College of Medicine and Health Sciences

Student Projects

CMHS students undergo research under the faculty supervision on wide range of subjects.  Please find some of the research projects done by students.

1. Khuloud Al Marzooqi, Mahra Albeshr, Noora Alkamali: By 2040 there will be more than 600 million people living with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of diabetes in the United Arab Emirates is amongst the highest in the world and cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Patients with diabetes have a higher risk of electromechanical dysfunction in the heart. Curcumin and Capsaicin are plant extracts which have long been used to treat various diseases including asthma, diabetes and heart disease. The mechanism of action of these chemicals on contraction and calcium transport in cardiac myocytes from normal and diabetic heart is being investigated. Laboratory of Prof Chris Howarth – Department of Physiology
2. Hamad Aldhaheri, Omar Bawazir: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a lymphotropic herpesvirus linked to several human disorders. Unfortunately, no suitable animal model exists for studying this virus. We have recently reported that healthy rabbits are susceptible to EBV infection. This animal model could help to address some of the fundamental questions relating to the biology of EBV. One of the outstanding questions we are currently working on is whether or not EBV can establish infection in the brain. This is important in the context of the association of EBV with multiple sclerosis. This proposal aims to screen the entire brains from infected animals to determine if EBV is present or not. Laboratory of Prof Gulfaraz Khan – Department of Microbiology.
3. Manar Alraeesi, Sara Alkhemeiri, Amal Abu Samra, Maitha Alneyadi, Rauda Alkhoori, Nouf Alkaabi, Shama Alhammadi: Pain represents a major health issue. Unlike physiological pain which alerts us to potential tissue injury, neuropathic pain is a pathological chronic condition that develops as a result of injury to the somatosensory nervous system. This study is designed to provide direct evidence for the role of the unmyelinated primary afferents of the adjacent uninjured L4 nerve in the development of neuropathic pain in animal model in which L5 nerve is injured. The results will provide an important basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies to relieve chronic neuropathic pain in humans. Laboratory of Prof Safa Shehab – Department of Anatomy.
4. Husain Chaqfa, Oumara AlAjlouni, Mariam Abdalla, Maryam Hussain, Shamma Alhajeri: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing worldwide. Diabetic osteopathy is a significant co-morbidity of DM, characterized by decreased bone mineral density and micro-architectural changes leading to an increased risk of bone fracture. The relationship between DM and osteoporosis has been investigated extensively, but the subject still remains controversial. Diabetic patients have increased risk of fracture disproportionate to BMD, suggesting reduced material strength. The proposed study will investigate the role of sensory and autonomic nerves in bone deficit seen in type I DM. The data obtained will be valuable in understanding the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in DM. Laboratory of Dr Sahar Mohsin – Department of Anatomy.
5. Sara Al Shukri, Maitha Al Shamsi, Noura Hasan Baniyas: The metabolic syndrome, which includes type 2 diabetes and obesity, is the new epidemic affecting the world today and UAE is no exception. We have identified a novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) from a whole genome RNA-seq analysis aimed at identifying transcripts which are altered as a result of post-natal overfeeding (obesity) in a rodent model system. LncRNAs are more than 200 nucleotides in length and may act as either gene inhibitors or activators. In this project we propose to clone a novel long non coding RNA, which is termed as UAEU-081 which is developmentally regulated and is altered in obesity. Laboratory of Dr Starling Emerald – Department of Anatomy.
6. Maryam Qambar, Ayesha Ibrahim, Khawla AlYammahi: A differentiating feature of diabetes mellitus (DM) in women of childbearing age is that the disease may affect the developing fetus, thereby accelerating the intergenerational risk of DM. Compared with other geographical regions, countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Region have experienced remarkable rises in the prevalence of DM among both genders. Mapping the regional extent of the type 2 DM and understanding its overall burden (prevalence) and risk factors in women of childbearing age in the MENA countries will be summarized in a systematic review and meta-analysis study to help to galvanize targeted interventions. Laboratory of Dr Rami Al Rifai – Institute of Public Health.
7. Zainab Alshebli, Asma Alneyadi, Noura Alalawi, Fatima Almeqbali, Asma Alblooshi: Sirolimus was the first mTOR inhibitor to be developed and approved for clinical use. This immunosuppressive drug is extensively prescribed for prolonged use in renal-transplant patients. It is also used as an adjunct to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Idelalisib is the first-in-class PI3K p110δ inhibitor, which is approved by the USA FDA for treatment as a second-line drug for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both compounds have adverse effects on the lungs and the immune system. This study investigates the effect of these drugs on lung function and immune homeostasis in mice. Laboratory of Dr Ahmed Alsuwaidi – Department of Paediatrics.
8. Amal Al-Khoori, Anoud Hraiz: Stem cells of the stomach are responsible for establishing its structural and functional units (glands). These cells are few and difficult to isolate. To initiate studies on stomach tissue engineering, we have established a gastric stem cell line from a genetically engineered mouse model. The aim of this research is to use these stem cells to generate small stomach organoids in a 3D culture system to facilitate their characterization and to explore their possible use in tissue engineering. These studies will help in developing methods to repair stomach damage due to ulcer development or cancer resection. Laboratory of Prof Sherif Karam – Department of Anatomy.
