USJ- 2009

2009 1

OBJECTIVES: Help young graduates and researchers, bearing ideas and projects, looking for scientific validation of their ideas, to create start-ups with possible incubation in Berytech.

Berytech was established in the year 2000 with the contribution of numerous Lebanese banks and enterprises and supported by the Agence Française du Développement.

Contribution to the development of the knowledge society in the Middle-East and anticipation of future jobs in the scientific field.

2008 2

The PTS is located in a complex that can

accomodate up to a thousand students, Faculty and researchers on a surface area of 65 000 m² (which includes 25

000 m² of underground space) the cost of which is estimated to approximately

35 million dollars)

11

Terrasse

Plans

PTSPTS

ADM. & LIEUX DE VIE

ADM. & LIEUX DE VIE

CENTRE SPORTIF

CENTRE SPORTIF

Seven themes for research in the field of medical sciences have been adopted.

Genetics - Oncogenetics Biomaterials - Biophysics Drugs, Therapeutical innovations &

métabolic pathologies Pathological Agents - vaccinology Nutrition Physiopathology & bio-medical applications Studies of populations

2009 5

Genetics - Oncogenetics This department is already functional and

its relocation in the PTS will ensure a development of its activities and a pooling of certain common resources with other departments.

Its regional activities are spreading gradually because of the widespread pathologies it is treating in the Middle-East.

2009 6

Biomaterials - Biophysics This department comprises on one hand a laboratory that

controls dental product components as well as their efficiency, and on the other hand a biophysical laboratory that can reproduce the locomotors apparatus which includes bone structures and muscles. This enables motion analysis and a preliminary study on stereo radiography.

In the dental laboratory, research activities are implemented but service providing is so far absent. It shall be necessary to prospect the market and to re-orient some of its activities, whereas the laboratory of orthopedic biophysics requires high-cost equipment for which we are seeking through external financing

2009 7

Drugs, Therapeutical innovations & métabolic pathologies

This department is still in an emerging state and its activities are limited to fundamental research. Its development depends on the market demands and on the financing it will get. It comprises toxicology studies and study of lipid metabolism pathologies.

2009 8

Pathological Agents - vaccinology A memorandum of understanding was

signed with Merieux Foundation which will finance the equipment of a Laboratory that will work on pathological agents in collaboration with several laboratories set up by the Foundation in Asia, Africa and South America to track the mutation of viruses and infectious diseases.

According to this convention a transfer of know how and expertise in the development of vaccines will help this laboratory to provide many services in the Middle east in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of pathological agents.

2009 9

Nutrition The research in this field is focused on the

anatomy, the overweight, the special diet for sports practice, the development of a line of reduced fat food and the chemical and bacterial control of the components of food and beverages.

2009 10

The Lebanese human tissues unit works on the cells culture for the healing of the eye after surgery or trauma and the insertion of bone fragments during orthopedic surgery, the unit is extending its works to skin. The physiopathology unit studies the molecular mechanisms involved in certain human organs (heart, kidney,..) with associated diseases in these organs.

The fields that interest the laboratory are the following:◦ Public Health and epidemics, ◦ Education, human development, social insertion, ◦ Public policy◦ Virtual reality lab The virtual reality lab puts the subjects into a simulated

situation and monitors their organic reaction. The first applications are related to children attention in a classroom (focus, hyperactivity,…) and memory loss as well as recognition of objects met on a path to diagnose the stages of Alzheimer

The Board of the PTS includes Rector René Chamussy s.j., Vice-rector for administration Joseph Nassar s.j., Deans Dolla Sarkis, Fernand Dagher, Nada Naaman, Wajdi Najem, Toufic Rizk, Mr. Walid Khoury and Mr. Georges Aoun.

The scientific committee includes: the director of PTS, the scientific director and a responsible for each of the seven research departments; in addition to Mrs. Denise PAULIN, Mr. André GARCIA, Mr. Gérard DEVAUCHELLE and Mr. Michel SIXOU.

The strategic committee includes: Misters Maroun Chammas (Berytech), Sélim Ghorayeb (Algorithm),Ghazi Sarraf (Pharmaline) and Roger Nasnas (CESL) as well as MM. Benoit Miribel (Fondation Merieux), Ara Hovanessian (Institut Pasteur) and Nicolas Levy (INSERM)

Website: www.pts.usj.edu.lb E-mail: pts@usj.edu.lb Address: Pôle Technologie Santé Damascus Road, next to the National Museum,

PO Box 17-5208 Beirut, Lebanon