Fatimah Aljedaani

Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdoctoral fellow

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Research Interests

I have extensive research experience in genome engineering, molecular and cell biology, and biotechnology. My recent work involves genetically modifying cyanobacteria, such as Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, to enhance metabolic pathways for the production of valuable bioactive compounds, such as saffron pigments. I aim to become a leader in bioscience research, driving innovation in microbial biotechnology and sustainable bioengineering. Additionally, I strive to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by advancing scientific research and biotechnology, fostering innovation, and training future generations of researchers to strengthen the country’s position in the global scientific community.

Selected Publications

  • The dual function of EMB1579 in transcription and splicing governs tissue patterning in the Arabidopsis root meristem. (in progress). Fatimah Aljedaani et al.
  • The BIRD protein NUTCRACKER controls stem cell niche maintenance and radial patterning in rice roots. Gwendolyn K. Kirschner, F. Aljedaani, Haroon Butt, Magdy Mahfouz, Ikram Blilou (in progress).
  • The wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr43 encodes an unusual protein kinase. Nature Genetics (2023). Guotai Yu, Oadi Matny, Spyridon Gourdoupis, Naganand Rayapuram, Fatimah R. Aljedaani, Yan L. Wang, Thorsten Nürnberger, Ryan Johnson, Emma E. Crean, Isabel M.-L. Saur, Catherine Gardener, Yajuan Yue, Ngonidzashe Kangara, Burkhard Steuernagel, Sadiye Hayta, Mark Smedley, Wendy Harwood, Mehran Patpour, Shuangye Wu, Jesse Poland, Jonathan D. G. Jones, T. Lynne Reuber, Moshe Ronen, Amir Sharon, …Brande B. H. Wulff
  • ZAXINONE SYNTHASE 2 regulates growth and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in rice. Plant Physiology (2022). Abdugaffor Ablazov, Cristina Votta, Valentina Fiorilli, Jian You Wang, Fatimah Aljedaani, Muhammad Jamil, Aparna Balakrishna, Raffaella Balestrini, Kit Xi Liew, Chakravarthy Rajan, Lamis Berqdar, Ikram Blilou, Luisa Lanfranco, Salim Al-Babili
    • A Semi-In Vivo Transcriptional Assay to Dissect Plant Defense Regulatory Modules. Springer (2021). F. Aljedaani, N. Rayapuram, I. Blilou.
    • CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis by translocation of Cas9 protein into plant cells via the Agrobacterium type IV secretion system. Frontiers in Genome Editing (2020). DJ Schmitz, Z. Ali, C. Wang, F. Aljedaani, P.J.J. Hooykaas, M. Mahfouz.
    • Engineering RNA Virus Interference via the CRISPR/Cas13 Machinery in Arabidopsis. Viruses (2018). R. Aman, A. Mahas, H. Butt, Z. Ali, F. Aljedaani, M. Mahfouz.
    • RNA virus interference via CRISPR/Cas13a system in plants. Genome Biology (2017). R. Aman, Z. Ali, H. Butt, A. Mahas, F. Aljedaani, M.Z. Khan, S. Ding, M. Mahfouz.
    • Engineering resistance against Tomato yellow leaf curl virus via the CRISPR/Cas9 system in tomato. BMC Plant Biology (2017). M. Tashkandi, Z. Ali, F. Aljedaani, A. Shami, M.M. Mahfouz.

    Education

    • Ph.D. in Bioscience – June 2024. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, KSA.
    • Master of Science in Plant Science – May 2018. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, KSA.
    • Bachelor of Science in Biology (Genomics and Biotechnology) – December 2012. King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA – Faculty of Science.

    KAUST Affiliations

    Prof. Salim Al-Babili's Group

    BESE – Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division