2013 March Beacon

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

BEACON ‫املنـارة‬ at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

March 2013 / Jumada Al-Awwal 1434 Volume 3, Issue No. 7

the

www.kaust.edu.sa

KAUST Appoints its Next President

‫تعيني رئيس جديد جلامعة‬ ‫امللك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ ‫ ورئيس مجلس أمناء‬،‫أعلن معالي المهندس علي بن إبراهيم النعيمي وزير البترول والثروة المعدنية‬ ‫عين البروفسور جان – لو شامو‬ ّ ‫ أن المجلس‬،2013 ‫ فبراير‬16 ‫جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية في‬ .‫رئيسًا جديد ًا للجامعة‬ )Caltech( ‫ الرئيس الحالي لمعهد كاليفورنيا للتقنية والمعروف باسم‬,‫وسيصبح البروفسور شامو‬ ‫ وقد تلقى‬.‫الرئيس الثاني لجامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية في وقت الحق من هذا العام‬ 2 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

H. E. Ali I Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the KAUST Board of Trustees, announced on February 16 that the Board of Trustees has appointed Professor Jean-Lou Chameau as the next President of KAUST. Professor Chameau, President of the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), will become the second President of KAUST later this year. A native of France, Prof. Chameau Chameau | Continued on p2

Professor Jean-Lou Chameau, the newly appointed President Designate of KAUST, during his recent visit to KAUST.

You are in a shopping mall and your toddler suddenly wanders off. Searching frantically, you soon find him in a neighboring shop, but the minutes he was lost felt like hours. This type of ordeal inspired parent and faculty member Atif Shamim to explore a possible solution. The Integrated Microwaves Packaging Antennas & Circuits Technology (IMPACT) Lab at KAUST, part of the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, has developed a prototype device that is low-cost, wearable, and capable of tracking minors and other people or objects with high accuracy both indoors and outdoors through the use of an internet-enabled phone or other computing gadget.

Led by Dr. Atif Shamim, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, the team, including students Rana Bilal and Fahad Farooqui and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Hammad Cheema, is using a new inkjet-printing technology to develop a paper-based, wearable tag. The choice of paper over traditional substrates seems unconventional, but it offers a new paradigm of inkjet-printed electronics. The paper is lightweight, flexible, biodegradable, and comes from a renewable source, and with TRACKING SUCCESS | Continued on p5

INSIDE:

News 1-3

‫جناح‬ ‫نظام التتبع‬ ‫ والحظت‬،‫لو كنت في مركز للتسوق مع طفلك‬ ‫ ستبدأ‬.‫أن طفلك اختفى فجأة ولم يعد حولك‬ ‫بالبحث عنه بجنون ثم تجده بعد لحظات في‬ ‫ ولكن بال شك أن‬.‫متجر مجاور وتتنفس الصعداء‬ ‫الدقائق التي كنت تبحث خاللها عن طفلك مرت‬ .‫عليك كالساعات‬ ‫ألهمت هذه التجربة المزعجة األب وعضو هيئة‬ ‫ أستاذ في الهندسة‬،‫التدريس البروفسور عاطف شميم‬ ،‫الكهربائية بجامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ .‫في بحثه عن الحلول الممكنة لمثل هذه المشكالت‬ ‫وطور مختبر تقنية الهوائيات والدوائر الكهربائية‬ ‫ أحد‬،)IMPACT( ‫لموجات المايكرويف المدمجة‬ ‫مختبرات قسم العلوم والهندسة الحاسوبية‬ ‫ نموذجًا أوليًا‬،‫والكهربائية والحسابية في الجامعة‬ ‫ وقادر‬،‫ ويمكن ارتداؤه‬،‫لجهاز منخفض التكلفة‬ ‫القصر وغيرهم من الناس أو األشياء‬ ُ ‫على تعقب‬ ‫بدقة عالية داخل المباني وخارجها باستخدام هاتف‬ .‫متصل باإلنترنت أو أي جهاز حاسوبي آخر‬ ‫ويستخدم فريق البحث الذي قاده البروفسور‬ ‫ال من الطالب رنا بالل وفهد‬ ً ‫عاطف شميم وضم ك‬ ‫فاروقي وزميل ما بعد الدكتوراه الدكتور حماد‬ ‫ تقنية طباعة حبرية جديدة لتطوير بطاقة‬،‫شيما‬ ‫ وبالرغم من أن الورق يعتبر‬.‫ورقية يمكن ارتداؤها‬ ‫ اال أنه يقدم‬،‫ال غير تقليدي في هذه الحالة‬ ً ‫بدي‬ .‫نموذجًا جديد ًا للطباعة الحبرية لإللكترونيات‬ ‫إذ يتميز بمرونته وخفة وزنه وقابليته لالنحالل‬ ‫ وبالتكييف‬،‫ كما أنه يأتي من مصدر متجدد‬.‫الحيوي‬ ،‫الصحيح يمكن جعله ماص للماء أو صاد للماء‬ 5 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Red Sea Expedtion 4

www.rsc.org/softmatter

Volume 9 | Number 5 | 7 February 2013 | Pages 1383–1722

ISSN 1744-683X

PAPER Sahraoui Chaieb et al.

Chiral hierarchical self-assembly in Langmuir monolayers of diacetylenic lipids

1744-683X(2013)9:5;1-G

Soft Matter journal cover: KAUST Scientific Illustrator Olga Kasimova’s illustration of Prof. Sahraoui Chaieb’s research work on chiral lipid molecules graces the February 7, 2013 cover of the journal Soft Matter.

Exploring the Beauty of Patterns in Lipid Monolayers “Patterns are beautiful,” says Sahraoui Chaieb, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering in the Division of Physical Science and Engineering. His research and experimental laboratory work at KAUST on lipid molecules forming patterns was published in the February 7 issue of the high-impact journal Soft Matter, and was also featured on the cover. Prof. Chaieb is the corresponding author and a co-author of the paper, “Chiral hierarchical self-assembly in Langmuir monolayers of diacetylenic lipids.” He developed the theory, idea, and research design for the work and the paper, and began the lab experiments in SOFT MATTER | Continued on p7

Research 5-7

‫استكشاف أمناط الدهون‬ ‫أحادية الطبقة‬ ‫قام البروفسور شايب سهراوي األستاذ المشارك‬ ‫ وعلوم وهندسة‬،‫في قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية‬ ‫المواد بالتعاون مع فريق من الباحثين من جامعة‬ ‫والية كينت في أوهايو بالواليات المتحدة بتقديم‬ ‫ورقة بحث عن األنماط التي تشكلها جزيئات‬ Chiral hierarchical" ‫الدهون تحت عنوان‬ self-assembly in Langmuir monolayers of ‫ وقد تم نشر هذا البحث‬."diacetylenic lipids ‫الذي ُأجري بجامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم‬ ‫والتقنية في مجلة (سوفت ماتر) العلمية الشهيرة‬ ‫وتصدر صورة غالف المجلة وذلك في العدد الذي‬ ‫ البروفسور‬.2013 ‫صدر في السابع من فبراير‬ ‫شايب هو الباحث الرئيسي للورقة و هو من وضع‬ ‫النظرية واالفكار والتصاميم في المختبر و على‬ ‫ وبدأ التجارب المخبرية في مختبر‬،‫ورقة البحث‬ 7 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Community 8

Image reproduced by permission of Sahraoui Chaieb and The Royal Society of Chemistry from Soft Matter, 2013, 9, 1437-1446, DOI: 10.1039/C2SM26771C (link to http://dx.doi. org/10.1039/C2SM26771C)

Tracking Success

2

News

March 2013

The Beacon

This issue shares exciting University news about the appointment of the next President for KAUST:

These pages also highlight the latest research led by Professors Atif Shamim and Sahraoui Chaieb, the

Jean-Lou Chameau, current President of Caltech, will become KAUST’s second President later this year.

launch of an 88-day Red Sea Expedition, and recent talks given by Nobel Laureate guest speakers. And

Prof. Chameau’s distinguished academic career and impressive leadership has not only earned high

you can’t miss the burst of color on page 8 - photos from a favorite annual community event, the Parade

praises from senior KAUST leadership, but also enthusiastic support from across the KAUST community.

of Nations.  —THE BEACON Editorial

The Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 7, March 2013. Published by The Communications Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.Contact Salah Sindi salah.sindi@kaust.edu.sa, or Michelle D'Antoni michelle.dantoni@kaust.edu.sa © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Printed on partially recycled paper.

