Dr. Megahed H.M. Ammar, PhD
Assistant Professor, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology,
Division of Plant Production,
Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences,
King Saud University
P.O.Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
ammarrice@gmail.com
mammar@ksu.edu.sa
Ph.: +966-1- 4044005 (R)+966-1- 4674059 (O)
+966-056-5130912 (Mobile)
Birth date: 8-7-1970
Nationality: Egyptian
Maternal status: Married
Religion: Moslim
Educational Qualifications
1- PhD , in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Center of Plant Biotechnology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 2004, GPA(3.7/4.0)
Thesis Title: Molecular mapping for salt tolerance in rice
Supervisor: Dr NK Singh, PI, Initiative Rice Genome Project ,NRCPB, IARI, New Delhi, India

2- Diploma in Genetics, Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt, 2000 (GPA 4.0/4.0)

3- MSc., in Agronomy (Rice Breeding), Division of Agronomy, faculty of agric.,
Menofiya Univ., Egypt .1997 (GPA 3.9/4.0)
Thesis Title: Genetic studies on rice through anther culture
Supervisor: Dr AA Nawar, Principal Scientist, DD, Student affairs, Fac. Of Agric., Menofiya Univ. Egypt.

4- BSc in Agronomy, 1992

Training

a-National
1- 1st Rice cultivation training course, 4th Feb. –16th Feb., 1995, RRTC, Sakha 33717, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
2- Microcomputer Training course, 21st March-30th June, 1995, CEMARP project, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation
3- Lab. Course on plant Biotechnology ( Plant Chromosome Diagnostic), April 19th –29th, 1995., Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, Menofiya Univ.
4- Application of biotechnology in biocontrol training course, 9th –14th December, 1995, University of Alexandria Research Center, Alex., Egypt.

b- International
1- Rice Technology Course, 10th April, 23rd July, 1996, Hunan Acad. Of Agric. Research , Changsha 410125, PR China

2- Collaborative Research Fellow, Marker Assissted Selection Lab., Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biochemistry, IRRI, Philippines, May 20th – July 10th, 1999.

3- ICCR Scholarship for PhD course in, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, NRC on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi, 110012, India (Sept., 2000- Aug., 2004)

4- ICARDA Training course on DNA markers and its applications held at Tel-Hyda, Aleppo, Syria, Sept. 4th –15th, 2005.

5- Advanced Plant Biotechnology course, 12-22 June, 2013. Department of Plant Biotechnology, Leibinz University, Hannover, Germany

Experiences:

1- Rice breeding and genetics
2- INGER program
3- Hybridization program at the national rice research program
4- Tissue and anther culture related techniques
5- Molecular marker techniques ( RAPDs, STMS, ESTs,AFLPs, SNPs) for mapping, tagging and map-based cloning of simple as well as quantitative traits.
6- QTL analysis software (MAPMAKER\QTL, QTL Cartographer, Q STAT, QTL Mapper.
7- Automated Sequencing, on gel based (ABI377) and capillary based (MegaBACE 1000 & 4000 series) sequencers as I was attached to the sequencing lab , Indian Initiative Rice genome project, NRC on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, India.
8- Bio informatics tools, gene prediction software , Marker reconciliation, sequence alignment, BLAST, primer designing for fine mapping ( ISSR, SRAP, AFLP, SNPs, EST, SSRs, etc).
9- Legume genomics, marker development, characterization and validation.
10- Suppressive Subtractive Hybridization technology for elucidation of differentially expressed genes
11- Legume tissue culture and transformation.

