Experience and Research Interest

My research interest is focused on:

1. taxonomic studies on seed-borne fungi and nematophagous fungi
2. Aflatoxins in food and feed
3. Microbial enchanced oil recovery

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of mycology for undergraduates and postgraduates

Selected Publications

1. H. Al Sulaimani, S. Joshi, Y. Al Wahaibi, S. Al Bahry, A. Elshafie, and A. Al Bemani. 2011, Microbial Biotechnology for Enchancing Oil Recovery: Current developments and future prospects. Biotechnology, Bioinformatic and Bioengineering1:147-158.
2.  H. Al Sulaiman, Y. Al Wahaibi, S. Al Bahry, A. Elshafie, A. Al Bemani, S. Joshi and S. Zargari. 2011. Optimization and Partial Characterization of Biosurfactant produced by Bacillus species and their potential for ex-situ Enchanced Oil Recovery. SPE Journal 129228:1-10.
3. Z.B. Sana, A. Elshafie, I. Elmubarak, and S.A.F. El Nagerabi. 2011. Aflatoxin B1 contamination of traditionally processed peanut butter for human consumption. Mycopathologia171(6): 435-439.
4. A.Elshafie, S. Al Bahry, and T. Ba-Omar. 2003. Nematophagous fungi isolated from soil in Oman. Sydowia 55:18-32.
5. A.Elshafie. 2005. Coprophilous mycobiota of Oman. Mycotaxon93:355-355 (sum.), 1-8. www.mycotaxon.com/resources/website

Experience and Research Interest

Not available

Teaching Interest

Not available

Selected Publications

Not available

Experience and Research Interest

Professor Victor started his research career as a freshwater biologist/ecologist, but has also worked on diverse fields in Biology and Environmental Science. He is an international authority on tropical freshwater ostracods and has carried out pioneering research on African rivers and floodplains with particular reference to the applied ecology of stream macrobenthos and freshwater fish. In Oman, his research interests include the ecology and conservation of coastal lagoons, water quality issues in mountain streams, ecology of extreme environments like thermal streams, and biodiversity and sustainable development in arid mountain ecosystems. Professor Victor has published over 135 research contributions including journal articles, monographs and books. He has supervised over 40 research students from undergraduate to doctoral levels

Teaching Interest

Professor Victor is an accomplished biostatistician who teaches data handling in addition to his specializations in ecology and environmental science at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Selected Publications

1. Victor, R. 2008. Are we losing Al Jabal Al Akhdar? – An environmental evaluation of a fragile arid mountain ecosystem in northern Oman. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 65: 731-736.
2. Victor, R. 2004.  Limnology in the Sultanate of Oman. In Gopal, B. & Wetzel, R.W. (eds.) Limnology in the Developing Countries.Vol. 4. International Association of Limnology (SIL). pp. 219-244
3. Lemons, J., Victor, R. & Schaffer, D. (eds.) 2003 Conserving Biodiversity in Arid Regions. Best practices in Developing Nations. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston. 493 pp.
4. Victor, R. 2002 Biodiversity Conservation in Developing Countries: Managing Uncertainty in Strategies and Action Plans to Support Precautionary Action. In Tickner, J.A. (ed) Precaution, Environmental Science and Preventive Public Policy. Island Press, Washington, pp. 215-226.
5. Victor, R. 1998.  Traditional Sustainability: A case study of floodplain fisheries management in West Africa.  In: J. Lemons (ed.) Environmental Sustainability: Case studies on the prospects of Science and Ethics.  Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. pp. 182-202

Experience and Research Interest

One of my research interests is the emergence of antibiotic bacteria from humans and animals and the spread of its resistant genes from sewage to environment. I have used antibiotic resistant bacteria as bioindicators of pollution from contaminated effluents. Also, I have used electron microscopy, x-ray microanalysis and image mapping to learn how the microbes are able to penetrate through eggshells and cause infection. My background in protein analysis has led to study environmental stress factors which stimulate stress proteins expression in microbes and plants. I am also interested in related areas of bioproducts and bioactive compounds from specific fungi and bacteria. Fungal toxins in food were among those compounds. We have also studied several microbial compounds which have many industrial applications such as cellulases, biopolymers and biosurfactants. We have successfully isolated microbes that have potential use in enhancement of oil recovery.

