Research and Innovation Contents 04 14 38 Welcome from Dedicated Featured the Deputy Vice Research Centers Research Chancellor

Leadership Creativity Flagship Research Diverse Enriching Success Accredited Knowledge Excellence

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CONTENTS 04 14 38 WELCOME FROM DEDICATED FEATURED THE DEPUTY VICE RESEARCH CENTERS RESEARCH CHANCELLOR

06 24 52 RESEARCH FACTS RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS AND FIGURES TEACHING FACILITIES

08 34 60 AREAS OF RESEARCH RESEARCH CAMPUS MAP PARTNERSHIPS

10 36 62 SUPPORT FOR INTERNAL INTELLECTUAL CONTACT US AND EXTERNAL FUNDING PROPERTY OFFICE

www.uaeu.ac.ae 3 WELCOME FROM THE DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR

The United Arab Environment; Biotechnology; Biomedical Emirates University and Health Sciences; Water Resources and (UAEU) is the flagship, Engineering. Faculty, staff and graduate research-led university students have produced a large number in the UAE. It’s known of published papers in internationally for its excellence in acclaimed, peer-reviewed journals. teaching, research The diverse research activities of our faculty and other services contribute to a more fulfilling experience provided to local, regional and international for undergraduate and graduate students communities. Over the next few years, alike. These available research training UAEU is planning to increase its number opportunities will help produce the next of graduate students and the amount of generation of scholars and researchers research undertaken and led by highly who are well-prepared to push back the qualified faculty in order to address the boundaries of knowledge and discovery. The areas of strategic importance to the Division of Research and Graduate Studies country. This aspiration, allied to change continues to promote research by broadening and innovation will help generate new and strengthening UAEU's research portfolio, research, protect intellectual property and by supporting new faculty and allocating diversify the national economy so as to resources and grants to suitable research contribute to the development of UAEU’s projects. We aim to improve the university’s research community which is the largest research agenda, invest in active research and and most comprehensive in the nation. The graduate programs, optimize our support for university’s research activities span the areas research and commercialize discoveries made of Information Technology; Energy and the by UAEU researchers. It’s important to recognize the ongoing support of the UAEU administration as they seek to make UAEU a research intensive (and extensive) institution in line with its vision to promote leadership and excellence in higher education and scientific research at the regional and international levels.

Prof. Ghaleb Ali Al Hadrami Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies

4 www.uaeu.ac.ae 5 RESEARCH FACTS Nationality or Region of UAEU Researchers AND FIGURES

OVER 100 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL UAEU RECEIVED AED 165M IN EXTERNAL COMPANIES HAVE COLLABORATED WITH FUNDING FOR 908 RESEARCH PROJECTS 100 UAEU OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS. 908 FROM 2007 – 2014.

UAEU LAUNCHED ITS FIRST MASTER’S UAEU LAUNCHED ITS FIRST PH.D PROGRAM IN 1991 AND 1,380 MASTER’S PROGRAM IN 2010 AND 37 PH.D STUDENTS 1,380 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED SINCE THEN. 37 HAVE GRADUATED SINCE THEN.

THERE HAVE BEEN 1,865 PUBLISHED UAEU HAS DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF PAPERS CO-AUTHORED WITH ACADEMICS PUBLICATIONS BY FACULTY, STAFF AND FROM 900 DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS IN 2002 STUDENTS SINCE 2002. 1,865 95 COUNTRIES FROM 2010-2015.

UAEU HAS THE HIGHEST VOLUME OF PUBLICATIONS ATTRIBUTED TO A UAEU TERTIARY INSTITUTION IN THE UAE.

600+ 480 150 400

Subject Areas of Major Publications from 2009 to 2015 (Source: SCOPUS) ONGOING ONGOING ONGOING LABORATORIES RESEARCH INTERNAL RESEARCH ON CAMPUS CONTRACTS WITH RESEARCH PROJECTS INDUSTRY GRANTS MEDICINE (26.8 ) OTHER (45.0%) % PATENTED PATENTS PATENTS ESTABLISHED APPLIED FOR GRANTED RESEARCH INVENTIONS FILED WORLDWIDE (FROM 2007 CENTERS )UP TO JULY 2015( (UP TO JULY 2015) TO JULY 2015) COMPUTER SCIENCE (17.8%) 7 66 142 36

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (6.3%) 2011 2013 ENGINEERING2015 (17.1%) CHEMISTRY (6.4%) 2010 2012 2014 BIOCHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND GENETICS AND MOLECULAR ASTRONOMY (7.3%) BIOLOGY (14.8%) MATHEMATICS (7.4%) SOCIAL SCIENCES (9.5%) AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (7.7%)

6 www.uaeu.ac.ae 7 AREAS OF RESEARCH One of the great strengths of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is its ability to address the significant challenges facing the United Arab Emirates today through its BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS: LAW: research activities. Research at UAEU has contributed significantly to the development • Sequential Analysis • Constitutional Law of the country in many areas. These range from research into water resources, petroleum • Decision Making • E-Business • Criminal Law • Criminal resources, solar and other forms of renewable energy to medical, social and economic • Strategic Management Accounting Procedures • Taxation • Administration activities. UAEU has a wide ranging research remit that allows faculty to conduct research • Risk Management. Law and Government Contracts in a variety of important areas (see below). • International Public Law • International Public Criminal Law • Civil Law • Contracts • Commercial Law • Companies Law • Insurance • Maritime Law • Arbitration and Dispute Resolution ENGINEERING, • Civil Procedures. TECHNOLOGY AND THE MEDICAL, LIFE AND HUMANITIES AND CHEMICAL SCIENCES: BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES: THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: • Cancer and Oncology. • Computational and Cognitive • Energy and the Environment • Diabetes and Cardiovascular Linguistics; Semantics and • Water Technology • Bio- and Nano- Disease • Genetics, Epigenetics and Sociolinguistics • Neuroimaging Technology • Sustainability in the Development of Language • Mediterranean Built Environment • Structures and • Neuroscience Archaeology. • Social Welfare Rehabilitation • Transportation • Immunoregulation and Infection • Policy: Child Abuse, Women’s Issues, INFORMATION Systems and Safety • Materials and Trauma. Adolescent Issues. • Psychological TECHNOLOGY: Manufacturing • Microelectronics and Disorders, Language and Autism, and • Computer Systems Computer Systems • Mechatronics and Down’s Syndrome. • Remote Sensing Design • Electronic Robotics • Power and Control and GIS Applications • Security and Commerce •Enterprise • Computations and Signal Processing. Global Issues. Systems • Intelligent Systems • Information Security • Networking Softwar evelopment. EDUCATION: EARTH, PHYSICAL AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES: • Curriculum FOOD AND and Instruction • Computational Sciences • Desert • Special Education and Marine Ecology • Entomology AGRICULTURE: • The Foundations • Bioinformatics • Computational • Aquaponic Technology of Education Chemistry • Mineral Resources and • Plant Technology • Irrigation • Physical Education. Hydrocarbons • Geologic Hazards and and Water Saving Technology Landscape Development • Nano-technology in Animal • Topology and Applied DNA Feedstuffs • Natural Antibiotics in Dynamics • Advanced Materials in the Animals • Food Product Development Semiconductor Industry • Novel and Functional Foods; and • Theoretical and High Energy Physics Ingredients • “Omics” and Advanced • Superconductivity. Analytical Methods for the Analysis of Food.

