah Zanouny |
GMO detection |
Conducting |
|
|
Ali Al-Ali |
Plant transformation |
Conducting |
|
|
Mohamad Katanmy |
Molecular markers |
Conducting |
|
|
Meshal Motairy |
Molecular markers |
Conducting |
|
Funded Projects
|
Title |
Source of fund |
Budget |
Status |
|
1. Survey of GMO in KSA |
National Projects (KSU) |
700,000 |
Current |
|
2. Genetic fingerprinting of wheat varieties |
|
62,500 |
Completed |
|
3. Application of Biotech in Crop Improvement (Faba bean) |
|
500,00 |
Current |
|
4. Drought tolerant tomato by Genetic Eng. |
1,250,000 |
Current |
|
|
5. Genetic Diversity in Tabdab (Capparis decidua) |
|
50,000 |
Current |
|
6. Molecular markers for Bread Making Quality |
|
46,666 |
Current |
|
7. Amino Acids production |
|
46,666 |
Current |
Publications
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L., A.M. Assaeed and T.I. Abdellatif (2005). Genetic diversity in an isolated population of Capparis dicidua. Proceeding of the workshop "The role of biotechnology for the characterization and conservation of crop, forestry, animal and fishery genetic resources". March 5-7, 2005, Torino, Italy. pp 187-188.
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L. (2005). Public-private partnership in biotechnology. Proceeding of the conference " University-Private sector partnership in research and development". April 10-12, 2005, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. pp 61-80.
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L and T.L. German (2006). Correlation of PCR and IFAS with Eggplant bioassay for identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. J. Food Agric. and Envirn. 4:179-182.
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L., Abdullah A.A. Al-Doss and K.A. Mustafa (2006). RAPD Fingerprinting of Newly Developed Inbred Lines of Wheat. BioVision, Alexandria, Egypt, 28/2-1/3, 1427.
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L. Abdullah A.A. Al-Doss, MA.A. Gassem, A.A. Alsadon and S.S. Alghamdi (2006). Survey of genetically modified food in Saudi Arabia. International Society for biosafety research. Ninth International symposium on Biosafety of genetically modified organisms, Jeju Island, Korea, September, 24-29, 2006.
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L. and A.A. Alderfasi (2006). Estimation of genetic variance among S2 progenies derived from four yellow maize populations. Alex. J. Agric. Res. 51(2) 27-34.
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L., A.M. Assaeed and T.I Abdellatif (2006). Application of RAPD technique for the conservation of an isolated population of Capparis decidua. Alex. J. Agric. Res. 51:171-177. (Special Issue).
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L. (2007). DNA fingerprinting studies of some bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes using RAPD and ISSR techniques. Alex. J. Agric. Res. 52(1):60-65
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L., M. M. M. Ahmed and B. A. Ali. 2006. Application of molecular markers for hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) identification. J. Food Agric. Environ. 4(2): 176-178
- Abdel-Mawgood, A.L. and Thomas L. German 2006. Correlation of PCR and IFAS with eggplant bioassays for identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. J. Food Agric. Environ. 4(2): 179-182
