Current Research Projects

Ongoing Research Support

German Arab Research Partnership (DAAD), GERMANY, 2013-2015

Title: Parkinson’s Susceptibility
Goal: Studying the interplay between genes and environment in the development of PD among Egyptian patients
Through recruiting Egyptian PD patients (both high risk and low-risk exposure to pesticides) we were able to obtain samples from 500 patients so far who are exposed to different types of genetic study and epidemiologic studies. I applied my experience in neurodegenerative diseases research trying to answer this question.

IBRO/ISN/Mansoura University competitive projects, 2014-2015

Title: Peripheral biomarkers for brain injury (Mansoura/Duke Collaboration)
Goal: Validation of peripheral biomarkers for chemical-induced brain injury.
As a neurotoxicologist, I applied my experience to isolate patients chronically exposed to pesticides and examine them clinically then through the western blot technique we are trying to find an easy and simple way to diagnose the impact of OPs on their brains.

Mansoura University competitive projects, EGYPT 2014-2016

Title: Assessment of the impact of SSRI on osteogenic differentiation on Mesenchymal stem cells
Goal: Studying the impact of novel SSRI on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Through this grant, we will try to find out the impact of new antidepressants on osteogenesis. Through my experience in stem cell research, i will manage to answer this question.

Parkinson’s and movement disorders Foundation (PMDF) research grant, USA, 2015-2016

Title: siRNA-based silencing of Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR): Implications for Tauopathy.
Goal: Studying the effect of blocking mTOR on tauopathy in the LUHMES cell line.
Through my experience in in-vitro research, I will try to unravel the role of mTOR on neurodegeneration and suggest potential new therapeutic targets.

International Development Research Centre (IDRC), CANADA: 2015-2016

Title: Waterpipe and nicotine addiction in the Arab world: A multicenter study
Goal: The goal of this study is to identify the liability of WP and nicotine addiction among Arab people by exploring ways for prevention.

Cultural Dialogue with Islamic World, DAAD, GERMANY: 2016-2018

Title: Genetic Factors for Inherited Neurodegenerative Diseases in Egyptian Regions. (GeneFINDER)
Goal: The goal of this study is to identify genes responsible for different neurodegenerative disorders in the Egyptian population.

Mansoura University competitive projects, EGYPT 2015-2016

Title: siRNA blocking of mitochondrial complex I assembly factors: Implications for Tauopathy

Goal: studying the putative role of CI assembly factors in developing Tauopathy

JESOR Grant, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), EGYPT: 2016-2017

Title: Developing new serum biomarkers for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD)

Goal: developing new biomarkers from sera of PD patients.

STDF: Basic and Applied Research Grant, EGYPT: 2016-2017

Title: siRNA induced blocking of mTOR in an animal model of Tauopathy

Goal: studying the impact of silencing mTOR as a therapeutic approach for transgenic mice of tauopathy model.

 

 

International Collaboration

German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE, Munich):

https://www.dzne.de/en/about-us/sites/munich/

The collaboration with DZNE, Munich is coordinated through Translational Neurodegeneration Department. For five years MERC and DZNE have been involved in DAAD-funded projects to characterize genetic and epidemiological factors controlling Parkinson’s disease.

Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center:

https://pharmacology.duke.edu/

For about four years, MERC in collaboration with Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, is trying to develop new biomarkers for the diagnosis of brain damage. The collaboration has been generously funded by IBRO, ISN, Mansoura University Competitive Grants Program, and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT).

Luxembourg Center for Systems Bioscience (LCSB):

https://wwwen.uni.lu/lcsb

LCSB and MERC are currently involved in the establishment of a new bioinformatics center and integrated biobank for future application in research in the biomedical field.

Genetic Epidemiology of Parkinson’s Disease (GEoPD):

http://geopd.can.ubc.ca/

MERC is currently the newest member of GeoPD and is considered the first member in the Middle East. The main goal of this collaboration is to identify novel environmental and genetic risk factors for PD in Africa.

Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Universita di Verona, ITALY:

http://www.dsnm.univr.it/?ent=home&page=dipartimento

MERC and DNBM, VERONA is collaborating in promoting the teaching and research in the field of neuroscience.

Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, USA:

https://che.northeastern.edu/che/about-chemical-engineering

This collaboration aims to explore the possibility of applying nanotechnology in regenerative medicine.

 

 

Objectives

  1. Development of Experimental Scientific Research in Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University
  2. Raise awareness of the importance of empirical research among students, alumni, faculty members, and their assistants.
  3. Opening up the work of scientific research cooperation between the University of Mansoura, universities and scientific research centers, homeland.
  4. Scientific cooperation with the international scientific centers.
  5. The events of integration and compatibility between the basic research disciplines and interdisciplinary clinical Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University.
  6. Activating the empirical research university and marketing adopted after the research projects with a national moving implementation of the protocols of interest to the university research.
  7. The implementation of workshops for the departments of clinical use of experimental animals
  8. Implementation of local training courses and international empirical research for young researchers