Videoconference between the Faculty of Medicine, University, the Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke and the Bureau of Cultural & Educational Affaires in Montréal – Canada on Monday, 22nd June 2009, at 5:00 pm Cairo time, 10:00 am Montréal time

Report

In the framework of following up the results of the official visit to the Université de Sherbrooke on the 27th of April 2009, the Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affaires in Montréal – Canada organized a videoconference between the Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sherbrooke and the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University.

The Objective of the Conference:

1. The establishment of a Laboratory of Functional Genomics and System Biology at Alexandria University in Collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke. 2. Integrate “Genomics” topic in curriculum of Alexandria University and sharing experience of Sherbrooke University in this field. 3. Offering annual scholarship for up to three students associated with Alexandria Genomic Laboratory to obtain their Ph. D. in Sherbrooke University. 4. Getting the utmost benefit from the returning Egyptian Scientists, each in his domain of specialty.

Participants from the Cultural & Educational Affaires, Montréal, Canada

1. Prof. Dr. Nebal El Tanbouly, Consul, Egyptian Cultural & Educational Affaires 2. Dr. Amany Fouad, Cultural Attaché 3. Dr. Sherif Khashana, Scientific Coordinator

The University of Sherbrooke represented by:

1. Prof. Dr. Sherif Abou Elela, Professor of Microbiology and Infectiology, Director of the Laboratory for Functional Genomics & RNA Group. 2. Dr. Ghada Ghazal, Egyptian doctoral student in the same field.

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Participants from Alexandria University:

1. Prof. Dr. Rouchdy Zahran, vice – president for community service & environment development, Alexandria University 2. Prof. Dr. Mahmoud El Zalabany, Dean, Faculty of Medicine 3. Prof. Dr. Essam El Kordy, Dean, Faculty of Engineering 4. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Osman, Professor of Ophthalmology & Vic- Dean for Education & Student Affaires, Faculty of Medicine. 5. Prof. Dr. Shawky Tayel, Professor of Medical Genetics & Embryology, Faculty of Medicine. 6. Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ismaiel, Vice-Dean for Community Development and Environment Affairs & Professor of Paleontology and Applied Micropaleontology, Faculty of Science. 7. Dr. Eiman Abdel Aleem, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science. 8. Prof. Dr. Heba Kassem, Professor of Pathology, and Director of the Genomics Unit. 9. Prof. Dr. Fayza Aref Fattoh, Professor of Virology, Department of Botany & Microbiology, Faculty of Science. 10. Prof. Dr. Ihab El Helw, Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Science. 11. Prof. Dr. Hanan Ghozlan, Environmental Microbiologist, Faculty of Science

Dr. Mahmoud El Zalabany:

In his introduction, he mentioned that the newly established Medical Genetics Department in the Faculty of Medicine in Alexandria University is the first of its type in and middle east, and the main objective of this department is: - Teaching undergraduate and gradate students what is genetics and what is the field and spectrum of genetics. - To lead research projects and communications between other universities and centers of Excellency in both inside and outside of Egypt.

Dr. Shawky Tayel:

Who had his Ph.D. from Toledo – Ohio in USA, he specified his interest in cooperation in both clinical genetic and cytogenetic parts besides his experience in the human molecular genetic part.

Dr. Heba Kassem:

- Who had her Ph.D. from University of Manchester – UK in cancer genetics and she is now working on breast cancer and bladder cancer. - Genomic center in Alexandria has collaboration with George Town University in Washington D.C., USA and Lausanne University in Switzerland. 3

- The main interest is establishing a graduate research institute and application of genomics in diagnosis and prognosis of medical conditions. - They have a collaborative research with the Imperial College under the supervision of Sir Magdy Yakoub the Anglo – Egyptian cardiac surgeon, on the molecular genetics of the hypertrophy cardiomayopathy. - Also collaboration between Carnegie University in Italy, Faculty of Medicine and Bibliotica Alexandrina. - Dr. Eiman Abdel Aleem:

- Got her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 2001 and postdoctoral in Genetic Engineering from the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, USA (2003 – 2005) - Started a postgraduate Degree (M.Sc. & Ph.D.) in Molecular Biology in 2007 – 2008, and an under graduate program in Molecular biology, supported by the TEMPUS will be starting in 2009 – 2010. - As infrastructure they established a laboratory for Molecular Biology in collaboration with University of Bordeaux in France and University of Pisa in Italy. - Dr. Sherif Abou Elela commented that these infrastructure concerning only the research activity in Molecular Biology and not Genomics. - She talked about establishing a Science Park and, for the first time in Alexandria University, starting an idea of R&D project with focusing on Biotechnology Park. - In the field of Biotechnology, she has international cooperation with the University of Nice in France and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden for identifying new therapeutics for liver and breast cancers. - Collaboration with Dresden University in the field of radiation therapy in oncology, particularly in lung cancer. - Dr. Fayza Aref Fattoh:

- Her main research interest in Molecular Biology, mainly in plan viral interaction and working on the genomic level of plan viruses. - Have international collaboration with the University of California in USA and in Italy. - Developed a good virology lab in the Department of Microbiology and looking for collaboration in the field of genomics on the viral level.

Dr. Ihab El Helw:

- In the process of establishing a microbial culture collection center in the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University.

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Dr. Hanan Ghozlan:

- Had experience in culture collection of bacteria, cell line, and sequencing & identification of bacteria. - Interested in cell signaling.

Dr. Sherif Abou Elela:

Presented an overall background of his activities: - He is representing 12 labs who are interested in RNA in Sherbrooke and having over than 50 students & post doc. candidates, running on about over than 3.7 million $ /year. - Establishing basic research on specific diagnostic and prognostic markers in different modalities of cancer, i.e., ovarian cancer, colon cancer, hepatitis, fundamental aspects of RNA, tissue collection, bioinformatics and animal models. - He specified that his main theme is not Molecular Biology, but Genomics (which is on the RNA level), as Sherbrooke is unique in the world in Rnomics. - As for Genomic applications in Sherbrooke, they have the best infrastructure for: i. Sequencing. ii. Performing more than 3000 PCR/day (the longest in the world) iii. National hub for genomic scale functional analysis. iv. Central robotic facilities. v. Phenotypic analysis unit. - He specified two main particularities that Egypt has in abundance and are of major interest for the Canadian side which are: i. Qualified personnel. ii. The depth of cohort, samples and numbers. In a comment of Dr. El Zalabany, he concluded that in Alexandria University, they are looking for a win – win situation that they can achieve with University of Sherbrooke to have a recognized accredited lab for genomics and genetic engineering supervised by Sherbrooke for technical and know-how support. - In this issue, Dr. El Zalabany addressed an invitation for a delegation from the University of Sherbrooke to visit Alexandria and to assess the available infrastructure and to discuss the initiation of collaboration in: i. Joint curriculum. ii. Joint degree iii. Graduate and post graduate education & research in Genetics iv. Establishing a central lab of Genomics. v. Applying for funds from Canada or from Egypt (the HEEP project) or from both.

Dr. Ghada Ghazal:

- Proposed to establish a central laboratory of functional genomics and system biology, attached to a teaching interdisciplinary curriculum at Alexandria University in collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke. 5

- The curriculum is focusing on Genomics to train undergraduate students in Egypt and to get their degree in collaboration with Egypt and Canada or sending them to Canada to get their degree from Sherbrooke.

Conclusion by Dr. Nebal El Tanbouly:

Signing a sort of agreement or a MOU between the University of Alexandria and the University of Sherbrooke including the following: - Establishing a central laboratory of functional genomics and system biology for multidisciplinary research activities at Alexandria University in collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke. - Developing a curriculum for undergraduates to be recognized by the University of Sherbrooke. - Conducting joint research and joint publications. - Offering annual scholarship for up to three students associated with Alexandria Genomic Laboratory to obtain their Ph. D. in Sherbrooke University. Assigning two contact persons in both sides, one for the technical issue and one for the administrative issue to do the follow up of the implementation of what was discussed and agreed upon it.