Research Area of Interest:

The main area of interest is the molecular breeding, Molecular and In Silico mapping, tagging and map based cloning of the economic important traits of cereals and legumes, especially a biotic stresses, mainly working with rice and legume crops. Marker technology and its applications in rice, cereals and legume breeding,

Work Activities
National:

1- In charge of the Rice Biotechnology Lab at the Rice Research and Training center, with the objectives of mapping, tagging and map based cloning for important genes, i.e., Drought and Salinity, Blast resistance, Restorer genes,. Also, anther and embryo culture for the above mentioned traits.
2- Member of the RRTC breeding staff, in charge of hybridization and pedigree program, International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice (INGER), germplasm enhancement and maintenance ,anther culture program , low input breeding.
3- Member of CEDROME research project for developing drought resistant cereals for Mediterranean region.
4- Member of CPWF7 research project for enhancing water productivity under saline soils
5- Member of ATUT project research team, R05
6- In charge of breeding program for saline soils.
7- Member of the RRTC training Staff.
8- Member of the National Campaign of Rice
9- Instructor for the training courses on molecular markers and its applications in rice breeding being held at the rice research and Training center, Sakha, Egypt. For junior researchers.
10- Co supervisor of two M Sc students, one PhD student on various breeding and biotechnology topics, RRTC, Sakha, Egypt.
11- Member, Organizing committee The African-Egyptian Forum In Agriculture “Seed Industry And Biotechnology” Movenpick Hotel Cairo – Media City, July 24-26, 2011, Egypt.

b- At KSU

12- Development, characterization and validation of molecular markers (SCAR, SSR, ISSR, AFLP) for legume Crops., Legume Genomics , QTL mapping for drought tolerance in faba bean., Suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) in Faba bean, sequencing and sequence analysis , Diversity assessment and conservation. And member of legume research group
13- Instructor for Plant breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology courses, Plant Production Department, Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University (PPT310, PPT540, PPT 541)
14- Member of legume molecular biology lab , Legume Research Unit, Plant Production n Division, King Saud University
15- Member of learning and education committee, Plant Production Department, Faculty of Food and Agricultural sciences, KSU, 1432 H.
16- Member of Public relations and community services, Plant Production Department, Faculty of Food and Agricultural sciences, KSU, 1434 H.
17- Training of under and post graduate students on various biotechnology applications in crop conservation and improvement.
18- Coordinator, Head organizing committee, of " Cloning, Sequencing and sequence analysis of differentially expressed plant cDNAs), April 27-30, 2013, Plant Production Department, Faculty of Food and Agricultural sciences, KSU.

Funded research projects:

• PI of running research project entitled (Identification of drought tolerance genes in faba bean, (Project No. 09-BIO680-02) funded by NTSP.
• PI of research project entitled (Diversification of faba bean germplasm through mutation and tissue culture techniques), Project No. 11-AGR11861-02, funded by NPST.
• PI of research Project entitled (Standardization of regeneration and genetic transformation systems in chickpea), NPST funded Project No. 11-AGR1881-02

• Co-PI of the KACST internal running project entitled (Study of the biological characteristics of various cultivars of (Oryza sativa L.) in Saudi Arabia and the conservation of their germplasm), Internal funds, KACST, project No. 32-605

• Co-PI in of funded research project entitled “Promotion of soybean cultivation as industrial crop in the Kingdom” Submitted to KACST, Project No. AT-34-58.

• Researcher in Research Project entitled "Genetic similarity of local and introduced faba bean using molecular markers" , Project No. 08-BIO161-02"

Boosts
1- Research Assistant (contractual basis), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), Sadat City, Egypt, July 1992-Nov. 1994
2- Research Assistant, Rice research and Training Center, Sakha, Egypt, Nov.1994-Sept., 1998.
3- Associate Researcher Rice research and Training Center, Sakha, Egypt, 1998 –2005
• PhD Scholar (Sept.2000- Aug. 2005), NRC on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi 110012, India
4- Researcher, Rice Biotechnology Lab., Rice Research and Training Center, Sakha, Egypt, 2005 till 25th Oct. 2010
5- Senior Researcher, Rice Biotechnology Lab., Rice Research and Training Center, Sakha, Egypt, 26th Oct. 2010 till date

6- Assistant Professor, Legume Research Unit, Plant Production Department, Faculty of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Kind Saud University, Saudi Arabia, September 12, 2008 till date.