‫تابع تعيني رئيس جديد للجامعة امللك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬

‫ البروفسور تشون‬،‫أما رئيس الجامعة الحالي‬ ‫ فقد أعرب عن غبطته بالقرار قائال‬،‫فونغ شيه‬ ‫"الحظت بفضل عملي مع جان – لو في الماضي‬ ‫فهمه العريض وبصيرته النافذة في مجالي األبحاث‬ ‫ ومجتمع جامعة الملك عبد اهلل فخور‬.‫والتعليم‬ ‫بقيام الدكتور شامو بقيادة الجامعة في مسيرتها‬ ."‫الهادفة إلى بناء جامعة عالمية ذات تأثير وفعالية‬ ‫ويقول الدكتور شامو في تعليقه على قرار التعيين‬ ‫"بفضل موقعها الفريد وميثاقها كمركز عالمي‬ ‫ فان جامعة الملك عبداهلل‬،‫جديد للعلم واألبحاث‬ ‫تجد نفسها في وضع يتيح لها أن تلعب دور ًا مؤثر ًا‬ ‫ ولهذا السبب فهي‬.‫في المملكة والعالم ككل‬ ‫ليست مجرد جامعة وحسب بل هي وعد وعهد ذو‬ ‫ وسأكرس كل طاقتي لقيادتها في‬.‫أهمية تاريخية‬ ."‫اتجاه تحقيق رؤيتها الجريئة على أرض الواقع‬ ‫وقام البروفسور شامو وحرمه الدكتورة كارول‬ ‫كارمايكل بزيارة جامعة الملك عبداهلل بعد وقت‬ ‫ وقاما بجولة في الحرم‬.‫قصير من خبر التعيين‬ ‫الجامعي وسط ترحيب الموظفين والطالب وأعضاء‬ ‫هيئة التدريس وإلتقيا مع كبار قادة الجامعة‬ .‫وزوجاتهم في حفل استقبال أقيم بهذه المناسبة‬ ‫ أنه سيكرس‬،‫و قال البروفيسور شامو خالل زيارته‬ ‫األشهر الستة األولى لمعرفة المزيد عن جامعة الملك‬ ‫عبداهلل وأعضاء هيئة التدريس فيها باالجتماع بهم‬ ‫ وأعرب عن عميق‬.‫أفرادًا وجماعات في معاملهم‬ ‫تقديره لما لمسه من حفاوة و تكريم أثناء حفل‬ ‫االستقبال في الجامعة وقال أنه استشعر امتياز‬  .‫وشرف أن يسمى الرئيس المقبل للجامعة‬

‫البروفسور شامو الفرنسي األص‍ل دراسته الجامعية‬ the École Nationale Supérieure( ‫في جامعة‬ ‫ وحصل على‬،‫) في فرنسا‬d’Arts et Métiers ‫درجة الدكتوراه في الهندسة المدنية من جامعة‬ ‫ وكان‬.‫ستانفورد بالواليات المتحدة األمريكية‬ ‫أستاذ في الهندسة المدنية ورئيس برنامج هندسة‬ ‫التربة في جامعة بوردو قبل أن ينضم إلى معهد‬ ‫ حيث كان يشغل منصب مدير‬،‫جورجيا للتقنية‬ ‫ ثم عميد ًا لكلية‬،‫الهندسة المدنية والبيئية‬ .‫ال للجامعة‬ ً ‫ وبعد ذلك تم تعيينه وكي‬،‫الهندسة‬ ‫ رئيسًا لمعهد كاليفورنيا للتقنية‬2006 ‫عين في عام‬ ّ ‫ حيث عمل على تشجيع أسلوب األبحاث‬،)Caltech( ‫والتعليم متعدد التخصصات وتأسيس تطوير البرامج‬ ‫ بما في ذلك الطاقة‬،‫في مجاالت التأثير المجتمعي‬ ‫ كما اهتم البروفسور شامو‬.‫والعلوم الطبية والبيئية‬ ‫وركز على تجارب الطلبة التعليمية والدفع بفرص‬ ‫المشاريع االستثمارية المبتكرة لهيئة التدريس‬ ‫ وخالل فترة رئاسته صنف‬.‫والطلبة على حد سواء‬ ‫معهد كاليفورنيا للتقنية في المرتبة األولى ضمن‬ ‫جامعات العالم المهتمة باألبحاث وذلك حسب‬ ‫تصنيف مجلة (تايمز) للتعليم العالي في العامين‬ .2011-2012 ‫وقال معالي المهندس علي بن إبراهيم النعيمي‬ ‫ "ما كان بإمكاننا العثور على‬:‫رئيس مجلس األمناء‬ ‫رئيس أفضل للجامعة من الدكتور شامو الذي يتميز‬ ‫بسجل باهر كباحث ومعلم وقائد أكاديمي مميز مما‬ ‫يجعله مؤهال بصورة فريدة لقيادة المرحلة المقبلة‬ ."‫من تطوير الجامعة‬

in brief

Professor Jean Fréchet, second from left, is presented with a gift from KAUST Leadership at a reception honoring his being awarded the Japan Prize.

Professor Fréchet Honored at Reception Professor Jean Fréchet, Vice President of Research, who was named co-recipient of the 2013 Japan Prize, was honored recently with a university reception to mark this outstanding accomplishment. The prize acknowledges original and outstanding achievements in science and technology which “advance the frontiers of knowledge and serve the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind.”

KAUST President Choon Fong Shih said, “We have gathered to show how thrilled we are for Jean. We all recognize that he is multi-talented and continues to add tremendously to KAUST’s efforts in scientific advancement and technological innovation.” Prof. Shih said Prof. Fréchet’s accomplishments were lauded by several Nobel Laureates who sent their congratulations upon hearing of the prize.

Prof. Shih, Provost Stefan Catsicas, and Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance Nadhmi Al-Nasr presented Prof. Fréchet with a limited edition reprint of the Kitab alDiryaq, a scientific work rich in calligraphy and illustration from the Golden Age of Islamic Civilization. Prof. Shih said it was particularly appropriate for Prof. Fréchet because it con-

Chameau | Continued from p1

tains a treasury of ancient chemical recipes.

received his undergraduate education at the

brings with him broad, deep academic experi-

Prof. Frechet expressed his thanks for the accolades and encouraged young professors and

École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers

ence, global visibility, and widely-recognized

academics to “think outside the box” – just as he and Dr. Grant Willson had done to develop

in France and later his PhD in civil engi-

leadership qualities…Our KAUST community

their Japan Prize winning discovery. 

neering at Stanford University. He was a

is thrilled at the prospect of his taking up the

professor of civil engineering and head of the

baton to lead KAUST on its journey to build

Geotechnical Engineering Program at Purdue

a research university with global reach and

University before joining Georgia Institute of

impact.”

Technology, where he was Director of Civil and

Prof. Chameau commented on his appoint-

Environmental Engineering, then Dean of the

ment, “Because of its unique location and its

College of Engineering and later Provost. He

charter as a new international center of learn-

joined Caltech as its President in 2006.

ing and research, KAUST is positioned to

At Caltech, Prof. Chameau has actively pro-

have a dramatic impact on the Kingdom and

moted a multidisciplinary approach to research

the world. For that reason, it is more than a

and education and encouraged the develop-

university; it is an undertaking of historic

ment of programs in areas of societal impact,

importance. I will dedicate my energy to lead

including energy, medical science, and the

it toward achieving its bold vision.”

The Government Affairs Team poses with KAUST President Prof. Choon Fong Shih and Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance Mr. Nadhmi Al-Nasr. The team led by Sulaiman Thunayan, seated fourth from the left, was acknowledged for excellence.

environment. He is credited with improving

Prof. Chameau and his wife, Dr. Carol

students’ educational experiences, increasing

Carmichael, visited KAUST shortly after the

the diversity of the community, and advancing

news of the appointment. They toured the cam-

entrepreneurial and international opportuni-

pus, met staff and students, greeted faculty at

ties for faculty and students. During his tenure,

an afternoon reception, and met with KAUST

The Government Affairs Team, led by Sulaiman Thunayan, was recognized for excellence

Caltech was named the number one university

Senior Leadership and their spouses.

at a luncheon hosted recently by KAUST President Choon Fong Shih. Professor Shih said that

in both 2011 and 2012 in the Times Higher

Government Affairs Recognized for Excellence

During his visit, Prof. Chameau said he

the excellence demonstrated by the Government Affairs Team is recognized by the whole

plans to take the first six months to learn

community. “Colleagues have said consistently that Government Affairs is our top team when

H. E. Ali Al-Naimi said, “We could not have

about KAUST and the faculty by meeting with

it comes to reliability, professionalism, and friendly, helpful customer service,” Prof. Shih said.

found a better President for KAUST. Jean-Lou

them individually and in groups in their labs.

