Current projects
Biofouling and antifouling in Oman waters
Prevention of biofouling using nanocoatings
Epibiotic communities on sea turtles and marine invertebrates
Diversity, genetics and bioactivity of soft corals
Past projects
VINNOVA project
Economical, social and environmental impacts of marine biofouling in the Sultanate of Oman
Bioremediation of oil polluted ecosystems
Bioactive compounds from marine organisms
Biofouling in Oman waters and prevention of microbial and algal fouling using novel nanorod photocatalytic coatings
The main aim of this TRC project is to investigate the biofouling in Oman waters and prevent it using novel photocatalytic nano-coatings. The project has strated in 2016. The project finished in 2020.
Research Team: 
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov - PI of the project
Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri - Co-PI of the project
Dr. Raeid Abed - Member
Dr. Abddulah Al-Saadi - Member
Dr. Laila Al-Naamani- post-doc
Hanaa Al-Shibli - MSc student
Rahma Al-Mamari - Research Assistant
Mohammed Al-Belushi - BSc student
Past students, research assistants and interns
Marwan Al-Fori -Reseach Assisstant
Priyanka Sathe - PhD student
Sumaya Habib - PhD student
Stephina Wilson - MSc Intern VIT University, Vellore, India
Maitriyee Mahanta - BSc Intern, Arizona State University, USA
Antifouling photocatalytic track-etched nanofilters
This is a joint South Africa - Oman (Sultan Qaboos University) project. The main aim of this project is to develop photocatalytic ZnO and TiO2 track-etched membranes for water treatment of waste and industrial waters. Within this project we cooperate with researchers from the University of the Western Cape. The project has strated in 2018. The project finished in 2020. Research team:
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov - PI of the project, Oman
Prof. Leslie Petrik - PI of the project, SA
Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri - Co-PI of the project, Oman
Dr. Chris Bode-Aluko - pos-doc, SA
Dr. Pereao Omoniy- - post-doc, SA
Biofouling of fishing gear and its prevention in Muscat waters
This is an internal Sultan Qaboos University grant. The main aim of this project is to investigate the effect of biofouling on physical properties of fishing gear as well as find ways to prevent biofouling. The project has strated in 2018. Research team:
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov - PI of the project
Dr. Hussein Al-Masroori - co-PI of the project
VINNOVA project: Prevention of biofouling using photocatalytic nanocoatings
The main aim of this VINNOVA Swedish- Oman project is to starting a fruitful collaboration between KTH and SQU, preparing a successful VINMER Marie Curie proposal and developing new green antifouling coatings using visible light photocatalysis of sea water.
Economical, social and environmental impacts of marine biofouling in the Sultanate of Oman
The main aim of this project was to investigate the bifouling in Oman waters and find suitable and cost effective ways to prevent biofouling. Currently, the project is over. Summary of our finidings in English and Arabic.
Research Team:
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov PI of the project
Dr. Raeid Abed Co-PI of the project (Project:"Analysis of microbial communities")
Dr. Hussein Al-Masroori (Project:"Ghost fishing and nets biodeterioration")
Dr. Slim Zekri (Project: "Economical aspects of biofouling")
Ms. Nashwa A. Al-Mazroui (Project: "Heavy metal pollution")
Mr. Ibrahim Abdullah Al-Qartoubi (Project: "Biofouling of fishing nets")
Research Assistants and Students:
Ms. Thirumahal Muthukrishnan, PhD student (Project: "Development of microbial biofilms on antifouling coatings") - graduated
Ms. Bardiya Al Gafri (general help within the project)
Ms. Jutta Richter, Intern, visiting German BSc student (Project: "Prevention of biofouling using ZnO photocatalytic coatings")
Mr. Marwan Al Fori, MSc student (Project: "Novel antifouling defences using nano- and fouling release coatings")
Ms. Nicole Schwartz, visiting PhD student supported by DAAD (Project:"Chemical defence of native and alien species"), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg
Ms. Reem Al Rashdi MSc student (Project: "Microbial biofouling on natural fibers")
Mr. Salim Al Jaafari (Project: "Biofouling on fishermen boats in the Sultanate of Oman")
Ms. Yousra Al Habsi MSc student (Project: "Antifouling protection of natural and artificial fibers")
Mrs. Agnete Krabbe Katholm, visiting PhD student (Project: "Novel non-toxic antifouling coatings"), Roskilde University
Ms. Annika Vaksmaa, PhD student
Mr. Abdullah Al Kindi, Reserach Assistant
Bioremediation of oil-polluted ecosystems in the Sultanate of Oman
The main aim of this project is to find solutions for bioremediation of oil-polluted areas in Oman. This grant is supported by the Research Council of Oman. Currently, the project is over.
Research Team:
Dr. Raeid Abed PI of the project
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov Co-Investigator (Project:"Bioactive compounds that enhance oil bioremediation")
Join PhD student Ms. Samiha Al-Kharusi "biodegradation of oil by soil microbes"
Antifouling compounds from marine organisms
In this project we were isolating antifouling compounds from marine bacteria as well as fungi and investigating their properties and mechanisms of action. This grant was supported by the Sultan Qaboos University. Currently, the project is over.
Research Team:
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov PI of the project
Anti-quorum sensing and anti-cancer compounds
Quorum sensing is a "chemical language" of bacteria by which they coordinate their behaviour, biofilm formation and production of chemical compounds. It has been proposed that quorum sensing inhibitors can provide a new way to treat bacterial diseases, especially of antibiotic resistant pathogens. In this project we were isolating quorum sensing inhibitors from marine organisms. In parallel, we were screening marine natural compounds for anti-cancer properties. This grant was supported by the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and we are working together with the SQU hospital. The results are published here. Currently, we are investigating the mechanism of action and trying to sythesis these compounds.
Research Team:
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov co-PI of the project
Dr. Ikram Burney SQU hospital, PI of the project
Dr. Yahia Tamimi College of Medicine, SQU
Prevention of biofouling using nanocoatings
Nanotechnology is manipulation of materials at atomic, molecular and supramolecular scale. In this project together with the Chair in Nanotechnology we are testing antifouling properties of zinc oxide nanorod coatings. Under solar radiation these coatings produce reactive oxygen species that kill microorganisms and larvae of macrofoulers. This grant is supported by Sultan Qaboos University and Omantel.
Research Team:
Prof. Joydeep Dutta, KTH, Sweeden
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov PI of the project
Dr. Mohammed Al-Abri, Director Nanotechnology Center, SQU, co-PI of the project
Mrs. Priyanka Sathe, PhD student (graduated)
Ms. Laila Al-Naamani, PhD student (graduated)
Ms. Hajar Al Kaabi, MSc student (graduated)
Epbiotic communities on sea turtles and invertebrates
In this project we investigate diatom communities developed on marine sea turtes. Main emphasis is given on ecology of marine diatoms and identification and isolation of novel species with potential biotechnological activities. This project is supported SQU and run together with the Second University of Naples, Italy.
Dr. Sergey Dobretsov PI of the project
Dr. Marie de Stephano co-PI