Sequences Submitted to the gene Bank:

1- Sharma,T.R., Kumar,S.P., Singh,N.K., Dalal,V., Ammar,M.H., Jana,T.K. and Dixit,R. (2003) Cloning of NBS-LRR like sequences from Oryza sativa. Sequences submitted on 9 July, 2003 ( direct submission) with accession Nos:

AY337903, AY337904, AY337905, AY337906, AY337907, AY337908, AY337909, AY337910, AY337911, AY337912, AY337913, AY337914, AY337914, AY337915, AY337916, AY337917, AY337918, AY337919, AY337920, AY337921, AY337922, AY337923, AY337924, AY337925,
AY337926, AY337927.
2- Alghamdi,S.S., Ammar,M.H., Migdadi,H.M, Khan,M.A., Al-Faifi ,S.A. (2012) SCAR direct sequencing fragments (17 sequences, Accession no. LIBGSS_038875 in GSS database
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nucgss/?term=LIBGSS_038875

3- Al-Faifi,S.A., Ammar,M.H., Migdadi,H.M., Khan,M.A., Alghamdi ,S.S (2012) SSR containing sequences (45 sequences ) Accession No. LIBGSS_038911 in GSS data base
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nucgss?term=LIBGSS_038911

4- Al-Faifi,S.A., Migdadi,H.M., Khan,M.A., Javed,M.M., Ammar,M.H., AlObaid,R., Harhash,M., EL-Harty,E. and Alghamdi,S.S.(2013). Development and characterization of 93 novel SSR markers for date palm fingerprinting and genetic enhancement
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nucgss/?term=LIBGSS_039019

5- Al-Faifi,S.A., Migdadi,H.M., Khan,M.A., Javed,M.M., Ammar,M.H., AlObaid,R., Harhash,M., EL-Harty,E. and Alghamdi,S.S.(2013). 333 Phoenix dactylifera cultivar Sukary EST-SSR library.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/biosample?Db=biosample&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=1924514

6- SSH sequences (225 sequences) under submission process

List Of Publications

1- N.K. Singh , M.H.M. Ammar, Y. Amaravathi, S. Anand, S.K. Srivastava, A. Bhargava, A.K. Pal, V. Dalal, A. Singh, M.Yadav, I.A. Ghazi, A. Dixit, K. Batra, K. Gaikwad, T.R. Sharma, T. Mohapatra, A.K. Singh, V.P. Singh, F.U. Zaman and R.K. Singh. "Functional Genomics for Complex Genetic Traits in Rice Using Immortal Segregating Population", an abstract and poster at the 1st International Rice Functional Genomics Symposium, Nov. 19 - 21, 2003, Shanghai, China.

2- Singh NK, Mohapatra T, Sharma TR, Gaikwad K, Batra K, Singh A, Ammar MH et al (2002). Functional genomics of naturally occuring alleles of agronomic important traits. Rice Functional Genomics Workshop, May 20-21, NRC on Plant Biotechnology, IARI, New Delhi, India.

3- N.K. Singh, K. Gaikwad, K. Batra, M.H.M. Ammar, Y. Amarawati, S. Anand, S.K. Srivastava, A. Pandit, H. Singh, V. Dalal, A. Singh, I.A. Ghazi, M. Yadav, R. Dixit, P.K. Singh, S.D. Mendiratta, T. R. Sharma, T. Mohapatra, A.K. Singh, V.P. Singh, R.K. Singh. (2004). Functional genomics of rice: potential and prospects. International Symposium on Rice: "From Green Revolution to Gene Revolution", October 4-6, 2004, DRR, Hyderabad.

