The Department of  Biology at the College of Science, University of Mosul, discussed a PhD dissertation on Sunday, 24 May 2026, entitled:

“Study of Gut Microbiota Diversity and the Level of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) Metabolite in Patients with Atherosclerosis.”

Part of the discussion session was attended by the Head of the Department of Life Sciences, along with a number of faculty members and postgraduate students.

The dissertation, submitted by the doctoral candidate Raqaa Abdul Mohsen Mohammed Saleh Al-Obaidi from the Microbiology Branch, investigated the relationship between gut microbiota, the level of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), and several indicators associated with atherosclerosis. The study also examined the functional role of the bacterial genes cutC and cntA in the production of TMAO.

The research included microbial diversity analysis using multiple techniques, including bacterial culture methods, the VITEK-2 system, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metagenomic analysis.

The findings revealed that patients with atherosclerosis possess a gut microbiome characterized by an increased abundance of bacteria associated with inflammation and the production of trimethylamine (TMA), accompanied by elevated levels of TMAO and cholesterol. The results also showed that 45% of the patients carried either the cutC or cntA gene, whereas these genes were virtually absent in healthy individuals. This finding highlights the potential role of gut microbiota in increasing the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

The examination committee was chaired by Professor Dr. Israa Ghanim Hazim Mohammed and included Professor Dr. Peyman Akram Hama Saeed, Professor Dr. Mahmoud Zaki Suleiman Sultan, Assistant Professor Dr. Alaa Hussein Taha Mahmoud, and Assistant Professor Dr. Younis Saadi Saeed Hussein as members. Professor Dr. Ameera Mahmoud Mohammed Al-Rawi served as both supervisor and committee member.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Head of the Department of Life Sciences, on behalf of the Dean of the College of Science, Professor Dr. Hiyam Adel Ibrahim, presented a Letter of Appreciation to Professor Dr. Peyman Akram Hama Saeed from the College of Education for Pure Sciences, Salahaddin University, in recognition of her scientific contributions and active participation in the examination committee.

We wish our students and faculty members continued success and excellence in their academic and professional endeavors.

Media and Government Communication Division

Sunday, 24 May 2026