King Abdulaziz University sponsored student, Talal bin Hussein Qadah, who studies Laboratory & Hematology at the University of Western Australian in Brisbane, has discovered a genetic mutation that causes the Thalassemia which is common in the Arabic Gulf, Mediterranean basin and other countries. King Abdulaziz University contributed to the research which was published as a reference research on the “Hemoglobin” scientific journal. The research will also be registered in the medical database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
“The Thalassemia is a complex hereditary disease, to which various genes do contribute. These genes are responsible for producing the hemoglobin which transports the oxygen and carbon dioxide between body tissues. Functions of these genes can be affected by disorder or damage in their molecular characterization. This is known as the genetic mutation. If the diseased or the carrier person has more than one genetic mutation, the diagnosis will be more difficult and advanced laboratory and research technologies will be needed to discover such genetic mutations”, said Tala Qadah.
He added that discovery and scientific characterization of such mutations will lead to unveiling more information about the biological processes and hereditary changes in the Thalassemia patients. This will pave the way toward more knowledge about causes of the disease, and will increase the possibility of bringing about an effective cure for it.
Tala Qadah also discovered and described a number of genetic mutations that are now registered in the medical database of the American National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
The Cultural Attaché, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Taleb extended his congratulations to Talal Qadah on this great achievement and wished him success in his scientific endeavors.