4- Ammar MH, Singh RK, Mohapatra T, and Singh NK (2004). Polymorphism assessment of rice differing in salt tolerance using microsatellites markers., 9th National Rice Biotechnology Network Meeting, April 15-17, 2004, NASC complex, New Delhi 110012, India

5- Pankaj Sharma, Pandy MP, Singh NK, Ammar M H, Singh BK and Rongbai L(2004). Molecular analysis of New TGMS gene(s)of a line UPRI95-140 for hybrid breeding in rice. 9th National Rice Biotechnology Network Meeting, April 15-17, 2004, NASC complex, New Delhi 110012, India

6- Ammar MHM, Singh RK, Mohapatra T and Singh NK(2004). Molecular mapping for salt tolerance in rice. The International Conference on Advanced Rice Research, 21-23 sept. , Alexandria, Egypt.

7- M.H.M. Ammar, A. Pandit et al (2006). Mapping of QTLs for salt tolerance traits in Indica variety CSR 27. Abstr ID: 5315, 2nd International Rice Congress, Oct. 9th - 13th, 2006, New Delhi

8- Al-Wahsh S. and Ammar MHM (2007). Polymorphism assessment among different Egyptian blast fungus isolates. J. Agric. Sci., Mansoura Univ., 32(5):4301-4312

9- Ammar MHM, S. Monir, RK Singh, T. Mohapatra and NK Singh (2007). Diversity analysis of rice varieties differing in salt tolerance. Egptian J. Plant Breeding, 11(2):543-550.

10- Hammoud SAA, Abdel-Khalik AF and Ammar MHM (2007). Genetic and molecular evaluation of Sakha 101, blast resistant rice lines, 8th Conference of African Crop Science Proceedings , 8 (1): 540-547

11- Ammar MHM, RK Singh, AK Singh, T. Mohapatra and NK Singh (2007). QTL mapping for salinity tolerance at seedling stage in rice (Oryza Sativa L.). African Crop Science Proceedings,8(2): 617-620.

12- Zayed.B.A. W.M. Elkhoby, S.M.Shehata and M.H. Ammar (2007). Potassium application enhances yield performance of some inbred and hybrid rice varieties under newly reclaimed saline soils. African Crop Science Proceedings,8(1): 53-60.

13- Attia K.; A.F. Abdelkhalik; M.H. Ammar; C. Wei; J.Yang; D.A. Lightfoot; W.M. El-Sayed and H. Elshemey (2008). Antisense phenotypes reveal a functional expression of OsARF1, an Auxin response factor, in transgenic rice. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol., S1:28-33. (ISI, IF 4.588)

14- Abd Allah A.A., Amal H. Selim , M.H.Ammar and W. Elkhoby (2008). A study on the genetic diversity of the Egyptian rice verieties under normal and drought conditions. J. Agric. Res. Kafr ElSheikh univ., 34 (4): 957-978.

15- Sedeek, S.E., S. A. Hammoud, and M. H. Ammar (2009). Genetic and cluster analysis for some physiological parameters in rice J. Agric. Res. Kafer El-Sheikh Univ., 35 (3) :858-878.

16- M.H. Ammar, R.K.Singh, T. Mohapatra , A.K.Singh and N.K.Singh (2009). QTL mapping for salinity tolerance in rice. First International on Plant Biotechnology (Twards knowledge based economy), King Fahd Cultural Center, Feb.16-18, 2009, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

17- M.H. Ammar,S. S. Alghamdi, A.F. Abdelkhalik, K.A. Attia, S. Monir, M.A. Abdel-Rahman , M. Fazaa, R.S. Nofal and T. Mazal. (2009). Molecular profiling of Egyptian Rice varieties using DNA markers. The 24th Meeting of Saudi Biological Society, Biotechnology: Reality and Application, Madinah Almunawwarah, at Taibah University 12-14 Rabia Althani, 1430 H (7-9 April, 2009), pp.33

18- Abdullah A.A, M. H. Ammar, S.M.Shehata and A F Abdelkhalik , 2009. Agronomic and molecular evaluation of Induced mutants in rice (Oryza satival L) J. Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ., 34 (7): 7885-7898.

