Top Saudi research team gets government funding to help find COVID-19 vaccine

Short Url
Updated 15 April 2020
Follow

Top Saudi research team gets government funding to help find COVID-19 vaccine

  • A group of Saudi scientists met to draw up a plan for fighting COVID-19

RIYADH: Saudi health chiefs on Tuesday announced funding for a major scientific initiative aimed at helping find a vaccine for the killer coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A team of 33 top Saudi scientists and researchers has been assembled for the new Ministry of Health program to look into the genetics behind the virus and take part in global efforts to develop a cure.

The medical experts will study and run tests on the nature of the virus and put forward proposals for original projects offering solutions to the challenges faced by the Kingdom and the world in tackling the deadly outbreak.

A collaborative group of Saudi scientists from various universities had already met to discuss and draw up a plan for fighting COVID-19 prior to the first case being reported in the Kingdom and before the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared it a pandemic.

Members of the group include a number of notable scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), namely Prof. Arnab Pain, who is leading the pathogen genomics part of the work, Dr. Fathia Ben Rached, Dr. Amit Subudhi, Sara Mfarrej, and Dr. Qingtian Guan.

They have been joined by doctors Asim Khogeer, Fadwa Alofi, Afrah Al-Somali, and Khaled Al-Quthami from the Ministry of Health, doctors Naif Al-Montashiri and Ahmed Bakur from Taibah University, and experts from King Abdul Aziz University such as Dr. Anwar Hashem and Dr. Turki Abujamel.

“Each member of this collaborative group is driving a major project that is based on employing largescale genome sequencing of COVID-19-positive individuals in order to investigate the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus strain that causes COVID-19) viruses circulating in Saudi Arabia,” said Dr. Sharif Hala, a biomedical researcher at the National Guard Health Affairs’ King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC).

“The initial project to build genome comparison in the global context of the virus and the host, is what we call a system biology study supported by employing bioinformatic analysis of the datasets and wet laboratory work.”

He told Arab News that 600 samples had already been collected from the cities of Madinah, Jeddah and Makkah to initially focus on specific projects.

These were to optimize nucleic acid-based (genetic material) technologies for early detection of the virus in body fluids, to benchmark existing detection technologies and develop visualization tools to understand the pandemic from a genetics perspective, and to look at identifying mutations in the host that may result in the immune response observed in various cases.

On finding a cure for COVID-19, Hala said: “Vaccines are not hard to develop as it is fundamentally part of the pathogen (in this case SARS-CoV-2) that is introduced to the host immune system to promote antibodies production and eventually educate the immune system to protect the host against this specific pathogen.”

He pointed out that the delay in producing vaccines could be down to a lack of finance, production scale, safety or other issues. Each vaccine had to be tested on a number of subjects to determine its efficiency rate, which could be a lengthy process, he added.

“Currently, our collaborative group has developed a genetic barcode of the global population of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses by systematically tracking mutations in their genetic material over time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“We have also sequenced more than 60 viruses that we will be announcing very soon to aid in the fight against this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hala.

Dr. Fatima Al-Hamlan, an assistant professor at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center’s department of infection and immunity, in Riyadh, who is also participating in the health ministry program, said: “As we are faced with a very contagious virus, so many questions need to be answered to unravel the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2.

“Hence, we aim in our study to understand the viral dynamics and transmission in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Understanding such factors will help healthcare officials to combat the infection and save lives.”

 


Makkah royal commission showcases city’s cultural, tourist offerings at World Travel Market

Updated 9 sec ago
Follow

Makkah royal commission showcases city’s cultural, tourist offerings at World Travel Market

  • Saudi minister of tourism speaks of Kingdom’s investment in sector

LONDON: The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites this week showcased key projects that highlight the Saudi city’s rich cultural and historical significance, as part of the Saudi delegation at the World Travel Market 2024 in London.

Major initiatives featured by the RCMC included the Hira Cultural District, the Revelation Exhibition, the Kiswa Factory of the Holy Kaaba, and the Institute of Manuscripts and Revival of Islamic Heritage.

The RCMC pavilion also provided insights into major infrastructure developments, such as Makkah’s public transportation system.

This system, with 12 bus routes covering all neighborhoods, is designed to ensure seamless, reliable travel and improve the quality of life for both residents and visiting pilgrims.

This year’s World Travel Market event, which finished on Thursday, also saw Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Saudi minister of tourism and chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, launch the Kingdom’s participation with the Saudi Land Pavilion.

The pavilion included the Visit Saudi exhibition, organized by the Saudi Tourism Authority for the fourth consecutive year and supported by more than 70 partners in the sector, including destinations, hotels, airlines and travel companies.

Al-Khateeb said: “Saudi Arabia, the fastest-growing tourist destination globally, seeks to solidify its leadership in world tourism, aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals by highlighting unique destinations, new projects, and significant investment opportunities.”

He added: “Saudi Arabia is the largest global investor in the tourism sector.”


Meet Reman Assere, Saudi Arabia’s youngest Arabic calligraphy instructor

Updated 22 min 54 sec ago
Follow

Meet Reman Assere, Saudi Arabia’s youngest Arabic calligraphy instructor

  • She became the youngest certified instructor at the age of just 11
  • Assere now tutors students of all ages

MAKKAH: After qualifying at just 11 years old, Reman Assere officially became Saudi Arabia’s youngest calligraphy instructor.

Her journey started in fifth grade, sparked by a school activity. She began with basic exercises but, with continuous practice and self-learning through platforms such as YouTube, she steadily refined her skills.

Arabic calligraphy is celebrated for its variety of styles, including Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani, and Ruq’ah, each with a unique character and distinct lettering technique. (Supplied)

Her ambitions and her love of the art drove her to undertake professional training in Kufic calligraphy, believed to be the earliest example of a universal style of Arabic calligraphy. Once qualified, she was registered on the Ministry of Culture’s official platform, Al-Khattat.