“I think this is all the more impressive when you consider the great complexity and sensitiv-

Chameau’s track record as a researcher, educa-

He appreciated the warm welcome he received

ity of the work you do.”

Education World University Rankings.

tor, and distinguished academic leader makes

at KAUST and said he felt privileged and hon-

He continued, “Such high standards and professionalism can only be maintained when a

him uniquely qualified to lead the next phase

ored to be named the next president of the

team truly works together, when you have shared goals, and when you are all united in aim-

of KAUST’s development.”

University. 

ing for the best. I sense great pride among the team in Government Affairs.”

Professor Choon Fong Shih praised Prof.

Chameau as “an outstanding scholar who

Prof. Shih presented a special plaque inscribed with the image of the Breakwater Beacon to the group in recognition of the team’s outstanding contribution. 

News

www.kaust.edu.sa

“Secrets of the Red Sea” Revealed at SEDCO Research Excellence Award Workshop Uli Stingl, Assistant Professor of Marine Science, and his

cutting-edge research and

research team are uncovering the microbial treasures that lie

collaboration.” SEDCO has

within the waters of the Red Sea, thanks to their win of the

“encouraged [the team]

2011 Research Excellence Award from the Saudi Economic and

to success,” noted Prof.

Development Company (SEDCO). During a workshop at KAUST

Fréchet.

March 2013

3

A delegation from SEDCO and KAUST senior faculty members and administration, including KAUST President Choon Fong Shih, Mr. Nadhmi Al Nasr, Executive Vice President of Admin and Finance, and Prof. Uli Stingl, assemble at the Administration Building before the start of the SEDCO Research Excellence Award Workshop.

from February 19-20, Professor Stingl and his team presented

Prof. Stingl and his team

the findings of their project, “The Deep-Sea Brine Pools of

recover salt-tolerant extre-

the Red Sea: From Novel Extreme Organisms to Commercial

mophile microbes from

Applications,” to an audience of KAUST students and research-

anoxic brine pools located

ers and a delegation from SEDCO, including Anees Moumina,

at depths up to 2500 m in the Red Sea. Once samples are col-

SEDCO’s Chief Executive Officer, and Sheikh Abdelelah Salem

lected, they are assessed in the KAUST Labs to discover which

Bin Mahfouz, a member of SEDCO’s founding Bin Mahfouz fam-

extremophiles are present in them. Because extremophiles thrive

ily and the award’s main donor.

in exceptionally harsh environments, these organisms have

Prof. Stingl describes the research findings the SEDCO grant funded.

“The Red Sea is so important to [Saudi Arabia],” explained

developed unique proteins, chemicals, and metabolic pathways

Vladimir Bajic, Director of the Computational Bioscience Research

Jean Fréchet, Vice President for Research, at the opening of

that enable them to live in these conditions. Their proteins and

Center, Research Scientist Sunil Sagar, and postdoctoral fellows

the workshop. Describing the selection process for the winning

chemicals have “a very high potential for diverse biotechnologi-

Mandeep Kaur and Luke Esau, all from the Computation Bioscience

project, Prof. Fréchet noted that 19 research proposals were

cal applications,” Prof. Stingl explained.

Research Center, produced a paper published in the journal BMC

received, but the selection committee wanted to choose a project

Two voyages from KAUST to the brine pools took place in

Complementary and Alternative Medicine in early 2013 outlining

that would “really serve the nation.” Prof. Stingl’s project was

2011 and 2013, during which seven pools were visited. Although

the anti-cancer activities of bacteria isolated from the brine-seawa-

deemed “ideal.” Moumina stated that the selection of projects

there are brine pools present in other bodies of water, such as

ter interface of the Red Sea pools. It can be accessed at http://www.

like this would help “lead the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia forward

the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the pools of

biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/13/29. Extracts from Halomonas

into the future based on the strength of a knowledge-based econ-

the Red Sea are unique because their high temperatures, which

and Sulfitobacter had the highest anti-cancer properties, with the

omy,” and praised the team’s “awe-inspiring” research progress.

may reach 70˚C. From their samples, the research team isolated

team stating that other bacterial isolates must be “explored fur-

Abdullah Almojel, Vice President for University Development,

over 700 strains of extremophiles which were then assessed at

ther to find novel drug-like molecules.” Their work will continue

thanked SEDCO for their funding and “commitment to the eco-

KAUST for their potential biological and industrial uses.

throughout the rest of 2013 to uncover more potential biological

nomic growth and diversification of Saudi Arabia through

From their work, one collaborating KAUST team, led by Professor

Prof. Kurt Wüthrich addresses the audience of the International conference on Biomolecular Dynamics held recently at KAUST.

applications from the extremophiles. 

Nobel Laureate Kurt Wüthrich Keynote Speaker at Biomolecular Conference and study molecules in environments that closely mimic the physiological conditions in

Sharing Knowledge on Biomolecular Dynamics

body fluids in cells and tissues.”

NMR has become an important technique not only in three-dimensional structure determination, but also in the study of protein–ligand and protein–protein interactions, in discovering how

“We study the dynamics of biomolecules, such as proteins and RNA, in order to understand their function better,” said Xin Gao, Assistant Professor of Computational Science from the

proteins acquire their three-dimensional strucProfessor Kurt Wüthrich

Computational Bioscience Research Center, and organizer of the International Conference on

tures, and how dynamic conformational changes are important for the biological functions of pro-

Biomolecular Dynamics. The three-day mid-February conference gathered leading experts to

Nobel Laureate Kurt Wüthrich visited KAUST

teins. In the past decade, NMR structures have

KAUST, where they shared the latest knowledge on biomolecular mobility and flexibility.

to give a keynote lecture in the International

become critical in drug design, where Prof.

Conference on Biomolecular Dynamics:

Wüthrich's current research focus lies.

“Because we have both computational scientists and experimental researchers working in the same field, we wanted to bring both sides together,” said Prof. Gao. “Our goal was to try to identify

Experiment Meets Computation (ICBD).

Prof. Wüthrich is the Cecil H. and Ida M.

common interests and find ways for each side to support the other.”

Professor Wüthrich is an authority on the struc-

Green Professor of Structural Biology at The

To reach this goal, Prof. Gao invited a group of notable speakers to share the advances in their

ture and function of proteins and nucleic acids

Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, US, and

specialist area. The keynote lectures were by three renowned scientists, all authorities in their

and on developing nuclear magnetic resonance

a Professor of Biophysics at the ETH Zürich,

respective field. Prof. Kurt Wüthrich, from Scripps Research Institute and ETH Zürich, is a Nobel

(NMR) spectroscopy for the study of biologi-

Zürich, Switzerland, and pursues research at

Laureate known for developing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for studying biological mac-

cal macromolecules. He was awarded the Nobel

both institutions. His current projects have a

romolecules. Prof. Axel Brunger from Stanford University is known for developing a computer

Prize in Chemistry (2002) "for his development

special focus on the dynamics and function of

program used for solving structures based on X-ray diffraction and NMR data, and Prof. Mingjie

of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), an impor-

Zhang from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is an authority on the organiza-

determining the three-dimensional structure of

tant group of transmembrane receptors which

tion and regulation of neuronal signaling complexes and on structural and biochemical studies in

biological macromolecules in solution."

represent the targets for close to 50% of all pre-

signal transduction complex organization. The conference lectures covered recent progress in both

“While X-ray crystallography has been the

scription drugs on the market. “Although my

the experimental and computational techniques and the data interpretation challenges that have

dominant technology in structural studies, NMR

research group is not in the business of drug

arisen from the new methods.

is unique because it allows us to study biological

design, we provide information that can support

macromolecules in solution rather than as crys-

drug development by others,” Prof. Wüthrich

much better and in a more systematic way. They are also planning to initiate some promising collabo-

tals,” Prof. Wüthrich said. “We can adjust the

said. “The ultimate goal of our work is to

rations, and some of the visitors may send their graduates or postdocs to KAUST in the near future.” 

solution according to our specific requirements

improve the quality of human life.” 

