Vitiligo Research Chair

Director : Dr.Khalid Mohammad AlGhamdi

Chair mission and vision :

Working hard in the field of basic, and clinical research in order to achieve a better understanding, knowledge, and progress in the management of vitiligo and melanocytes transplantation.Training physicians postgraduate students in this field by varieties of activities, like: symposia, conferences and , workshops.

Chair objectives :

1)      Establishing a distinguished  research chair internationally in the field of vitiligo and melanocytes transplantation.

2)      Establishing advanced lab to achive  the following:

a.Finding  genes involved in vitiligo

                      b.Accurate understanding of the pathogenesis of vitiligo at the cellular level

a.       Studying and improving the biological factors that enhance melanin pigment production.

b.      Enhancement and improvement of culture media for the melanocyte to grow in a manner that is: better in quality, more speedy, and less costly, and hence, transplantation would be available for patients with limited resources.

3. Establishing a lab for experimental animals to study new methods of melanocytes transplantation before using them on humans, and to study potential drugs that have never been used on humans.

4. performing clinical studies regarding the following:

a. To find any links between vitiligo and different immunodeficiency disorders among Saudi patients, and the importance of screening vitiligo patients in the Kingdom especially for autoimmune disorders.

b. Developing new  topical treatments for vitiligo

c. developing new  oral medication for vitiligo, and determining the correct dose.

d. Developing new  methods of melanocytes transplantation.

e. Finding  the ideal phototherapy protocol for Saudi vitiligo patients ..

f. Optimising laser therapy (Eximer laser) for management of vitiligo with the right protocol.

5. establishment of  a national registery of vitiligo for the following objectives :

a. To have an accurate statistics of the number of vitiligo patients in Saudi Arabia, and the impact of that on the future health services plans.

b. Creating detailed database for future research

c. Ability to  contact patients when new therapeutic plan is to be tested on volunteers.

e. Starting   support groups for vitiligo patients to help them to cope with their illness psychologically and socially

6. To train physicians and postgraduate students on scientific research in the field of vitiligo and meloncytes transplantation.

Chair delevierables:

1.       Creating a  research chair specialized in field of vitiligo and melanocytes transplantation.

2.       To achieve the  leadership at both regional, and international levels in this field which will attract many international research centers, drug companies and medical equipments companies to cooperate with the chair in different scientific research activities.

3.       Establishing first national database for  vitiligo patients in the kingdom, and  the Middle East, wich will help in  future planning, and therapeutic services

4.       To know the prevalence of vitiligo in the kingdom, and it's psychological, social and economical impact.

5.       Generating researchers capable of performing distinguished  scientific research, and to spread melanocyes transplantation technique to other districts in the kingdom.

6.       Generating qualified Saudi technicians able to perform  melanocytes transplantation technique

Chair WorkPlan :

This project will study the extent of vitiligo in the kingdom, and its social, and  psychological, economical impact. Studies will involve all different therapeutic methods; oral medications, topical medications , phototherapy, and laser. Besides, project will aim to transfer  melanocytes transplantation technology to be available with less costs and better quality. Physicians, and postgraduates will also be trained, and updated in this technique through different chiar activities like: workshops, conferences, symposia in a regular manner, and international experts will be invited to  those activities.

The project is divided as follows:

1)      Epidemiological studies:

a)      Performingcommmunity studies to find out  vitiligo prevalence.

b)      Performing studies regarding vitiligo management complications and costs.

c)       To explore  knowledge, and believes of the public and patients regarding vitiligo.

2)      Clinical studies :

a)      Newtopical treatment.

b)      New oral medications

c)       Finding appropriate phototherapy protocols  for vitiligo, and the possibility of adding new therapeutic methods.

d)      Optimising management of vitiligo using Excimer laser with determining theright dose.

e)      Improving cultured melanocytes transplantation.

f)       Improving non-cultured melanocytes transplantation.

g)      Finding  the relationship between vitiligo and autoimmune  conditions in Saudi Arabia.

3)      Performing  basic sciences research to achieve the following:

a)      Studying the genes involved in vitiligo

b)      Deep understanding of the pathogenesis of vitiligo, particularly changes at molecular level.

c)       Improving the  biological factors to help melanin pigment production.

Improvingmelanocyte  culture media

4)      Experimental animal lab:

To study new ways of melanocytes transplantation with different melanin pigment inducers before using them on humans, and to study drugs that have never been used on humans.

5)      National registery for vitiligo:

There will be a national registery for vitiligo based on epidemiologic studies.

6)      Training:

For  training physicians, postgraduates, and technicianss on research, and the latest techniques in melanocytes transplantation.