19- Shehata SM, M.H.Ammar, A.F Abdelkalik and B A Zayed 2009. Morphological, molecular and biochemical evaluation of Egyptian jasmine rice variety and its M5 derived mutants. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 8 (22), pp. 6110-6116, (ISI, IF 0.565)

20- Abd Allah, A.A., M.H.Ammar and A.T.Badawi , 2009. Screening rice genotypes for drought tolerance in Egypt. J. Agric. Res. Kafr Elsheikh Univ., 35 (2): 537-560.

21- Badawi A Tantawi, Abd Allah A.A., M.H. Ammar (2009). Developing irrigation skills for paddy forming field to support efficient water use in Egypt-International Network for water and Ecosystem in paddy fields (INWEPF 6TH ) 131-150.

22- M H M Ammar, Awadhesh Pandit, R K Singh, S Sameena, M S Chauhan, A K Singh, P C Sharma, Kishor Gaikwad, T R Sharma, Trilochan Mohapatra and N K Singh (2009). Mapping of QTLs Controlling Na, K+ and Cl– Ion Concentrations in Salt Tolerant Indica Rice Variety CSR27. J. Plant Biochemistry & Biotechnology Vol. 18(2), 139-150 (ISI, IF 0.323)

23- S. S. Alghamdi, M. H. Ammar, S. A. Alfifi and A. M. Alali (2009). Phylogenic relationships and F1 Hybrid Seed Purity Assessment using RAPD Markers in Faba Bean . 24th meeting for Saudi Society of Biology Sciences, Tiba University, 7-9 April, Medinah , Saudia Arabia.

24- A. A. Abd Allah , M. H. Ammar and A. T. Badawi (2010). Screening rice genotypes for drought tolerance in Egypt. African Journal of Plant Science Vol. 4 (3) (ISI, IF 0.08)

25- Alghamdi, S., Al-Faifi S., Ammar M.H., Migdadi H. (2010). Performance of Guar (Cyamopsis tetragoloba (L.) Taub. ) at different planting dates and number of cuts. J.Saudi Soc. of Agric. Sci. Vol. 9 (2). 91-104.

26- Salem S. Alghamdi, Hussein M. Migdadi, Sulaiman A. Al-fifi and Megahed H.Ammar (2010). Evaluation of Critical Dose for Mutagenic Treatments of Barley Varieties with N-nitroso-N-methyl Urea (NMU). Environ. We Int. J. Sci. Tech. 5 : 13-25

27- Salem S. Alghamdi, Sulieman Al-Faifi, Hussein M. Migdadi, Megahed H. Ammar and Kadambot H.M. Siddique (2011). Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) based diversity assessment among faba bean genotypes. Crop & Pasture Science,CSIRO PUBLISHING, 62 (9): 755-760. (ISI, IF 1.304)

28- Firoz Anwar, Salem S. Alghamdi, Megahed H. Ammar and K.H.M. Siddique (2011). Efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for faba bean (Vicia faba L.), J Medicinal Plant Research 5(28):6460-6467. (ISI, IF 0.879)

29- Tariq Shehzad, AbdAllah AA, Ammar MH, Abdelkhalik AF (2011). Agronomic and molecular evaluation of induced mutant rice (Oryza sativa L) lines in Egypt, Pak. J. Bot., 43 (2): 1183-1194.( ISI, IF 0.947)

30- Megahed H. Ammar, Salem S. Alghamdi, Sulieman Al-Faifi, Hussein M. Migdadi, and Kadambot H.M. Siddique (2012). Faba Genomics: Current status and future prospects. Euphytica, 186:609–624 (ISI, IF 1.6)