Teaching Interest

Curriculum development, teaching excellence and supervising student research projects were my primary concern. I am interested in introducing modern teaching approach and creativity specifically related to applied biological sciences, such as biotechnology. I have introduced many courses at undergraduate and graduate levels

Selected Publications

1. Al-Bahry, S.N., Mahmoud, I.Y., Al-Belushi, K.I., Elshafie, A.E., Al-Harthy, A., Bakheit, C.K. (2009). Coastal sewage discharge and its impact on fish with reference to antibiotic resistant enteric bacteria and enteric pathogens as bio-indicators of pollution. Chemosphere, 77, 1534-1539.
2. Al-Bahry, S.N., Mahmoud, I. Y., Al-Zadjali, M., Elshafie, A., Al-Harthy, A., Al-Alawi, W. (2010). Antibiotic resistant bacteria as bio-indicator of polluted effluent in the green turtles, Chelonia mydas in Oman. Marine Environmental Research, 71, 139-144.
3. Al-Bahry., S.N., Elshafie, A.E. Victor, R., Mahmoud, I.Y. Al Hinai, J.A. (2011). Opportunistic pathogens relative to physicochemical factors in water storage tank. Journal of Water and Health, 9, 382-393.
4. Al-Bahry, S.N., Mahmoud, I.Y., Melghit, K.,Al-Amri, I. (2011). Analysis of elemental composition of the eggshell before and after incubation in the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in Oman. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 17, 1-9.
5. Al-Sulaimani, H., Al-Wahaibi, Y., Al-Bahry, S.N., Elshafie, A., Al-Bemani, A., Joshi, S., Zaragi, S. (2011). Optimization and partial characterization of biosurfactants produced by Bacillus Species and their potential for ex-situ enhanced oil recovery. Society of Petroleum Engineering Journal (SPEJ), DOI: 10.2118/129228-PA. 1-11.

Experience and Research Interest

I am currently working on the physiological and behavioural responses of mosquito larvae to the presence of predators. This is part of a wider study on the behaviour and ecology of mosquitoes, sandflies and other blood-sucking flies.
Other research as part of this project has been:

1. Investigating flight activity (circadian activity and the effect of the weather on flight);
2. How physiological factors (such as their age and their gonotrophic cycle) alter the need to rest in an adult mosquito,
3. How female mosquitoes select an oviposition site (such as the presence of predators, other mosquito egg rafts, salinity, etc);
4. Genetic and environmental factors (such as crowding by other larvae and salinity) affect larval development.

Teaching Interest

I currently teach courses on Entomology, Parasitology, Invertebrates and Human physiology.

Selected Publications

1. D. M. Roberts. Responses of three species of mosquito larvae to the presence of predatory dragonfly and damselfly larvae.  Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 2011, in press.

2. D. M. Roberts. Responses of three species of mosquito larvae to the presence of predatory dragonfly and damselfly larvae. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 2011, in press.
   M. Kokkinn, D. M. Roberts and C. Williams. Australian Journal of Entomology, 2011, 50, in press.
3. D.M. Roberts and M. Kokkinn. Larval crowding effects on the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus: physical or chemical? Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 2010, 135, 271-275.
4. D.M. Roberts. A comparison of the physiological age of adult and resting Culex quinquefasciatus. SQU Journal for Science, 2010, 15, 9-17.
5. D.M. Roberts Prolonged survival of the rock-pool mosquito, Aedes vittatus in the extreme heat of the Arabian peninsular. Journal of Arid Environments, 2004, 63-70.

