In the Presence of the Dean of the College of Medicine, Professor Dr. Bandar Al-Jafen, the Department of Anatomy Holds an Event on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Light of Vision 2030.
Written by: Khalid Al Saad
Photography: Yasser Al-Khudairi
In the presence of the Dean of the College of Medicine, Professor Dr. Bandar bin Nasser Al-Jafen, the Department of Anatomy, represented by the Stem Cell Unit, organized an event entitled “Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Light of Vision 2030,” accompanied by an exhibition, in conjunction with World Stem Cell Day. The event aimed to discuss research pathways, clinical applications, and the opportunities offered by cellular innovations in the healthcare sector, with the participation of a distinguished group of scientists, experts, and stem cell researchers.
The event was held on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Main Auditorium of the University Dental Hospital. It featured a scientific program moderated by Professor Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdulaziz Al-Fayez, a faculty member in the Department of Anatomy at the College of Medicine. The program included a panel discussion entitled “From Stem Cell Research to Health and Investment Impact: Prospects for Regenerative Medicine in Light of Saudi Vision 2030.” The session was moderated by Dr. Samira Shaheen, Head of the Department of Anatomy, and featured Professor Mahmoud Al-Jarf, Director of the Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre; Professor Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Dahmash, Dean of Al-Ru’ya Colleges in Riyadh and founder of the Stem Cell Research Unit in the Department of Anatomy at King Saud University’s College of Medicine; Dr. Hashem Al-Hashem, Consultant in Oncology and Head of the Adult Oncology Unit at the University Medical City’s Oncology Center; Dr. Sarah Sawar Al-Dhahab, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director of the Oncology Center at the University Medical City; and Dr. Shaimaa Mohammed Hassan, Associate Professor of Tissue Engineering and Cell Biology at Dar Al Uloom University, and Director of the Quality and Program Accreditation Unit and Strategic Plan.
The discussion addressed opportunities for advancing scientific research in stem cells, the challenges of translating research findings from the laboratory into clinical applications, the needs of oncology patients, clinical applications, and stem cell therapy. Speakers discussed the evidence required to verify the safety and efficacy of treatments and distinguish approved clinical uses from applications that remain under research, in addition to considerations related to patient selection and follow-up.
The discussion also explored the requirements for advancing promising research into development and investment, including collaboration between researchers and physicians, transitional funding, clinical trials, manufacturing in accordance with quality standards, partnerships with the industrial sector, and intellectual property protection. The sessions emphasized the importance of establishing an integrated pathway that begins with a research question addressing a healthcare need, is supported by scientific evidence, and ultimately leads to the safe and structured development of applications.
The event was accompanied by a scientific exhibition comprising nine stations covering the journey of stem cells, the transition from laboratory research to treatment, blood-forming cells, cancer stem cells, correcting common misconceptions, research and innovation, research ethics and governance, achievements, and investment. The accompanying educational materials provided an overview of the characteristics of stem cells and their ability to self-renew and differentiate, as well as research applications including disease modeling, drug testing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine, while emphasizing the need for new applications to undergo scientific trials and review.
The scientific stations also addressed the challenges of developing cellular therapies, including ensuring patient safety, immune rejection, controlling cell differentiation and division, the potential for tumor formation, and the possibilities for scaling up production and verifying long-term efficacy.
The event concluded with the honoring of speakers and participants in recognition of their scientific contributions and participation in enriching its topics.
