Research

Research

KAUST is a state-of-the-art research university with a broad range of expertise in science and engineering. Such expertise is required if we are to meet our goal of finding novel solutions to develop sustainable crop production systems for the kingdom by 2030.

"The Center for Desert Agriculture is a premier research institution where we do basic biology and research to try to translate our biological discoveries into practical solutions."

- Professor Rod A. Wing

Director of the CDA

Professor of Plant Science

Principal Investigator of the Wing Lab

"We have digital technologies and biotechnologies, and bringing together those new opportunities gives us high hope for making large improvements in our food production systems."

- Professor Mark Tester

Associate Director of the CDA

Professor of Plant Science

Principal Investigator of the Salt Lab

RESEARCH THEME

The CDA has a primary focus on the research theme “field-based cropping systems”, with three collaborative projects covering important aspects of sustainable agroecosystem agriculture in the KSA.

Fast Fit Palms

A molecular toolbox for efficient date palm breeding

Native Genome

Interrogating terrestrial ecosystems to promote biodiversity conservation and combat desertification and climate change

Neo-domestication

An integrative omics approach to unlock the potential of underutilized and wild plant species for sustainable desert agriculture

RESEARCH GROUPS

Our international team of scientists investigate a broad variety of biology topics within 10 specialized research laboratories.

BioActives Lab

Professor Salim Al-Babili

Cereal Genetics and Genomics Lab

Professor Simon Krattinger

Darwin21 Lab

Professor Heribert Hirt

Laboratory for Genome Engineering and Synthetic Biology

Professor Magdy Mahfouz

Laboratory of Plant Cell and Developmental Biology

Professor Ikram Blilou

Plant Breeding and Genetics Lab

Professor Jesse Poland

Salt Lab

Professor Mark Tester

Stress Granule Lab

Professor Monika Chodasiewicz

Wing Lab

Professor Rod Wing

Wulff Lab

Professor Brande Wulff

RESEARCH FACILITIES

Our researchers have access to state-of-the-art lab space, plant growth facilities, field site plots, and greenhouse rooms.

ANALYTICAL FACILITIES

BIOANALYTICAL FACILITIES

GENERAL FACILITIES

IMAGING FACILITIES

MICROBIOLOGY, CELL, AND TISSUE CULTURING FACILITIES

PLANT GROWTH FACILITIES