On the conference outcome, Prof. Gao said: “Attendees of the conference have understood each side

4

Red Sea Expedtion

March 2013

The Beacon

A Multicorer is used to collect sediment samplings. It consists of 6 polycarbonate tubes, each about a meter long, that close on both ends when the sampler is lifted back up from the seabed.

KAUST students work in the ship’s laboratory.

Fourth Red Sea Expedition Begins

A Boxcorer acts like a multicorer except that the mechanism used to collect the sediment sampling is a box-like compartment that automatically closes when the sampler is retrieved from the seabed.

KAUST launched its fourth marine scientific expedition on February 14, continuing its quest to

at Crete Island, passed through

understand the mysteries of the Red Sea. Relatively few oceanographic studies have been conducted

the Suez Canal to the Northern

in the Red Sea, a unique body of water with high temperature, brine pools, and perhaps the world’s

Red Sea for sampling works at

longest coral reef. KAUST students and scientists, with local and international collaborators, are

the Kebrit Deep. On this leg, the main tasks onboard the vessel were for microbial ecology research

filling this information vacuum with their discoveries and research conducted on samplings and

in the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, but different measurements were also conducted for

observations through the University’s Red Sea Expedition series.

acoustic mesopelagic fish and atmospheric environment studies. Leg Two will not stray far from

“The Fourth Red Sea Expedition is a major achievement for KAUST and is a major scientific cruise

KAUST, traveling to the brine pool sites of Atlantis II, Valdivia, and Shagara Deeps for in depth

by international standards because of its duration, the number of students and scientists participating,

microbial studies. Leg Three covers the length of the Red Sea to conduct hydrography and plank-

and the number of research projects and sampling works that will be conducted,” said Abdulaziz M.

ton surveys. Leg Four, studying mesopelagic fish and brine pool acoustics, will travel as far north

Al-Suwailem, Manager of the Coastal and Marine Resources Core Laboratory, which spearheads the

as Kebrit and south to Valdivia and the Jeddah coastal area. Leg Five will stay close to home to

preparation and implementation of the expedition series.

study the Thuwal cold water seeps, and Leg Six will concentrate on deep sea corals surveying the

The voyage is composed of six cruise legs, will span 88 days at sea, and will meet the sampling requirements of over 20 studies. One hundred and ten KAUST students, research scientists and professors will be participating. They will be joined by Professor Rania Siam from the American

entire Red Sea. Although these studies are the focus of the legs, multiple studies will be ongoing on each segment.

Professor Burt Jones and colleagues from the RSRC are preparing to go out on Leg Three. Of

University of Cairo and Professor Pei-Yuan Qian from Hong Kong University of Science and

particular interest to Prof. Jones are eddies found in the Red Sea that have been identified by

Technology, each for one leg of the cruise. Also unique to this cruise is that sampling will be con-

satellites. These areas of circular seawater movements influence the exchange of biological organ-

ducted not only in the Red Sea but also in the Mediterranean for comparison purposes.

isms and transport of physical properties including heat in the Red Sea. They sometimes rotate

Previous expeditions studied large-scale oceanography, microbial genetics, coral reef ecology,

faster, expand and pulse at various times of the year. On this expedition the group will study

and deep-sea biology. These studies resulted in new discoveries and breakthrough findings, such

their structure - temperature, salinity, chlorophyll content, and particle suspension using the

as novel bacteria strains, deep-sea corals thriving at depths beyond the reach of sunlight, a cold

new LISST machine – and leave behind gliders to continue measurement of physical, chemical,

seep system with dense microbial and animal assemblages, and a high abundance of mesope-

and biological variables throughout the year. Studies on plankton and fish larvae by Professors

lagic fishes.

Irigoien and Michael Berumen, respectively, also form part of the Leg Three, which will involve

“It is our intention to move from exploration to advanced multidisciplinary research on this

the uses of ISIIS, ScanFISH, and LOPC.

expedition,” said Xabier Irigoien, Director of the Red Sea Research Center (RSRC). “Scientists will

During Leg Four, Prof. Stein Kaartvedt, also from RSRC, will set out to further investigate the

examine in-depth areas of interest discovered on previous voyages. Our long range goals are to

abundant migration behavior of mid-water (mesopelagic) fish in the Red Sea by actual net col-

study ecosystems that thrive in warmer temperatures to better plan and prepare for global warming;

lection and echosounder detection. Another interesting focus by Prof. Kaartvedt is to understand

to study novel organisms to ascertain their potential for new chemicals for industry and bioscience;

how the Red Sea brine pools impact the deep-sea organisms. Leg Five is dedicated to follow-up

to study how the abundant mesopelagic fish have adapted to warmer temperatures; and to study

studies on the newly discovered cold seep system in the central Red Sea, now named Thuwal

the deep corals and their adaptations that allow them to thrive at great depths with no sunlight, all

Seeps, through the collaboration of KAUST, HKUST, and Hellenic Center for Marine Research.

potentially important in a warming, overpopulated world.”

Finally, Leg Six will close out the expedition by undertaking more detailed studies on the ecol-

Using the chartered vessel RV Aegaeo, the same used in the 2010 and 2011 expeditions, this

ogy of deep-sea corals, which were discovered for the first time in the Red Sea during the 2011

year’s excursion will employ a more in depth analytical focus, wider sampling coverage, and

cruise. As in the previous years, the present expedition also involves research by scientists from

improved instrumentation and sampling approaches. New instruments being used this voyage are

other KAUST academic centers and core labs, such as Professor Tom Missimer from the Water

the In Situ Ichthyplankton Imaging System (ISIIS), Laser Optical Particle Counter (LOPC), Laser In

Desalination Research Center, who will study the hydrogeology at Thuwal Seeps and Professor

Situ Scattering and Transmissometry (LISST), Trios radiometer, and a towed underwater vehicle

Georgiy Stenchikov from Physical Sciences and Engineering for the study of atmospheric aero-

(ScanFISH) that will carry different sensors for measuring water properties. By integrating sev-

sols and gases over the Red Sea. With the large samples required for the entire expedition, the

eral optical sensors, like the aforementioned instruments, scientists can resolve multiple properties

University’s Core Labs also play key roles in supporting the operational and analytical needs of

within the Red Sea, study certain aspects of the biogeochemistry with measurements that provide

the different studies involved.

greater area and resolution than analytical laboratory methods, and validate and tune satellite observations to ocean color.

The different legs of the expedition will cover most of the Red Sea. Leg One began from Piraeus, Greece, moved to sampling locations in the Mediterranean Sea and, and after a brief stopover

Leg One of the Expedition was completed on March 6 when the RV Aegaeo docked at KAUST. The desired sampling scope was successfully completed even though the group encountered inclement weather in the Mediterranean that made their work more challenging. The ship sailed for Leg Two on March 9. 

Research

www.kaust.edu.sa

March 2013

5

TRACKING SUCCESS | Continued from p1 the right tweaking, it can be made hydrophilic or hydrophobic, opaque or almost transparent, delicate or strong, coarse or smooth.

Prof. Atif Shamim shows off his small, paper-based, inkjet-printed, low-cost tracking tag.

“The other major factor favoring paper is its extremely low cost, as it is approximately ten times cheaper than a plastic film,” says Prof. Shamim. Another distinct advantage of this technology involves its transition from prototype to mass-scale production, where electronics can be printed roll-to-roll and reel-to-reel with speeds of up to 30 meters per second. “This means that eventually we will be able to print low-cost and flexible electronics like newspapers and magazines with very fast turnover times,” Prof. Shamim adds.

Until recently, inkjet-printed electronics on paper were difficult to produce due to the poor conductivities of the nanoparticle inks.

The latest developments in materials science have improved these conductivities and made the inks comparable to bulk metals. This has triggered an interest in printing electronics on unconventional substrates such as plastics, glass, leather, and paper, enabling countless possible applications of this technology. For example, the wearable tracking tag can be used not only for minors but also for tracking the elderly and family pets. In addition, the ‫تابع استكشاف أمناط الدهون أحادية الطبقة‬

tags can be used for crowd management on occasions such as the Hajj and at events like concerts and football games.

