Palestine Polytechnic University

Palestine-Korea Biotechnology Center

Animal Health and Virology

GROUP LEADER: Dr. Robin Abu Ghazaleh 

STAFF:

  • Mr. Hasan Altarda 
  • Dr. Basim Turman (Adjunct Researcher)
  • Dr. Jehad El Ibrahim (Adjunct Researcher)
M.Sc. Students and graduates :
  • Eng. Loay AbuEed
  • Ms. Insaf Abu Oudah
  • Ms. Dua Gheith
  • Ms. Wala Ihmidat
  • Mr. Ahmad Rabbaa
  • Ms. Alaa Sharawi
  • Ms. Asma Harb
  • Ms. Dua’a Abu Shkhaidem
  • Mr. Mohammed al-Sawalhe
  • Mr. Mohammad Yousef Manasrah
  • Ms. Maryam Amr

GROUP RESEARCH:

  • Molecular epidemiology and control of contagious ecthyma (CE) infections in sheep, which is caused by orf virus. Our studies have quantified the severity of disease in sheep and goats of differing ages, and we are seeking to understand how to reduce mortality in new born lambs and overcome viral subversion of the host immune system.
  • Avian virus diagnostics and prevention is of vital importance to the Palestinian poultry industry. We have recently initiated lines of research to develop vaccine matching and efficacy tests for Infectious bronchitis virus and Newcastle disease virus.
  • Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) surveillance of sheep and cattle focuses upon tracking the molecular evolution of FMDV endemic to Palestine, the detection of fresh incursions and development of improved diagnostic tests.

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Inas  Mousa Abu Sabha, Israa Ziad Aleiadeh, Manar Mohammed Aljubeh, Rawan Azzam Zghier, and Robin Abu Ghazaleh. Vaccine validation for commercial Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccines. 6th Students Innovation Conference {first prize for innovation} (25th May, 2017)
  • Dua'a Abu Shkhaidem, Jehad El-Ibrahim, Basem Turman  and Robin Abu Ghazaleh. Characterization of Orf virus loads ecthymous scabs for autologous vaccine development in Palestinian sheep. The 6th Palestinian International Congress Medical Association-Jerusalem Center, Qasr AL-Mutamaraat, Bethlehem. {first prize for best poster} (20th Oct, 2016).
  • Wael Alqaisi, Robin Abu Ghazaleh, and Jabir Alumor. Isolation, identification and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria from the milk of sheep with mastitis in the northern West Bank. 3rd Agricultural Conference: The Reality of Animal Resources, Pastures and Agricultural Extension in the Jordan Valley – organized by Al-Quds Open University / Faculty of Agriculture in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Danish Regional Agricultural Project – Oasis Hotel, Jericho (27th May, 2015).
  • Wael Alqaisi, Robin Abu Ghazaleh, Yasser O. Ishtayyeh, Abdullah Khalil and Ayman Hejazi. “A study of the etiology and treatment of fish disease in aquaculture farms in Palestine”. Food Security Prospects and Challenges Conference. College of Agriculture , Al-Najah University, Al-Najah (30th Oct, 2014).
  • Dua'a Deeb Abu Shkhaidem and Robin Abu Ghazaleh. “Characterization of ORF Virus Infectivity from Palestinian Sheep and Goat Isolates in Animal Cell Culture”. Palestine Polytechnic University, Students’ Creativity Conference III (18th June 2014).
  • Maryam Amr and Robin Abu Ghazaleh. “Isolation of Two Pathogenic Serovars of Salmonella from Municipal Solid Wastes at Yatta Landfill”. [ Full paper ] International Conference on Energy & Environmental Protection in Sustainable Development PPU- Palestine (9-10/October, 2013)
  • Mohammed Yahia Ismaiel Alswalhe, Mohammad Yousef Manaserah, Hasan Altarda and Dr Robin Abu Ghazaleh. “Effects of Sheep Brain-Derived Factors on Primary Cultures of Kidney Cells” [Full Paper] Palestine Polytechnic University, Students’ Creativity Conference II. (12th June 2013).
  • Maryam Amr and Robin Abu Ghazaleh. “Microbes in Municipal Solid Waste and Public Health”. [Oral presentation]  Palestinian forum for Medical Research, 3rd Biomedical research Symposium (13th April, 2013).
OTHER ACTIVITIES:

  • “Coronavirus testing, evolution of variants, vaccines and local epidemiology” Lecture for the South Hebron Educational Directorate via Teams (4th March, 2021).

  • “The epidemic situation in Palestine” National lecture given with the Dean of Higher Education and Scientific Research at Palestine Polytechnic University via zoom (31st December, 2020).

  • “Scrapie resistance marker selection for local sheep improvement” Workshop about improvement of animal production in Palestine at the Red Crescent Society Headquarters organized by the National agricultural Research Center– Ramallah. (2nd May, 2017)

  • “Applied virology for Palestinian veterinary research” at Biotechnology research trends in Korea and Palestine workshop, Konkuk University, Seuol, South Korea (14th July, 2016).
  • “Autologous Vaccine development for orf virus strains isolated from infected scabs of Palestinian sheep” Presented at Jordan Bio Industries Center (JOVAC), Amman, Jordan (11th Jan, 2016).
  • “FMD surveillance in Palestine” Presented at Jordan Bio Industries Center (JOVAC), Amman, Jordan (11th Jan, 2016).
  • “Orf virus vaccination using locally derived virus”. Organized by Pro Pharma Company Dura, Hebron. PALESTINE. (24th Dec, 2015).
  • “Concluding Project Workshop for Knowledge-base and Standard Operating procedure for Orf virus vaccination using locally derived virus”. Organized by United Nations FAO at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) at Qabatiyah, Jenin. PALESTINE. (9th Sep, 2015).
  • “5th EuFMD Latest Results of Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of FMDV isolates from current outbreak in Palestine”. Organized by UN-FAO at Ramallah, Ministry of Agriculture Building, 6th Floor Meeting Room. PALESTINE. (13th May, 2015).
  • “Knowledge-base and SOP for Orf virus vaccination using locally derived virus”. Organized by the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) at Qabatiyah, Jenin. PALESTINE. (7th Apr, 2015).
  • “Discussing Palestine Polytechnic University business partnership”. Funded by the World Bank, held at the College of Veterinary Science, Konkuk University. Seoul, SOUTH KOREA. (20th Jan, 2015).
  • “Serving the community at the national and local level through surveillance and treatment programs for infectious diseases in Palestinian livestock”. Organized by DAAD  at Hebron University, PALESTINE. (30th Nov 2014).
  • “4th EuFMD Latest Results of Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of FMDV isolates from current outbreak in Palestine”. Organized by UN-FAO at the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Arub, PALESTINE. (12th Nov, 2014).
  • “2nd EuFMD Latest Results of Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of FMDV isolates from current outbreak in Palestine”. Organized by UN-FAO at Ramallah, Ministry of Agriculture Building, 6th Floor Meeting Room. PALESTINE. (6th March, 2014).