Sultan Almudimeegh, MSc, PhD
Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology
College of Pharmacy, King Saud University
Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Office: 1B34, Lab: 1B-68 (Building 23)
Email: Salmudimeegh@ksu.edu.sa
Professional summary
Dr. Almudimeegh completed his PhD in 2022 at University College London under the supervision of Professor Kirsten Harvey. His doctoral research focused on the inflammatory role of LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease, contributing to a deeper understanding of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders. He also investigated key signaling pathways in Down syndrome and the molecular basis of hyperekplexia syndrome, with findings published in high-impact journals.
Following his PhD, Dr. Almudimeegh joined King Saud University, where he expanded his research interests to include the biological basis of cancer and aging, nanoparticle toxicology, and botulism. His current projects include:
• Investigating the link between autophagy and cellular senescence through LRRK2
• Exploring the role of senolytics in cancer therapy
• Nanoparticles toxicology
Dr. Almudimeegh is technically proficient in both cellular and transgenic animal models and has hands-on experience with a wide range of biological, biochemical, and proteomic tools. These include live-cell and lysate-based luciferase assays, real-time PCR, western blotting, in vivo bioluminescent imaging, molecular cloning, and plasmid preparation.
Research interests
Neuroinflammation and neuroimmune signaling in neurodegenerative diseases
Autophagy, cellular senescence, and aging-related molecular pathways
Botulinum neurotoxin toxicity and therapeutic countermeasures
Genetic and molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders
Nanoparticle toxicology and immune modulation
Research goals:
Elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking inflammation, neurodegeneration, and aging, with a focus on LRRK2 and senescence pathways
Translate cellular and genetic insights into innovative interventions for neurological and inflammatory disorders
Investigate therapeutic targets and immunomodulatory strategies for botulinum neurotoxicity and related biothreats
Advance the understanding of nanoparticle-induced toxicity to guide safer biomedical applications
Current projects:
Investigating the role of LRRK2 in linking autophagy and cellular senescence in neurodegeneration
Exploring senolytic compounds as potential therapeutics in cancer treatment
Studying the molecular and immunological mechanisms of botulinum neurotoxin and evaluating antitoxin strategies
Key publication / select publication
Please see for a complete list of publication at:
• Alshamrani AA, Bin Salman SB, Alsaleh NB, Assiri MA, Almutairi MM, Almudimeegh S, Alwhaibi A, As Sobeai HM. miRNA-driven sensitization of breast cancer cells to Doxorubicin treatment following exposure to low dose of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles. Saudi Pharm J. 2024 Nov;32(11):102169. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102169. Epub 2024 Sep 10. PubMed PMID: 39318640; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11421238.
• Alsaleh NB, Aljarbou AM, Assal ME, Assiri MA, Almutairi MM, As Sobeai HM, Alshamrani AA, Almudimeegh S, Hatshan MR, Adil SF. Synthesis, Characterization, and Toxicity Assessment of Zinc Oxide-Doped Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles in a Macrophage Model. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024 Jan 29;17(2). doi: 10.3390/ph17020168. PubMed PMID: 38399383; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10892842.
• Alsaleh NB, Assiri MA, Aljarbou AM, Almutairi MM, As Sobeai HM, Alshamrani AA, Almudimeegh S. Adverse Responses following Exposure to Subtoxic Concentrations of Zinc Oxide and Nickle Oxide Nanoparticles in the Raw 264.7 Cells. Toxics. 2023 Aug 6;11(8). doi: 10.3390/toxics11080674. PubMed PMID: 37624179; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10459918.
• Al-Harbi NO, Imam F, Al-Harbi MM, Qamar W, Aljerian K, Khalid Anwer M, Alharbi M, Almudimeegh S, Alhamed AS, Alshamrani AA. Effect of Apremilast on LPS-induced immunomodulation and inflammation via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in rat lungs. Saudi Pharm J. 2023 Jul;31(7):1327-1338. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.05.022. Epub 2023 May 29. PubMed PMID: 37323920; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10267521.
• Alghibiwi H, Ansari MA, Nadeem A, Algonaiah MA, Attia SM, Bakheet SA, Albekairi TH, Almudimeegh S, Alhamed AS, Shahid M, Alwetaid MY, Alassmrry YA, Ahmad SF. DAPTA, a C-C Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), Leads to the Downregulation of Notch/NF-κB Signaling and Proinflammatory Mediators in CD40(+) Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model in SJL/J Mice. Biomedicines. 2023 May 23;11(6). doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11061511. PubMed PMID: 37371605; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10294823.
• Alomar HA, Nadeem A, Ansari MA, Attia SM, Bakheet SA, Al-Mazroua HA, Alhazzani K, Assiri MA, Alqinyah M, Almudimeegh S, Ahmad SF. Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059 improves neuroimmune dysfunction in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice through the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in B cells. Brain Res Bull. 2023 Mar;194:45-53. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.01.003. Epub 2023 Jan 13. PubMed PMID: 36646144.
• Aboheimed GI, AlRasheed MM, Almudimeegh S, Peña-Guerra KA, Cardona-Londoño KJ, Salih MA, Seidahmed MZ, Al-Mohanna F, Colak D, Harvey RJ, Harvey K, Arold ST, Kaya N, Ruiz AJ. Clinical, genetic, and functional characterization of the glycine receptor β-subunit A455P variant in a family affected by hyperekplexia syndrome. J Biol Chem. 2022 Jul;298(7):102018. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102018. Epub 2022 May 6. PubMed PMID: 35526563; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9241032.
• Granno S, Nixon-Abell J, Berwick DC, Tosh J, Heaton G, Almudimeegh S, Nagda Z, Rain JC, Zanda M, Plagnol V, Tybulewicz VLJ, Cleverley K, Wiseman FK, Fisher EMC, Harvey K. Downregulated Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the Down syndrome hippocampus. Sci Rep. 2019 May 13;9(1):7322. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43820-4. PubMed PMID: 31086297; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6513850.