Expertise

Our group brings together expertise in molecular pharmacology, toxicology, oncology, and systems-level omics to understand disease mechanisms and translate discoveries into safer therapeutics, improved biomarkers, and targeted interventions. We work across cellular and animal models, integrating mechanistic biology with advanced analytical platforms to address clinically relevant questions in cancer, aging, neurodegeneration, nanomedicine, metabolic disease, and toxicant-induced pathologies.

Core Areas of Expertise

Neuroinflammation, Neurodegeneration, and Aging Biology

We investigate how inflammatory and stress-response pathways drive neuronal dysfunction and age-related decline, linking autophagy, mitochondrial quality control, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence to disease phenotypes.

Cancer Mechanisms, Senescence, and Therapy Resistance

Our oncology research focuses on tumor recurrence, chemoresistance, and senescent cancer cell biology, with the goal of identifying molecular vulnerabilities to improve therapeutic responses across multiple cancer types.

Nanotoxicology and Nano–Immune Cell Interactions

We study the safety and molecular consequences of engineered nanomaterials, particularly those used in biomedical applications, with an emphasis on immune cell interactions, subtoxic effects, and mechanisms that inform regulatory decisions and safer material design.

Omics-Driven Toxicology and Biomarker Discovery

Using metabolomics and proteomics, we map pathway-level changes underlying drug action and toxicity, enabling the identification of early detection biomarkers and providing mechanistic insights across both in vitro and in vivo models.

Metabolic Disease and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

We investigate the molecular drivers of diabetes and its complications, including age-dependent mitochondrial abnormalities, and develop strategies to restore mitochondrial function and enhance cellular resilience.

Technical Capabilities and Platforms

Cellular & molecular biology

live-cell and lysate-based luciferase assays, real-time PCR, western blotting, molecular cloning, plasmid preparation

Immunotoxicology

mechanistic studies in immune cells (including mast cell-focused nanomaterial interactions)

In vivo approaches

transgenic animal models, animal surgery, in vivo bioluminescent imaging

Flow cytometry for phenotyping and functional readouts

Toxicology assays

cytotoxicity profiling, oxidative stress assays, mitochondrial function assays, trace metal toxicity models

Omics technologies

LC–MS metabolomics, NMR metabolomics, proteomic profiling, integrative pathway analyses

Faculty Expertise

Dr. Sultan Almudimeegh

Dr. Almudimeegh’s work bridges neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration with emerging interests in cancer, aging biology, nanoparticle toxicology, and botulism. His PhD research (UCL, supervised by Prof. Kirsten Harvey) focused on the inflammatory role of LRRK2 in Parkinson’s disease, alongside studies in Down syndrome signaling and hyperekplexia syndrome. Current focus: autophagy–senescence links through LRRK2, senolytics in cancer therapy, and nanoparticle toxicology. Strengths: cellular and transgenic models; luciferase assays, qPCR, western blotting, in vivo bioluminescent imaging, cloning/plasmids.

Dr. Almutairi

Dr. Almutairi studies molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders, with a strong emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and strategies to improve mitochondrial quality and activity. Methods: cell culture, animal surgery, cytotoxicity/oxidative stress assays, mitochondrial function assays, western blotting, real-time PCR, flow cytometry. Research interests: neuropharmacology vs neurotoxic insults; neurotoxicity of emerging toxicants (nanoparticles/synthetic drugs); mitochondria-targeted neuroprotective agents in age-associated CNS disease.

Dr. Nasser Alsaleh

Dr. Alsaleh investigates the safety of engineered nanomaterials used in biomedical applications and nanomedicine, with a mechanistic focus on nano–immune cell interactions and subtoxic disruption of cellular homeostasis. He has authored/co-authored 30+ peer-reviewed papers and received multiple awards, including the Harold C. Heim (Heim Endowment) Award. Research interests: molecular toxicity of drugs/environmental toxicants; nanomaterial safety; nanomaterial–immune cell molecular interactions; therapeutic implications of nanomaterials.

Dr. Mohammed Assiri

Dr. Assiri applies metabolomics and proteomics to uncover mechanisms of drug action, toxicity, and disease progression, integrating LC–MS, NMR, and proteomic profiling to identify early biomarkers in in vitro and in vivo models. His work spans diabetes/diabetic nephropathy and molecular safety studies related to electronic and traditional cigarettes and selected consumer/clinical products. He is active in mentorship and leads multidisciplinary collaborations with translational and regulatory relevance. Research interests: omics in toxicology; biomarker discovery; diabetes and kidney complications; molecular toxicity of xenobiotics.

Dr. Homood As Sobeai

Dr. Ali Alshamrani

Dr. Alshamrani’s research targets cancer therapy resistance, dissecting signaling pathways and survival strategies that enable tumors to withstand treatment, and identifying vulnerabilities that can re-sensitize cancers to therapy. He is also a co-founder and board member of the Saudi Society for Oncology Research (DAEM). Research interests: signaling regulation of chemoresistance; roles of miRNAs in tumorigenesis; therapeutic targets across melanoma, breast, prostate, and colon cancers; molecular consequences of oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo.

How We Collaborate

We welcome collaborations in:

Mechanistic toxicology and safety evaluation (including engineered nanomaterials)
Cancer signaling, senescence, and resistance biology
Omics-based biomarker discovery for toxicity and disease
Neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial biology
Translational projects that connect bench findings to clinical and regulatory needs