The year 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix and the 20th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project. These historic moments mark progress towards the ability to, one day, deliver personalised, effective healthcare to everyone, everywhere. Although that vision may still seem far off, research teams around the world are making substantial progress in translational genomics projects that have the power to transform healthcare globally by enabling a shift from reactive to preventive care.
In Qatar, a new Precision Health Institute (QPHI) was recently launched with the vision to help shape Qatar’s healthcare by implementing precision medicine. QPHI’s mission is to spearhead national efforts to translate cutting-edge genomic and multi-omics research outcomes into impactful healthcare services that improve the population’s health. With QPHI and its foundations, the Qatar Biobank (QBB) and the Qatar Genome Program (QGP), Qatar has the opportunity to be at the forefront of precision health, answering key questions, such as: How do we translate the genomics information into actionable data in the clinics? How do such approaches impact the overall health and wellness of a population?
This session will also present other initiatives from the wider Middle-East, to highlight other important, ongoing efforts in precision medicine, highlight similarities and context-dependent challenges that need to be considered. The presentations from the US and EU will provide a more scientifically complete picture and the opportunity to discuss potential research synergies on an international scale.
The final schedule of the session is shown below:
Part 1: Science in the Middle East:
Qatar's Endeavors in Advancing Precision Health9.05 am - 9.50am Qatar Biobank & Qatar Genome : Empowering Precision Health in the State of QatarDr. Fatima Qafoud, Clinic and laboratory manager at Qatar Biobank, Qatar Precision Health Institute, Qatar Foundation.
Dr. Eleni Fthenou, Scientist at Qatar Biobank, Qatar Precision Health Institute, Qatar Foundation.
Dr. Hamdi Mbarek, Research Partnerships manager at Qatar Genome, Qatar Precision Health Institute, Qatar Foundation.
9.50 am - 10.00 am QPHI: Spearheading Qatar’s Precision Medicine AgendaDr. Wadha Al-Muftah, translational genomics manager at Qatar Genome, Qatar Precision Health Institute, Qatar Foundation.
10.00 am - 10.20 am Translating genomic insights into cardiovascular medicineDr Jassim Al Swaidi, Senior consultant cardiologist; and chief of scientific, academic and faculty affairs at Hamad Medical Corporation.
10.20 am – 10.30 am Break
Part 2: Science with the Middle East:
Regional and International Initiatives in Advancing Precision Health10.30 am - 10.45 amGenome Tunisia: Paving the way for precision medicine in North Africa (virtual)Dr. Yosr Hamdi,
Assistant Professor, Researcher at the Laboratory of Biomedical Genomics and Oncogenetics, Pasteur Institute Tunisia; and
leading the Genome Tunisia Project and the Personalised Medicine In North Africa consortium10.45 am - 11.10 amThe All of Us Research Program: Advancing Precision Health and MedicineProf. Geoffrey Ginsburg , chief medical and scientific officer of the
All of Us Research Program at the National Institutes of Health
11.10 am - 11.35 am Precision medicine research within the IARC/WHO contextDr. Zisis Kozlakidis, Head, Laboratory Services and Biobank Group, World Health Organization, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
11.35 am - 12.00 pm Open discussion