Experience and Research Interest

Currently my research interests involve: a) work on steroidal alkaloid biochemistry; production and biological activity. My main interest is focused on Solanaceae steroidal glycoalkaloids and b) Screening of Omani plants for Phytoalexins which are compounds produced as a result of some stress. Some of these phytoalexins together with (their sister compounds) phytoanticipins can have important applications for their possible use as drugs. I have one PhD student working on the former and several experiments on the latter.

Teaching Interest

I have always been interested in teaching Plant Biochemistry (or general Biochemistry) to B Sc and also M Sc level students

Selected Publications

1. Alia M. Sajwani, S. A. Farook, A. Patzelt, Elsadig A. Eltayeb and Vaughn M. Bryant (2007) Melissopalynological studies from Oman. Palynology, 31 (2007), 63 – 97.
2. Alia M. Sajwani, Elsadig A. Eltayeb, S. A. Farook and A. Patzelt (2007) Sugar and Protein Profiles of Omani Honey from Muscat and Batinah Regions of Oman Int. Journal of Food Properties: Volume 10, Issue 4, 675 – 690. 
3. Fatma M. Al-Barwani and Elsadig A. Eltayeb (2004) Antifungal compounds from induced Conium maculatum L. plants. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Elsevier Publications: 32, 1097 – 1108
4. Fatma M. Al-Barwani and Elsadig A. Eltayeb (2004) Xanthotoxin and other Furanocoumarins as Phytoalexins in Pastinaca sativa L. roots. SQU Journal for Science: 9 (2004) 7 – 17.
5. Elsadig A. Eltayeb, Sana Salem Al-Sinani and I. A. Khan (2003) Effect of Mechanical Injury and Low Temperature Storage on the Accumulation of Glycoalkaloids in the tubers of 7 varieties of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) grown in Oman, SQU Journal for Scientific Research - Science and Technology, Vol. 8: 83 – 95.

Experience and Research Interest

I have a broad range of research interests and have published extensively, mainly in the following fields: (1) Flora and vegetation of the Arabian Peninsula (including Socotra); (2) Desertification and climate change, and effects on biodiversity; (3) Habitat restoration techniques of degraded desert ecosystems; (4) Biogeography of plants in the Arabian Peninsula; (5) Adaptation of plants to their natural environment; (6) Flora and vegetation of extreme habitats (mountains, deserts, heavy-metal contaminated sites, oil-polluted sites, inselbergs); (7) Critical species groups; (8) Lichen flora of the Arabian Peninsula. I also have a strong, long-standing interest in ornithology. Much of this work is carried out in collaboration with scientists in both the Arabian Peninsula and Europe. At present, I am collaborating with a colleague in Germany to finish a book on the vegetation ecology of the unique island of Socotra, Yemen (often described as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean”). Very recently, I have begun a fruitful collaboration with Professor A. Kacimov, Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering at SQU, in the field of ecohydrology, including vegetation patterning in recharge dams in northern Oman.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interests are mainly in plant biology, including plant ecology, taxonomy and anatomy. I also enjoy teaching basic statistical courses.

Selected Publications

1. BROWN, G. & MIES, B.A.: Vegetation Ecology of Socotra. – Springer (book in prep., submission Nov. 2011).
2. KACIMOV, A. & BROWN, G.: Modelling of a transient phreatic surface mound, evidenced by a strip of vegetation in an earth dam shoulder: the Lembke-Youngs approach revisited. (submitted).
3. SHABBIR, G., DAKHEEL, A.J., BROWN, G. & RILLIG, M.C. Date palm production under saline environments: The potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal technology. – In: JAIN, S.M., AL-KHAYRI, J.M. & JOHNSON, D.V. (eds.). Date palm biotechnology. – Springer (in press).
4. AL-SIRHAN, A.-R. & BROWN, G. (2010): The status of the two Toad-head Agamas, Phrynocephalus arabicus (Anderson, 1894) and P. maculatus (Anderson, 1872), in Kuwait (Sauria: Agamidae). – Zoology in the Middle East 51: 23–30.
5. BROWN, G. (2009): Observations on the cooling behaviour, and associated habitat, of four desert lark species (Alaudidae) in two areas of Kuwait. – Sandgrouse 31: 6–14.