8 www.uaeu.ac.ae 9 SUPPORT FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FUNDING

The Division of Research and Graduate Studies (DRGS) at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is committed to enhancing UAEU's standing as the leading research- in the form of a one-time award granted to intensive university in the UAE. faculty who demonstrate that the funding Besides fostering links with will have an important impact on their external funding bodies, the research endeavors and result in a significantly DRGS coordinates a variety of enhanced outcome. internally-funded university- University Program for wide research grants. There are Advanced Research (UPAR): currently five different internal This is a research funding opportunity that funding opportunities available supports innovative research proposals from to researchers at UAEU. UAEU faculty. It is a competitive process.

Start-up: Interdisciplinary Center- This is a research funding opportunity for Based Research: faculty who have recently joined UAEU and This program supports cutting-edge would like to set up research programs or interdisciplinary research proposals in areas agendas. The funding provided by UAEU is covered by the 7 Research Centers at UAEU.

10 www.uaeu.ac.ae 11 The seven research centers are: one is a UAEU faculty while the other is from External Funding Support an outside institution. It is a competitive 1. Emirates Center for Energy and UAEU has established many partnerships with protection, water, health care, traffic safety, process. The duration of these projects is Environmental Research. institutions, organizations and companies in biotechnology and many other important issues. flexible and the budget is shared equally 2. Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and the UAE's public and private sector in areas of These joint ventures involve UAEU faculty in between the two institutions. Biotechnology. concern to the country. There have been projects cutting-edge research that serves the country 3. National Water Center. between UAEUs researchers and government and while also serving as training for the next 4. Roadway, Transportation and Traffic Safety Summer Undergraduate other bodies related to energy, environmental generation of scientists in these vital areas. Research Center. Research Experience (SURE): 5. UAEU Center for Public Policy and Leadership. 200 6. Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences. The purpose of the SURE program is to support undergraduate research by 166 7. National Space Science and Technology Center. Projects providing students with exposure to, and training in, research while working in UAEU Collaborative Projects teams with other undergraduate and 150 with other Institutions: graduate students under the supervision 119 119 Projects Projects There is a grant that supports innovative of qualified faculty. 107 Projects proposals from joint applicants provided 94 90 Projects 100 Projects 71 70

No. of Projects Projects Projects 55 Projects Allocation of Internal Funding (2013 - 2015) 42 45 50 Projects Projects 138 Projects 140 AED 5,362,840 AED 5,711,429 AED 11,399,762 AED 23,066,034 AED 27,411,552 AED 27,080,796 AED 21,800,312 AED 14,830,410 AED 22,996,791 AED 25,400,000 AED 4,846,221 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 120 101 100+ Projects Projects 100 89 AbuDhabi Projects Sources of Funding Others Education Council for 2015 Al Jalila Foundation 80

No. of Projects 66 9% Projects 4% 4% 3% Environment Agency of Japan Petroleum Abu Dhabi 60 26% Cooperation Center National Research 3% Foundation (NRF) 40 2015 20 4% 29% Dassault-Aviation Lundbeck 2%

AED 51.3m AED 43.2m AED 34.8m AED 6.3m AED 2.7m Ministry of Higher Education 19% 0 Abu Dhabi University Interdisciplinary Start-up College-Based Summer Municipality Program Center-Based Research Seed Grant Undergraduates for Advanced Research Program Research Research (UPAR) Experience (SURE)

12 www.uaeu.ac.ae 13 14 www.uaeu.ac.ae 15 UAEU boasts seven world-class research centers, including:

1. Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Health Sciences The United Arab Emirates University, with the generous support of the Zayed Foundation, established the Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences (ZCHS) in 2012. The center provides a combination of research, teaching, professional development, policy analysis and health consultancy. The main objective of the center is to undertake authentic scientific research relevant to the health of UAE population.

Areas of Research include: • Population health. and biotechnological to support a sustainable • Molecular medicine. desert agro-ecosystem for the UAE and • Nutrition and health. other arid zones around the world. The main Contact information: objective of the research at the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Phone: +971 3 713 7452. is to increase the ability of plants to resist Email: [email protected] drought and heat while developing a tolerance to salt. 2. Khalifa Center for Areas of Research include: Genetic Engineering and • Genetic transformation of local plant species. Biotechnology • Analytical gene quantification. The Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (KCGEB) was established in 2014 • Propagation of transgenic plants. by the United Arab Emirates University and the • Elucidation of the actions of gene products. Ministry of Presidential Affairs to form a center of excellence for the genetic engineering of Contact information desert plants and biotechnology. The center is Phone: +971 3 713 5620. dedicated to the development of desert plants Email: [email protected]

16 www.uaeu.ac.ae 17 3. Roadway, Transportation 4. UAEU Center for Public and Traffic Safety Research Policy and Leadership Center The UAEU Center for Public Policy and The Roadway, Transportation and Traffic Safety Leadership was established in 2013 and aims Research Center (RTTSRC) was established in to offer solutions and innovative approaches June 2004 to serve the nation's development to deal with the various challenges facing the goals in the fields of highway engineering, United Arab Emirates. It is also a key partner in transportation and traffic safety. The RTTSRC promoting excellence and innovation in public offers a variety of services including the policy, governance and leadership. The center gathering and documentation of information, has four main objectives: to conduct research field studies and surveys and analyzing on public policy and leadership; to develop information regarding the roads and the an information bank; to provide training and transportation sector in the UAE. The center professional development for those working in also disseminates technical expertise through public policy, and to promote relationships with training programs, symposia and conferences the community and other stakeholders. as well as developing research programs for The UAEU Center for Public Policy and projects that have a high priority in terms of the Leadership is an academic research unit serving development of the UAE. the federal government, local government The RTTSRC is registered as a consulting body and the private sector by providing effective with the Department of Planning and the solutions and innovative approaches towards Economy and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of various issues of governance. Commerce and Industry for roadways and Areas of Research include: transportation projects. It is also registered • Economic policies. as an engineering consultancy with the municipalities of both Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. • Social policies.

