Riyadh: The CEO of the Saudi Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Altamimi, honored King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) for its significant participation in conducting four cell biology research experiments in space as part of the landmark mission involving Saudi astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Alqarni to the International Space Station (ISS). The ceremony honoring KFSHRC was hosted by the Saudi Space Agency, commemorating the first anniversary of the “Saudi Towards Space” mission. In the presence of several senior officials.
The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) conducted four research experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), which included testing the immune cell response to inflammation in space, monitoring the activity of thousands of genes in inflamed immune cells over time, observing changes in mRNA lifespan between space and Earth, and simulating the inflammatory response to drug treatment using an immune cell model.
The lead researcher and M
olecular Biomedicine Chairman at KFSHRC, Dr. Khalid Abu Khabar, stated “We are proud of this scientific achievement and our contribution to ‘Saudi Towards Space,’ which represents a milestone in our research journey.” He highlighted that such an honor serves as a motivation to continue working diligently to deliver innovative and advanced research that strengthens the Kingdom’s position in space medicine research.
Dr. Abu Khabar emphasized that the drug evaluation platform in microgravity used in the four research experiments is a unique innovation that significantly contributes to KFSHRC’s scientific achievements. Efforts are underway to secure patents in multiple countries, and the platform has the potential to address various human diseases in both space and terrestrial environments, including autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammatory conditions, microbial infections, muscle and heart diseases, and certain neurological conditions.
Dr. Wijdan Alahmadi underscored that these research experiments are part
of the rapid advancements in space medicine, necessitating the study of human health in space and gaining detailed insights into how the human body responds to extraterrestrial variables.
KFSHRC has retained its status as the leading institution in the Kingdom for the second year running and ranks 20th globally among the top 250 academic medical centers worldwide. It is also recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East in 2024, according to Brand Finance, and has been ranked among the world’s top 250 hospitals by Newsweek Magazine.
Source: Saudi Press Agency