What truly set her apart and caught people’s attention was her relentless dedication to learning. Even during vacations, she practiced tirelessly, seeking out special events and connecting with other calligraphers.

FASTFACT

Reman Assere’s ambitions and her love of the art drove her to undertake professional training in Kufic calligraphy.

Now aged 15, Assere told Arab News that her professional training was carried out under the guidance Shurooq Al-Harbi. She also highlighted the pivotal role played in her development by Prof. Siraj Al-Omari, whose ongoing support and encouragement were instrumental.

Today, Assere has become proficient in both in writing and teaching Kufic calligraphy and is expanding her expertise to include the Diwani style.

Reman Assere

However, her journey has been far from easy. A lack of calligraphy institutes in her native region of Abha posed considerable challenges and meant she had to rely on online courses or travel to other cities.

It was worth it, however. Her numerous awards include first place in the 2023 Cultural Skills Competition and the Ministry of Education’s National Olympiad for Arabic Calligraphy. She has also demonstrated her talents at prominent events, such as the Layalina Festival in Wadi Al-Dawasir and the Abha Shopping and Entertainment Festival.

Arabic calligraphy is celebrated for its variety of styles, including Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani, and Ruq’ah, each with a unique character and distinct lettering technique. (Supplied)

Assere has also led courses at the Holy Mosque Library in Makkah and organized calligraphy workshops in schools.

Today, she is recognized as one of the most influential trainers in Arabic calligraphy, teaching across all age groups. She takes pride in seeing her students compete in calligraphy competitions, a testament to the success of her approach and teaching methods.

Reman Assere has become proficient in both in writing and teaching Kufic calligraphy and is expanding her expertise to include the Diwani style. (Supplied)

Even in an age of rapid technological advancements, Assere is confident that calligraphy’s unique beauty will endure. She believes the future is bright for students and trainees, as the art of calligraphy continues to inspire and cultivate creativity.

She explained how the beauty of Arabic calligraphy is in the balance and harmony of its letters, with fluid lines that interlace. For Assere, Arabic calligraphy not only captures the essence and grace of the Arabic language, but it also allows the writer to convey thoughts and emotions.

Arabic calligraphy is celebrated for its variety of styles, including Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani, and Ruq’ah, each with a unique character and distinct lettering technique. Rooted in precise geometric principles, Arabic calligraphy achieves a harmonious visual balance, allowing for flexibility in letter formation, overlapping designs, and intricate decorative motifs.

Assere said: “The beauty of Arabic calligraphy extends beyond writing; it is a visual art that enhances both artworks and decorations. Over time, it has become a cultural symbol that embodies Arab and Islamic identity.”

 

 


Saudi Arabia’s urban planning on display at WUF

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s urban planning on display at WUF

  • The pavilion highlighted prominent Saudi infrastructure development initiatives, in line with international quality standards, that meet the needs of residents and visitors of Saudi cities

CAIRO: The Saudi pavilion at the World Urban Forum in Cairo this week hosted a series of workshops and bilateral meetings on the Kingdom’s strategies and projects in comprehensive urban planning.

The Saudi presence also underlined the positive effect of these strategies on achieving sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life in Saudi cities, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

Through representatives and officials of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and more than 30 national entities, the Saudi pavilion showed the Kingdom’s efforts to adopt and expand comprehensive urban planning practices focused on sustainability, and apply the requirement to study environmental impact in municipal and investment projects.

The meetings highlighted the concept of smart municipalities aimed at improving the quality of municipal services in Saudi regions and adopting modern technologies and enhanced municipal regulations for smart city policies, as well as the use of artificial intelligence technologies and data in improving the quality of life.

The pavilion highlighted prominent Saudi infrastructure development initiatives, in line with international quality standards, that meet the needs of residents and visitors of Saudi cities, the Saudi Press Agency reported, in addition to urban landscape development projects and visual distortion treatment projects.

 

 


Saudi foreign minister, Blinken discuss regional crises

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

Saudi foreign minister, Blinken discuss regional crises

  • Two discussed ongoing efforts to address the issues in Gaza and Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke on the phone on Friday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, they reviewed regional issues, with a particular focus on Gaza and Lebanon and ongoing efforts to address the issues there, SPA added.

In a separate call on Friday with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Blinken stressed the need to stop the fighting in Sudan and the need to support efforts to form a civilian government, the State Department said.

Blinken also discussed the need to expand humanitarian access to Sudan and thanked the UAE for its provision of aid for Gaza and Lebanon, according to a State Department statement.


Saudi health minister unveils new healthcare projects in Qassim

Updated 08 November 2024
Follow

Saudi health minister unveils new healthcare projects in Qassim

  • Saudi Health Minister’s visit marked the inauguration of several healthcare projects, including 54 initiatives valued at more than SR 448 million ($119.4 million)

BURAIDAH: Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel visited Qassim to review several healthcare projects designed to enhance the quality, efficiency and accessibility of medical services for residents.

These initiatives align with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to foster a “vibrant society” enjoying a healthy and prosperous life, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

His visit marked the inauguration of several healthcare projects, including 54 initiatives valued at more than SR 448 million ($119.4 million). Among these were key projects under the Qassim Health Cluster, such as the dental center in Unaizah, along with community-supported initiatives worth nearly SR102 million.

Highlights included the Prince Faisal bin Mishaal Fertility Center in Buraidah, the Abdullah Saleh Al-Othaim Diabetes Treatment Center at Al-Rass General Hospital, the Al-Rajhi Bank Cardiac Catheterization Center, and several other specialized healthcare facilities.