Explaining the current tracking tag operation, Prof. Shamim says, “Outdoor tracking based on GPS for location identification is being used at present. The problem is that this solution does not work indoors, is bulky to wear, and is quite expensive. The edge we have is that ours is a completely integrated,

Prof. Atif Shamim and his research team examine a novel indoor/outdoor tracking tag produced by inkjet printing at KAUST in Prof. Shamim’s IMPACT Lab.

low-cost solution which works outdoors and indoors with unprecedented accuracy. It is

algorithm matches the received Wi-Fi signal

also approximately one-tenth the cost of

characteristics to the radio map and gives an

existing devices.” The tag is multilayer and

estimate of the current location. The intel-

hosts a GPS receiver chip that reads the loca-

lectual property of the device and tracking

tion of the person, which is then sent to a

scheme has been protected by a KAUST pat-

central server using a GSM/GPRS chip. The

ent application.

unit also benefits from inkjet-printed anten-

Prof. Shamim plans a demonstration day of

nas, which are on a second layer. Finally, a

his technology for potential international and

thin polymer battery is on the third layer. All

Saudi stakeholders in May on the University

of these layers are vertically integrated and

campus. Maria Douglass, acting Director of

can be packaged into any kind of clothing

Technology Transfer and Innovation within

or other similar material. The backend server

Economic Development, who assisted the team

then maps the received location on Google

with the funding and support of their work,

Maps, which can then be accessed through

anticipates a high level of interest from vis-

any internet-enabled device. Based on unique

iting Saudi and international companies. “‘It

IDs, a user can track multiple tags simulta-

sounds almost too good to be true’ was the

neously; for example, parents could view the

initial feedback,” she explains. And, because

location of all their children playing in a park.

of the low cost of inkjet printing, the project

“Our field tests have shown a tracking accu-

“could seed a whole industry, a whole new

racy of less than five meters, which is better

knowledge-driven area of the economy. This is

than state-of-the-art,” Prof. Shamim adds.

a really important project from the perspective

GPS signals become too weak as soon as

of engaging Saudi industry and entrepre-

a person moves inside a building, making

neurial businesses,” Ms. Douglass says. She

tracking indoors impossible. To address this

also praises Professor Shamim for “going the

issue, the researchers found an ingenious way

extra mile” to work with Saudi industry and

of tracking indoors using Wi-Fi, which is

companies.

available in most buildings today. “Our inte-

Both Prof. Shamim and Ms. Douglass note

grated solution seamlessly switches from GPS

that the market for personal tracking devices

to Wi-Fi tracking as a person moves inside a

is forecast to grow at a rate of 40%, reach-

building, and it estimates the person’s loca-

ing US$1 billion in 2017. Both feel that the

tion with almost identical accuracy as outdoor

group’s integrated tag has tremendous poten-

tracking. We haven’t found a similar solution

tial to be highly successful. “My motivation

anywhere in the world,” says Prof. Shamim.

for research,” says Prof. Shamim, “is to make a

For indoor tracking, the tag hosts a Wi-Fi

social impact” and to integrate technology to

chip with a custom on-paper antenna. Using

address “real-world applications so it is useful

the pre-formed radio maps of a building, the

for people.” 

‫جوجل التي يمكن الوصول إليها من خالل أي جهاز‬ ‫ وباإلمكان تعقب عدة بطاقات في‬.‫موصل باإلنترنت‬ ،‫) مميز لكل بطاقة‬ID( ‫نفس الوقت بتحديد رقم‬ ‫ يمكن لآلباء معرفة مواقع كل أطفالهم وهم‬،ً‫فمثال‬ :‫ يضيف البروفسور شميم بقوله‬.‫يلعبون في الحديقة‬ ‫"أظهرت االختبارات الميدانية لدينا دقة تتبع بأقل‬ ‫ و هي قيمة أفضل بكثير من تلك‬،‫من خمسة أمتار‬ ."ً‫التي نجدها في أحدث األجهزة المتوفرة حاليا‬ ‫ لتحديد المواقع ضعيفة للغاية‬GPS ‫تصبح إشارات‬ ‫ مما يصعب‬،‫بمجرد دخول الشخص داخل مبنى‬ ‫ وجد الباحثون‬،‫ ولحل هذه المعضلة‬.‫عملية التتبع‬ ‫وسيلة بارعة للتتبع داخل المباني باستخدام موجات‬ ‫ الالسلكية والمتوفرة اليوم في معظم‬Wi-Fi ‫ "يستطيع حلنا‬:‫ يقول البروفسور شميم‬.‫األماكن‬ Wi- ‫ الى‬GPS ‫المتكامل التبديل بسهولة من نظام‬ ‫ بمجرد دخول الشخص داخل مبنى ثم تحديد‬Fi ‫موقعه بدقة تكاد تكون متطابقة لنظام التتبع خارج‬ ‫ ولم نجد أي حل مماثل له في أي مكان في‬.‫المبنى‬ ‫ تستخدم البطاقة‬، ‫ وللتعقب داخل المبنى‬."‫العالم‬ .‫ مع هوائي مخصص على الورق‬Wi-Fi ‫شريحة‬ ‫وباستخدام خرائط الموجات الالسلكية الجاهزة‬ ‫ المستقبلة مع‬Wi-Fi ‫للمبنى تتم مطابقة اشارة‬ ‫خريطة الموجات الالسلكية وإعطاء تقدير للموقع‬ ‫ وقد تم تسجيل حقوق الملكية الفكرية‬.‫الحالي‬ ‫وبراءة االختراع للجهاز ونظام التتبع لجامعة الملك‬ .‫عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ ‫وأفصح كل من البروفسور شميم والسيدة دوغالس‬ 40٪ ‫عن توقعات نمو سوق أجهزة التتبع بمعدل‬ ‫ وهما‬.2017 ‫ مليار دوالر أمريكي في عام‬1 ‫لتصل إلى‬ ‫على قناعة كبيرة من أن بطاقة التتبع المتكاملة‬ ‫التي ابتكرها الفريق ستحقق نجاحًا كبير ًا بإذن‬ ‫"دافعي للبحوث هو أن‬:‫ يقول البروفسور شميم‬.‫اهلل‬ ‫أحدث تأثير ًا في المجتمع باستخدام التقنية لصنع‬  ."‫تطبيقات في العالم الحقيقي تخدم الناس‬