Areas of Research include: • Labor policies. • Transportation infrastructure. • Governance programs and excellence in government. • Transport policy, planning and management. • Traffic management and operations. Contact information Phone: + 971 3 713 5022. • Transportation and the environment. Email: [email protected] • Traffic safety. • The transfer and dissemination of technology. Contact information Phone: +971 3 713 4350/4351. Email: [email protected]

18 www.uaeu.ac.ae 19 5. Emirates Center for Energy Contact information and Environmental Research Phone: +971 3 713 6598. Email: [email protected] The interdisciplinary Emirates Center for Energy and Environmental Research (ECEER) was established in 2014 and has four units: (1) oil and 6. National Water Center gas; (2) alternative and renewable energy; (3) The UAEU National Water Center (NWC) was energy efficiency and (4) energy policy studies. established in 2014 and encourages basic The ECEER addresses the UAE’s research priorities and applied research in order to serve the in relation to energy and the environment while critical needs of the nation in relation to water working closely with national stakeholders. The conservation and sustainability. The center aims of the center are to provide solutions to consists of three units: water quality, water industry and government agencies; to foster technology and water resources and ecology. research networks between UAEU researchers Besides conducting its own research, the and local and international institutions, and NWC cooperates with national and to develop innovative technology in terms of international entities and other stakeholders energy and the environment. in the water sector.

Areas of Research include: Areas of Research, Education and Consultancy • Oil and Gas: Developing the technology to include: improve the recovery and sustainability of • Hydrology. the U.A.E.’s hydrocarbon resources. This covers • Domestic water supply and sanitation. both upstream and downstream oil and gas operations in order to minimize their • Aspects of water quality. environmental impact. • Reuse of water. • Alternative and Renewable Energy: Developing • High precision irrigation for agriculture, the technology for solar photovoltaic, wind, private gardens and the community. bio-fuel, fuel cell and other standalone • Approaches towards an integrated, water and or hybrid resources to improve small and energy saving agriculture. E.g. aquaculture large-scale application in the generation systems. of electricity and water. This is done in the transportation, building and other sectors. • Development and adaptation of water management strategies, methods and tools. • Energy Efficiency: Developing more efficient methods for energy utilization and • Implementing integrated concepts and tools. mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions E.g. decision support systems. in buildings, transportation, heavy industry, • Data processing and evaluation. consumer electronics, domestic applications and others. • Database implementation. • Energy Policy Studies: To undertake Contact information comparative studies of the UAE, regional and Phone: +971 3 767 6301. world energy markets and their concomitant Email: [email protected] policies. This takes into account energy economics and worldwide supply and demand trends. The center also considers policy trends and the impact of carbon taxes alongside other international efforts related to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its various implications.

20 www.uaeu.ac.ae 21 solutions to societal challenges. A world-class space science program will be established at the center, and will become the foundational driver of tomorrow’s space technologies. The center strives to attract, train and retain highly qualified 7. National Space Science and personnel and research talent. Technology Center The main areas of focus of the center are The National Space Science and Technology research and development, higher education Center (NSSTC) launched in 2016. It was and community outreach. The center strives established to contribute and strengthen the to establish close collaborations with the local fields of Space Science and Space Technology space and technology industries as well as and to become a significant space science and with established space and technology centers technology hub in the region. The priorities worldwide. of the center are three-fold: excellence in The center will be home to four multidisciplinary space science, engineering leadership in Research Units, namely: space technologies, and providing innovative 1. Remote Sensing (RS), Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS); 2. Space Communications; 3. Space and Atmospheric Sciences; and 4. Space Technology.

Contact information Phone: +971 3 713 6708. Email: [email protected]

22 www.uaeu.ac.ae 23 24 www.uaeu.ac.ae 25 The UAEU community is engaged in the discovery and exploitation of knowledge. UAEU brings an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to this task. UAEU faculty, researchers and students face challenges and use imaginative approaches to solve problems. They work together to enhance knowledge and make a meaningful contribution to the country, region and world.

A combination of teaching and research is a fundamental concern at UAEU. Faculty and students have access to cutting- edge teaching and research facilities such as scientific laboratories. a vision mixer for editing and cutting between Some of the world-class facilities on campus camera shots; a sound mixer and audio include: console; an autocue and a talkback system. The studio is also equipped with ADOBE Premiere Pro CC software for post-production editing. College of Humanities and As part of their training students record news Social Sciences: programs every Thursday and then broadcast TV Studio these around campus through public TV monitors at different locations. The TV studio is a multi-million dirham facility fully equipped with state-of-the-art TV Other facilities include: production equipment. It trains students in 1. Neurolinguistics Laboratory. television production and broadcasting. 2. Speech Perception Laboratory. The studio was established in 2014 in 3. Behavioral Neuroscience Psychology cooperation with the Abu Dhabi based Laboratory. Two Four 54 company. At present it can 4. Experimental and Cognitive Psychology accommodate 15-20 trainees. This facility Laboratory. can deal with modern, digital television 5. GIS and Remote Sensing Laboratories. production. It has 3 cameras and 3 CCUs to control camera settings. There is a waveform 6. Climate Station Laboratory. monitor that balances color; a lighting console; 7. Geomorphology Laboratory.