Experience and Research Interest

At present, I am involved in research in three main areas, viz. Plant tissue culture, genetic transformation and Melittopalynology of Oman.   In my lab we routinely use cell culture, gene gun mediated particle bombardment, RFLP, Scanning Electron Microscopy for pollen studies and mutagenesis testing using chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchange assays. Currently, we are working on Date palm and Pomegranate transformation and their genetic improvement. A Ph.D student is actively engaged in analyzing the pollen from Omani honey samples, while several undergraduate and postgraduate students are working on the tissue culture and genetic improvement of plants.

Teaching Interest

My areas of teaching interest are Plant physiology, Plant tissue culture, Genetics and Plant Biotechnology. I have been teaching these courses both at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Selected Publications

1. Alia Sajwani, Elsadig A. Eltayeb, Sardar A. Farooq and Annette Patzelt. Sugar and Protein Profiles of Omani Honey from Muscat and Batinah regions of Oman. International Journal of Food Properties. 2007.10:675-690
2. Alia Sajwani., Sardar A. Farooq, Elsadig   A. Eltayeb and Annette Patzelt. Melissopalynological studies from Oman. Palynology. 2007. 31: 63-79
3. Farooq, S.A. and Talat T. Farooq. Rapid clonal propagation of Tamarindus indica (L) using explants from adult trees. P.J.Biol.Sci. 2003. 6:1591-1592.
4. Farooq, S.A., Talat. T. Farook and Salim Al Rawahy. High frequency micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis from axillary bud and leaf explants of Clerodendrum inerme. Proc. 12th World Congress of the International Association for Plant Biotechnology (IAPB) St Louis, USA June 6-11. 2010.
5. Farooq S.A, Talat T.F and Al-Rawahy S.H. Bioactive compounds from Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) and their health benefits Chapter 13. Natural Products and their Active Compounds on Disease Prevention. Nova Pub. 2011.

Experience and Research Interest

My interest is focus on the studies of the Aphanius dispar, a Cyprinodant fish in particular the histology and histopathology. It focus on the effect of certain pesticides on certain organs such as gills, liver, kidneys and gonads.

Teaching Interest

I teach the following courses:

1. Embryology (An Undergraduate Course)
2. Histology (An Undergraduate Course)
3. Developmental Biology (A Master Degree Course)

Selected Publications

1. Ba-Omar, TA and Al-Riyami, M.M. (2009). Integumentary Histology of the Amphibious Blenny, Isteblennius edentulus (Forester and Schneider,1801). SQU Journal for Science14: 9-15.
2. N. Al-Mukhaini , T.A. Ba-Omar, I.Y. Mahmoud, S. Al-Barwani (2010). Embryonic staging of the Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas. Zoology in the Middle East.51:39-50. (corresponding author)
3. Ba-Omar, TA; S. Al-Jardani and R. Victor. (2011). Effects of Pesticide Temephos on the Gills of Aphanius dispar (Pisces: Cyprinodontidae). Tissue and Cell.43:29-38
4. Ali Al-Badi, Abdullah Al-Rashdi and Taher Ba-Omar. (2011). Technology Acceptance: Course and Teaching Surveys: Case Study at Sultan Qaboos University, IBIMA Business Review. Vol. 2011 (2011), Article ID 989188, 16 pages
5. Rashid Al-Ghanbousi, Taher Ba-Omar and Reginald Victor (2012). Effects of deltamethrin on the gills of the Aphanius dispar: a microscopic study. Tissue and Cell 44(1): 7-14. (corresponding author).

 

Experience and Research Interest

My research interest is in the area of Human genetics. My research group is studying autosomal recessive disorders by means of linkage analysis and SNP based microarray technology using Affymetrix platform. These types of disorders are common because of the genetics structure and the marriage preferences of the society. Our objective is to identify genes and mutation that are responsible for the diseases that we are studying.