9. Fatima Al Ameri, Nour Alkindi: Following UAE’s successful attainment of zero indigenous malaria transmission in 2007, travel-associated malaria has continued to exert significant pressures on the local healthcare services. Limited evidence suggests that plasmodium vivax is the most frequent imported malaria species in UAE and that male South Asian immigrants have been disproportionately affected. We hypothesize that imported vivax malaria predominates in Al Ain and that male migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent bear the brunt of the disease. We will retrospectively examine the geographical and temporal trends as well as the clinical and laboratory features of imported malaria in Al Ain over a 5-year period. Electronic clinical records of all patients with laboratory confirmed malaria seen at Al Ain and Tawam hospitals during the period from 01 January 2012 through 31 December 2016 will be reviewed. Characteristics of patients with imported malaria will be described. Risk factors for malaria acquisition will be identified. Morbidity and mortality outcomes of imported malaria will be examined. Laboratory of Dr Zahir Babiker – Department of Internal Medicine.
10. Ola Azzam, Noora Alshehhi, Ahlam Alsaedi, Maitha Alhosani, Shaima Alameri: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder affecting 1% population over the age of 60. The pathological hallmark of PD is the accumulation of cytoplasmic proteinaceous aggregates known as lewy bodies. The major component of lewy bodies is α-synuclein where 90% of this protein is phosphorylated. This study will demonstrate the role of phosphorylated α-synuclein fibril in spreading, aggregation and propagation. Thus, understanding the biochemical events in α-synuclein phosphorylation will provide additional insight that may be invaluable for further study to understand the mechanism of PD pathogenesis and important for drug development. Laboratory of Dr Emdadul Haque –Department of Biochemistry.
11. Baraa Mohamed, Shamsa Al Mansouri, Meera Al Zaabi, Aysha Al Derei: The students will be involved in collecting and analyzing the demographic and laboratory data from the electronic medical records at Tawam hospital of patients with well differentiated thyroid cancer. One hundred cases will be identified. The demographic information, TSH level, thyroid antibodies will be analyzed. The TSH is the major growth factor for thyrocytes. Several studies demonstrated the close relationship between TSH serum levels and the risk of thyroid cancer; the association was confirmed for increasing TSH values but still within the reference ranges. It is controversial whether autoimmune thyroid antibodies are linked to increased risk of thyroid cancer. Laboratory of Dr Juma Alkaabi – Department of Internal Medicine.
12. Salama Al Harmoodi, Zainab Alshebli, Asma Alneyadi: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains as one of the leading death-causing diseases worldwide. The overall survival in CRC with current modes of treatment remains unsatisfactory. Saffron (Crocus sativus) and its derivatives among which, Safranal, have been reported to induce apoptosis in a number of human carcinoma cell lines. This study is aiming at investigating the potentials of Safranal at inducing P53 mediated apoptosis and autophagy in two P53 isogenic HCT116, colon carcinoma cell line. Results are expected to provide an insight into the mechanism of action of Safranal in regulating autophagy and/or apoptosis in CRC and the way by which this is mediated by P53. Laboratory of Dr Mariam Al Shamsi – Department of Microbiology.
13. Rehab Aljasmi, Mahra Almheiri, Shamsa Alshamsi:  The present study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effect of β-caryophyllene (BCP), a naturally occurring phytocannabinoid with multifunctional properties including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in a rat model of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. DOX is a potent and efficacious anticancer drug for solid tumors and its clinical usage is compromised by dose-related cardiotoxicity. This necessitates a search for better cardioprotectives targeting oxidative stress and inflammation. DOX will be administered intraperitoneally following treatment with BCP. The hemodynamics will be monitored and on day 15 following anesthesia serum and heart will be collected for biochemical and histological studies. The positive findings may adjudicate its therapeutic potential in cardiotoxicity. Laboratory of Dr Shreesh Ojha – Department of Pharmacology.
14. Sahar Almansoori, Amani Albedwawi, Fatima Alhashmi, Sareh Karimi:  Both epidemiological as well as experiments on animal models have provided evidence that maternal obesity and metabolic complications increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, the molecular mechanism/s behind this association are not known. Several studies have recently indicated the role of long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) in NDDs. Here, we plan to identify LncRNAs, differently expressed due to high levels of saturated fatty acid treatment during in vitro human embryonic neurogenesis using hESCs as model. This would help identify molecular mechanisms of fatty acid induced NDDs which is critical in the development of preventative strategies and therapeutic interventions for NDDs. Laboratory of Dr Suraiya Ansari – Department of Biochemistry.
15. Radeya Al Katheeri, Samira Al Zadjali, Aishah Alzahmi: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are most commonly represented by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The etiology of IBD remains unclear but seems to be multifactorial. The current therapy mainly focuses on immunosuppressive agents with side effects. Therefore, there is an impetus to search for new therapeutic compounds. Involvement of eicosanoid family of inflammatory mediators is strongly implicated in IBD. Hence, it is conceivable that inhibiting free arachidonic acids or its substrates lipoxygenases may have therapeutic potential to mitigate aberrant immune responses seen in IBD. This preliminary study is intended to investigate the role of frondanol (5-lipoxygenase-inhibitor) in an experimental IBD model. Laboratory of Dr Sandeep Subramanya – Department of Physiology.

Student Newsletter

Doctor in Progress October 2024