26 www.uaeu.ac.ae 27 College of Medicine and members of the community, who are affected by some of the following disabilities: learning Health Sciences disabilities; sensory impairment; emotional Animal Research Facility disorders; mental impairment; speech disorders and autism. The services provided include The Animal Research Facility (ARF) manages counseling, assessment, remedial services animal research at UAEU and oversees the and training. campus wide animal care and use program. ARF provides assistance to scientists, faculty, Other facilities include: staff and students who have received 1. Early Childhood Center. Institutional Animal Ethics Committee 2. Mathematics and Science Center. (IAEC) approval to perform research, testing 3. Physical Fitness and Health Laboratory. or educational studies on animals. The facilities include: holding rooms; behavioral experiment laboratories; operation theatres; an College of Information experimental room; a treatment room; a cage Technology and bedding storage area; a cage sterilization room; a horizontal autoclave; a breeding area Robotics and Drone Laboratories and a cold room. The robotics laboratory allows students to design, build and program robots using Webot Other facilities include: software. They can also program Khpera 1. Electrophysiology Research Laboratory. robots in a specially equipped laboratory. 2. Imaging Unit. The laboratory contains 2 HP XW6400 3. Analytical and Molecular Unit. workstations; 1 optiplex 9600; 3 nano robots; 3 4. Cellular Biology Facility. lego mindstorms; 3 biolod kits and 1 cube X 3D printer. 5. Anatomy Dissection Laboratory. 6. Basic Science Teaching Laboratories. In addition, the College of Information Technology houses an advanced drone research 7. Microscopy Laboratory. laboratory designed to provide a collaborative 8. A Clinical Skills and Simulation Center. research environment that meets the need to develop UAV technology that can be integrated College of Law with civil and commercial applications. The laboratory facilitates interdisciplinary research Moot Courts and Legal Clinic projects involving UAV technology and The college provides two purpose built moot related senior student projects. courts enabling students to take part in simulated court proceedings that involve drafting briefs, participating in oral arguments and holding mock trials. In addition, the college provides a free legal clinic to assist practical student learning as well as serving the legal needs of the local community.

College of Education Assessment and Remedial Unit (ARU) The College of Education provides an Assessment and Remedial Unit (ARU) for students, and other

28 www.uaeu.ac.ae 29 Other facilities include: Other facilities include: 1. Circuit and Digital Laboratories. 1. Fish Laboratory. 2. Computer Architecture Laboratory. 2. Animal Nutrition Laboratory. 3. VLSI/ASIC Design Laboratories. 3. Plant Molecular Genetics/Plant Biotechnology Laboratory. 4. Multimedia and Mobile Services Laboratories. 4. Sensory Analysis Laboratory. 5. Business Integration Laboratories. 5. Food Preparation Laboratory. 6. Immersion Learning Laboratories. 6. Biochemical Nutrition Research Laboratory. 7. Ethical Hacking Laboratory. 7. Biomedical Analysis Laboratory. 8. Firewall and VPN Laboratory. 8. Body Composition and Fitness Laboratory. 9. Biometrics Laboratory. 10. Intrusion Detection Laboratories (IDS). College of Science 11. Wireless Communication and Security Genomic Core Facility Laboratories. The Genomic Core Facility in the Department of 12. Cryptography Laboratory. Biology provides solutions for DNA sequencing 13. Bioinformatics Laboratory. from gene to genome level. The unit houses 14. Grid/Cloud Computing Laboratory. state-of-art equipment: an ion proton next generation sequencing machine; an ion PGM 15. Advanced Networking Laboratory. next generation sequencing machine; a 3500 16. Network Fundamentals Laboratory. gene analyzer – including 8 capillaries for 17. IP Telephony and Multimedia Sanger sequencing; a Q24 pyrosequencer; a Communications Laboratory. bioanalyzer and a Pippin Prep and Real Time 18. Embedded Systems Laboratory. PCR – by Agilent Technologies.

19. Software Development Laboratory. Other facilities include: 1. Microbiology Laboratory. College of Food and 2. Marine Biology Laboratory. Agriculture 3. Animal Physiology Laboratory. Food Pilot Plant and Nutrition Clinic 4. Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratories. The food pilot plant is a scaled-down 5. Central Laboratories Unit. factory built to simulate food and beverage 6. Geophysics and Seismic Laboratory. manufacturing practices. The facility is used 7. Structural Geology Laboratory. for teaching, research and to provide food 8. Hydrogeology Laboratory. processing services to industrial clients. They 9. Magnetism and Superconductivity can evaluate new ingredients, formulations Laboratory. and other processes on a small scale. 10. Ultra High Vacuum Chamber for The college also provides a nutrition clinic for Nanoparticle Production. female students and university staff. The clinic is staffed with highly qualified nutritionists who assist their students in providing advice in clinical nutrition, nutritional assessment, nutrition education and nutrition counseling.

30 www.uaeu.ac.ae 31 equipped with a state-of-the-art earthquake simulator (Shake Tale) facility. This 5 million dirham piece of equipment is a way to measure and simulate the effects of strong earthquakes on structures. It assesses their ability to resist College of Engineering earthquakes of a magnitude that might occur Artificial Sky and Structures in the UAE and wider region. Laboratories Other facilities include: The daylighting laboratory in the Architectural 1. Lighting and Acoustics Laboratory. Engineering Department has a full dome 2. Urban Laboratory. Artificial Sky (AS) with integrated heliodon. The 3. Model Making Laboratory. AS is used in several courses as an advanced simulator for optimizing daylighting designs 4. Measurement Laboratories. in architectural spaces and also for conducting 5. Properties of Petroleum and Petroleum advanced daylighting studies. Products Laboratory. 6. PVT Analysis Laboratory. The structures laboratory in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is 7. Drilling Laboratory. 8. Concrete Laboratory. 9. Hydraulics Laboratory. 10. Circuits and Electronics Laboratory. 11. Communication and Microprocessors Laboratory. 12. Electrical Machine Laboratory. 13. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Laboratory. 14. Bio-Engineering Laboratory. 15. Systems Control Laboratory. 16. Robotics and Vibration Laboratory. 17. Mechatronics Laboratory.