This work is done in collaboration with two teams from College of Medicine, SQU (Child and Adult Neurology teams) and Blood Disorders team. The external collaboration is with the Medical Genetics Team from St Georges ‘University of London lead by Professor Andrew Crosby, a BDF Newlife Professor of Medical Genetics.

Teaching Interest

I am currently teaching BIOL4432 Genetics, in addition to courses I taught in the past like BIOL3201, Molecular Biology, BIOL4045, Introduction to Biotechnology and BIOL6201 Advanced Molecular Biology.

Selected Publications

1. Mehmet Simsek , Nadia Al-Wardy , Aisha Al-Khayat, and Mazin Al-Khabory (2002), A PCR-RFLP test for simultaneous detection of two single nucleotide insertions in the Connexin-26 gene promoter, Genetic Testing , 7 (3):225-228.
2. T. Ba-Omar, I, Ambu-Saidi, S. Al-Bahry and A. Al-Khayat (2004). Embryonic and larval staging of the Arabian Toad, Bufo arabicus (Amphibia: Bufonidae), Zoology in the Middle East, 32:47-55.
3. Katherine J. Dick, Matthias Eckhardt, Coro Paisán-Ruiz, Aisha Alkhayat Alshehhi, Christos Proukakis, Naomi A. Sibtain, Helena Maier, Reza Sharifi, Michael A. Patton, Wafa Bashir, Roshan Koul, Sandy Raeburn, Volkmar Gieselmann, Henry Houlden, and Andrew H. Crosby. (2010) Mutation of FA2H Underlies a Complicated Form of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (SPG35). Human Mutation: Mutation in Brief 31: E1251-E1260.

Currently, my research is focused on two main areas, immunogenetics and molecular biodiversity. Over the years, this work has attracted several undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of Immunology, immunogenetics, molecular biodiversity and bioinformatics. This includes advance courses for undergraduate and post-graduate levels

Selected Publications

1. A. Al-Shukaili, J Al-Kaabi, B. Hassan, T. Al-Oraimi, M. Al-Tobi, M. Al-Kindi, A. Al-Maniri, A. Al-Gheilani and A. Al-Ansari. P2X7 receptor gene polymorphisms analysis in Rheumatoid arthritis. Int J of Immunogenetics 2011 38: 389–396.
2. Al-Shukaili A, Al-Abri S, Al-Ansari A, Monteil M. Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on Cytokine Production by Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. SQU Med J 2009 9:70-74.
3. Alansari AS, Al-Moundari M, Al-Nabhani MM, Al-Zidjali SA. BRCA1 2080insA mutation in familial breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009 113: 605–606.
4. Chacko JP, Muralitharan S, Al-Ansari A, Al-Kharusi K, Al-Asmi A, Pratap CR, Bayoumi R. Trinucleotide repeat analysis of spinocerebellar ataxia patients in Oman. Neurosciences. 2005 10: 1 61-63.
5. Alansari A, Gul A, Inanc M, Ordi J, Teh LS, Ollier WE, Gonzalez-Gay MA and Hajeer AH. Fc receptor gamma subunit polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus. Saudi Med J. 2004 25:1445-8.

Experience and Research Interest

My research areas involve Pollution studies in Air/soil/water, Reuse of wastes (effluent & sludge) in agriculture and Bioconversion & composting of organic and industrial wastes. Research interest and worked on the multi-disciplinary areas of the Environment Management like Solid waste composition analysis & mgt, EIA, Environmental health related to sanitation, industries etc and also Education for sustainability to cater outreaching activities.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interests are in the fields of Environmental pollution, waste management, Environmental Impact Assessment. I have been teaching core and few specialized courses for post-graduates for more than ten years. Conducted short term trainings to various stakeholders in the area of Environmental management.