‫ خشن أو‬،‫ رقيق أو صلب‬،‫معتم أو شديد الشفافية‬ ‫ "إن العامل الرئيسي‬:‫ يقول البروفيسور شميم‬.‫ناعم‬ ،‫في تفضيلنا للورق هو تكلفته المنخفضة للغاية‬ ."‫فهو أرخص من األفالم البالستيكية بعشر مرات‬ ‫و تكمن إحدى الخصائص األخرى المتميزة لهذه‬ ‫التقنية في سرعة نقلها من مرحلة النموذج األولي‬ ‫ حيث يمكن طباعة‬،‫إلى مرحلة اإلنتاج واسع النطاق‬ ‫اإللكترونيات لفة بلفة وبكرة ببكرة بسرعة تصل‬ ‫ ويضيف البروفسور شميم‬.‫ متر في الثانية‬30 ‫الى‬ ‫ "وهذا يعني أننا سنتمكن في نهاية المطاف‬:‫بقوله‬ ‫من طباعة اإللكترونيات المرنة والمنخفضة التكلفة‬ ."‫بسرعة كبيرة كالصحف والمجالت‬ ‫ كان من الصعب إجراء الطباعة‬،‫و حتى وقت قريب‬ ‫الحبرية لإللكترونيات على الورق بسبب ضعف‬ )‫موصالت الجزيئات النانوية (المتناهية الصغر‬ ‫ و لكن حسنت التطورات األخيرة في علوم‬.‫لألحبار‬ ‫المواد هذه الموصالت وجعلت األحبار مماثلة‬ ‫ األمر الذي‬،‫لمعظم المعادن من ناحية التوصيل‬ ‫زاد من االهتمام في مجال طباعة إللكترونيات‬ ،‫ الزجاج‬،‫على أوساط غير تقليدية مثل البالستيك‬ ‫ وبالتالي الخروج بعدد ال يحصى من‬،‫ والورق‬،‫الجلود‬ ،‫ فعلى سبيل المثال‬.‫التطبيقات الممكنة لهذه التقنية‬ ‫يمكن استخدام بطاقات التتبع القابلة لالرتداء ليس‬ ‫فقط للقصر ولكن أيضا لتتبع المسنين والحيوانات‬ ‫ كما يمكن استخدام هذه البطاقات في‬.‫األليفة‬ ‫إدارة الحشود الكبيرة في مناسبات مثل الحج أو في‬ .‫الحفالت الموسيقية ومباريات كرة القدم‬ ‫و قال البروفسور شميم خالل شرحه لعملية التتبع‬ ‫ يستخدم نظام تحديد المواقع عبر‬،ً‫ "حاليا‬: ‫الحالية‬ ‫ في عملية التتبع خارج‬GPS ‫األقمار االصطناعية‬ ‫ إال أن هذا الحل ال يعمل داخل المباني‬،‫المباني‬ ‫ لكن‬.‫و يصعب ارتداؤه وتثبيته ويعد مكلفًا للغاية‬ ‫الوحدة التي ابتكرناها متكاملة تمامًا ومنخفضة‬ ‫التكلفة حيث تكلف حوالي ُعشر قيمة األجهزة‬ ‫الموجودة حاليًا وبمقدورها العمل خارج المباني‬ ‫ وتحتوي بطاقة‬."‫وداخلها وبدقة لم يسبق لها مثيل‬ ‫التتبع على عدة طبقات ومثبت بها رقاقة استقبال‬ ‫ ثم إرسال‬،‫ تقوم بتحديد موقع الشخص‬GPS ‫اإلحداثيات إلى خادم مركزي باستخدام رقاقة‬ ‫ وتستفيد الوحدة أيضًا من هوائيات‬.GSM/GPRS ،ً‫ وأخيرا‬.‫الطباعة الحبرية والمثبتة في طبقة ثانية‬ ‫ جميع‬.‫توجد بطارية بوليمر رقيقة في الطبقة الثالثة‬ ‫هذه الطبقات مدمجة بصورة رأسية ويمكن تثبيتها‬ ‫ ويقوم خادم خلفي‬.‫على أي نوع من المالبس‬ ‫باستالم إحداثيات الموقع وتحديدها على خرائط‬

6

Research

March 2013

The Beacon

Spin-Orbit Induced Torque Workshop Unveils Advances in Field of Spintronics The First International Workshop on Spin-Orbit Induced Torque was hosted at KAUST from February 24 – 26. Organized by a team from Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and the Core Labs, and chaired by Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Aurelien Manchon, the workshop explored the growing field of spin electronics, or “spintronics,” which marries nanoscale electronics and magnetism. Lectures, seminars,

Nobel Laureate Prof. Albert Fert discusses spintronics topics with KAUST students during a scientific poster presentation session at the First International Workshop on Spin-Orbit Induced Torque.

and chaired discussion groups during the workshop concentrated on developments in spin-orbit induced torque (SOIT). SOIT, an alternative method to control magnetism in nanodevices, was given increased exposure in the spintronics field by research published from Prof. Manchon’s

such as Cambridge University (UK), Korea University (Korea), the National University of Singapore

Spintronics Theory Group at KAUST in the journal Physical Review Letters in 2012 (See Beacon,

(Singapore), IBM, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (US) attended the

September, 2012), and the group continues to work on understanding and exploiting SOIT.

workshop to speak about and discuss their work with SOIT and spintronics in general. Also in

Spintronics harnesses a unique quantum property of electrons called “spin.” Although electrons do not really “spin” around an axis like a top, it is helpful to imagine their behavior this way.

attendance were KAUST faculty, approximately 20 KAUST PhD students, and 10 external PhD students. In addition to the 20 seminars given by established senior spintronics researchers, four

The rotation of electrons induces a magnetic moment which has one of two orientations, either

seminars were presented by KAUST PhD students and a postdoctoral fellow, and were, as Prof.

up or down. When the electrons’ spins are mostly aligned in the same direction (mostly all up or

Manchon noted, an excellent opportunity for the junior researchers to present their work to an

mostly all down) in a material, magnetism is created. However, conducting electrons’ spins are usu-

international academic audience.

ally half-up and half-down. If these conducting spins can be manipulated and are controlled to all

Of special note was a lecture for the workshop and the President’s Distinguished Visiting

be parallel, a spin-polarized current will be created, and the interplay between this spin-polarized

Speaker Series given by Dr. Albert Fert, Professor Emeritus of the University of Paris-Sud and

current and the magnetization of the material results in unique properties. Using these interactions

Scientific Director of a research laboratory of the Thales Company (France) and the National

in nanoscale magnetic devices is the foundation of spintronics.

Scientific Research Laboratories of France. Prof. Fert was also a joint winner of the Nobel Prize

Scientists exploit the electron’s spin and use the spin property in electronic technology, such as data storage and non-volatile memories. The manipulation of spins in various materials may ena-

in Physics in 2007, and has won various other national and international awards for his research in physics and spintronics.

ble a new generation of electronic devices to be produced, leading in turn to novel computational

Prof. Fert explored the potential of new ideas on the innovative use of spintronics during his

paradigms. Spintronics was famously used in the production of IBM’s Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR)

lecture, in particular outlining spin transfer phenomena, which will enable reduced energy con-

spin-valve head for magnetic hard-disk drives, which was developed in 1997. The GMR led to hard-

sumption when running computers, and the use of new materials, such as graphene or carbon

disk drives being able to hold very high amounts of data (up to 1 terabit/inch2).

nanotubes, which can be exploited to develop new devices through spintronics. Speaking at the

Spin-orbit induced torque (SOIT) is an alternative method of magnetization switching by electri-

lecture, KAUST President Choon Fong Shih praised Prof. Fert for “proposing to us next-generation

cal means. With SOIT, torque, a property in physics that changes the rotational motion of an object,

devices that will do the undoable,” and said he was honored to present to KAUST “one of the most

acts on the magnetization. SOIT is capable of “significantly simplif[ying] the design of devices while

outstanding scientists of [Fert’s] generation.”

opening new avenues for device development,” said Prof. Manchon, and it has “real potential” to be

Prof. Manchon stated that through “intense discussions” at the workshop, the researchers identi-

used in various electronic applications. An objective of the workshop, he explained, was to “estab-

fied various interconnected key mechanisms underlying the observations in experiments with SOIT

lish a common understanding of the complexity of the physics underlying the [SOIT] experiments.”

and spintronics. “The next step,” he explained, “is to understand these interconnections and find

Prof. Manchon also wanted to help the KAUST academic community place spintronics and SOIT

a way to probe and control their impact on device properties.” Because of the workshop’s success,

“into a broader picture, demonstrating [their] actual potential in terms of economic development as

“the tremendous developments [in spintronics] clearly call for a new workshop next year,” said Prof.

well as the beautiful fundamental physics.” The workshop was “a fantastic way to present [KAUST]

Manchon. It is his hope that the researchers can “regularly meet to carry on [their] common progress

to the spintronics community and expose our research,” he said.

in this fascinating topic.” In the future, as Prof. Fert noted in his lecture, spintronics may “take us

Visiting researchers from universities, companies, and research organizations around the world,

beyond the limits of modern technology.” 

KAUST Brings Together Top Data Analysis Scientists

Professor Mikhail Moshkov

James Calvin, and Vice President for Research Jean Fréchet for

Rough Sets theory founded by

support of year-long book preparation and bringing together

Zdzisław I. Pawlak (1926-2006) in

leading experts in the field for a workshop at KAUST.

Poland at the beginning of 1980s

In June 8-11, 2012 KAUST hosted the International Workshop

focused on dealing with not only

on Three Approaches to Data Mining. Supported financially and

imperfect but also inconsistent

logistically by KAUST Global Collaborative Research, the work-

data, and extended essentially the

shop brought together, for the first time ever, top researchers from

areas of applications.

the three areas of data analysis. The publisher, Springer, espe-

Finally, the Logical Analysis of

An international group of leading data analysis researchers,

cially for this workshop, printed 10 exemplars of the book – six

Data, the youngest of the three

led by Professor Mikhail Moshkov of King Abdullah University

month earlier the official data of publication.

approaches founded by Peter L.

of Science and Technology (KAUST)’s Applied Mathematics and

The team of scientists who collaborated on the book is com-

Hammer (1936-2006) in USA at

Computational Science program, have recently published a book,

prised of: Mikhail Moshkov, Igor Chikalov, and Beata Zielosko

the second half of 1980s, added

“Three Approaches to Data Analysis,” examining the common

from KAUST (who focused on Test Theory), Hung Son Nguyen

to the data analysis power of the

approaches of three data analysis theories: Test Theory, Rough

and Andrzej Skowron from Warsaw University, Poland (Rough

theory of partially defined Boolean

Sets and Logical Analysis of Data.