32 www.uaeu.ac.ae 33 List of Partnership Countries RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS Algeria Finland Macedonia (FYROM) Slovakia Argentina France Malaysia Slovenia UAEU fosters research partnerships with governmental, corporate and Australia Germany Malta South Africa academic institutions both nationally and internationally. Austria Greece Mexico South Korea UAEU seeks to provide solutions for society's most pressing issues through scientific technological innovation. Bahrain Hong Kong Morocco Spain Over the years many joint projects have been undertaken with governmental and private organizations. Our Bangladesh Hungary Netherlands Sudan current research partnerships include: Belgium Iceland New Zealand Sweden Bosnia and Herzegovina India Nigeria Switzerland NATIONAL PARTNERS »» National Transport Authority »» Khalifa University of Science, Technology Brazil Indonesia Norway Taiwan »» Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) and Research Brunei Darussalam Iran Oman Tanzania »» Prime Minister’s Office »» Al Ain Zoo »» National Research Foundation Bulgaria Iraq Pakistan Thailand »» Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority »» Ministry of Education Cameroon Ireland Poland Tunisia »» Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) »» Federal Demographic Council (FDC) »» Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi Canada Israel Portugal Turkey »» Health Authority of Abu Dhabi »» Tourism Development and Investment Chile Italy Puerto Rico Ukraine » » Al Ain Municipality Company (TDIC) » China Japan Qatar United Arab Emirates » Takreer »» Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) » Croatia Jordan Romania United Kingdom » Advanced Technology Investment Co. (ATIC) »» Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic »» General Sectretariat of the Executive council Medical Center (AMC) Czech Republic Kenya Russian Federation United States »» Abu Dhabi Municipality »» Emirates Steel Industries Denmark Kuwait Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan » » Abu Dhabi Autonomous System Investments Co. »» Ministry of Environment and Water (UAE) Egypt Lebanon Serbia »» Abu Dhabi Education Council »» Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Estonia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Singapore »» Al Jalila Foundation »» Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council »» Exeed Ind. LLC »» Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council »» The Information and Communication »» Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Technology Fund (ICT Fund) Industry (ADCCI) »» The Petroleum Institute

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS »» University of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain »» UniQuest, Australia »» JX Nippon Research Institute »» National Institute of Transport, Ministry of »» Dassault-Aviation Transport, Egypt »» Terry Fox Research Foundation »» Technische Universitat Dresden (TUD), »» Lundbeck Germany »» Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum (JCCP), »» City University, London, England Japan »» Children's Hospital, Boston, USA »» Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), Qatar »» ICPA, Loma Linda University, USA »» Qatar University, Qatar »» York University,Toronto, Canada »» Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman »» Ezose Sciences Inc., USA »» Research Center for Advanced Science and »» Schlumberger Water Services Technology (RCAST) at the University of » Tokyo, Japan » Intel, USA

34 www.uaeu.ac.ae 35 The university has a role in the discovery • Sourcing of licensees and the marketing of and dissemination of knowledge, especially inventions. knowledge that serves the public interest. • Drafting and negotiating license This creates an environment which is highly agreements. conductive to development of many forms of intellectual property. There is always the • Meeting contractual obligations. This possibility that such developments may have includes reporting new intellectual property a commercial value and UAEU is committed to to the relevant state agencies. exploiting such opportunities to the benefit of UAEU has an emerging intellectual property the UAE economy, the inventors and innovators (IP) portfolio. Since 2007 more than 66 patents themselves, our collaborating partners and the have been filed and another 142 subsequent university. patent applications drafted. By July 2015, UAEU The Intellectual Property Office at UAEU is had been granted 36 patents in its own name. responsible for implementing policies relating to the commercialization of intellectual Patent Jurisdictions Include: property (IP) and for the management of the Australia; Canada; China; the GCC; Hong Kong; intellectual property portfolio generated by Japan; the EU; the UAE; the UK and the USA. UAEU research programs. This includes: Joint Applications Include: • Financial support for researchers. York University – Canada; North Carolina, Greensboro (UNCG); South Marmara • Preparing research contracts, non-disclosure Development Agency (SMDAB) – Turkey; and material transfer agreements. University of Pergui – Italy; Japan Cooperation • Assisting researchers in identifying their Center for Petroleum (JCCP); Semiconductor intellectual property and completing Research Corporation (SRC) – USA; National disclosure forms. University of Singapore (NUS); UC Berkeley • Performing due diligence checks on – USA; Masdar Institute; Khalifa University; disclosure forms. American University of Sharjah (AUS); Abu- Dhabi University and ADNOC. • Searching patent databases. • Developing strategies for the protection of intellectual property. • Preparing and filing patent applications. • Developing commercialization strategies to exploit IP at UAEU.