Selected Publications

1. Hameed Sulaiman, S.M. J.Prabhakaran and D.Purusothaman.(2002). Population dyanamics of microbes in dye factory effluent contaminated soil. Journal of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring. 12 (1) 31-34.
2. Hameed Sulaiman, S.M.,D.Augustine selvaseelan and B.Satish Kumar.(2002). Aeromicrobiol survey of polluted habitates of Coimbatore and Ooty. Journal of Ecobiology .14 (3)211-215.
3. Devarajan,S and Hameed Sulaiman, S.M. (2005). Isolation and Characterization of   Bacterial and Fungal isolates from textile effluent contaminated soil. Journal of Microbial World. 7(1) pp. 77-81.
4. Tamiru Alemayehu Abiye, Hameed Suliaman and Michael Ayalew.(2009). Use of wastewater for Managed Aquifer Recharge to alleviate water shortage in highly populated urban centers: a case study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Environmental Geology. 58: pp 55-59.
5. Mehari Alebachew, Hameed Sulaiman and Negussie Retta.(2010).Uptake and phytoaccumulation of chromium at seedling stage in some selected tree species. East African Journal of Sciences. 4(1): pp 48-51.

Experience and Research Interest

My research interests mainly focus on studying the epigenetic processes which leads to control gene expression in plants grow under stress conditions such as high soil salinity and drought and also understanding how these stresses control flowering time in plants. Epigenetic regulation in eukaryotic cells is carried out by a complex array of signaling connections among small RNA species and also by chromatin remodeling. In my research I am currently studying the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression in plants and try to modify them in such a way that can increase the yield and the stress tolerance of crop plants.

This project involves global gene expression and protein analysis and also comparative bioinformatics protein, DNA and microarray studies. These projects are carried out in collaboration with the department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Canada.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of biotechnology, recombinant protein technology and molecular biology.

Selected Publications

1. Hudson D, Guevara D, Yaish M, Hannam C, Long N, Clarke JD, Bi YM, Rothstein SJ. GNC and CGA1 modulate chlorophyll biosynthesis and glutamate synthase (GLU1/Fd-GOGAT) expression in Arabidopsis. (2011) PLoS One.;6(11):e26765. doi: 10.1371.
2. M. Yaish, Joseph Colasanti and Steven J. Rothstein (2011) The role of epigenetic processes in controlling flowering time in plants exposed to stress. Journal of Experimental Botany. 62(11):3727-35.
3. Rahman LN, Bamm VV, Voyer JA, Smith GS, Chen L, M. W. Yaish, Moffatt BA, Dutcher JR, Harauz G. (2011) Zinc induces disorder-to-order transitions in free and membrane-associated Thellungiella salsuginea dehydrins TsDHN-1 and TsDHN-2: a solution CD and solid-state ATR-FTIR study. Amino Acids. 40(5):1485-502.
4. Luna N. Rahman, Lin Chen, Sumaiya Nazim, Vladimir V. Bamm, M. Yaish, Barbara A. Moffatt, John R. Dutcher, George Harauz. (2010) Interactions of intrinsically disordered Thellungiella salsuginea dehydrins TsDHN-1 and TsDHN-2 with membranes – Synergistic effects of lipid composition and temperature on secondary structure. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 88(5):791-807.
5. M. Yaish. Peng M., and Rothstein SJ. AtMBD-9 Alters Arabidopsis Development through the dual Epigenetic Pathways, DNA Methylation and Histone Acetylation. 2009. The Plant Journal 59(1):123-35.

Experience and Research Interest

My research focuses in three inter-related areas (1) The evolutionary ecology of predator-induced defences in aquatic organisms (2) The impact of pollutants on the aquatic environment (3) The limnology of Omani wadis.

Teaching Interest

I teach undergraduate courses in toxicology, ecotoxicology, freshwater ecology and research skills.

Selected Publications

1. Barry, M.J. (2011) Effects of copper, zinc and dragonfly kairomone on growth rate and induced morphology of Bufo arabicus tadpoles. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 74(4):918-23.
2. Barry, M.J. J. Tibby, A. Tsitsilas, B. Mason, P. Kershaw, H. Heijnis  (2005) A long-term lake-salinity record and its relationship to Daphnia populations. Archive fur Hydrobiologie 163: 1-23.

