introduction/brief CV
Dr. Tarad Abdulaziz Abalkhail is an Assistant Professor of Molecular Mycology in the Department of Botany and Microbiology at King Saud University. His research focuses on the cell and molecular biology of yeast, with particular emphasis on organelle inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
He employs advanced molecular techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, gene cloning, and bioinformatics to investigate the mechanisms governing organelle distribution and cellular stability. His projects explore the inheritance and anchoring of peroxisomes, mitochondria, and vacuoles, emphasizing their relevance to human peroxisomal and metabolic disorders.
Dr. Abalkhail also investigates the therapeutic potential of antimicrobial peptides and nanobody-based tools for applications in biotechnology and nanomedicine. His broader research interests extend to AI-driven molecular modeling and in-silico drug design, integrating computational predictions with experimental validation. This includes studying molecular interactions and antimicrobial activity in both fungal and bacterial pathogens, as well as exploring connections to human-related infectious and metabolic diseases.
Beyond research, Dr. Abalkhail is dedicated to mentoring students, fostering scientific curiosity, and promoting innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration and practical biotechnology applications.
areas of expertise
Molecular and Cell Biology of Yeast – Organelle inheritance, intracellular dynamics, and molecular mechanisms of peroxisome, mitochondria, and vacuole maintenance.
CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing and Gene Cloning – Functional genomics approaches for investigating gene roles in organelle biology and microbial physiology.
Antimicrobial Peptides and Nanobody-Based Tools – Design, characterization, and application of peptide and nanobody therapeutics for fungal and bacterial pathogens.
AI-Driven Molecular Modeling and In-Silico Drug Design – Computational prediction of peptide activity, molecular docking, and structure–function analysis to accelerate therapeutic discovery.
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology – Sequence analysis, protein–protein interaction mapping, and data-driven exploration of microbial and human-related pathways.
Biotechnology and Nanomedicine – Translating molecular insights into diagnostic, therapeutic, and industrial innovations with cross-disciplinary applications.
courses
see all
A capstone research project in which students design, conduct, and present an independent study under faculty supervision in a selected microbiology field.
Provides students with practical experience in industrial or research institutions, linking academic knowledge with real-world biotechnological applications.
Offers hands-on experience in hospital or clinical laboratory settings, emphasizing diagnostic mycology and applied microbiology practices.
office hours
| Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| from | _ | 09:00 AM | _ | 09:00 AM | _ | _ | _ |
| to | _ | 11:00 AM | _ | 11:00 AM | _ | _ | _ |
| location | _ | Building 5, Second Floor, Office 2B 54 (Male Campus) Building 5, Second Floor, Office 2B 54 (Male Campus) | _ | Building 5, Second Floor, Office 2B 54 (Male Campus) Building 5, Second Floor, Office 2B 54 (Male Campus) | _ | _ | _ |