36 www.uaeu.ac.ae 37 FEATURED RESEARCH Over the past ten years, the United Arab Emirates University has been recognized as one of the leading national and regional research institutions with aspirations to enhance that reputation. The following exhibits represent examples of research carried out by UAEU faculty and students in recent years. PATENTS Health and Medical Sector INVENTION INVENTION INVENTION Monoclonal Antibodies for Parkinson`s Disease Bio-Artificial Liver Device Natural Antibiotics from Date Pits The method involves extracting a special type of sugar found in date pits, which when Inventor(s) Inventor(s) Dr. Omar El Agnaf Inventor(s) fermented, can be transformed into a powerful, Dr. Ahmed Hussein, Dr. Ibrahim Belal, Salem Description Dr. Ali Abdalla Saif Hilal Al Naqbi and natural antibiotic. Dr. Abdul Hamid Murad Rashed and Dr. Khalid El Tarabily The early detection of Parkinson’s and an This innovation can keep livestock and poultry accurate clinical diagnosis are key issues in Description Description safe while eliminating the need to treat them developing medicine to fight this disease. The liver is the site of protein and amino acid Global demand for organic meat such as with non-organic antibiotics. chicken and beef has been steadily increasing. The invention is a method that allows for the early production. Once the liver fails its functions are very Potential Applications diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease and the creation difficult to replicate. To date, there is no approved However, since livestock and poultry can • Antibiotics for use in poultry and other of novel therapeutic vaccines for Parkinson’s and therapy other than human liver transplant. Bio- be infected with bacteria such as E. coli, livestock related illnesses with a similar pathology. To date artificial liver devices and the incubation of liver antibiotics are usually added to animal • Potential future use in humans there is no antibody that specifically recognizes cells are only short term solutions that bridge the feed to prevent illness. Unfortunately, the the oligomeric forms of α-synuclein: therefore gap until the liver transplant. antibiotics that are currently in use, while effective in combating food borne diseases, raising monoclonal antibodies that specifically Every commercially available device is a two are non-organic. recognize the aggregated forms of α-synuclein compartment design which has problems with could be an important tool in developing a novel liver cell viability and functionality due to Researchers at the United Arab Emirates approach for the diagnosis and immunotherapy insufficient oxygen. University discovered a method for creating of Parkinson's Disease. a safer, natural antibiotic derived from palm Potential Applications tree dates, which promotes growth while Potential Applications • Medical treatment (liver and kidney) simultaneously fighting against food-borne • Diagnostics of Parkinson’s Disease • Cultivation of cells bacteria. • Development of a novel therapeutic vaccine to • Protein production treat Parkinson’s and related illnesses • Provision of technology for further research 38 www.uaeu.ac.ae 39 INVENTION Hyperthermia Therapeutic Agent Delivery Inventor(s) Dr. Yousef Haik Invention Description The side effects of conventional cancer treatments (chemotherapy), such as hair loss and nausea, are a big disadvantage to these methods. The completion of cancer treatment could be increased due to a high level of comfort if the effective agent could be deployed more specifically within the cancer cells. The system employs a smart carrier that upon injection into the patients’ body will seek and home at the tumor site. A multifunctional particle has been developed to release a INVENTION chemotherapeutic agent dose at the tumor site Minimally Invasive Assessment of IgE upon exposure to an electromagnetic field which Mediated Allergies significantly reduces the overall treatment dose. Inventor(s) In addition of being a hyperthermia agent, Dr. Yousef Haik the multifunctional particle can be remotely detected to help the treating physician in Description monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment INVENTION Allergies are a major cause of health defects noninvasively. (e.g. respiratory distress, shock. Etc.). The most Nano-metallic Alloy Delivery System for This invention introduces a mechanism for Potential Applications severe reactions to food are associated with Treatment of Infected Cells and Legions using nanoparticles (inorganic composition) immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated hypersensitivity. which can destroy bacteria over an extended • Medical applications (i.e. Cancer treatment) Inventor(s) period of time (biocide characteristics). This Current approaches used to diagnose allergies Dr. Yousef Haik is an alternative solution for infections that INVENTION (skin tests, skin prick tests, assays of serum IgE require long-term treatment and can be Protective Vest levels, histamine release test, etc.) have drawbacks Description combined with surgical intervention. such as false negative or positive results, low Infections are a major medical problem that Inventor(s) sensitivity, and are also highly invasive. is challenged by resistance to antibiotics. This Potential Applications Dr. Ali Al Marzouqi, Dr. Mahmoud Al Ahmad, This invention is a highly accurate rapid detection results in increased danger for patients and • Disinfecting the outside of the body Shamsa Al Dhaheri, Maryam Al Jabri, technique that assesses the presence of allergy also higher treatment costs. • Prophylactic applications Ghubaisha Al Ameri indicators in body fluids such as blood serum • Clinical hygiene Description or saliva. The system makes use of a class of This invention can prevent drowning. It also nanoparticles that capture allergy indicators, even allows for the user to be located via GPS. It is when present only in traces. suitable for any age group regardless of The second also detects the concentration of body weight. indicators via a simple device similar to that used Potential Applications for glucose detection in diabetic patients. • Health centers Potential Applications • Pharmacies and medical supply stores • Allergy diagnostics • Sports shops • Prophylactic screening

40 www.uaeu.ac.ae 41 Clean Tech Sector The invention is an energy harvesting loop system in which the output of the harvester INVENTION is fed back to an oscillator. The output from the oscillator is a positive feedback into a Alternative Renewable Energy Harvesting piezoelectric generator that provides a cyclic Inventor(s) load for oscillation. The recycling of the Dr. Mahmoud Al Ahmad and Dr. Irfan Saadat harvested power keeps the system operating for sustained periods (battery free). The Description system enables self-contained, autonomous, There has been increased demand to harvest self-powered devices, sensors and circuits energy from non-traditional alternative energy to harvest energy from the environment to sources for self-powered sensor chipsets generate power. located in remote locations that can operate at extremely low power levels. Potential Applications • Remote/ isolated area applications • Telecommunication systems • Transportation systems • Biomedical applications • Mobile applications • Environmental and industrial sensor applications

42 www.uaeu.ac.ae 43 Industrial Applications Sector INVENTION INVENTION Foot-Based Navigation Control Heat Transfer Apparatus for Passive Cooling Inventor(s) Inventor(s) Reem Al Marzouqi, Hazem El Shorbagy, Husam Dr. Mohamed Younes El Saghir Selim, Fatima Haboush and Dr. Yousef Haik Mohammed Ali Khassib Al Kaabi and Rushdia Ali Mohamed Dewaib Al Zeyoudi Description Some people suffer from temporary or long- Description term disabilities that do not allow them to During high temperatures the interior of a use their limbs. For example, driving a vehicle vehicle can be affected: plastic and leather without hands is clearly a challenge. interiors can deteriorate and the electronic The research team developed a system which system may be damaged. allows people to operate a motor vehicle using The invention is a passive cooling device based only their feet. The device gives the operator on an evaporative cooling effect. It includes a full control of the vehicle without the use of heat pipe that can rapidly transfer heat from their arms and upper body by providing three one point to another by using a boiling liquid separate interfaces on the vehicle’s floor: as a heat transfer mechanism. The liquid will (1) A steering engagement interface; evaporate inside a car and be moved outside the car where the gas then condenses and (2) An acceleration engagement interface, and returns to liquid form. (3) A brake engagement interface. Potential Applications Potential Applications • Automotive • Drivers with disabilities • Medical equipment • Unique terrain machinery operation • Other industrial applications

44 www.uaeu.ac.ae 45 Oil and Gas Sector INVENTION INVENTION A Cost Effective Method for Detecting Hydrogen Gas Sensors Poisonous Hydrogen Sulfide Gas in the Oil and Gas Industry Inventor(s) Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Ayesh Inventor(s) Dr. Sayed Marzooq and Dr. Mohamed Al Description Marzouqi Conventional methods for detecting hydrogen gas concentration in industrial applications are Description expensive, have a low sensitivity, are hard to Working in the oil and gas industry can be a calibrate, work at high temperatures and are dangerous job as hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous not very efficient. and highly corrosive gas, is a naturally occurring This invention is a cost effective, sensitive component of crude oil and natural gas. To and efficient sensor which enables the safeguard workers against possible exposure, detection of hydrogen gas and determines the industry relies on detection devices that are its concentration. The sensor consists of a not only expensive, but have short life spans substrate, a discontinuous film of nanoclusters and can sometimes produce inaccurate results. and electrical electrodes which generate a Researchers at UAEU are developing a more linear electrical current response signal that is accurate device that detects the existence of related to the concentration of hydrogen. this poisonous gas “in-stream” by measuring the sulfide ion concentration via liquid Potential Applications absorption. Since the reaction of hydrogen Detecting hydrogen leakage in: sulfide results in a change in temperature, • Fuel cells it can be measured. A temperature reading • Metal heat treatments can accurately indicate the amount of sulfide • Oil refineries present in the stream. The result is a simple, practical device that improves detection accuracy while eliminating the need for expensive instruments. Potential Applications • Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry • Safety in Other Energy Industries