1. Barry, M.J.  & W. Davies (2004) Effects of Invertebrate Predators and a Pesticide on Temporary Pond Microcosms used for Aquatic Toxicity Testing. Environmental Pollution. 131:25-34.

4. Barry, M.J. (2002) Progress towards understanding the neuro-physiological basis of predator-induced morphology in Daphnia pulex. Physiological & Biochemical Zoology. 75: 179-186.
5. Barry, M.J. (2000) Life-History and Morphological Responses of Two Species of Australian Daphnia to Two Species of Anisops Predators. Oecologia 124: 396-401.

Experience and Research Interest

My research areas are microbial fermentation and antimicrobial activity of natural products. In microbial fermentation I am working on the possible utilization of different waste materials as alternative and cheap substrates for the production of commercially important microbial products. In antimicrobial activity of natural products, I am concentrating on the effect of different plant extracts and their essential oils on some pathogenic bacteria and their possible mode of action.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of applied aspects of Microbiology. Currently I am teaching Microbial Biotechnology & General biology and proposed a new course Biofermentation. I have more than ten years of experience in teaching under graduate and post graduate students.

Selected Publications

1. Sivakumar, N., Rajamani, Saif, A. B. 2010. Production and Partial Characterization of Bacteriocin isolated  from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pediococcus acidilactici. Braz. Arch. Biol. Tech., 53, 1177-1184.
2. Karthikeyan, A., Sivakumar, N. 2010. Citric acid production by Koji fermentation using banana peel as a novel substrate. Bioresour Technol., 101, 5552-5556.
3. Sivakumar, N., Karthikeyan, A., Vivek, A., Santhamani, Sasikumar, D., Nouh      M.H. Aljarari. 2009. Prevalence of etiological agents in superficial mycoses with reference to dermatphytoses and pityriasis versicolor. Lib. J. Inf. Di., 3, 13-18.
4. Sivakumar, N., Remya, R., Saif, A. 2009. Partial charecterization of proteases produced by three fungal isolates from the rhizosphere of wild yam Dioscorea wallichi. J. Appl. Biol. Sci., 3, 71-75.
5. Karthikeyan, A and Sivakumar, N. 2007. Sericulture Pupal waste – A new production medium for mass cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis. Ind. J. Biotech., 6, 557-559.

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is focused on several topics of environmental microbiology such as oil bioremediation, desert microbes, microbial mats, Aeolian dust, biofouling and biotechnology of microorganisms. Different molecular techniques are employed in this research such as fingerpriniting techniques (DGGE and ARISA), pyrosequencing as well as microsensor techniques. Currently, we are working on a strategic project funded by The Research Council (TRC) dealing with oil bioremediation using oman indigenous microorganisms. 

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of molecular biology, biotechnology, microbial ecology and molecular tools. This includes under graduate courses and advance courses for post-graduate level.

Selected Publications

1. R.M.M. Abed, S. Al Kindi, A. Schramm, and M.J. Barry Aqua. Microb. Ecol.. 2011, 63, 245-254
2. R.M.M. Abed, N. Musat, F. Musat, and M. Mußman, Marine pollution bulletin, 2011, 62, 539-546.
3. R.M.M. Abed, S. Dobrestov, S. Al-Kharusi, A. Schramm, B. Jupp, and S. Golubic, Fottea, 2011, 11, 215-224
4. R. M. M. Abed, S. Al Kharusi, A. Schramm and M. Robinson, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2010, 72, 418-428.
5. K. Kohls, R. M. M. Abed, L. Polerecky, M. Weber and D. de Beer, Environmental Microbiology, 2010, 12, 567-575.