Sets), as well as Vadim Lozin and Irina Lozina from the University

functions.

While all these three theories have much in common, as they

of Warwick, UK (Logical Analysis of Data).

We expect that the book and the workshop will stimulate

are all related to Boolean reasoning, “researchers active in one

The three famous approaches to data analysis use decision

research on new data mining methods based on combination of

of these areas often have a limited knowledge about the results

trees and decision rules for data representation and classification.

Test Theory, Rough Sets and Logical Analysis of Data, explained

and methods of the other two,” said Prof. Moshkov. In an effort

Founded by Sergei V. Yablonskii (1924-1998) in USSR during

Prof. Moshkov. Such methods should be, in particular, scalable for

to stimulate new theoretical results and real-life applications from

the 1950s, Test Theory was created for imperfect consistent data

large data sets and applicable to multiple domains. 

the relationship between the three paradigms, Prof. Moshkov

study and applications ranging from military uses, to geology

approached Prof. David Keyes, Vice President for Education

(gold mining) and medicine.

Research

www.kaust.edu.sa SOFT MATTER | Continued from p1 KAUST’s Nano-biophysics Lab. A team of scien-

reach their chain-melting point. “Temperature

tists from Kent State University (Ohio, US) also

destroys the order via the ‘boundary condi-

contributed research and lab expertise for the

tions,’” explains Prof. Chaieb.

paper. It can be accessed at http://pubs.rsc.org/ en/content/articlepdf/2013/sm/c2sm26771c.

The chiral needle-like structures may be why pattern change takes place, the research-

The paper discusses how, as temperature

ers propose. As Prof. Chaieb notes, “Stripes are

increases, molecules of dynePE, a double-

inherent of the broader system, but the transi-

chained lipid, assemble to form stripes with

tion from spiral to target [pattern] is inherent

either spiral or concentric “target patterns”

to this kind of object.” The “domain centers”

when on the surface of a liquid (in this case,

of the claws enable radial packing at lower

water). DynePE molecules are chiral, a prop-

temperatures and curled packing at higher tem-

erty by which an object or molecule’s mirror

peratures, creating the two distinct patterns.

image cannot be superimposed upon itself. An

When the chain-melting point is reached, the

example is the right and left human hands:

patterns disappear as both configurational chi-

A left hand cannot be superimposed onto a

rality and chiral packing are eliminated.

right hand no matter which way the hands

“This paper is a model for self-assembly of

are turned or oriented. Chirality affects mol-

beautiful objects that is controlled by geom-

ecules from intra- to supra-molecular levels,

etry,” says Prof. Chaieb. But the patterns are

and in particular influences their self-assem-

not only pretty to look at: the mechanism that

bly. DynePE will self-assemble to form chiral

creates them may be a key to how stripes and

domains between 30 and 37˚C.

target patterns are produced in nature, where

The researchers discovered a unique property

they are found in our fingerprints, for exam-

of dynePE: unlike what was found in previous

ple. Lipid monolayers are also essential for

studies, dynePE’s domains grow in four different

forming the surfactant in lung alveoli, which

levels, beginning with long, thin, needle-shaped

is required to carry out proper breathing by

“claws” as the lipid film is compressed for view-

producing correct surface pressure in the alve-

ing using a special technique called Brewster

oli. Inhaling compresses the surfactant, which

Angle Microscopy (BAM). BAM was created in

lies on a surface of water. Surfactant is often

the lab where Prof. Chaieb did his PhD research

absent in premature babies and a condition

at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, France,

called Respiratory Distress Syndrome results,

and he himself had a part in inventing this tech-

causing labored breathing. The researchers

nique during his PhD work. Using BAM, the

believe these lipids may be able to replace the

claws bend counter-clockwise and, with fur-

missing natural surfactant, resulting in correct

ther compression, they form stripes. The stripes

alveolar surface pressure and proper breathing.

then transition from spiral to concentric tar-

As Prof. Chaieb points out, the chiral lipids

get patterns as the temperature increases. But

have “a relationship to many possible future

above 37˚C, the domains fall apart as the lipids

biological applications.” 

‫ ويقول البروفسور شايب "درجة الحرارة تدمر‬.‫الدهون‬ ."‫النظام عبر الظروف الحدودية‬ ‫تغير األنماط قد‬ ‫وراء‬ ‫ويذكر الباحثون أن السبب‬ ّ ‫ ويشير‬.‫يكون الهياكل الغير متناظرة الشبيهة باإلبرة‬ ‫البروفسور شايب إلى أن أنماط الخطوط متأصلة‬ ‫في نفس النظام لكن التحول من الشكل اللولبي‬ ‫إلى النمط المستهدف متأصل في هذا النوع من‬ ‫ وتسمح "مراكز النطاق" الخاصة بالنمط‬.‫األجسام‬ ‫المخلبي من الربط اإلشعاعي في درجات الحرارة‬ ‫المنخفضة والربط الملتف في درجات الحرارة العالية‬ ‫ وتتالشى األنماط‬.‫وبذلك تنتج لنا نمطين مختلفين‬ ‫عند الوصول إلى نقطة االنصهار بزوال كل من خاصية‬ .‫التهيئة الالتناظرية والربط الالتناظري‬ ‫ويذكر البروفسور شايب بأن هذا البحث ُيعد نموذجًا‬ ‫تمهيديًا عن التجمع الذاتي ألجسام جميلة الشكل يتم‬ ‫ وال تتركز فائدة هذه األنماط‬.ً‫التحكم بها هندسيا‬ ‫تشكلها قد تكون المفتاح‬ ‫بجمالها فقط بل إن آلية‬ ّ ‫لمعرفة كيف تنتج هذه الخطوط واألنماط المستهدفة‬ ‫ مثل تلك الخطوط الموجودة في بصمات‬،‫في الطبيعة‬ ‫ والدهون أحادية‬.‫أصابعنا على سبيل المثال ال الحصر‬ ‫الطبقة ضرورية أيضا لتشكيل المادة الخافضة للتوتر‬ ‫السطحي في الحويصالت الهوائية في الرئة والتي تلعب‬ ‫دورًا مهمًا في عملية التنفس بإنتاجها ضغط سطحي‬ ‫صحيح داخل تلك الحويصالت وبالتالي القدرة على‬ ‫ وال تتواجد أحيا ًنا هذه المادة‬.‫التنفس بصورة طبيعية‬ ‫ وتسمى هذه الحالة بمتالزمة‬،‫الخدج‬ ُ ‫في األطفال‬ ‫ ويلفت البروفسور‬.‫الضائقة التنفسية أو عسر التنفس‬ ‫شايب النظر إلى أن هذه الدهون الغير متناظرة سوف‬ ‫يكون لها عالقة بالعديد من التطبيقات البيولوجية‬  .‫المحتملة في المستقبل‬