46 www.uaeu.ac.ae 47 Electronics Sector Description INVENTION Silicon based semiconductors are limited by two factors: flexibility and cost. Therefore the Semiconducting Polymers and Their Use demand for polymeric electronics has been rising and several attempts have been made Inventor(s) to produce conductive and semi-conductive Dr. Yousef Haik, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Ayesh and polymers. Mohsin Mahmoud Allawy The invention is a method of converting non- conductive polymers into conductive polymers by doping polymers with ionic liquids (bulk). In addition, the ionic liquids contribute to the mechanical and thermal properties of the polymeric blends. Of particular interest is their ability to modulate electrical conductivity by controlling the dopant concentration. Potential Applications • Semiconductors • Electronics • Advanced materials

48 www.uaeu.ac.ae 49 Advanced Materials Sector INVENTION INVENTION Filter and Process for Producing Carbon Carbon Nanotubes from Microalgae Nanotubes from Automotive Exhaust Inventor(s) Inventor(s) Dr. Yousef Haik Dr. Yousef Haik; Saud Al-Dajah; Emad El-Najjar Description Description The high cost of carbon nanotubes prevents The high cost of producing carbon nanotubes their broader utilization in a number of prevents their utilization in a number of industrial applications despite their otherwise industrial applications. interesting properties. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are molecular The invention is a process producing multi- structures that are very valuable in walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). It is more nanotechnology thanks to their thermal efficient than conventional processes such as conductivity, mechanical and electrical chemical vapor deposition, laser ablation and properties. They can be used in electronics, arc discharge. optics and other fields. CNTs are used to build This process uses algae membranes as a source powerful solar cells, create faster computer of carbon black for MWCNT production. It can chips, manufacture body-armour and design produce large quantities of purified carbon next generation thin bodied televisions. The nanotubes. creation of carbon nanotubes requires purified carbon sources which are produced through a The process has three steps: first the algal process which is expensive and damages the membrane is converted to carbon black by environment. pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere. Secondly, the carbon black is then converted into carbon Researchers at the United Arab Emirates nanotubes by mixing with fluid in a controlled University have discovered a way to convert combustion. The third and final step is a novel waste materials into carbon nanotubes. The purification technique using an ionic liquid. team created a filter that converts automotive exhausts into multi walled carbon nanotubes Potential Applications (MW-CNT). This does not require the processing • Alternative source of MWCNT production/ typically associated with nanotubes. In fact, manufacture the process reduces emissions. The invention • Carbon nanotubes are used in multiple works by filtering the exhaust by using iron manufacturing industries, including: or a similar catalyst. Once the exhaust fumes electronics, sporting goods, protective pass through the catalyst the synthesized garments and aerospace structures. nanotubes are purified in an ionic liquid solution which produces purified carbon nanotubes up to 95% with a diameter of 20- 50nm and a length of 1-10 micrometers. Potential Applications • MW-CNT production • Environmental emission reduction

50 www.uaeu.ac.ae 51 PUBLICATIONS The UAEU has successfully Producing biodiesel from published a range of articles microalgae across an array of subject matter, Prof. Sulaiman Al-Zuhair (PI) and Dr. Ali Al from the date palms providing Marzouqi, from the Department of Chemical a future source of energy to and Petroleum Engineering, and Prof. Yousef Hayek from the Department of Mechanical researchers proving the power of Engineering, along with the assistance of a honey in cancer treatments. local PhD student explored using supercritical fluid technology in the enzymatic production Below we see a selection of some of biodiesel from microalgae. In their research of the most popular publications. microalgae were the best source for producing oil due to a high production rate per unit area as compared to crop derived oils. In Date palm waste as a future addition, thanks to photosynthesis, microalgae source of energy uses only CO2 as a carbon source. This has the simultaneous advantages of reducing The UAE depends heavily on fossil fuels as a harmful emissions and avoiding a substrate main energy source. Bioethanol is renewable dependency that can be in competition and represents an alternative to conventional, with vital food sources. Furthermore, these non-renewable fossil fuels. Cellulosic bioethanol microalgae can grow in saline water and so could well be a future source of alternative fresh water loading is reduced. Supercritical energy for the UAE. The country has more than fluid extraction (SCE) is also a good technique 40 million palm trees, which are an important for extracting oil as it has fewer effects on the source of plant cellulose. Every palm tree environment when compared to conventional produces about 15 kg of fronds per year, which organic solvents. contain 58� cellulose and 22� hemicellulose. Under ideal conditions 80� of these palm The use of supercritical fluids (SCFs) also fronds can be converted into bioethanol. eliminates the need for a solvent recovery unit. In addition lipase can be used as a In their research on date palm cellulosic waste transesterification catalyst to produce and enzymatic production of bioethanol, biodiesel. This overcomes the problems Professors Sulaiman Al-Zuhair (PI) and associated with conventional alkali and acid Muftah H. El-Naas, from the Department of catalysts. The immobilized form of lipase Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at UAEU, allows for repeated use and so is more investigated how effective lignin degrading economical. An integrated continuous oil enzymes and hemi-cellulases are in the pre- separation - biodiesel production process from treatment of lignocelluloses prior to enzymatic microalgae using immobilized lipase and SC- hydrolysis to bioethanol. Their results showed a CO2 has been developed. significant simplification in the overall cellulosic bioethanol production process. In addition, the high energy levels required by conventional pre- treatment techniques were avoided.

