As part of the Regulation of Gene Expression course in the Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology at Al-Quds Bard College/Al-Quds University, Dr. Jessica Gu from the Stanford Cancer Institute/ Stanford University School of Medicine was invited to give a lecture to the students. The lecture, titled "Transcriptional Regulation of Telomerase in Cancer" took place on April 27th 2024 via zoom. This exciting lecture was not limited to the enrolled students of Regulation of Gene Expression course but was also open, free of charge, to students from various universities in Palestine.

Al-Quds University participated in the third annual meeting of the Academic Network for Development Dialogue(ANDD), which it chaired this year, under the theme "Success Stories in Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in Education, Research, and Practice" in Doha, Qatar.

Al-Quds University's College of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Dean of Scientific Research, organized a lecture on Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and ChatGPT and their applications in higher education and scientific research. The lecture was virtually delivered by Associate Professor Dr. Raed Al-Zughol via the Zoom platform.

The Associate Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Al-Quds University, Dr. Youssef Najajreh, has submitted a request to register a new Palestinian-origin and development patent with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO-PCT). The patent focuses on the identification and discovery of compounds that inhibit the cellular division of cancer cells. This achievement is the result of years of work in designing and preparing novel chemical compounds that effectively halt the proliferation/division of leukemia cancer cells.

The Deanship of Scientific research and Medical Student Research Club are thrilled to unveil the Special Edition of PalStudent Journal, featuring in-depth coverage of the remarkable proceeding of the Medical Student Research Club 2nd Summit.

The Palestinian Neuroscience Initiative at Al-Quds University organized a meeting for the "Pediatric Medicine Research Initiative" under the auspices of the Deanship of Scientific Research, in the presence of Dr. Nicholas Theodore, a neurosurgeon and researcher at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and medical students from Al-Quds University and Stanford.

The Faculty of Medicine at Al-Quds University held the second conference of the Scientific Research Club, "The 2nd MRC Summit," where members of the club, including students and graduates, presented their 17 research projects. The conference was attended by the university president, academic and administrative staff, and members of the club.

The university aims to create a research-based university and has dedicated a part of its budget to supporting scientific research and research clubs. 30% of the university's research is produced by students, and the university hopes that all of its students will have the ability to write and publish in reputable journals.

The Research Club of the Faculty of Dentistry and the Pharmacy Club at Al-Quds University organized an intensive course on the basics of scientific research for students from both colleges. The course lasted for two days, during which 30 students from the two colleges participated and earned 15 accredited hours. The event was supervised by the Dean of Scientific Research. The course covered various topics related to scientific research, from the initial steps of research to the publication and presentation of research findings at local and international conferences. Several speakers from different fields shared their experiences and expertise with the students.

Ahmad Mansour, a student at Al-Quds University's Faculty of Medicine, presented a research paper on lung cancer risk factors at the World Lung Cancer Congress (WCLC 2022) in Vienna, Austria. The paper, prepared by a Palestinian research team led by Dr. Muhammad Al-Shami and Mansour himself, aimed to assess the participants' awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer and identify ways to reduce the incidence and mortality of the disease.

Thanks to the travel grant provided by Al-Quds University, Mansour had the opportunity to meet leading researchers and doctors in the field of lung cancer and thoracic surgery, attend lectures and seminars, and review the latest research abstracts. He was also accepted as a member of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), which will facilitate the development of treatment options and scientific research in lung cancer.

The study surveyed a total of 5,174 participants from the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. It found that 50% of the study group were aware of 7-10 out of 10 risk factors for lung cancer, with smoking being the most recognized factor and family history of lung cancer the least. Smokers were less aware of the link between smoking and lung cancer than non-smokers.

The study's next step is to raise awareness of the risk factors and optimize targeting people in different environments using effective methods. The study found that participants over 45 years old, with post-secondary education, and earning salaries exceeding the minimum wage were more likely to be aware of the risk factors. The ultimate goal is to reduce the incidence and mortality of lung cancer by promoting early diagnosis and increasing patients' ability to manage symptoms based on their specific risk factors.

Mansour's presentation at the WCLC 2022 demonstrated Palestinian awareness of lung cancer and the commitment of Al-Quds University to supporting research and education in this field.