31- Salem S. Alghamdi, Sulieman Al-Faifi, Hussein M. Migdadi, Muhammad Altaf Khan, Ehab EL-Harty, Megahed H. Ammar (2012) Molecular Diversity Assessment using Sequence Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) Markers in Vicia faba. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 13, 16457-16471; doi:10.3390/ijms131216457 (ISI, IF 2.6).
32- Abdulhamid. A.A., A. A. Aboshousha, M. H. Ammar, D. A. M. Abdulmajid and Y. Z. El-Refaee (2012). Inheritance of some drought and root parameters related to yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Minia International Conference for Agriculture and Irrigation in the Nile Basin Countries, 26th -29th March 2012, El-Minia, Egypt

33- Abdelhalim Ibrahim Ghazi, Abdullah A. AL-Doss, ,Sulieman Alfaifi, , Hussein Migdadi, Megahed Ammar, Abdelazem Salem (2013). The genotypic distribution and molecular bases ALS-inhibiting herbicides resistant Lolium populations in wheat fields in Saudi Arabia.Plant and Animal Genome XXI, January 12-16, Town & Country Hotel, San Diego, USA.

34- Salem S. Alghamdi, Ehab H. EL-Harty, Megahed H. Ammar and Hussein M. Migdadi (2013). Water Use Efficiency And Stability Assessment For Faba Bean Genotypes Across Various Arid Environments, Sustainable water use for securing food production in the Mediterranean region under changing climate, 10-15 March, 2013, Agadir, Morocco.

35- Sulieman A. Al-Faifi, Hussein M. Migdadi, Abedallah Al-doss, Muhammad Altaf. Khan ,Megahed H. Ammar, Muhammad Matlob, Salem S. Alghamdi (2013). Morphological and Molecular Genetic Variability Analyses of Saudi Alfalfa Landraces. Crop & Pasture Science,CSIRO PUBLISHING, 64 (2): 137-146. (ISI, IF 1.304).

36- Salem S. Alghamdi., Altaf M. Khan., Megahed H. Ammar, Ehab H.El-Harty., Hussein M. Migdadi, samah m. Abd El-khalik, Aref M. Al-Shameri, Muhammad M. Javed, Sulieman A. Al-Faifi (2013). Phonological, nutritional and molecular diversity assessment among 35 introduced lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes grown in Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2013, 14, 1-x manuscripts; doi:10.3390/ijms140x000x. (ISI, IF 2.6).

37- Salem S. Alghamdi., Altaf M. Khan., Megahed H. Ammar, Ehab H.El-Harty., Hussein M. Migdadi, samah m. Abd El-khalik, Aref M. Al-Shameri, Muhammad M. Javed, Sulieman A. Al-Faifi (2013). Phonological, nutritional and molecular diversity assessment among 35 introduced lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes grown in Saudi Arabia. International Plant Breeding Congress, Nov., 10-15, 2013, Antalya, Turkey, PP289.

38- Aref Al-Shameri, Hussein M. Migdadi, Megahed H. Ammar, and Salem S. Alghamdi (2013). Morphological and molecular characterization of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm. International Plant Breeding Congress, Nov., 10-15, 2013, Antalya, Turkey, PP203.

39- Firoz Anwar, Ehab H. El-Harty, Megahed H. Ammar, Hussein M. Migdadi and Salem S. Alghamdi (2013). Bio-physiochemical and phenological responses of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to induced water deficit conditions. International Plant Breeding Congress, Nov., 10-15, 2013, Antalya, Turkey, pp 183.

40- Hussein M. Migdadi, Abdelhalim I. Ghazy, Megahed H. Ammar, Ehab H. El-Harty, Salem S. Alghamdi (2013). Genetic diversity in some wheat and barley genotypes as revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. International Plant Breeding Congress, Nov., 10-15, 2013, Antalya, Turkey, pp 607 .

41- Ehab H. EL-Harty, Megahed H. Ammar, Hussein M. Migdadi and Salem S. Alghamdi (2013). Genetic analysis of fabe bean (Vicia faba L.) inter-varietal crosses. International Plant Breeding Congress, Nov., 10-15, 2013, Antalya, Turkey, pp197.