Experience and Research Interest

Currently, my research is focused on one main theme which is reproductive biotechnology; namely, sperm cryopreservation, oocyte enucleation, reprogramming cell lines, cell cryobanking, cell cycle synchronization, gene expression analysis in cell lines as well as early stage embryos, embryonic stem cells derivation, culture and cryopreservation. Multiple species and laboratory animals are used in my research such as mouse, goats, bovine and camels. Future work will be carried on endangered animals. My research is carried in collaboration with domestic, local and international institutes.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest is in the field of cell biology, tissue culture, cell cryopreservation, stem cell biology and partially lectures in the course of experimental techniques.

Selected Publications

1. Baqir S.: Threats and challenges facing the survivability of endangered species. Man & The Environment (2011), 19, 84
2. Baqir S.: Cell banking a new approach to conserve Oman’s endangered species. Azzamn (2010), May 03; 10
3. Fischer D., Baqir S. et al.: The impact of oocyte maturation media on early bovine embryonic development. Molecular Reproduction & Development (2006), 73; 1255-1270
4. Baqir S. & Smith L. C.: Inhibitors of histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases alter imprinted gene regulation in embryonic stem cells. Cloning & Stem Cells (2006), 8; 190-203
5. Baqir S. et al.: Aberrant reprogramming of imprinted gene expression in enlarged placentas of mice cloned from ES cells treated with TSA or 5azaC. Reproduction, fertility & development (2004), 16, 135

Experience and Research Interest

My research focuses on the mechanism of tumor angiogenesis and its relationship with tumor microenvironment such as hypoglycemia and its effect on the progression and metastasis of cancer cells. In my previous research I found that the expression of the main angiogenic factor Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2, KDR) in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer cells is regulated by glucose and its molecular knockdown using RNA interference (shRNA) altered the expression of some adhesion molecules. In the coming research I would like to investigate the effect of hypoglycemia on key molecular pathways in different types of cancer cells mainly breast cancer. I am interested in studying the effect of the environmental pollutants on the induction of mutagenesis and progression of different cancer types. In addition to that I am interested in the isolation and identification of novel natural compounds that have potential anticarcinogenic properties.

Teaching Interest

 I am teaching undergraduate and post-graduate courses in the field of molecular cancer biology, enzymology, flow cytometry and genetic engineering.

Selected Publications

1. S. Adham, Ifat Sher, and Brenda L. Coomber (2010). Molecular blockade of VEGFR2 in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells 90, 709-723. Lab Invest. 90(5):709-23.
2. S. Adham and Brenda L. Coomber (2009). Glucose is a Key Regulator of VEGFR2/KDR in Human Epithelial Ovarian. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 390, 130–135.
3. Claire L. Plumb, Una Adamcic, Siranoush Shahrzad, Kanwal Minhas, S.  Adham, Brenda L.Coomber. (2009). Modulation of the tumour suppressor protein alpha-catenin by ischemic microenvironment. The American Journal of Pathology 175, 1662-1674.
4. Ifat Sher, S. Adham, James Petrik , and Brenda BL Coomber (2009). Autocrine VEGF/KDR loop protects epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells from anoikis. International Journal of Cancer 1;124 (3):553-561.

Experience and Research Interest

Not available

Teaching Interest

Not available

Selected Publications

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Experience and Research Interest

My master thesis research was entitled “The effect of artemisinin (ART) derivatives on cancer cell in vitro”. The main purpose of the study was to conduct in vitro preclinical studies in order to determine the cytotoxic effect of ART derivatives on selected mammalian cancer cell lines.
My bachelor degree research was about the determination of mobile heavy metals in sludge and the effects of zinc on Medicago sativa plant species.

My future aspiration is to pursue my PhD in the near future and become and outstanding researcher in microbial biotechnology.

Teaching Interest

My teaching interest so far is General Biology. I have also assisted professors in teaching Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bacteriology and Cell Biology.

Selected Publications

Not available

Experience and Research Interest

Not available

Teaching Interest

Not available

Selected Publications

Not available

Experience and Research Interest

Not available

Teaching Interest

Not available

Selected Publications

Not available