About Translational Medical Research Center (TMRC)

The Translational Medical Sciences Research Center at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University was established in response to the national need to advance the scientific and research ecosystem in the KingdomSaudi Arabia and to enhance efforts aimed at transforming basic medical knowledge into innovative clinical applications that contribute to improving the quality of healthcare. Translational medical sciences represent the link between laboratory discoveries and therapeutic applications. This phase plays a pivotal role in converting scientific knowledge into practical diagnostic and therapeutic solutions that address health challenges and improve the well-being of individuals and communities.

The center is one of the key pillars in implementing the strategic plan of the University’s Vice Presidency for Research and Innovation. With its advanced research infrastructure and multidisciplinary scientific expertise, the center supports the development of an integrated environment for research, treatment, and innovation. It also works to achieve its goals in alignment with the University’s role in supporting sustainable, advanced healthcare and enhancing quality of life—core objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the University.

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Research Center Units

Research Planning and Performance Indicators Unit

The Research Planning Unit is dedicated to supporting researchers in designing various types of research studies, including basic, preclinical, and clinical research. The unit provides specialized services in preparing and drafting documents related to research grant applications, developing project proposals in priority research areas, and offering the necessary support to obtain ethical approvals and register clinical studies in accredited databases such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and clinical trial registries.

The unit’s responsibilities also include managing research projects and coordinating between laboratories and relevant units within the center such as the Statistical Unit and the Clinical Unit along with overseeing the hiring of qualified personnel, including laboratory technicians and assistants, according to the nature of the studies and required tests.

Additionally, the unit plays a key role in implementing monitoring mechanisms and tracking performance indicators within the center. It also identifies, follows, and attracts relevant medical and biomedical research projects, contributing to their translation into clinical studies and supporting them through all stages of implementation and application within the healthcare system.

  • Strategic Planning and Risk Management Unit

Strategic planning serves as the foundation for guiding the Research Center toward achieving its vision, goals, and research priorities. Risk management is responsible for ensuring that operations and projects proceed according to the approved plan, addressing potential challenges by identifying them, assessing their impact, and developing effective mechanisms to mitigate them thereby supporting the Center’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives efficiently and sustainably.

  •  Statistical Analysis and Scientific Data Management Unite

 The Statistical Unit provides consultations and statistical services for basic, preclinical, and clinical experiments. It also offers statistical analysis and processing of data extracted from medical databases, as well as the analysis of complex datasets such as genomic study data. 

These services and consultations extend across all stages of research projects from the initial phase (such as calculating sample size) to organizing and preparing data for analysis using statistical analysis tools.

Training, Development, and Marketing Unit

This unit focuses on implementing specialized training programs aimed at developing the research and technical skills of the centers and university staff. Its efforts also extend to training researchers and technicians from outside the institution, contributing to the dissemination of scientific knowledge within the research community.

Clinical Trials Unit

The Clinical Trials Unit serves as a key pillar in supporting medical research across various specialties. It provides comprehensive services for conducting all stages of clinical trials, in addition to supporting translational medical research.

The unit enables the registration of patients from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University hospitals, as well as other hospitals in the Eastern Province.

The unit is distinguished by its advanced infrastructure and well-equipped facilities, which ensure the proper collection, preparation, storage, and shipment of samples according to the highest standards, guaranteeing the accuracy of molecular analyses and specialized laboratory tests. This infrastructure provides comprehensive and effective support for researchers, meeting the needs of clinical trials, and translational medical research in a fully integrated manner.

Research Laboratories Unit

Laboratories of the Translational Medical Research Center:

  1. Cell and Molecular Biology Research Lab.
  2. Microbiology Research Lab.
  3. Biomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Lab.
  4. Bioimaging Research Lab.
  5. Bioinformatics and Artifical Intelligence Research Lab.
  6. Tissue Biology Research Lab.

Administrative and Financial Affairs

Administrative and Financial Affairs aims to provide all administrative and financial services to the units of the Translational Medical Sciences Research Center, ensuring compliance with the university’s approved regulations and policies, and achieving a high level of quality and excellence in delivering services to the center and related entities.

  •  Maintenance and Information Technology Unit

The unit is concerned with developing technical systems, their periodic maintenance, and providing technical support services.