March 2013

7

‫تابع استكشاف أمناط الدهون أحادية الطبقة‬

‫الفيزياء الحيوية النانوية (بتقنية النانو) في جامعة‬ .‫الملك عبداهلل للعلوم و التقنية‬ ‫ – وهي‬dynePE ‫وتناقش الورقة كيفية تجمع جزيئات‬ ‫ على األسطح‬- ‫عبارة عن دهون مزدوجة السلسلة‬ ‫السائلة (الماء في هذه الحالة) بارتفاع الحرارة‬ ‫لتشكل خطوط "أنماط مستهدفة" إما لولبية أو‬ ‫ ومن خصائص هذه الجزيئات أنها‬.‫متحدة المركز‬ ‫ أي ال يمكن أن تتناظر صورة‬،‫غير متناظرة في المرآة‬ ‫ ومثال على‬.‫الجزيء في المرآة مع أصلها في الواقع‬ ‫ذلك اليد اليمنى واليد اليسرى لإلنسان والتي ال‬ ‫ وتؤثر خاصية عدم التناظر في‬.‫يمكن أن تتناظران‬ ‫المرآة على الجزيئات من المستوى الجزيئي البيني‬ ‫ كما تؤثر بصورة خاصة على عملية‬،‫إلى السطحي‬ ‫ بالتجمع‬dynePE ‫ وتبدأ جزيئات‬.‫تجمعها الذاتية‬ ‫الذاتي لتشكيل النطاقات الغير متناظرة عند درجة‬ .‫ درجة مئوية‬37 ‫ و‬30 ‫الحرارة بين‬ dynePE ‫واكتشف الباحثون خاصية فريدة لدهون‬ ،‫تختلف عن ما تم التوصل إليه في الدراسات السابقة‬ ‫ حيث‬،‫وهي تشكل أنماطها في أربع مستويات مختلفة‬ ‫تكون في البداية على شكل إبرة رقيقة وطويلة تشبه‬ ‫"المخالب" و يتم ذلك بضغط شريط الدهون لعرضه‬ ‫باستخدام تقنية خاصة تسمى الفحص المجهري بزاوية‬ ‫ وهي التقنية التي شارك البروفسور‬،)BAM( ‫بروستر‬ ‫شايب في ابتكارها في المختبر الذي أجرى فيه بحث‬ .‫درجة الدكتوراه في مدرسة األساتذة العليا في باريس‬ ‫وباستخدام هذه التقنية تنحني "المخالب" عكس‬ ‫ وبزيادة الضغط تبدأ بتشكيل‬،‫اتجاه عقارب الساعة‬ ‫خطوط والتحول من أشكال لولبية الى أنماط متحدة‬ ‫ لكنها تتفكك عند الوصول‬.‫المركز بارتفاع الحرارة‬ ‫ درجة مئوية وهي نقطة انصهار‬37 ‫لدرجة حرارة‬

Shocking Chaos “For decades, physicists and mathematicians have searched for a simple model to predict chaotic shock waves,” said Aslan Kasimov, Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science in the Division of Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and

Aslan Kasimov (front row, second from right) and his team of PhD students and postdoctoral fellows

Engineering. His team has recently proposed an equation that captures almost all of the com-

that it provides a convincing demonstration that behind the complicated chaotic solutions seen

plex chaotic dynamics of explosion shocks.

in simulations of detonation waves, there is a simple mechanism hidden, so simple in fact that it

Professor Kasimov heads the University’s curiosity-driven Physical Mathematics Laboratory. “I

can be captured by a single scalar partial differential equation,” he said. Difficulties with analysis

am very fortunate to have a talented and diverse group of postdocs and students,” he said. “In this

of detonation shocks have led some researchers to even speculate that the detonation may be a

particular research, the key contribution was made by my PhD student Luiz Faria.”

“no-theory” phenomenon, that we may be unable to describe it – even in principle – by anything

The new equation is perhaps the simplest partial differential equation to predict chaotic solu-

simpler than the full set of equations of gas dynamics. “Our model is an example refuting such

tions, but simplicity does not imply triviality. “It’s simply one scalar equation that has one time

pessimistic view and motivating search for simpler theories. We have shown that the secret is

derivative, one space derivative, and that’s it. But it has an extremely complicated set of solutions

there, the secret is simple, and it just needs to be found,” Prof. Kasimov concluded.

– extremely complicated,” Prof. Kasimov said.

“We expect that its richness will be of interest to scientists specializing in shock waves, dynamical systems, and the theory of partial differential equations. Perhaps, its biggest significance is

Dragon TIS Spotter: an Arabidopsis-derived predictor of translation initiation sites in plants

The research was done in collaboration with Dr. Rosales from MIT. The paper, “A model for shock-wave chaos,” will be published in the journal Physical Review Letters, doi:10.1103/ PhysRevLett.110.104104. 

and Haitham Ashoor, and Senior Research Scientist Dr. Boris Jankovic. The CBRC project was led by the Center’s Director, Prof. Vladimir Bajic.

“Recognizing TIS signal motifs in genomic DNA sequences is much more complex than recognizing them in mRNA or cDNA sequences. Methods and tools that can solve this problem are important for gene discovery and genome annotation,” Prof. Bajic said. “The high-accuracy prediction tool that has resulted from the new methodology we developed is, to the best of our knowledge, the only publicly available predictor of TIS motifs in plant DNA sequences.”

The research team hopes that the tool will aid the studies and annotation of plant gene properties, and provide a further insight into the mechanisms of translation initiation.

The web-based tool is freely accessible at http://cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/dts. The paper, “Dragon TIS

The Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC) team has developed a new method-

Spotter: an Arabidopsis-derived predictor of translation initiation sites in plants,” is available at

ology and a web tool to predict translation initiation sites (TISs) in plant genome sequences.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bioinformatics/bts638. 

The application was published in the leading Mathematical and Computational Biology journal Bioinformatics, with three equally contributing researchers: PhD students Arturo Magana-Mora

8

Community

March 2013

The Beacon

photos of the month

Sunset Concert at the University Library

KAUST’s talented Sunset Concert performers pose at the February 9 event.

The latest Sunset Concert featured a collection of pieces performed by

my university GOWRY HODGE

the community’s talented musicians, featured works by Handel, Vivaldi, and Beethoven, and included one of the most famous pieces of Chinese music for violin, Butterfly Lovers. Perhaps the most touching pieces of the program were three works written and composed by KAUST community members, all

Gowry Hodge joined KAUST in January 2009 as one of the University’s founding mem-

of which featured lyrics honoring love and friendship, commemorating the

bers. “We worked from the interim office on Prince Sultan Street in Jeddah, and lived at the

library’s founding director, Joseph Branin, who passed away in December.

Sierra Compound,” she said. “I had never worked outside of London so this was indeed a

Professor David Keyes, a performer in the concert, noted that the “perfect”

change. I arrived with six recruits from London and Ireland, and we felt togetherness, not

Library venue was made even more ideal because it was Branin himself who

alone in our new job, new city, and new culture.”

first suggested concerts should take place there once a month. “The program

Gowry is the Senior Executive Secretary to General Counsel William Stamm. “Why KAUST?

was somber in terms of the music and lyrics,” Prof. Keyes said, “but at the

Why not? At this point in life I could travel, change jobs, do whatever I felt like doing. I

same time celebratory of the life of the mind and heart that [Branin] culti-

enjoy my work, and the team I work with. I also like the location.”

vated personally and professionally.”

Gowry joined KAUST from a Scottish law firm in the City of London, UK. She is a professional, a mother,

Branin’s positive influence will be lasting at KAUST. As Amy Stoll, a

and an athlete. She has five national (England) titles in Women's 400 meters hurdles, and has represented

KAUST Schools teacher and concert performer stated, Branin stood for “the

England in World Championships, Commonwealth games, and the Olympics. She reached her personal best

actualization of talent and commitment and making a difference in the

(54.63s) in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic game semifinals, and won silver at the 1998 Commonwealth Games

world, and he will continue to be a role model for us all.” 

in Malaysia. In 1992, she qualified to represent not just England but the whole of Europe at the IAAF World Cup in Cuba, and won silver.

Outside of work, Gowry’s time is spent with her Australian Shepherd, Red. “I take Red out on the bike, spend

Assist. Prof. Muhammad Mustafa Hussain Selected To Be Distinguished Lecturer

time with friends, and do sports. KAUST is an ideal place to do sport!” 

Professor Sigurdur Thoroddsen Elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society

Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering (Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and

Mechanical Engineering Professor Sigurdur Thoroddsen (Physical Sciences

Engineering Division), has been selected to be a Distinguished Lecturer for

and Engineering Division) was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

the IEEE Electron Devices Society (EDS) for 2013 and 2014. EDS is a vibrant

He received the honor “for the development and use of high-speed imaging to

professional community of researchers from semiconductor industries like

understand the dynamics of small-scale multiphase and interfacial flows, leading

Intel, IBM, Global Foundries, Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic, HP, and Texas

to fundamental new understanding of the behavior of bubbles and drops, breakup

Instruments.

and coalescence, cavitation, splashes and other free surface flows.”

The IEEE sponsored EDS Distinguished Lecturer Program provides EDS

Additionally, he and his group had a strong showing at the 65th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid

chapters with quality lecturers who are experts in their fields. The lectur-

Dynamics in San Diego, CA, held in November 2012, where he and his collaborators presented research results

ers travel to various technical and regional groups to present at events.

in seven separate talks. 

This is the first time an assistant professor has been selected for this honor

by IEEE EDS. 