52 www.uaeu.ac.ae 53 A process for treating Students design eco-friendly and reusing industrial micro-filters which cut wastewater harmful emissions from This is a collaborative research effort between diesel engines the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the Students at the United Arab Emirates University Japan Cooperation Center: Petroleum (JCCP) and (UAEU) have developed a cost-effective exhaust TAKREER. The objective was to evaluate current gases filter that promises to cut dangerous treatment processes for refinery wastewater emission of particulate matter, such as black and to develop a more efficient and effective carbon, from diesel engines. A prototype of the process for treating and recycling wastewater eco-friendly micro-filter has been developed generated by petroleum refineries. A research and independent tests have shown that the team lead by Professor Muftah El-Naas from filter absorbs between 60 and 90 per cent the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering of the particulate matter emitted by the Department at UAEU conducted the two phases engine. These percentages are determined of the project over a six year period. by horsepower, engine speed and the type In the first phase laboratory experiments of material used. As such, there is a 10 gram were carried out to assess the effectiveness reduction in emissions from the tested diesel of different wastewater treatment processes. engine with a fuel cylinder capacity of half a A new process that involved three different liter. This results in better fuel consumption, treatments was developed. The key feature of mileage, cleaner air and greater cost savings. this process was the use of electrochemical In addition the filter does not slow the engine technology to destabilize suspended, emulsified performance and also saves a considerable or dissolved contaminants in an aqueous amount of fuel. The filter is reverse engineered medium by introducing an electrical current. In and will help to reduce the environmental addition the process utilized date pits, which are pollution caused by metallic and non-metallic common agricultural waste products in the UAE. dangerous particles. The team of students was They were used as a source of activated carbon supervised by Dr. Mohammad Younes Selim, for the adsorption of organic contaminants. a associate professor of combustion and heat The second phase focused on the design, engines from the Department of Mechanical fabrication and testing of a pilot plant. The Engineering at UAEU. The team included Afra pilot plant had an integrated treatment system Al-Darmaki, Haya Al-Nuaimi and Maitha Al- with a maximum operating capacity of 1.5 Dhaheri. The project was funded by Abu Dhabi m3/hour and was built in Japan by Koike Tech National Oil Company (ADNOC). for an estimated 4.5 million dirhams. It was transported to the UAE and operated at the Ruwais refinery for about 10 months in order to evaluate its performance under operating conditions. The results showed that the treated water met stringent discharge limits as per ADNOC’s environmental regulations. This process allows petroleum refining companies to recycle treated water for irrigation or to safely discharge into bodies of water.

54 www.uaeu.ac.ae 55 A new treatment to A drug with multitasking eliminate wrinkles potential A research team, headed by Dr. Hassan Galadari Dr Rabah Iratni and his co-researchers from an assistant professor of dermatology at UAEU have discovered that the antibiotic the United Arab Emirates University have salinomycin which is currently used to prevent developed a filler that stimulates collagen that intestinal disease in poultry (coccidiosis) caused lasts twice as long as existing products. The cell death to occur in two lines of cultured lung current market leader is hyaluronic acid which cancer cells (LNM35 and A549). is found in skin and joints and mainly used The cancer cells were treated with varying as a dermal filler for cheeks and lips. However concentrations of salinomycin and then the new product, polycaprolactone, is based observed to see whether they lived or died. A on a molecule discovered by a Dutch medical luminescent substance was added to the cells company that enhances the formulation of to show if they were active metabolically: live collagen thus stimulating the body to create cells gave off light, while dead cells did not. more natural collagen of its own. It was found that at high concentrations of Staff at the university’s College of Medicine and salinomycin up to 90 per cent of the cancer cells Health Sciences and Tawam Hospital studied died. Salinomycin did not just cause cells to stop the effect of these injections. The research multiplying and die but it also made them less was conducted over the course of one year on able to migrate to a chemical attractant. This 40 people. 32 were injected on both sides of is significant because a key danger in cancer their face: one side with hyaluronic acid and is when cells travel to other parts of the body the other with polycaprolactone. The results from the original cancerous area and form new indicated that the new product lasted twice tumors called metastases. Salinomycin causes as long (approximately one and a half years) the cells to produce high levels of protein NAG-1 and had much better aesthetic results. Trials which prevents cells from migrating. suggest that there is a little more swelling with Thus far this research is promising in terms the new product but this was transient and had of treating breast and lung tumors as well as no effect on the final result. preventing metastasis. However, research also shows that salinomycin’s anti-cancer activity was not enhanced when used alongside the well-established lung cancer drug cisplatin.

56 www.uaeu.ac.ae 57 International researchers UAEU researchers prove the investigate mechanisms power of honey in cancer that underlie rhythmic treatments disturbances in the A research group from UAEU, headed by Dr. diabetic heart Basel Al- Ramadi, a professor and also the chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology Diabetes mellitus is a serious global and and Immunology in the College of Medicine regional health problem. The total number of and Health Sciences, have discovered the people with diabetes is projected to rise from beneficial effects of a particular kind of 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030. honey as an anti-cancer agent. The honey is Cardiovascular complications are a major produced in New Zealand and Australia from cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Heart the manuka tree and has long been known muscle contractions and rhythm disturbances for its anti-bacterial and wound healing are widely reported in diabetic patients. Heart properties. The research carried out by the beats are initiated in a region of the heart team has demonstrated that the addition of called the sinoatrial node. Specialized cells in tiny amounts of manuka honey can stop the the sinoatrial node are able to spontaneously growth of cancer cells. generate electrical signals called action potentials. These action potentials are The researchers carried out experiments to generated by the concerted activity of special uncover the molecular basis of manuka's types of ion channels in the cell membrane. anti-cancer activity. The findings provided These action potentials spread throughout the conclusive evidence that manuka acts directly atria and then, via the atrioventricular node, by inducing apoptosis, or programmed to the ventricles of the heart. An abnormal cell death, in cancer cells. Apoptosis is a function of the atrioventricular node may have physiological process that every multicellular profound effects on the heart. organisms use to balance their need for cell generation with the elimination of old cells. In In collaboration with Dr. Kathryn Yuill from the adult tissues cell death balances cell division University of Plymouth in England, Professor exactly. Excessive apoptosis will cause tissues Chris Howarth from UAEU’s College of Medicine to atrophy, whereas insufficient apoptosis will and Health Sciences, has begun investigating lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, such as the effects of diabetes on the electrophysiology occurs with cancer. Manuka induces the death of atrioventricular node cells. Initial results of cancer cells through the same physiological suggest that the L-type calcium current, a key process used by our own bodies to maintain player in the generation of action potentials in cellular homeostasis. atrioventricular node cells, is compromised in the diabetic heart. The amplitude of the L-type The experiments have not only confirmed the calcium current is significantly reduced, whilst effects of manuka as an anti-cancer agent, the time-dependent kinetics of the current but also its benefits in conjunction with become significantly faster. The data suggests standard chemotherapeutic agents. Thus that in diabetes mellitus the conduction of the we can maintain effective anti-neoplastic electrical signal through the atrioventricular therapy, while simultaneously nodal region is likely to be delayed. This may reducing the toxic side-effects of underlie some of the disturbances in the chemotherapeutic agents. cardiac rhythm which is evident in patients with diabetes mellitus.

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