Scientific Research in Bethlehem University Receiving International Acclaim

June 10, 2004. Faculty researchers in the various laboratories of Bethlehem University are breaking new grounds in technological methodologies and scientific discoveries which help society and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

In the UNESCO Biotechnology Research Center, one of five centers in the whole world, Dr. Naim Iraqi and his colleagues are conducting research on nematodes, very small living organs that combat insects and pests on plants so as to avoid using chemical pesticides. Steinernema sp is one of the nematodes discovered by the Bethlehem University team, and it is likely to be recognized as a new species altogether.

The Center is also doing research on plant viruses, a valuable service for farmers. Bethlehem University has the only lab in the Palestinian areas where plant viruses can be detected.

In another Lab, the Water and Soil Environmental Research Unit (WSERU), Dr. Alfred Abed Rabbo, Brother David Scarpa, and their team, are conducting research on water and the environment. They are studying pollution in the water supply and developing ways for conserving water resources and monitoring over-consumption from the artisan wells.

The Hereditary Research Center, led by Dr. Moi'n Kanaan, is doing research on the genetics of hearing loss, especially in certain geographic locations in Palestine where there is a high ratio of congenital deafness. Bethlehem University researchers are taking blood samples from families with high incidents of deafness and sequencing their DNA in a detailed manner. Research done at Bethlehem University led to the discovery of several new genes that cause deafness.

In Physics, Prof. Hanna Hallak is doing research on solar energy and how to build solar heaters and dryers. He is also working on the design of new composite material that can serve as highly efficient solar sells. For several years now Dr. Hallack has been collecting data about the daily amount of sunshine in the Bethlehem area.

In a different field, Prof. Henry Jacquaman, Research Coordinator at Bethlehem University, is conducting research in computational cell biology. He is trying to create a mechanical model illustrating how cells can move, applying the laws and principles of physics to the study complex objects such as living cells.